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Description

The Boss DS-1 has a very heavy metal timbre to start with. Keeley's many modifications take the distortion pedal to a full metal jacket sound. Every component changed or added is of the highest-quality. Metal film resistors are used for a low noise floor; this is essential for a high-gain pedal.

The Keeley modded DS-1 distortion pedal has a lower noise level than the stock pedal. Metal film and poly capacitors are used in the coupling sections to provide the true midrange and high frequency transparency your guitar tone needs while increasing the bass response.

It goes without saying that the note definition has been improved. The final result is an awesome distortion pedal that provides more gain and volume while losing no note definition. Perfect for driving Marshall stacks and other high-powered gear. The DS-1 effect pedal has been modified to have asymmetrical clipping, which gives you second-order harmonic distortion. In addition to lending a very musical sound, the Boss distortion pedal produces an octave-type effect at very high saturation levels.

The Boss distortion pedal has been modified to have the Seeing Eye LED. There is an LED located in the "O" of the word Tone. This LED is not just a visual effect. It's part of the circuit that clips the signal and gives it that full, distorted sound. The heavier you play, the brighter the LED illuminates, providing more distortion. The Extra LED increases the volume output of the pedal a bit, great for using the Boss DS-1 as a preamp to push the amp or to fine tune a low distortion sound on the DS-1 pedal.

The Boss DS-1 distortion pedal's ultra mode has an even fatter, more robust tone. This is designed to give you the "Wall of Marshall Amplifiers" tone. This is perfect for beefing up a Strat or pushing an amp hard so that you get more natural tube amp distortion.

This Boss distortion pedal has a mode switch to dictate the different tones you use. With the switch positioned up, you have the Seeing Eye operation mode. With the DS-1 distortion pedal's switch down you have the Ultra mode.

More gain, more volume, and enhanced note definition.

Product specs

Brand Keeley
Model Boss DS-1 Distortion with Ultra Mod
Finish Orange
Year 2010s
Categories Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What does the Keeley mod add to the Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion?

The Keeley mod enhances the Boss DS-1 by adding increased gain and improved tonal clarity, offering more versatility for various music genres while retaining the pedal's iconic distortion sound.

Is the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion suitable for metal music?

Yes, the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion is suitable for metal music, as the mod provides higher gain and a tighter low-end response, delivering the aggressive tones often desired in metal.

How does the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion differ from the standard DS-1?

The Keeley modded version offers enhanced gain, a more refined tone, and greater dynamic response compared to the standard DS-1, making it more versatile for different playing styles and musical genres.

Can the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion be powered by a battery?

Yes, the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion can be powered by a 9V battery, as well as a compatible 9V DC power supply for convenience during performances.

Does the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion work well with other pedals?

Yes, the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion integrates well with other pedals, maintaining clarity and definition, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard setup.

shnobel

shnobel

New Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod

Video thumbnail for New Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod by shnobel

New Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Keeley DS-1 ULTRA Pedal by N Stuff Music

Keeley DS-1 ULTRA Pedal

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Boss DS-1 Battle Vintage vs New vs Keeley Ultra Mod by shnobel

Boss DS-1 Battle Vintage vs New vs Keeley Ultra Mod

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod by shnobel

Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Mammoth/Keeley BOSS DS-1 Ultra Distortion by 60 Cycle Hum

Mammoth/Keeley BOSS DS-1 Ultra Distortion

60 Cycle Hum

60 Cycle Hum

Video thumbnail for Vintage Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod by shnobel

Vintage Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-1 Keeley Ultra Mod

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for BOSS DS-1 Keeley Mod (Ultra, Seeing Eye) Pedal Show by Marcelo Alfradique

BOSS DS-1 Keeley Mod (Ultra, Seeing Eye) Pedal Show

Marcelo Alfradique

Marcelo Alfradique

Reviews

PROS

  • Significantly improved tone over the original DS-1

  • Two distinct modes (Seeing Eye and Ultra) for versatile sound shaping

  • Enhances pedal board with its unique sound capabilities

  • Compatible with other pedals for expanded tonal options

  • Retains the classic DS-1 chaos with better clarity

  • Ideal for genres like grunge and punk rock

  • Higher quality components than factory version

  • More pronounced mids and less fizziness

CONS

  • Ultra mode may be too intense for simple on/off effects

  • Slight difficulty in distinguishing between the two mod modes

  • Might not cut through in a band setting as well as other pedals

  • Can sound too bright or muffled for some preferences

  • Requires distortion knob to be higher than 4 for optimal sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion.

Features and functionality

  • The Keeley Ultra Mod offers a "seeing eye" mode that tames the harshness of the DS-1 while still delivering high-end clarity for dynamic clean channel performance.

