Since its release in 1981, the iconic BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive has been a staple gain pedal for generations of players across every style of music. Developed around the revolutionary asymmetrical clipping circuit from the OD-1 Overdrive, which was one of the three original BOSS compact pedals from 1977, the SD-1 provides rich, smooth, and sonically rich overdrive tones that continue to influence guitarists everywhere.

In 1977, BOSS created a completely new stomp box 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 manageable volume levels. After four years, 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.

AT A GLANCE• Unique asymmetrical clipping circuit produces tube-like overdrive characteristics
• Also works great for bringing tightness and definition to high-gain amp tones
• Mild-to-moderate drive tones with focused midrange and tight low end
• Genre-defining BOSS overdrive sound