DS-30 Distortion Review

This pedal is just a basic distortion pedal. Very easy to use 3 knobs tone, level and distortion.

Ease of Use:	5
Sound:	4
Reliability:	4.5
Impression:	4
Overall rating:	4.4
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	1

overall: 7.8

Featured review by: Johnny Blade, on june 12, 2006

Price paid: $ 67.64

Purchased from: Intown Music

Ease of Use: This pedal is just a basic distortion pedal. Very easy to use 3 knobs tone, level and distortion. There is a manual for it but you don't need it really. // 9

Sound: This was my first distortion pedal. I first used it with a Status Silhouette Series Guitar and a small 10w Yamaha Amp. That was 5 years ago I don't use it anymore. This pedal has pretty good distortion, similar to the Boss DS-1 Distortion but not quite that good. I play Black Sabbath and stuff like that so on a small amp I can get that sound. But with a bigger amp this is more like a booster pedal than anything. Good for a smaller amp. // 7

Reliability & Durability: It is a very strong looking pedal. Probably wouldn't use it at a gig though. But if I did I don't think you would need a backup. // 8

Impression: I play Black Sabbath, this was my first distortion pedal that I bought about 5 years ago so since then I have upgraded to a Korg AX10G effects processing unit, so I don't use the single effect pedals anymore, except for wahs and treble boosters. If it were lost or stolen I probably wouldn't buy another one. I am not saying that this is bad though just that I have no use for it anymore. // 7

overall: 1

Reviewed by: xcx0156, on january 24, 2007

Purchased from: JB Music Philippines

Ease of Use: 3 knobs, how simple can it get. The fact is, the tone has very minimal difference when you move it from min to max. The tone knob should be labeled as crappy when on min and crappiest on max. The same should be done on the dist knob. It came with no manual and I had to figure out stuff by myself. Even if you upgrade this unit, it would still suck. // 1

Sound: This pedal is as good as paper weight and I don't even use it on gigs except on RATM songs. It sucks the tone out of your guitar even when it is off. This is a cheaply made effect. Better to be called as Denio Crapper than DS-30. I can never get the sound from any artist except rage against the Machine. On other tracks, it is either too trebbly or too bassy. // 1

Reliability & Durability: This is a very unreliable pedal. I would never use it except on selected noisy songs. What kind of pedal creates an effect to your clean tone when it is off? I would never gig without a backup with this pedal. I am even seriously considering retiring this pedal. // 1

Impression: I play in 2 bands, a grunge/alternative band and a RATM tribute band. I only use this pedal on RATM tracks and remove it from my effects chain when not playing rage because of the terrible hiss and tone sucking it does on when all pedals are off. This pedal was an unwanted gift from my girlfriend Who does not have prior knowledge on guitar gear. Actually she overheard me talking about an Orange distortion pedal (Boss Mega Distortion) and bought this Denio thinking it was the same pedal. I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings so I kept this pedal though I find limited use for this. // 1

Comments

[frusciante_fan!]

I own this pedal (lord knows why). i got it for free from a friend along with his guitar. It is honestly not worth having even though i got it for free. it just takes up space and gathers dust. i would only use this pedal if i wanted to annoy the neighbours with a crappy sound.

What kind of pedal creates an effect to your clean tone when it is off?

i couldnt agree more. this pedal on clean is one of the most horible sounds ive ever heard. NEVER BUY THIS PEDAL!!!!