Scott Henderson Discussion

guitarplayer · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 64

Hi Scott,
Which of your distortion pedals is best for legato playing with the bridge position pickup in your opinion? The SD9, Plimsoul or klon? I am looking for a pedal that feels good under my fingers, but also sounds great with a Hot Rod Deville. I have found that some pedals feel "glitchy" under the fingers at gig volume and seem to make my chops feel worse than they actually are. Do you have any thoughts on this? Btw, I use vintage output style humbuckers.
As always, thank you for your generous time. Vibe Station rules.

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

All those pedals sound good but the SD-9 is by far the best for legato because it has more compression than the other two. It's also the best pedal for switching between the neck & treble pickup. I've tried a lot of distortion pedals in the last 15 years and the Maxon SD-9 is still on my board.

Also, check out a Snark "super tight" headstock tuner. It adds mass to the headstock and makes notes pop out easier - great for legato playing. I don't use it when I record because the guitar doesn't sustain quite as well with it attached, but on stage I never have a problem with sustain since the guitar is reacting with the cabinet.

guitarplayer · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 64

Thanks Scott. That is really helpful. Time to get an SD9. Now I have to figure out how to get the Hot Rod Deville to be a little crunchy so the SD9 can do what it does.
Thanks so much!

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

John Suhr molded the clean channel of my HRD to be more crunchy - he says it's easy to do.

Sandro · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 56 Location: Boston, USA

[quote="Scott Henderson"]John Suhr molded the clean channel of my HRD to be more crunchy - he says it's easy to do.[/quote]

Hi Scott,

Easy to do? I would love to do it my self, I wonder if John would share how to do it with us/me.

Sandro

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

I think what he meant was that any qualified amp tech could do it - he'd be mad at me if a bunch of guys started calling him asking him how to do it. Smile

I was there when he did it and it took him about ten minutes.

Sandro · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 56 Location: Boston, USA

[quote="Scott Henderson"]I think what he meant was that any qualified amp tech could do it - he'd be mad at me if a bunch of guys started calling him asking him how to do it. Smile

I was there when he did it and it took him about ten minutes.[/quote]

Thank you Scott I totally understand.

Sandro