Boss FS-6From real comments

Verdict distilled from 45 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment35%
PROS 35%
CONS 65%

Rank based on 45 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need to switch between multiple Katana amp channels/banks hands-free
  • You want momentary switching for effects like phasers or tap tempo on GT-series/DD-500 gear
  • You're willing to do a simple DIY mod for external power

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You don't want to deal with battery swaps and no on/off switch
  • You expect simple per-effect toggling rather than channel/bank switching
  • You'd rather buy the newer FS-7 with built-in power adapter support

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Boss FS-6
Multi-channel switchingWorks across multiple Boss/Roland devicesSimple DIY power mod possibleNo power adapter jackConfusing setup and wiringCannot toggle individual effects on/off
Boss FS-6
Multi-channel switching
Works across multiple Boss/Roland devices
Simple DIY power mod possible
No power adapter jack
Confusing setup and wiring
Cannot toggle individual effects on/off

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Setup and wiring cause a lot of confusion for users. Many commenters struggle with TRS vs mono cable wiring, which channel or bank pairs get activated, and why pedal A or B sometimes doesn't respond or behaves randomly. Others had to fix A/B being backwards or discover 'polarity' and 'normally closed' settings by trial and error, with some giving up entirely on getting the desired clean/crunch/lead switching behavior.

Battery-only power is the most common complaint. Numerous users are frustrated that the FS-6 has no 9V adapter input, requiring battery swaps and forcing them to unplug the cable to turn it off since there's no power switch. Several DIY'd a fix by wiring a female barrel connector to the battery leads for pedalboard power, while others simply wished Boss had built this in from the start.

Works well for channel switching once properly configured. Multiple users confirm that with the right stereo or mono cable setup, the FS-6 reliably switches between four channel/bank combinations on Katana amps, and pairs well with the VE-8, GT-100, DR-880, RC loopers, and Nord keyboards. Some praised the momentary function for real-time effect control during performance, and gigging users report satisfaction once dialed in.

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