The Maxon SD-9SH is a distortion pedal and a Scott Henderson signature model: an update of the Maxon SD-9 Sonic Distortion built around the voicing changes Henderson suggested for his own board. It was designed by Susumu Tamura, the designer of the original Tube Screamer, and announced on 31 January 202012.
Why a signature version
Henderson had a stock SD-9 parked on his pedalboard for the past 20 years, according to Godlyke Distributing, the pedal's US distributor4. The signature model includes his suggested tweaks to that pedal, as MusicRadar reported when it was announced1.
What it changes
The SD-9SH keeps the same three-knob layout of distortion, tone and level as its predecessor2. The difference is in the voicing: the treble response is reduced and the center frequency of the shelving filter is shifted to accentuate the lower mids, changes suggested by Scott Henderson2. For a player, that is a darker, lower-mid-forward take on the SD-9's distortion rather than a new control set.
| SD-9 | SD-9SH | |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Distortion, tone, level | Distortion, tone, level2 |
| Voicing | Stock SD-9 voicing | Reduced treble, shelving filter centered to accentuate lower mids2 |
| Designer | Maxon | Susumu Tamura2 |
Reception
Coverage of the announcement was curious rather than conclusive. gearnews.com's writer put it this way5:
"I reckon that this new SD-9SH is probably one to check out. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing one soon."
Availability and related pedals
At its announcement, pricing and availability of the SD-9SH were listed as to be confirmed2. The stock Maxon SD-9 it is based on was later listed as sold out on Godlyke's product page6.
Maxon has since returned to the SD-9 circuit elsewhere: the Maxon SSD-9 Super Sonic Distortion is an updated version of the SD-9, also designed by Susumu Tamura7. Guitar World described the SD-9SH as Maxon continuing down the distortion road with the Scott Henderson model3.
Videos
DutchGuitarDude
Sources (7)
- The "best distortion pedal ever made" but better? The Maxon SD-9SH stakes its claim, MusicRadar, 2020-01-31
- Maxon unveils the Scott Henderson SD-9SH, guitar.com, 2020-02-03
- Maxon's Scott Henderson SD-9SH Sonic Distortion updates the “best distortion pedal in the world”, Guitar World, 2020-01-31
- TWA SH9 - Scott Henderson signature distortion pedal | Godlyke, Inc. - Godlyke Distributing, Inc., Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon Scott Henderson SD-9SH Sonic Distortion: "The best distortion in the world"?, gearnews.com, 2020-02-02
- SONIC DISTORTION (SD-9), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Tube Screamer designer Susumu Tamura supercharges the Maxon SD-9, Guitar World, 2020-12-18
Scott Henderson
