Boss · DS-1 · 1978–late 1980s (Japan-made units)
The orange DS-1 joined Boss's compact line in 1978 and has never left it, which is how it became the best-selling Boss compact of all. Boss built its compacts in Japan until the late 1980s, when production moved to Taiwan, so a Japan-made DS-1 is one of the early ones. Inside, the gain stage runs through a Toshiba TA7136AP preamp chip rather than an ordinary op-amp, and Wikipedia and Guitar Player both say Boss kept it until 1994. Analog Man notes running changes even among Japan units, so a photo of the board settles what you're getting. The DS-1 was everywhere in those years. Producer Jack Endino says Kurt Cobain's sound on Bleach in 1989 was a DS-1, George Lynch has used one since the 1980s, and Joe Satriani took one on tour after Surfing with the Alien. If you collect, look for a clean Japan unit with its original bottom plate and screw. If you just want the pre-1994 sound, a first-issue Taiwan DS-1 has the same chip.
The DS-1 is one of the most modified pedals around, so plenty of old ones have changed parts inside. Scratchy pots, tired jacks and corroded battery clips are normal at this age, and a swapped bottom plate can make a later unit look older.
Buying guide
For a Japan-made DS-1 we'd pay $211 delivered for the 1980 unit titled tested, or $208 for the US one titled Long Dash if you want an early label without import shipping. About 183 are for sale and most ask $130–220 delivered, mostly from Japanese dealers charging $20–40 to ship. Every year, screw, label and chip detail in these titles is the seller's claim, so ask for photos of the bottom plate and the board, and run an ACA-labeled unit on a battery or the old ACA adapter. Skip the $773 silver-screw one, about $550 over the band, and check the bottom plate on the one titled both 1994 and MIJ, since Japan production ended in the late 1980s.
$73.84est. delivered
The lowest delivered Japan DS-1 here at $74, titled tested, from a US seller. That's about $56 under the band, so check the bottom plate photo for Made in Japan before you buy.
BOSS DS-1 Distortion Effect Pedal (Japan) MIJ Tested #741300
$211.00est. delivered
Titled tested and dated 1980, an early year, and it sits inside the band at $211 delivered. It's ACA-labeled per the title, so run it on a battery or an ACA adapter, and ask for a board photo to back up the date.
Vintage BOSS DS-1 Distortion Made in Japan 1980 ACA Serial 301400 Tested
$207.67est. delivered
Titled Long Dash, a label detail collectors read as an early unit, and it's inside the band from a US seller. There's no year or test claim, so ask for clear photos of the label and bottom plate and a short clip of it running.
Boss DS-1 Distortion Vintage Guitar Effects Pedal - Long Dash - MIJ
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$73.84est. delivered
$65.84 + $8.00 shipping
Buy It Now$65.84
Good buy
Titled tested. In the US and well under the band, so confirm the Made in Japan plate.
Seller: buytheworld999
99.7% positive
Used$211.00est. delivered
$184.00 + $27.00 shipping
Buy It Now$184.00
Good buy
Titled tested, 1980 and ACA. Ships from Japan.
Seller: ask_select_japan
100% positive
Used$207.67est. delivered
$199.00 + $8.67 shipping
Buy It Now$199.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled Long Dash. In the US, inside the band.
Seller: guitarnerd1986
100% positive
Used$108.79est. delivered
$99.99 + $8.80 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
Our take
Titled both 1994 and MIJ, which conflict. Japan production ended in the late 1980s, so check the bottom plate.
Seller: captainhoggswonderland
99.5% positive
Used$154.00est. delivered
$129.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$129.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled Jan 1983 with a TA7136AP chip. Ask for a gut shot. Ships from Japan.
Seller: ispv9738
100% positive
Used$274.99est. delivered
$244.99 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$244.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 1981 with the box, about $55 over the band. The box adds collector value only. Ships from Japan.
Seller: azmix_azmix
100% positive
Used$205.92est. delivered
$190.92 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$190.92
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller feedback isn't shown. Titled 1983, silver screw and working. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
![BOSS DS-1 Distortion Silver Screws Skeleton Switch ACA Made in Japan [7200]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/T24AAeSwmBpqoRb0/s-l500.jpg)
Used$773.00delivered
$773.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$773.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled silver screws and skeleton switch. About $550 over the band, from a Japan shop.
Seller: ishibashimusic
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 10, 2026.
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