    Source
  • The "ultra mode" provides an intense, chaotic distortion, ideal for use as a third dirt channel rather than a simple on/off effect.

    Source
  • The Keeley mod allows for customizations like green active lights and white seeing eyes, offering more visual options.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Keeley mod places the LED strategically to replace the "O" in "Tone," adding a unique aesthetic touch.

    Source
  • The "fat switch" is a lesser-known mod that intrigues players, though specific changes to achieve it are unclear.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the pedal's ability to reproduce desired harmonic overtones, especially when playing muted strings, reminiscent of the classic DS-1 sound.

    Source
  • Some owners have experimented with resistor values when modding, often due to part availability, affecting the pedal's sound.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners who mod their DS-1 often see it as a gateway to further pedal modifications, boosting confidence in DIY projects.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 37 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
karl321

Keeley DS-1 Ultra Mod

Someone said you can play the entire history of rock n'roll but heavier with this pedal and it's true.

It's a huge improvement over the DS-1, but I'd argue that the stock DS-2 is better in some ways. The DS-1 mod has more bite than a DS-2, but the DS-2 kind of has a more fun sounding distortion tone to me, because it has less edge to it. These are the best distortion pedals you can buy, in my option.

mathiasteixeira

It's an okay distortion pedal.

Well, I have to admit I purchased the DS1 because I am a huge fan of John Frusciante's playing, and the DS1 is a huge part of his sound on RHCP in quite a few songs. I must say, I haven't been able to make it sound "great" as I thought I would have, It sounds either too bright or too muffled, and I really dislike the clipping on it. Although I have to admit it is a great distortion to just play raw punk rock stuff on.

jimmarchi1

what kinda amp are you using? The DS1, even stock, is one of those very amp dependent pedals.... I always thought it sounded good through a marshall and basically nothing else

mathiasteixeira

I tried it trough two Laney amps, a solid state one, and a CUB 12, it did sound better on the CUB but i just dislike the way it distorts, like the clipping on it, urgh.

dailydoze

Nice.

This has a heavier sound than a normal DS1. If you want a sound with more bass, simply flick the switch. The only problem? Unlike the standard DS1, it's almost impossible to get a good sound with the distortion knob lower than 4.

darrenclewes

Just better than the standard

The standard DS1 is a bit lacking in grunt and dimension but this version fills out so much better. It's been pretty much the staple drive on my board since I got it. I honestly dread the time it stops working as any other ds1 i've used just doesn;t do the same thing somehow.

thethreeravens

warmer tone than stock

takes a while playing around with the settings to find a balance of dist and tone but you will know when you get there! also great with compression combo

M

adds a warm boost to the tone not too heavy on the distortion

claudioleon

distorcion ds 1

usado en el setting original desde 2016

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Klinghoffer uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Pearl Jam

...
Verified via YouTube

"This is the Keeley-moded drive," says Josh Klinghoffer's guitar tech about the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal.

See how Jeff Rosenstock uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Jeff Rosenstock

Singer, Guitarist

Bomb the Music Industry!

...
Verified via Gearmetropolis

" The first pedal I truly loved using is this modded Boss DS-1. I think it’s called the Keeley mod but I honestly don’t know for sure."

See how Oz Noy uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Oz Noy

Guitarist

...
Verified via BOSS

"Do you have the BOSS DS-1 with the Keeley mod?

Yes, actually I do. He does a great mod for that. I actually use it a lot."

See how Tim Feerick uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Tim Feerick

Bassist

Dance Gavin Dance

...
Verified via Photo

In this gear photo posted by Feerick on his Instagram account, the Keeley-modded Boss DS-1 is visible.

See how Richard Coleman uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Richard Coleman

Guitarist, Composer

Fricción

...
Verified via Photo

Foto compartida en su Instagram. Boss DS-1 con la modificación de Keeley hecha por Cluster Efectos.

See how Bobby Hambel uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Bobby Hambel

Guitarist

Biohazard

...
Verified via Photo

Bobby Hambel uses a Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion pedal, identifiable by its distinctive black knobs, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Wordpress.

See how Yuji Adachi (You) uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Yuji Adachi (You)

Guitarist, Composer

DEAD END

...
Verified via Archive

Yuji Adachi uses the Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion pedal, as detailed on his official website.

See how Kenny Olson uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Kenny Olson

Guitarist

Moonshine Bandits

...
Verified via Photo

A Boss DS1 modded by Keeley is seen in this pic

See how Filip uses Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion

Filip

Guitarist, Composer

Flying Ships

...
Verified via Photo

Filip is using Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 during his recording sessions.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Keeley Modded Boss DS-1 Ultra Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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