Gallery
Description
Features
Specs
Warranty
Reviews
Q&A

Videos (3)

View All
BOSS SD-1 SUPER OverDrive - INTRO

BOSS SD-1 SUPER OverDrive - INTRO

SD-1 Super OverDrive

SD-1 Super OverDrive

Boss YourTone

Boss YourTone

Description

The legendary Boss SUPER OverDrive SD-1 Pedal has been delivering genre-defining overdrive tones for over 40 years. This hardworking stompbox uses Boss's proprietary asymmetrical clipping circuit to produce rich, creamy overdrive reminiscent of a cranked tube amp. With fully analog circuitry and controls for Level, Tone, and Drive, the SD-1 makes it simple to dial in everything from mild breakup to singing leads.

Asymmetrical Clipping for Authentic Tube-Amp Tone

Boss pioneered the overdrive pedal category with 1977's OD-1, which used an innovative asymmetrical clipping circuit to mimic the sound of an overdriven tube amp. The SD-1 evolved from this revolutionary design, enhancing it with an active tone control and low-end boost for full, musical overdrive. This asymmetric circuit produces predominantly even-order harmonics, resulting in a tone that's naturally warm, smooth, and responsive.

Versatile Controls for Any Playing Style

The SD-1's Level, Tone, and Drive controls make it easy to tailor your overdrive tone. Level adjusts the pedal's output volume, allowing you to boost your signal without changing its character. Tone shapes the overall tone by adjusting the high-frequency response. And Drive controls the amount of gain and distortion. Whether you prefer mild breakup, creamy overdrive, or searing lead tones, the SD-1 delivers.

A Pedalboard Essential for Any Genre

The SD-1's organic, amp-like overdrive has made it a staple for guitarists in all genres of music. Its dynamic response and touch-sensitive drive are perfect for rock, blues, and classic tones, while the Tone knob provides enough flexibility for country, jazz, and more. The SD-1 also works great as a booster for higher-gain amps and pedals, tightening the bass response and focusing the midrange. For over 40 years, the SD-1 has been the overdrive pedal that does it all and is now available at Guitar Center.

BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive Pedal
BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive Pedal
BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive Pedal

Features

  • Classic BOSS overdrive pedal that delivers warm, amp-like breakup
  • Asymmetric clipping design adds rich harmonics with natural feel
  • Drive control shapes gain from subtle edge to saturated crunch
  • Tone knob tailors brightness to sit clearly in a band mix
  • Level control balances effect volume for seamless switching
  • Dynamic response preserves your guitar’s character and clarity
  • Stacks well with amps and pedals for versatile gain staging
  • Rugged compact chassis built for reliable stage and studio use

Specs

General
  • Product type: Overdrive pedal
Controls
  • Control knobs: Level, Tone, Drive
  • Footswitches: Bypass footswitch
Connectivity
  • Input: 1/4" instrument input
  • Output: 1/4" instrument output
Power and Voltage
  • Power requirement: 9V DC
  • Power supply included: No
Dimensions and Weight
  • Height: 2.3"
  • Width: 2.9"
  • Depth: 5.1"
  • Weight: 1.2 lb.

Warranty

Boss pedals - 5 year parts warranty
90 day labor warranty.
1 year warranty - Multitracks, Jamstations, etc.
Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

Reviews

4.61

112 Reviews

91%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Great pedal
Nice overdrive who's the Boss!
Nice overdrive who's the Boss!
This product needs need to work
Great overdrive
I like it for 50 bucks you can't beat it. High Quality!

Most Liked Positive Review

5

This is NOT a "distortion" pedal!

