[sirocco]

Hey guys... I'm looking for a distortion stompbox with articulation and more sustain. I'm going for a very smooth, liquid, high gain tone. My playing styles are very varied so I need one that is versatile. I play blues all the way to hard rock. I am curretnly using a S-S-S pickup configuration so I feel that I need the distortion box to increase the distortion some more!

I've narrowed my search down to either the Boss DS1 of the MXS Distortion+. Which do you think I should get?

 

[rgr]

Boss SD-1, prefereably made in Japan, a MIJ DS-1 would also be nice. The Dunlop Zakk Wylde is also cool. I don't think the Distortion + is what you are looking for. You do need to try them all out though.

Roger

 

[Solo_Hero]

if your looking for smooth distortion for lead tones, I recommend getting an Ibanez TS808 reissue or the original for your booster, I owned the Boss SD-1 (taiwanese version), its got tons of gain compared to the TS808 but its not as smooth, its defintely an expensive pedal but its worth it, also the stock distortion+ and DS-1 sounds harsh to my ears

 

[screamndemon69]

it will make a big difference what amp you're using as to what kind of tone you'll get with a stompbox. i used the DS-1 and a Tube Screamer (for smooth lead boost) with an Ampeg JetII and it sounded great. i tried it with a 5150 head and the pedals also sounded great - very marshallesque. i am using a Fender Deluxe Reverb mostly and that pedal combo didn't sound right at all. i'm using a Tri O.D. and a Hot British Tone Bone to achieve any and all my gain needs. they are pricey but well worth it IMHO.
my point is to actually try different pedals. if you can, bring your guitar and amp to a store and try out the pedals with your stuff so there are NO suprises on what you are getting. i have a box full of dist. pedals (Pro Co Rat, MXR, DS-1, MT-2, TS808) and keep them around in case of failures or if i change amps and need something different.
i do have both pedals and honestly NEVER used my Dist + pedal for any gigs. it had a cool Angus Young tone thru solid state amps but sounded crappy thru tube amps which are what i mainly use.
it is a process so be patient and turn as many different knobs as you can until you find what you are looking for.
good luck.

 

[Shep]

Sd-1 is smooth and the ds-1 is more shaping the tone..

 

[red5]

^^ Pretty much. The DS-1 CAN be smooth if you use it right, but a TS-9 or the smoother SD-1 will be smoother as they are less tone shaping. Remember the best smooth comes from tubes

Advantage of the DS-1 is you can use it to add gain for practicing!

 

[Jemwielder]

DS-1 is great, you have the tone knob more or less to the left and you get a real smooth tone.

 

[fyrie]

Not to hijack the thread, but all of you chaining a TS-9 into anything should check out the BOSS OD-3 as an alternative/upgrade. I have one and I love using it as a boost. It's very much like a TS-9, but it doesn't cut your bottom end. The thing has enough drive on it to be used as a stand alone pedal as well (for blues or alt). It also sounds cool chaining a TS-9 -> OD-3.

 

[mi2tom]

I have to say the ds-1 is better but try looking for the japanese made instead of the taiwanese made .

 

[red5]

DS-1 is great, you have the tone knob more or less to the left and you get a real smooth tone.

Exactly!! I use my tone from 10 oclock to all the way down, depending on what amp I am running it through!

 

[Ozzdoc]

ya I heard the DS-1 is just a classic pedal....can't go wrong with a classic pedal

 

[EL-CeeDee]

Some kind of pickup booster would work as well and keep your tone more original. I personally use some carl martin pedal for boosting my strat. For my Jem and Jpm I use a DS-1 to get a little boost and more overtones.

 

[metalguitarist7778]

well i have a boss and its and so does my friend really either of them is fine mxr is more death metal and boss is more just metal but both have hi quality!

 

[Jafo]

No one has mentioned the Digitech Distortion Factory which I bought a couple days ago, and so far I'm very pleased.