Ibanez Overdrive OD-850
User Reviews of the Ibanez Overdrive OD-850
- Submitted by David from Reay (4 points) on May 29, 2014
- I bought my old faithful OD unit in 1978 or 1979. In those days I was playing a CSL Les Paul custom copy through a Woolworths 15 watt transistor amp. It only had a clean sound, no effects, no reverb. The OD pedal made a fantastic difference. I could sustain for what seemed like weeks, sound similar to my idol at the time Bob Fripp. Since I got a Marshall valve amp in the 1980s and nothing but valve amps since, its sat in a cupboard. However recently I have started to use it again with my Marshall 20/20 EL34 and valve preamp, and boy does it kick ass. Not on the same (almost full on) settings I used as a teenager, but more subtle - it really does add a great edge to the sound and thats using a valve setup! Still delighted with it and glad I never threw it away !
- Good Points: The sound. Can add a superbly balanced boost through my valve amp setup. Mine is the orange thin box version with a standard footswitch (not square) and the controls labelled sustain, tone and balance.
- Bad Points: The only issue I had over the years was in getting it to run off a 9 volt adaptor without noticeable added hum. There are three holes drilled in the my OD case for 9V adaptor cables while this was in an FX rack. I stopped using it as it was noisy - and the Marshall was giving me what I needed at the time. Still, works great on a standard 9V battery !
- Price Paid: US$50.00
- Purchased At: (1978 price, UK)
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- Submitted by Jeff from United States (10 points) on Apr 23, 2006
- The OD-850 has a good distortion sound all its own, and fairly warm sounding for a solid state device. It's more of a distortion than overdrive actually. Lots of harmonics and plenty of treble available. No noisier than any other pedal really, at least analog. Makes a great booster in front of a good sounding amp.
- Good Points: Lots of harmonics and edge. Good amount of boost. Easy opening battery compartment. Reasonably warm sound. Cool color. Tough pedal (had it for 27 years) and still going strong.
- Bad Points: Not a lot of low end. As with many pedals and amps, with a lot of treble comes some insect buzzyness at high distortion levels.
- Price Paid: US$80.00
- Purchased At: Brother-in-law
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- Submitted by John from Evanston, IL (126 points) on Mar 13, 2006
- wow, I am the complete opposite. To me this is the best sustaining overdrive ever made. Blows the Big Muff out of the Water. Keep the Swollen Pickel in the vinager. Think Carlos Santana. With the right ax, and amp, you could hold a note for days. literally.
- Good Points: Just AMAZING power & sustain. I have never heard a unit with such power. The previous reviewer must have a broken unit. If you want to sell it, drop me an email.
- Bad Points: no true bypass, and you might want to use a noise gate. When not using this, its potency can bleed through.
- Price Paid: US$350.00
- Purchased At: Ebay
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- Submitted by marcder from barcelona (2 points) on Apr 3, 2003
- I wish I could say something about that very primitive-looking pedal but it just doesn't work. I'm writing this just to say it had to be made during the late 70's since I've got it since then and I'll try to have repaired to add something to my crappy review (specially if anyone here tells me it's worth to go for it). sorry. PD: the three knobs are for sustain, balance and tone
- Good Points:
- Bad Points:
- Price Paid: US$0.00
- Purchased At: left or forgot in my rehearsal r
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