The Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive is a Boss overdrive pedal, currently around $59. Close alternatives include the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer and the MXR M104 Distortion+. It pairs well with the Port City Merino Head and the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head.
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss · pedal
The Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive is a long-running and affordable overdrive introduced in 1981, built around an asymmetrical clipping circuit that distinguishes it from the symmetrical Tube Screamer family. The asymmetrical diodes clip each half of the waveform differently, adding even-order along with odd-order harmonics for a slightly grainier, more aggressive, and harmonically rich voice with a touch more body and output. It shares the mid-pushed character that helps notes cut through a band, but feels closer to real tube-amp breakup, especially when pushing an already clean amp. Players use it as a low to medium gain drive or as a boost stacked into a dirty amp or another pedal. Used by Zakk Wylde, Josh Homme, and countless others, it suits blues, rock, and metal rhythm and lead work.
- boost
- mid
- drive
- asymmetrical
- breakup
- bass
- blues
- metal
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive is commonly used in
- Metal
- Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Blues
- Classic Rock
- Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Port City Merino Head
Port City
34% matchInto Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive, Port City Merino Head is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
34% matchPut PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Friedman BE-Mini Head for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchPut Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchPut Synergy SL2 Module in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchMesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchPut Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Pedals that stack with the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
17% matchZVEX Fuzz Factory stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Fjord Fuzz Berserk
Fjord Fuzz
17% matchFjord Fuzz Berserk layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator
pedal
12% matchKeep Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator after Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive in the signal chain, clear of Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive's own gain stage
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
10% matchAshdown Velvet Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay
Dunlop
8% matchKeep Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive's mid-forward voice out front: Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay goes after Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive in the signal chain so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
8% matchCaroline Guitar Company Kilobyte's pristine voice goes after Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchPut Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Tone City Hot Mama Overdrive
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Hot Mama Overdrive layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss
73% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, sd_1, rigors
Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Boss
72% similarityShared character: classic_tones, staple, noise
Klon Centaur
Klon
72% similarityShared character: pedal, boost, users
Horizon Devices Precision Drive
Horizon Devices
72% similarityShared character: durable_construction, tone_shaping, pedal
Mad Professor Mad-Rbo
Mad Professor
72% similarityShared character: pedal, grit, wide_range
Maxon OD808
Maxon
71% similarityShared character: pedal, boost, touch
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
74% similarityShared character: pedal, simple_three_knob_layout, boost
MXR M104 Distortion+
MXR
73% similarityShared character: other_distortion_pedals, classic_tones, pedal
Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer
Ibanez
73% similarityShared character: various_musical_styles, boost, wide_range
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET
Fulltone
72% similarityShared character: pedal, sd_1, warm
Dean Markley Overlord
Dean Markley
72% similarityShared character: noise, high_gain_settings, full
Silktone Overdrive Plus
Silktone
72% similarityShared character: gain_control, rich, high_gain_settings
See all alternatives to the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive?+
The closest matches in character are the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, the MXR M104 Distortion+, the Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer. Budget picks: Boss DS-1 Distortion, Fender Hammertone Metal. Boutique upgrades: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion, Klon Centaur.
What pairs well with the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Port City Merino Head, PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Friedman BE-Mini Head — Into Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive, Port City Merino Head is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end.
How much does the Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive cost?+
Around $59 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).