The Tenno Sho: Distortion Pedals

The Japan Cup has finally come to an end. Liberty Island displayed her prowess as a triple crown-winning filly, Stars on Earth excelled after skipping the Autumn Tenno Sho, and Equinox showcased overwhelming ability. It was a thrilling showdown of titans, and I was deeply moved.

With the biggest race left for this year, the Arima Kinen, I’ve decided to face it personally by writing this article, which is a comparison of overdrive pedals. I’ll be comparing several classic pedals and giving my personal evaluation.

Selection Criteria:

• Currently available for purchase new units (as of late October 2023)
• Focused on 5 standard pedals

Based on these criteria, I will make my selections.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Design
• Sound quality when turned off
• Effectiveness/operability of knobs
• Usability
• Cost-effectiveness

I will score each criterion out of 5 points based on my subjective judgment and then calculate the total score. Finally, I’ll add a brief comment for each pedal.

List of Runners Pedals:

Slot 1:　BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive

Slot 2:　Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer

Slot 3:　Warm Audio Centavo

Slot 4:　Walrus Audio Warhorn

Slot 5:　MXR M104 Distortion+

Scores:

BOSS SD-1

Comment:
When I think of the quintessential guitar sound, this pedal comes to mind. The design ensures the knobs don’t interfere when you step on the switch, and the incredibly low price is a major plus. The unique BOSS buffer color and the narrow effect range may polarize opinions, but the slightly sweet drive sound of the SD-1 is a classic for a reason. It exudes a sense of authority.

Ibanez TS-9

Comment:
This pedal excels at thickening the sound and adding presence, making it a fine horse. The unique sensation of sound sticking between notes is unparalleled. The switch has a distinctive feel, and the mid to low-mid boost can make it challenging to balance with high/low frequencies and humbuckers. Once it fits your style, it’s hard to let go. It’s truly addictive.

Warm Audio Centavo

Comment:
The design immediately reveals what the original pedal of this Centavo is. Having played the early version of the original pedal, I feel this one has a slightly wider range but a bit less dynamic. The distortion texture stays the same as the original. The rear MOD switch slightly boosts the lows, adding overall thickness. The range of increase is modest, so it may be perfect when you feel something’s missing. Fun fact: Aerosmith’s guitarist Joe Perry uses this pedal. Surprising, isn’t it?

Walrus Audio Warhorn

Comment:
When I first tried this pedal, I thought it sounded very mild. However, after several times of use, I found myself missing it when it wasn’t there and this scared me. The mini-switch is key: switching downward boosts volume and lowers gain, while switching upward lowers volume and raises gain. Both settings produce satisfying sounds with tense sound when switched downward and crumpled distortion sound when switched upward. Its overall glossy sound might make it interesting to pair with spatial effects.

MXR M104 Distortion+

Comment:
This is the original distortion pedal, with its iconic yellow casing and two knobs. It features a coarse distortion texture and a distinctly dry sound. I can’t deny the fact that the effect is applied roughly with this pedal because you need to crank the knobs to match the original sound level and it still uses the basic design from the 1970s. The sound may vary by year, influenced by parts aging and usage conditions, making it senseless to judge on these variations.

Final Ranking:

These are the final scores. It’s important to note that a lower score doesn’t mean a pedal is bad. Newer pedals tend to be more versatile and user-friendly, as reflected in the results.

When ranked by gain amount:
Centavo　＞　SD-1　＞　Distortion+　＞　Warhorn　＞　TS-9
Choosing based on your applications will help you to find the perfect pedal.

In general, the trend is towards using distortion pedals to boost amps or other pedals, or adding character when boosting. Try various combinations and find your favorite. And please share your findings with me so I can copy them!

By the way...
This time, I used this 50th anniversary edition of the SD-1 (purchased myself).