I love my SD-1. The pedal is a superbly crafted workhorse. It can enhance your sound, versatility, performance opportunities, and even calm pre-gig jitters. Let’s run through four key advantages of the SD-1.
It’s Incredibly Portable
A few years back in the pre-lockdown era, an industry emerged. Manufacturers developed super-portable gear—microamps, mini pedals, tiny pedalboards—for pro guitarists on the go. You could tote these products onto airplanes as carry-on luggage, or toss them into taxis and other crowded conveyances with ease. The idea was to ensure guitarists could get a good tone without their usual stage rigs. This was the case for TV performances, one-offs, or charity shows with mysterious, unfamiliar backlines.
So, consider this—one of the slickest, most compact “fly gig” devices is an SD-1. The pedal doesn’t just fit unobtrusively into a gig bag—you can drop it into the pocket of your jacket. Now, you might say, “I doubt I’m ever going to get asked to fly to New York to perform on The Today Show.” During the pandemic, my local bands have gotten requests for distanced livestreams in both studios and clubs.
"The pedal doesn't just fit unobtrusively into a gig bag—you can drop it into the pocket of your jacket."
In all cases, these shows have provided mandatory backlines to keep their video and audio setups consistent. You wouldn’t believe the gear horrors I’ve seen. But I have my SD-1. So, even if the amp is a beaten-up Russian clone of a Marshall from 1971, I know I’ll produce a good lead and rhythm tone. Because that’s what the SD-1 delivers. The SD-1 saved me several times at gigs, and I’m not on the level of a Slash, Nita Strauss, or Tom Morello by any means.
It’s a Sound for All Styles
It doesn’t matter what style of music you play. The SD-1’s natural grind, tonal transparency, and touch sensitivity are sonically all-inclusive. I’ve used the pedal for rock, surf, hard rock, EDM, industrial, and ambient styles, and friends have employed it for modern jazz, metal, and blues.
But you don’t have to take my word for this. Guitar heroes with approaches as diverse as Eddie Van Halen, The Edge, John 5, Lindsey Buckingham, Steve Vai, and Mark Knopfler embrace the SD-1.
All-in-all, there’s a wide array of tones the SD-1 can offer from its Level, Tone, and Drive controls. Add some timbral gymnastics with your guitar’s volume, tone, and pickup selection controls. With some elbow grease, you should be able to craft an SD-1 tone for everything you play.
It’s a Tough Combo of Superman and Wonder Woman
Here’s something else to consider. While I was at Guitar Player, I interviewed Chris Stein of Blondie. The band performed at the Mountain Winery amphitheater in Saratoga, California and he let me photograph his rig. Stein’s pedalboard was a BOSS BCB-6 filled with BOSS compact pedals.
I remarked that some readers might be surprised he didn’t have a massive pedalboard with a smattering of boutique stompboxes. Chris said, “The BOSS pedals sound good, they never break, and if they do, my guitar tech can find a replacement anywhere.”
That the SD-1 is nearly indestructible is a major benefit to players. This is true, whether they play biker bars or arenas. No guitarist wants a glitch at soundcheck before the gig, or—panic time—in the middle of a song during a show.
I mean, I adore my JMI Mick Ronson Signature Tone Bender. That said, when I played the Thanks, Jimi Festival in Wroclaw, Poland, if that beauty breaks, I’m done. My SD-1 would never do that to me. Even if it suffered a road catastrophe (such as falling off the van and bouncing into one of Wroclaw’s canals), I could easily replace it. Likely, we’d find one at a local music store for around 179 Polish Zloty or $80. That’s a bit of a price increase from the USA, but at least the show would go on.
"The SD-1 is nearly indestructible, whether you're playing biker bars or arenas."
It’s Affordable
While we’re on the subject of price, another goodie about the SD-1 is that it streets for $49 back home in America. That’s like a crazy good price for such a bulletproof, organic-sounding overdrive.
Given all the things the SD-1 can do for you, I would be rather shocked if you didn’t agree with my thesis. Every guitarist should have an SD-1 in his or her tonal trick bag. After all, you have been reading what I’ve said about its benefits, right?
