BOSS | B50A 50th Anniversary Pedals
Celebrate 50 Years of BOSS Guitar Tone At CME!
Founded as an offshoot of its parent company, Roland Corporation, BOSS has pioneered the development of unique and innovative gear for guitar and bass players of all styles since 1973.
Now, in celebration of the company’s 50th Anniversary, BOSS has unveiled three limited-edition stomp boxes: DS-1-B50A Distortion, SD-1-B50A Super OverDrive, and BD-2-B50A Blues Driver.



A Half-Century of BOSS
From heavy distortion to subtle crunch, BOSS compact pedals have remained the go-to for gain pedals for nearly 50 years. Renowned for their sound, rugged durability, and unique practical design, BOSS first launched the iconic compact series in 1977—and, since then, it’s been hard to find an experienced guitarist who hasn’t used one or more BOSS pedals at some point throughout their playing career.
Appearing in exclusive livery with a dedicated 4-digit serial number and bespoke packaging, each limited-edition pedal features the same beloved circuitry as its standard production counterpart but sports a metallic finish, silver thumb screw, gold-capped knobs, and a commemorative 50th-anniversary emblem. These collectible versions will be available in strictly limited numbers of no more than 7,000 units worldwide for each model.

DS-1-B50A Distortion
The iconic compact pedal design was unveiled in 1977, and BOSS released the multimillion-selling DS-1 Distortion the following year to wide acclaim. Prized for its edgy attack and smooth sustain, this classic stompbox can be heard on countless hit records.

SD-1-B50A Super OverDrive
Following on the heels of the game-changing OD-1 OverDrive released in 1977, BOSS released the SD-1 Super OverDrive, which features the added benefit of a tone control, in 1981. This workhorse gain machine has remained in production ever since, continuously gracing the pedalboards of beginners and pros worldwide.

BD-2-B50A Blues Driver
For those guitarists seeking a delicate, nuanced tone that allows a player’s technique to shine through, it’s hard to beat the popular BD-2 Blues Driver. Introduced in 1995, this acclaimed drive pedal is revered for its broad palette of sounds, touch sensitivity, and articulate, tube amp-like response.



Call CME, chat us online, or stop into our showroom today to shop BOSS 50th Anniversary pedals!
SHOP BOSS GEAR
Related Posts
Reverend | 2026 New Guitars
For 2026, Reverend is offering updated configurations on some of their most popular body styles, and introducing new body styles! Pair that with new pickups on select models, and these new Reverend guitars allow players to paint with new sonic palettes! Call us today at (773)525-7773, chat with us, or simply come into our Lincoln Avenue Showroom to be among the first players to reaffirm what we’ve always known: Reverend knows what players want!
Read moreMagnatone | 2026 Amplifier Arrivals
Discover the 2026 Magnatone amplifier lineup at Chicago Music Exchange, featuring legendary American tube tone, iconic pitch-shifting vibrato, and modern craftsmanship. From the Kingston “Princeton-killer” workhorse to Slash’s Lil’ Viper signature amp, handwired Varsity Reverb, and the upgraded Starlite Reverb 10, these new Magnatone amps deliver vintage character with modern reliability. Shop and preorder the latest Magnatone guitar amplifiers at CME and experience why Magnatone remains one of the most respected names in boutique American amplification.
Read moreASM | Leviasynth 16-voice Algorithmic Synthesizer
Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) put themselves on the map with the Hyrdasynth, an advanced wavetable synthesizer that featured dual wave mutators for powerful tone shaping capabilities! Now, ASM’s New flagship Leviasynth 16-Voice Algorithmic Synthesizer adds new sonic power, making this a sound designer’s dream! The ASM Leviasynth is now available for pre-order at Chicago Synth Exchange in 61-note keybed and desktop synthesizer versions, so call us at 773-525-7773, chat with us, or stop in to our Lincoln Avenue showroom to be among the first to add the Leviasynth to your sonic exploration fleet!
Read more