Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, boss distortion pedals are a great way to add some extra power and grit to your sound.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the 5 best distortion pedals on the market today.
These pedals provide everything from subtle overdrive to all-out metal mayhem, so there’s sure to fit your style!
By the end of this blog post, you will know exactly which pedal is right for your playing style! So, let’s get started!
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best boss pedals for every guitarist.
Best Overall -BOSS DS 1 Distortion Pedal
BOSS DS-1 DISTORTION PEDAL
This pedal was my “go-to” back in my younger days when I was in a local band.
The Boss DS 1 distortion pedal is extremely affordable and super simple to use with just a tone, level, and distortion setting.
This pedal is also perfect for guitar and keyboard sounds and maintains its tone even while delivering deep, crispy distortion.
The Boss DS-1 distortion pedal accurately responds to all your picking and playing dynamics.
From a whisper to ear-splitting loud!
And with the onboard TONE control, you can tailor the overall sound to your liking.
It’s all that you need in one little orange box of distortion goodness!
Pros
Pros:
- Extremely affordable.
- Super simple to use.
- Can be used for guitar or keyboard sounds.
- Maintains its tone even while delivering deep, crispy distortion.
- Accurately responds to all your picking and playing dynamics.
- Onboard TONE control allows you to tailor the overall sound to your liking.
Cons
Cons:
- Pedal lacks some warmth to tone.
Best for Versatility – DS-1X Distortion Pedal
BOSS SPECIAL EDITION DS-1X DISTORTION PEDAL
The Boss DS-1X produces a massive sound for those distortion lovers out there.
This pedal is powered by BOSS’ MDP technology, which delivers distortion that sounds perfect no matter where you play on the neck.
You’ll enjoy tight response on the low strings and fat, singing tones on the highest notes, plus exceptional definition when playing two or more notes at a time.
The smooth, natural presence ensures that you always cut through without harshness.
This pedal has a very low noise level, even when the gain settings are cranked up high.
You also get three knobs – Drive, High, and Low – that offer a ton of shaping options, letting you create sounds that are unique to your setup.
Plus, the cool chrome knobs and control plate make this pedal stand out on any stage.
It is a little more on the expensive side so it is an investment.
And finally, the vintage silver knob for battery access completes the killer look.
Rock on!
Pros
Pros:
- Powered by BOSS’ MDP technology, which delivers distortion that sounds perfect no matter where you play on the neck.
- Tight response on the low strings and fat, singing tones on the highest notes.
- A smooth, natural presence ensures that you always cut through without harshness.
- Very low noise level, even when the gain is cranked up high.
- Three knobs – Drive, High, and Low – offer a ton of shaping options, letting you create sounds that are unique to your setup.
- Cool chrome knobs and control plate make this pedal stand out on any stage.
Cons
Cons:
- One of the more expensive distortion pedals.
Best for Overdrive – OS-2 Overdrive Pedal
BOSS OS-2 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION PEDAL
For a while, this was my number # 1 pedal.
I still enjoy it when I plug-in and get loud and it packs a serious punch.
It’s the perfect tool for guitarists who want to experiment with their sound.
The overdrive and distortion circuits can be used separately or combined to create unique, harmonically rich tones that will cut through any mix.
The level, tone, and drive controls to allow you to dial in the exact sound you’re looking for, while the color knob lets you find the perfect balance between the two effects.
Whether you’re playing blues, rock, or metal, the OS-2 has the versatility to give your sound a boost.
Write six pros and one con about the BOSS OS-2 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION PEDAL
Pros
Pros:
- Can be used for overdrive or distortion, or both together for unique tones.
- Level, tone, and drive controls allow you to dial in the exact sound you want.
- The color knob lets you find the perfect balance between the two effects.
- Versatile enough to work with any genre of music.
- Packs a serious punch.
- Harmonically rich tones that will cut through any mix.
Cons
Cons:
- Can only enable one effect at a time.
Best for Metal – MT-2 METAL ZONE
BOSS MT-2 METAL ZONE DISTORTION GUITAR EFFECTS PEDAL
Do you want more than what the hard rock or punk pedals are offering for distortion?
The BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal is the perfect pedal for any metal guitarist.
With its extremely heavy distortion, huge mids and lows, and ultra-saturated sound, the MT-2 provides the deepest and strongest distortion in the Boss compact series.
This innovative dual-stage gain circuit pedal allows you to dial in massive sounds with ease.
The 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid control offers a wide range of extreme distortion textures, so you can always dial in the perfect tone.
With up to 15 dB of boost/cut on each band, you can achieve whatever saturation level you need. Plus, the easy-to-use design makes it possible to get great sounds at any volume level.
If you’re looking for a pedal that can do it all, look no further than the BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal.
Pros
Pros:
- Provides the deepest and strongest distortion in the Boss compact series.
- Allows you to dial in massive sounds with ease.
- Offers a wide range of extreme distortion textures.
- Up to 15 dB of boost/cut on each band.
- Easy-to-use design.
- Can be used at any volume level.
Cons
Cons:
- Maybe too much distortion for some guitarists.
Best for Alternative Tunings – MD-2 Mega Distortion
Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion Modulation Multi-Effects Pedal
Looking for an over-the-top distortion pedal that will give you a massive low-end and seemingly endless sustain?
