The Maxon SSD-9 Super Sonic Distortion is a distortion pedal from the Maxon Custom Shop: a modified version of the stock Maxon SD-9 Sonic Distortion, redesigned by Susumu Tamura, the designer behind the Tube Screamer and the original SD-9 circuit. Maxon describes the result as a "rich, thick amp-like tone with massive sustain"1.
The SSD-9 is no longer in production. Maxon's page lists it as sold out and states that it is now the TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion, which carries the design forward1.
A thicker, louder SD-9
The stock SD-9, which Maxon calls the "black sheep" of the 9-Series, delivers saturated distortion aimed at screaming leads and thick rhythms, with smooth distortion, long sustain and clear articulation3. The SSD-9 keeps that character but pushes it further in two main ways:
- Increased output level, giving the pedal more push than the stock version14.
- A revoiced Tone control. The center frequency of the Tone control has been shifted for greater emphasis on the lows and lower midrange2. Guitar Player reported that the 1K range is attenuated, a range many users had said makes the stock version of the pedal sound "fizzy" at higher settings5.
The SSD-9 also runs at 18 VDC as an option, which Maxon says brings increased headroom, less compression and an alternate drive signature1. True bypass switching means the pedal drops out of the signal path entirely when disengaged1.
For a player comparing the two side by side, the differences come down to this:
| Maxon SD-9 | Maxon SSD-9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit | Original SD-9 design | Modified version of stock SD-91 |
| Output | Stock | Increased output level1 |
| Tone control | Stock voicing | Center frequency shifted toward lows and lower mids; 1K range attenuated25 |
| Bypass | Stock | True bypass switching1 |
| Power | Standard | Optional 18-VDC operation1 |
History: Susumu Tamura and Scott Henderson's rig
The SSD-9's story runs through two names: Susumu Tamura, who invented the basic SD-9 circuit architecture in 198164, and fusion guitarist Scott Henderson, a long-time SD-9 user. Tamura, whom Maxon describes as an avid fan of Henderson's, set out to develop an improved version of the SD-9 based on Scott's suggestions1.
Guitar World reported that development on the SSD-9 began when Tamura dove into Henderson's rig to find out how the SD-9 interacted with the rest of his pedalboard, a process the article describes as a "happy accident"7. The result was a Custom Shop pedal rather than a standard production model: Premier Guitar's December 2020 announcement gave the street price as $1992.
The first 50 units sold were hand-signed by Mr Tamura himself, which Maxon suggested could make them collectable7.
The launch run carried a collector's twist. The first 50 units sold were hand-signed by Tamura himself7, and gearnews.com noted the signed examples could become quite collectable8. Guitar Player later confirmed the same detail when covering the pedal's wider release in 2022, again at $1995.
What replaced it
The SSD-9 did not stay in the Maxon catalog. Maxon's page now lists it as sold out and directs readers to the TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion as its successor1. The SH9 continues the same lineage: Tamura took the basic SD-9 circuit architecture he invented in 1981 and reworked it to meet Henderson's specifications6, and Delicious Audio describes it as an evolution of the Maxon SD-9 designed in collaboration with Tamura to Scott Henderson's specifications.
So a player who wants the SSD-9's voicing today is looking at the SH9, while the stock SD-9 remains the reference point for the whole family, alongside the earlier Scott Henderson signature SD-9SH that preceded the SSD-9's development1.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Maxon SD-9 and SSD-9?
The SSD-9 is a modified version of the stock SD-9. It raises the output level and shifts the Tone control's center frequency toward the lows and lower mids, attenuating the 1K range that many users said made the stock pedal sound fizzy at higher settings. It also adds true bypass switching and optional 18V operation.
Is the Maxon SSD-9 still available?
No. Maxon's product page lists the SSD-9 as sold out, and states that it is now the TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion, which carries the design forward. Players looking for this circuit today are pointed to the SH9.
Is the SSD-9 true bypass?
Yes. The SSD-9 uses true bypass switching, so with the pedal off the signal passes through without active buffering. Guitar World noted the true bypass switching among the pedal's features at its release.
How many signed SSD-9 pedals were made?
The first 50 units shipped carried Susumu Tamura's autograph, hand-signed by the designer himself. Guitar World and Guitar Player both reported the signed run at launch, with gearnews.com suggesting the signed examples could become collectable.
What replaced the Maxon SSD-9?
The TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion. Maxon's own page says the SSD-9 is now the SH9, which was designed by Susumu Tamura to meet Scott Henderson's specifications and is built on the SD-9 circuit architecture Tamura invented in 1981.
Sources (8)
- SUPER SONIC DISTORTION (SSD-9), Godlyke, Inc. (maxonfx.com)
- Maxon SSD-9 Super Sonic Distortion Now Available, Premier Guitar, 2020-12-21
- SONIC DISTORTION (SD-9), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- SUPER SONIC DISTORTION (SSD-9), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon Unveils New SSD-9 Super Sonic Distortion Pedal, GuitarPlayer, 2020-12-16
- TWA SH9™ Scott Henderson signature distortion (B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Tube Screamer designer Susumu Tamura supercharges the Maxon SD-9, Guitar World, 2020-12-18
- Maxon debuts new SSD-9 by Susumu Tamura, Fortin launches new OD-9 mod version, gearnews.com, 2020-12-19
Scott Henderson
