The Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion is a Boss distortion pedal, currently around $138.36. Close alternatives include the MXR Distortion+ and the MXR M104 Distortion+. It pairs well with the Blackstar St. James 100 and the Soldano Astro-20 Head.
Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion
Boss · pedal
The Boss DS-1W is the Waza Craft edition of the classic Boss DS-1 distortion pedal, manufactured in Japan with premium components. It features two modes: Standard, which replicates the original DS-1 tight buzz-saw distortion used by Kurt Cobain, Steve Vai, and countless others, and Custom, which delivers a thicker midrange voice with 6dB more output and a smoothed high-end. The Waza Craft construction uses higher-grade components and Japanese craftsmanship versus the standard MIJ/MIT production. Associated with hard rock, punk, grunge, and metal genres.
- distortion
- production
- mids
- hard rock
- fundamental
- classic buzz saw character
- treble
- tight
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Metal
- Punk
- Grunge
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion
Blackstar St. James 100
Blackstar
25% matchBlackstar St. James 100 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Soldano Astro-20 Head
Soldano
25% matchSoldano Astro-20 Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchPut Friedman BE-Mini Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 for more high gain on top
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Synergy SL2 Module for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchMesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion
Greer Black Mountain
Greer
24% matchPut Greer Black Mountain in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchRun mid-forward into EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter for more fuzzy on top
MXR Analog Chorus
MXR
15% matchKeep Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion's mid-forward voice out front: MXR Analog Chorus goes after Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion in the signal chain so its full voice doesn't muddy it
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg
13% matchRun the Opto Comp's smooth, peak-tamed compression ahead of the DS-1W for even attack before the mid-forward distortion reacts to it.
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
9% matchRed Witch Titan's ambient voice goes after Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Boss
9% matchKeep Boss DD-2 Digital Delay after Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz for more high gain on top
Tone City Hot Mama Overdrive
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Hot Mama Overdrive stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Cheaper alternatives
Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s)
pedal
70% similarityShared character: kurt_cobain, treble, hard_rock
Boss HM-3 Hyper Metal
Boss
69% similarityShared character: ds_1, distortion, metal
Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Boss
69% similarityShared character: kurt_cobain, ds_1, hard_rock
Maxon OD808
Maxon
67% similarityShared character: hard_rock, distortion, metal
Fender Hammertone Metal
Fender
67% similarityShared character: high_end, hard_rock, distortion
Black Country Customs Monolith
Black Country Customs
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
MXR Distortion+
MXR
69% similarityShared character: high_end, treble, hard_rock
MXR M104 Distortion+
MXR
68% similarityShared character: ds_1, hard_rock, distortion
Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition
Suhr
67% similarityShared character: hard_rock, distortion, metal
JHS Pedals Hard Drive Distortion
JHS Pedals
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Amptweaker AT Fatrock
Amptweaker
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza
Boss
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR Distortion+, the MXR M104 Distortion+, the Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition. Budget picks: Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s), Boss HM-3 Hyper Metal, Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion. Boutique upgrades: EVH Modern High Gain, JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion, Wampler Dracarys.
What pairs well with the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar St. James 100, Soldano Astro-20 Head, Friedman BE-Mini Head — Blackstar St. James 100 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal.
How much does the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion cost?+
Around $138.36 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).