• Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Topic: Boss pedals

Hey, I'm looking for a pedal that can get some more distortion out of my 30-watt solid state amp, and I've read (and actually heard in action) that Boss pedals are pretty good.  I know a guy who has a Metal Zone and it sounds sweet, but I really don't want to spend almost $100 on one, and I've read that the Metal Zone is a bit of a one-trick pony anyway.  I was wondering if buying a DS-1 would be a better idea, then I can get distortion without having my amp screaming, but if I do want a heavier sound, I can combine the pedal with the overdrive on my amp.  What do you guys think of this idea? If anyone owns either pedal or has a different pedal to reccomend, please offer any opinions!

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Boss pedals

I'm going to the local music shop to try out some Boss pedals and some (cheap) Danelectros.  I'm bringing my guitar and amp to see what combining my amp's distortion with the DS-1 will get! And if the Dano sounds ok, I might get that, cuz it's only 18 bucks!

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2008-08-05
  • Posts: 256

Re: Boss pedals

06

I have a few Boss pedals ... the one I bought was the Metal Core ... if you're going for a tight, "Pantera" type of metal that's the way to go .... the Core is a notch above the Zone in regards to the metal sound ... I was about to go with the Zone but switched to the Core ... good luck with whichever one you buy ... you'll be satisfied

"Rhythm drives the Rock-n-Roll train"

Gibson Les Paul/PRS Custom/Ovation Celebrity Koa
Line6 SpiderIII 75
  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Boss pedals

I'm new to the world of pedals and effects....I know there's a ton of crap out there....but I need some advice on buying.  I'm thinking about the Metal Zone, but there's a DigiTech pedal that has the Boss Metal Zone incorperated into it along with several other distortion pedals, for 10 bucks cheaper than a Metal Zone, mind you.  The thing is, I don't want to play exclusively metal stuff-I'd like a pedal where I can go from blues to rock to metal.  Any reccomendations?

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2008-08-05
  • Posts: 256

Re: Boss pedals

That's a good buy then ... Line6 has a lot of "pods" you can buy that have the effects in them instead of buying 5, 10, 15 pedals ... a boss pedal sounds good by itself but I hate changing the tones, etc on it ... the one other item I'm buying for mine later on is the Boss Equalizer pedal ... it sounds great with together with my Metal Core or Blues Driver

I'd go with the DigiTech pedal ... I've never seen it before but if it gives you the pedal effects you want, that would be the best way to go

"Rhythm drives the Rock-n-Roll train"

Gibson Les Paul/PRS Custom/Ovation Celebrity Koa
Line6 SpiderIII 75
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Boss pedals

I use and love Boss pedals. Here's how i run mine;

Guitar>Boss tuner>Boss Compressor/Sustain>Boss EQ(for solo boost)> Boss Phase Shifter(spacey,chorus,flange,envelope filter,wah sound)>Boss EQ( leave on all of the time)>Boss RC20-XL Loop Station>Mackie unpowered mixer>Marshall 50Watt Soloist> Bose L1 Cylindrical Radiator Loudspeaker System (1,400 watts) or for smaller venues I'll use a Behringer 45 watt acoustic Amp instead of the Bose. Also, I use a DC power source
for my pedals (2) , I connect the tuner, comp/sus/eq,env.filt,and eq. I have a seperate power source for the loop. I like the reliability of the direct power source as opposed to batteries. My amps are set pretty much at 12 oclock and my EQ is adjusted from my mixer. The volume is determined by the size of venue I'm playing.
There's my secret formula for my live sound and I swear by Boss pedals. I've tried many different brands and I always find myself going back to my Boss pedals, They're durable, reliable, easy to operate, and sound amazing.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

ps-distortion sucks!!!! It burys the beautiful tones that acoustic guitars send out. You wanna play metal or hard rock get a distortion pedal. If you're playing acoustic music, distortion is the ultimate nemesis.

Give everything but up.
  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Boss pedals

I think I find one I like....the Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff.  More controls than Boss distortion pedals, and I read excellent reviews on it.  Thanks for your advice, though.

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Boss pedals

SouthPaw41L wrote:

I use and love Boss pedals. Here's how i run mine;

Guitar>Boss tuner>Boss Compressor/Sustain>Boss EQ(for solo boost)> Boss Phase Shifter(spacey,chorus,flange,envelope filter,wah sound)>Boss EQ( leave on all of the time)>Boss RC20-XL Loop Station>Mackie unpowered mixer>Marshall 50Watt Soloist> Bose L1 Cylindrical Radiator Loudspeaker System (1,400 watts) or for smaller venues I'll use a Behringer 45 watt acoustic Amp instead of the Bose. Also, I use a DC power source
for my pedals (2) , I connect the tuner, comp/sus/eq,env.filt,and eq. I have a seperate power source for the loop. I like the reliability of the direct power source as opposed to batteries. My amps are set pretty much at 12 oclock and my EQ is adjusted from my mixer. The volume is determined by the size of venue I'm playing.
There's my secret formula for my live sound and I swear by Boss pedals. I've tried many different brands and I always find myself going back to my Boss pedals, They're durable, reliable, easy to operate, and sound amazing.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

ps-distortion sucks!!!! It burys the beautiful tones that acoustic guitars send out. You wanna play metal or hard rock get a distortion pedal. If you're playing acoustic music, distortion is the ultimate nemesis.

I understand that.  Yeah, I too love the tones that come from an acoustic, but sometimes you just need a heavier sound that an acoustic can't give.  By the way, my playing style ranges from John Denver to Yngwie Malmsteen (though I can't play any Malmsteen stuff yet sad )

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Boss pedals

Not too many people can play Yngwie's stuff. Keep at it though, you'll get there if you really want to! I dig your diversity. That'll take you a long way(being diverse). As far as the best distortion tones I've heard in my experiences, they come from a Marshall Solid State(50watt and up) gain side. The tubes are even better, I just can't afford the tubes, yet.............
Play on.....

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Give everything but up.