DIY Boss DS-1 Distortion

If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you may be familiar with the Boss DS1 distortion pedal. The DS1 is a very popular and widely used effects pedal, and it’s easy to see why. This pedal has a powerful tone and can produce a wide range of sounds from subtle distortion to searing high gain.

But did you know that you can build your own version of the Boss DS1? It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and with a few basic components and a bit of soldering know-how, you can build your own DIY Boss DS1 guitar effects pedal.

First, you’ll need to gather together all of the components. This includes a circuit board, potentiometers, transistors, capacitors, resistors, and a few other components. You can find all of these components at most electronics stores, or you can purchase them online.

Once you have all of the components, you’ll need to assemble the circuit board. This is the most difficult part of the process, as you’ll need to be familiar with basic electronics and be able to read circuit diagrams. Don’t worry if you don’t have much experience with electronics, though; there are a few Boss DS1 pedal kits available that will help you out.

Once the circuit board is assembled, you’ll need to connect the off-board components. This is relatively straightforward; simply follow the directions provided with the pedal kit instructions or stripboard layout.

Finally, you’ll need to test the pedal out. Plug your guitar into the pedal and an amplifier, and turn the knobs to see what kind of sound you get. Once you’re happy with the sound, you’ve completed your DIY Boss DS1 guitar effects pedal.

*Please note that these are not licensed copies of the pedals that they are immitating and whilst they are designed to acheive the same sound, there may be some differences.

I am not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned on this page and I do not receive any sort of commission for featuring them on my site.

Happy building!