This pedal is designed for today’s metal and hard rock.
With a special dual-stage distortion circuit and added gain boost to push your sound to the extreme.
The Bottom and Tone controls let you customize your sound.
Meanwhile, the powerful bass sound is perfect for dropped tunings and 7-string guitars.
So if you’re looking for crushing distortion and huge sustain, grab the Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion and take your sound to the next level!
Pros
Pros:
- Special dual-stage distortion circuit.
- Added gain boost for extra distortion.
- Bottom and Tone controls let you customize your sound.
- Powerful bass sound perfect for dropped tunings and seven-string guitars.
- Crushing distortion.
- Huge sustain.
Cons
Cons:
- Could take some getting used to the controls.
Best for Harmonics -DS-2 TURBO
BOSS DS-2 TURBO DISTORTION PEDAL
Looking for a powerful distortion pedal that can give you a wide range of sounds?
Then check out the Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion Pedal!
This pedal has two Turbo Modes that will let you create a variety of distortion sounds.
Turbo Mode I gives you warm and mellow distortion with flat frequency response, while Turbo Mode II provides biting distortion with a mid-range boost.
Perfect for blues-rock or scorching leads.
You can also use the Level, Tone, and Distortion controls to create your perfect sound.
So if you’re looking for an amazing Pedal with tons of power and versatility, the Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion Pedal is the perfect choice for you!
Pros
Pros:
- Two Turbo Modes for a variety of distortion sounds.
- Turbo Mode I gives you warm and mellow distortion with a flat frequency response.
- Turbo Mode II provides biting distortion with a mid-range boost.
- Level, Tone, and Distortion control to create your perfect sound.
- Built to last.
- Tons of power and versatility.
Cons
Cons:
- Can produce a fizzy tone at times.
Buyers Guide
Do BOSS pedals need a power supply?
The vast majority of guitar pedals require a power supply or a 9V battery.
If your pedal has this symbol on it, make sure you use an appropriate power supply or battery.
How do I know if a distortion pedal is right for me?
It depends on what style of music you play and what type of sound you are going for.
To start with, you need to think about what kind of music you play.
If you’re in a metal band, then you’re going to need a lot more distortion than someone who plays country music.
The next thing you need to consider is what kind of guitar you have.
A boss pedal can provide a great sound on any guitar.
Finally, you need to think about your budget.
Boss makes some of the best distortion pedals on the market, so they’re not cheap.
But if you’re serious about getting the best possible sound, then it’s worth the investment.
What is the difference between overdrive and distortion?
Overdrive is a softer form or clipping that will add sustain to your notes without changing the tone too much. It is usually used to boost solos or leads.
Distortion is a harder form of clipping that will completely change the tone of your guitar. It is usually used for rhythm playing in rock and metal.
Both distortion and overdrive pedals are great choices for guitarists, it just depends on what sound you’re going for.
If you want a heavier sound, go with a distortion pedal.
If you want a boost to your soloing or lead playing, go with an overdrive pedal.
What is the best boss pedal for beginners?
The Boss DS 1 Distortion Pedal is a great choice for beginners.
It’s affordable, it’s simple to use, and it sounds great. If you’re looking for a pedal to help you get started, this is a great option for your first distortion pedal.
The Boss DS 1 Distortion pedal has two knobs: one for volume and one for gain settings.
It’s easy to dial in the perfect amount of distortion tones with these two knobs.
The Boss DS 1 distortion pedal also has a built-in boost function, which gives your guitar an extra boost of power when you need it.
Can you use a distortion pedal on an acoustic guitar?
While acoustic guitars are typically known for their clean, mellow sound, there’s no reason why you can’t add a little bit of distortion to your playing.
A distortion pedal can provide the perfect amount of grit and edge to your sound, without sounding too harsh or distorted.
By adding a distortion pedal to your acoustic guitar set-up, you’ll be able to add a new dimension to your playing.
Whether you’re looking to add a little bit of spice to your sound or completely change the way you play, it can help you achieve the sound you’re looking for.
How many different pedals can you use when playing guitar?
Many guitar players find that using pedals can help to create a fuller, richer sound.
While some pedals, such as distortion pedals, are designed to create a specific effect, others, such as wah-wah pedals, can be used to add texture and depth to the overall sound.
In general, most guitarists have between four and eight pedals that they use regularly.
However, some players prefer to use a larger number of pedals, while others find that they can get by with just a few.
Ultimately, the decision of how many pedals to use is up to the individual player.
Conclusion
So there you have it!
The five best boss distortion pedals for every guitarist.
In this article, we’ve highlighted our favorite pedals and given a little information about each one including the pros and cons.
These pedals are some of the most popular in the world.
They offer a wide range of tones, perfect for any guitarist.
Whether you’re looking for a classic rock sound or something more modern, we’ve got you covered.
So if you’re looking for a way to take your sound to the next level, grab one of these pedals and start shredding!
If you have any questions about which pedal is right for you, let us know in the comments below.
And be sure to check out our other articles for more tips on choosing the perfect guitar gear!
Do you have a favorite pedal?
Are you still searching for your first distortion pedal?
Let us know in the comments below and make sure you sign up for our mailing list!
Thank you and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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