The KHDK Scott Ian SGT D is a two-in-one boost and amp-emulation pedal made by KHDK Electronics with Anthrax and Stormtroopers Of Death guitarist Scott Ian. It has two main parts: a Boost section and an Amp section, each with its own footswitch, so the two halves can run independently or together12. KHDK bills it as "a booster with amp-like sound," and it was designed to push an amp hard into distortion and add muscle to palm-muted riffs12.
It was announced in December 2020 as a limited edition, and it is now sold out: KHDK's site lists the pedal as SOLD OUT2. Guitar.com described it at launch as "a ruthlessly vicious pedal that captures his S.O.D. amp tone," one that works as a booster capable of making even a cheap practice amp sound like a monster3.
A booster with amp-like sound
The SGT D is built around two circuits. The Amp section is an original circuit developed with analog technology to emulate Scott Ian's Sargent D amp tones1. The Boost section works as a pre-distortion EQ control, sitting in front of the amp circuit (or your own amp) to shape what the distortion stage receives1. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley reported that the pedal is designed to push your amp hard into distortion and help add some muscle to your chug2.
The concept reaches back to Ian's early rig. MusicRadar later reported that the pedal replicated the TC Electronic Booster, Line Driver and Distortion setup Ian used to devastating effect in the early 80s with Stormtroopers Of Death5. Guitar.com's Cillian Breathnach described the result as a distortion/boost unit that recreates Ian's old-school crossover and thrash sounds from his bands Stormtroopers Of Death and Anthrax3.
The controls and two footswitches
Each section has its own footswitch and can be used independently or together26. Guitar World reported that the sections can also run in parallel with one another6.
| Section | Controls | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Boost | Boost, Bass, Treble2; two-band EQ plus a boost level control3 | Pre-distortion EQ control; pushes a pedal or an overdriven amp harder12 |
| Amp | 3-band EQ, Volume, Gain2 | Analog circuit emulating Scott Ian's Sargent D amp tones1 |
Because both sections are independent of each other, the pedal can be used to boost a different pedal or an overdriven amp, or both sections can be activated together1.
The enclosure is illustrated by Kurz Daniel and carries the artwork of Stormtroopers Of Death's mascot Sargent D32. One detail players notice: the LED lights up the end of SGT D's cigar when the effect is engaged2.
The TC Electronic circuit and the 250-piece run
The Boost section includes the circuit of what KHDK calls an iconic booster pedal Scott used in the early days of Anthrax and S.O.D.1. MusicRadar identified that pedal as the TC Electronic Booster, Line Driver and Distortion, the setup Ian favored in the early 80s25.
Development took a few prototypes and reworks before the SGT D saw the light of day, and Guitar World reported that Scott was closely involved throughout the process6.
The run was small:
- Limited edition launch design series, 250 pieces available only1
- Limited to 250 units worldwide2
- Priced $249, available direct from KHDK Electronics at launch2
- Shipping was planned before the end of 2020, pending COVID delays1
The pedal sold out, and KHDK followed it in 2022 with the Scott Ian JSL, a redesigned take on the SGT D in a "Zero G package" limited to 333 pieces74. MusicRadar noted that the JSL's Boost section likewise includes the circuit of the TC Electronic Booster Distortion Ian used in the early days of Anthrax and S.O.D.7
"250 pieces only."
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Questions
Is the KHDK Scott Ian SGT D still available?
No. The SGT D was a limited edition launch design series of 250 pieces, and KHDK Electronics lists it as sold out. It was priced at $249.99 when it launched in December 2020. Secondhand listings are the main route for players who want one now.
Can the two sections of the SGT D be used separately?
Yes. The Boost and Amp sections are independent of each other, and each has its own footswitch. You can use the boost on its own to push another pedal or an overdriven amp, run the amp section alone, or engage both together.
What does the LED on the SGT D do?
The LED lights up the end of SGT D's cigar when the effect is engaged. Sargent D, the Stormtroopers Of Death mascot, appears on the enclosure artwork, which was illustrated by Kurz Daniel.
What pedal is the SGT D boost section based on?
The boost section recreates the circuit of the TC Electronic Booster, Line Driver and Distortion, the setup Scott Ian used in the early 80s with Stormtroopers Of Death. KHDK describes it as an iconic booster pedal from the early days of Anthrax and S.O.D.
How many KHDK Scott Ian SGT D pedals were made?
The SGT D was limited to 250 units worldwide. KHDK called it a limited edition launch design series with 250 pieces available only, and it sold out at launch.
Sources (7)
- Scott Ian of Anthrax and SOD Pedal SGT D by KHDK Electronics, KHDK Electronics
- Add some stomp, stomp, stomp in your riffs with the KHDK Electronics Scott Ian SGT D boost/preamp, MusicRadar, 2020-12-04
- Scott Ian pairs with KHDK Electronics for a signature distortion/boost pedal, Guitar.com, 2020-12-08
- In Waves Trivium limited clean boost pedal by KHDK, KHDK Electronics
- KHDK teams up with Brian Posehn and Fall Out Boy's Joe Trohman for an NSFW “Dickstortion“ pedal, My Big Fatt Rawk, MusicRadar, 2021-04-13
- KHDK Electronics partners with Scott Ian for SGT D boost/preamp pedal, Guitar World, 2020-12-07
- The new effects pedals you need to be stomping in 2022, MusicRadar, 2022-01-29
