If someone says the words “guitar pedals,” chances are your brain immediately jumps to a few specific images. You’ve got your classic wah, hopefully a tuner, and of course, that orange box that is most recognizable; the Boss DS-1. Over the past few years, Boss has introduced the world to the Waza Craft series, taking some of the company’s best effects and redesigning them with the original developers. Thankfully, they’ve now given us the Boss DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion. While carrying along the history of its predecessor, this pedal brings a new all-analog circuit to the table, along with a two-stage gain circuit. “S” or “Standard” mode gives you the classic DS-1 sounds that brought us all here, and “C” or “Custom” mode allows increased dynamic response, along with thicker distortion and pinpointed mid-range. The creators and innovators at Boss have once again taken one of their legendary effects and increased its functionality, while keeping its original sound intact.