Description
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.
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
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.
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.
Limited Edition 40th Anniversary SD-1 Super Overdrive (SD-1-4A)
To celebrate 40 years of continuous SD-1 production, we’ve created a limited edition version that’s available throughout 2021. This commemorative pedal features a black body with yellow lettering, gold-capped knobs, and a vintage silver thumbscrew for the battery compartment and comes in a box with a special 40th Anniversary logo.