Before there were distortion pedals, the only thing that guitarists could do to get that loud "distorted" sound that is heard in early hard rock albums(Black Sabbath, The Who, The Beatles, etc...) was to turn up their amplifiers as loud as they could stand. This was no real "distortion" like we are accustomed to today. It was referred to as high gain or simply "overdrive". The BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive is the perfect way to get that classic overdrive sound. Yes, there is a big difference between overdrive and distortion. While distortion distorts the sound, blending notes together and "muddying" it, overdrive retains the original guitar signal while adding the high gain that gives solos extra sustain, and rythm parts more "edge" and higher volume. This pedal is the antithesis of the "heavy metal" sound. If you are in a metal-style band, do not buy this pedal! That type of music requires a louder, "muddier" distortion that regular overdrive does not offer. BOSS does offer at least 5 different distortion pedals as well as their multiple overdrives, and in my opinion, they are the best on the market. If you want to sound proffessional, BOSS is the way to go. All other compact pedals pale in comparison. *BOSS is a part of the ROLAND music company, who are most famous for their perfect sounding synthesisers, electric pianos, and digital recording equipment, which in my opinion is the best that money can buy. (for more info visit bossus.com or rolandus.com)

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

under-whelming, generic, overdrive

This pedal isn't worth the money. It's probably worth $20 bucks. It gives you the most generic tube amp type over-drive but the Boss Super Overdrive is less responsive to volume dynamics and attack than tube amp overdrive. This pedal doesn't even give you much of a volume boost either and the eq is just a high-pass filter. This pedal is obsolete now. I can maybe see how this pedal was useful in the 80's or something but this pedal useless now.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Home Studio29
  2. Performances29
  3. Amateur Recording20
  4. Professional Recording18
  5. Outdoor Events / Games11
Cons
  1. Poor Sound Quality2
  2. All good, no problems1
  3. Not Responsive1
  4. I think a noise gate would do it justice1
  5. None1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced33
  2. Professional Musician9
  3. Novice4
Pros
  1. Excellent Sound Quality38
  2. Responsive34
  3. Compact31
  4. Versatile26
  5. Good Selection Of Effects13

Reviewed by 112 customers

  • This is the only overdrive pedal that I`ll ever use!

    5

    submitted4 days ago

    byJeff

    fromMontgomery, Alabama

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use this pedal straight into the amp and it is like a 3rd channel when engaged on the clean channel of the amp. It`s set to have that classic breakup tone of a vintage amp. It has the perfect amount of drive and most of all it doesn't have a thousand knobs and switches to dial in!! It`s an overdrive pedal; not sure how much more you would need!

  • Awesome pedal for an awesome deal

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byLemmy

    fromNew York, NY

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use this for home practice I makes my amp sound insanely good! Perfect cruch and overdrive mixed with epic tone quality! Would buy again! #sweepstakes

  • Great pedal

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byAustin

    fromOrlando, Fl

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great OD pedal, I run this into the dirty channel of a bugera 6262 (peavey 6505 clone). It really tightens up the sound.

  • The gold standard, along with a Tube Screamer, to push amps

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byEd

    fromNYC, NY

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I have been using a Tube Screamer throughout the many years of my playing. I watched a couple players who used an SD-1 instead, so I decided to give it a try. There are some similarities in the way it tightens up the low end, with the mid bump a bit lower than the tube screamer.

  • I recommend this effects pedal.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byRob

    fromFayetteville, GA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use this Distortion pedal and channel it through a compressor for better highs and sustains in my recordings.

  • Works perfect

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byDimma K

    fromFort Myers, Fl

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Drives acoustic amp nuts. Very good quality pedal.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byJack

    fromHernando Mississippi

    Does this pedal use a battery for power or must you buy a power cable?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    It will run on a 9V battery.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byRoxanna

    fromundisclosed

    Does this come with a cord? Or do I have to buy one separate?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, a cable would require a separate purchase.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byKorbin

    fromPerry UT

    Does it come with the input out put cords?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Unfortunately, no

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byChristian the Confirm

    fromSan Antonio, TX

    Does this come with a cable

    Open Reply - Beau
    This pedal does not come with a cable.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byChristian the Confirmer

    fromSan Antonio, TX

    Will this come with a cable

    Open Reply - Beau
    This pedal does not come with a cable included.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byMatt

    fromLubbock Tx

    Does it work with bass?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is made for guitar frequencies

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byYaniel

    fromRochester, NY

    That pedal (boss superoverdrive) that you are offering come with the original power cord?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This effects pedal does not come with a power supply included.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byTyler

    fromUnited States

    does it come with a cable?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    No. the cables aren't included.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byGlenn

    fromGreenville, SC

    does it come with the power supply? searched EVERYWHERE for contents included in box but can't find a thing...

    Open Reply -
    This pedal does not include the power supply.