Electric guitar players soon find they can't do much - especially produce the tone of their favorite rock songs - when they don't have accessories. Boss developed a reputation decades ago for its guitar pedals and, as a key player in the effect market, offers compact, twin, and multi-effects pedals, tuners, pedal boards, amplifiers, samplers and studio equipment.
Background
Any time you're looking at a band play live, it's clear to see who's using Boss pedals - you can spot the colors from the audience.
Initially known as Beckmen Musical Instruments, the company that would go onto become Boss released its first pedal, titled the B-100 The Boss, in 1974, equipped with a clip-on pre-amp and pickup for acoustic guitars. The B-100 was followed two years later by the CE-100 Chorus Ensemble, based on the Roland JC-120 and the first official Boss-marketed pedal. Reflecting the variety of effects used by electric guitarists, the company expanded its lineup with the GE-10 graphic equalizer, the BF-1 flanger, and the DB-5 distortion pedal.
As another definitive innovation, Boss unveiled its line of compact pedals in 1977, including the OD-1 overdrive, PH-1 phaser, SP-1 equalizer, GE-6 graphic equalizer, CS-1 compressor pedal, and the TW-1 wah pedal. The DS-1 pedal, a drive pedal now known for its aggressive style, followed in 1978.
Advances continued over the next few decades, including the DD-2 Digital Delay, considered the first mass-market compact digital delay pedal, in 1983 and the Metal Zone (MT-2) in 1991, which has since turned into Boss's second-best selling pedal to date. More pedals that would define the heavy metal genre over the '90s appeared during this time, including the HM-2.
Into the 2000s, Composite Object Sound Modeling, based on Roland's digital modeling synthesizer technology, defined Boss's AC-3 Acoustic Simulator, Fender Bassman and Fender Deluxe Reverb pedals. From here, the SY-1 Synthesizer pedal offers the guitar player access to synth pads without having to add a separate pickup.
Beyond the advances, compatibility makes Boss pedals a player favorite: all utilize the same shape to fit and be arranged on a pedal board.
Find Boss Guitar Accessories at Alamo Music Center
For many guitar players, it's Boss or bust when it comes to effects pedals. Alamo Music Center offers a varied selection, in addition to amplifiers, tuners, rhythm machines, metronomes, recording gear and other essentials. Browse today to give your electric, acoustic or bass guitar the sound it deserves.