this is exactly why I suggested a DS1 for now, so when he starts to later upgrade, he'll have the option to have that pedal MODDED if he'd like. I'd really like to try that Super MOd whatever its called for the DS1.... & it looks pretty phat eheh.
BTW I love my Rat Proco that I mentioned above ------ awesome with chords & sweet high end resonse = sizzle my shizzzle. TS9 >> Rat >> Muff >> EQ = I'm happy with my distortion section of my board & I just took off a popular fuzz that I won't be needing.
bp
Trouble with the DS-1 is that for it to sound awesome, you need to be overdriving a valve power amp as well. The Blackstone imitates the even order harmonic distortion that the power tubes give you, so it's perfect for DI-ing which is what you want if you're in a studio and strapped for cash.
In response the the Hot Cake:
Sound Quality: 10
in my humble opinion this is the best tone pedal you can get. what i mean by this is it sounds awful when using it to make a clean sound distorted as it is too thick when you crank the drive, and i think as a solo boost its ok but does sap tone when disengaged as it isnt true bypass. now where this pedal comes into its own is when you use it with an already cranked amp not a modern hi gain amp but a cranked power tube amp tone. the hot cake in my opinion has one good setting, level 3o clock, mid to suit and drive at 9 o clock
from harmony-central.com
You'll still need a tupe power amp for this pedal to sound amazing, whereas with the Blackstone you don't.