[BOSS / SD-1 NEC4558C] Recommended standard overdrive for beginners

Hello. This is sukuta takafumi (@sukutakafumi).
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sukutakafumi

Today, I would like to introduce the BOSS / SD-1.

First of all, I made a video, so please take a look if you’re interested.

The videos I make these days include reviews, but they are recorded with a focus on introducing the sound of the product.
If you are new to recording, they may be a little helpful for a guitar ensemble setting.

The BOSS / SD-1 is a basic overdrive with a mild sound.
It's often compared the Ibanez Tube Screamer because it's a sweet overdrive, but when you actually use them, the SD-1 and Tube Screamer are quite different.

○ Differences between BOSS SD-1 and Ibanez TS

・The biggest difference you’ll feel is in the focused range and band.
・The BOSS SD-1 does not seem to be biased with regard to the band, and the guitar sound is distorted as is.
・As you all know, the Ibanez Tube Screamer focuses on the mid-range.

What they both have in common is that the bass is cut.

○ Is cutting low frequencies a drawback?

It depends on the background guitar, the riffs, and the music you actually play, but I think it's actually a drawback.
Considering a band, it sounds refreshing even if there is no bass to some extent, so it may have been intentionally removed.
However, for those who often play the guitar alone, having more bass sounds better, and feels good.

○ About the SD-1 introduced this time

The SD-1 introduced this time is an early silver screw model SD-1. It is from the early 1980s, and the operational amplifier was the NEC4558C.
The ‘80s SD-1 feels a bit different from the current one. The ‘80s SD-1 equipped with the NEC 4558C is characterized by the low frequencies.

As mentioned above, the SD-1 cuts low frequencies.
This NEC 4558C does the same, but it has a lower range than the current one, and a slightly stronger bass.

Perhaps it was tuned for the music of the time?
If you boost a Marshall with this SD-1, the sound will be compatible with the hard rock sound of the ‘80s.

○ Author's general comment

Regardless of the music or guitar history, I think that this is a useful effector for beginners to experienced players.

BOSS effectors are not so expensive, and they can handle a variety of music, which is nice. They have no unwanted bad characteristics, and somehow seem to fit any kind of music.
Expensive handmade effectors are also attractive, but BOSS provides a sense of security that is amazing.

▼ By the way, the following equipment is used in the review video.

Guitar:
Kanji Guitar Stratocaster（https://twitter.com/KanjiKawabata）

Effector:
BOSS / SD-1 (NEC4558C)
Line6 / Helixlt

Helix is set to a Fender amp, and other spatial effects such as echo are set on the computer.

Please try out the SD-1. Of course, you can get it at Sound House.

In addition, I, Takafumi Sukuta, am looking for manufacturers and individual builders who can loan me equipment for review videos and creating articles.