Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion vs Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza

The Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion and the Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza are both pedals sharing mid-forward, fuzzy. The Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion leans smooth and saturated. The Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza leans tight and bright. Current prices: $89.47 vs $148.78.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

44% — somewhat different

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Metal
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • mid-forward
  • fuzzy
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
17%
0%
Price

$89.47via Reverb

$148.78via Reverb

Description

The Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion is a two-mode distortion pedal providing two distinct high-gain characters via a Turbo switch. Turbo I delivers a warmer, mellower distortion with a flat frequency response and smooth saturation. Turbo II engages a biting, midrange-boosted distortion character ideal for lead playing that cuts through a band mix. Covers the range from classic rock chords through 1980s-era distortion to heavier lead tones. Associated with the tones of Nirvana, RHCP, and Wolfmother. A significant evolution beyond the standard DS-1 in terms of voicing flexibility and gain depth.

The Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza Craft is a faithful reissue of the original HM-2, the pedal that defined the chainsaw sound of Swedish death metal through Entombed and the early Sunlight Studios scene. With Level, Distortion, and a two-band Color EQ centered around a punchy low end and a high control near one kilohertz, its signature tone comes from cranking every knob for a buzzing, saturated, scooped chainsaw roar that still keeps attack. The Waza version adds a Custom mode with more gain, saturation, mids, and upper-mid bite alongside the standard mode, plus a lower noise floor, more output, and a premium buffer. Beloved for death metal, d-beat, and crust, it can also dial back to a waspy fuzz-like grind, making it the reference for the dark Swedish chainsaw voice.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Classic Rock
  • Punk
  • Alternative Rock
  • Grunge
  • Hard Rock
  • Rock
  • Death Metal
  • Hardcore
Tonal lean
  • smooth
  • saturated
  • dynamic
  • high gain
  • tight
  • bright
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