BOSS’s Legendary
Super Overdrive Sound
Since its release in 1981, the workhorse SD-1 Super Overdrive has been the core gain pedal for generations of players across every musical genre. Based around the revolutionary asymmetrical clipping circuit from the OD-1 Overdrive—one of the three original BOSS compact pedals from 1977—the SD-1 delivers rich, smooth, and highly musical overdrive tones that continue to inspire guitarists everywhere.
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Standard Features
- Genre-defining BOSS overdrive sound
- Unique asymmetrical clipping circuit produces tube-like overdrive characteristics
- Mild-to-moderate drive tones with focused midrange and tight low end
- Ideal for use with clean and slightly driven amps
- Also works great for bringing tightness and definition to high-gain amp tones
- Stacks well with boost, overdrive, and distortion pedals
- BOSS five-year warranty
The Clipping Circuit That Defined “Overdrive”
In 1977, BOSS created an entirely new stompbox category with the OD-1, bringing natural overdrive in pedal form to guitarists for the very first time. Producing a signal rich in even-order harmonics, its unique asymmetric clipping circuit replicated the pleasing sound and feel of a driven tube amp—but at controllable volume levels. Four years later, this breakthrough design evolved into the more versatile SD-1, which added an active tone control for shaping the treble response and subtle enhancements for more low-end body.
Overdrive Perfection
The SD-1 allows players from beginner to pro to get inspiring sounds right away, thanks to its natural behavior and the subtle mid boost that’s part of its design. It gives your tone a push where it matters most, ensuring your guitar always sits perfectly in the mix with warmth, clarity, and rich presence. Lower drive settings are great for rhythm parts, while higher settings are ideal for fat, singing leads. The SD-1 is also very sensitive to input gain, letting you dial in different shades of overdrive simply by adjusting your guitar’s volume control.
The One Pedal Every Player Needs
With its organic character and responsive drive and tone controls, the SD-1 delivers the right sound for just about any style of music. Kick on the pedal with your favorite clean or slightly driven amp for mild-to-moderate overdrive that’s ideal for everything from classic rock and gritty blues to pop, country, jazz, and beyond. The SD-1 also shines as a booster for high-gain amps and other drive pedals, providing mid focus, tight bass, and smooth top end that’s perfectly suited for heavier sounds and solo playing.
Guide/Articles
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Behind the Board: Mike Crawford with Portishead, Massive Attack, and Goldfrapp
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Using Delay for Specific Genres
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Getting the Most Out of Your Overdrive Pedal
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Pedal Partners: Combining Overdrive with Other Effects
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Guitar Pedals Go Country
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What’s the Difference Between a DS-1, SD-1, and BD-2?
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Why Every Guitarist Needs an SD-1
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Specifications:
- Nominal Input Level
- -20 dBu
- Input Impedance
- 1 M ohm
- Nominal Output Level
- -20 dBu
- Output Impedance
- 1 k ohm
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 10 k ohms or greater
- Bypass
- Buffered bypass
- Controls
- DRIVE knob
TONE knob
LEVEL knob
Pedal switch - Indicator
- CHECK indicator (Used for indication of check battery)
- Connectors
- INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
DC IN jack - Power Supply
- Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22) or Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately) - Current Draw
- 10 mA
- Expected battery life under continuous use
- Carbon: Approx. 60 hours
Alkaline: Approx. 90 hours
*These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use. - Accessories
- Leaflet (“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”)
Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22) - Options (sold separately)
- AC adaptor: PSA series
- Size and Weight
- Width
- 73 mm
2-7/8 inches - Depth
- 129 mm
5-1/8 inches - Height
- 59 mm
2-3/8 inches - Weight (including battery)
- 360 g
13 oz - * 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
- *The specifications are subject to change without notice.
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