Aria OD-10

This pedal is quite easy to set up, the tone has a wide range. The only thing which is a bit tricky is the 2nd overdrive stage (which has a switch to enable disable it) and this is non-latching i.e. you just stomp on it for solo/boost. It is equivalent to increasing the gain on Drive control so is a useful extra. Knobs are not as well marked as they could be but that is easily remedied (I used some touch up paint to mark them).

This is a great overdrive. I have used many overdrives and this one is a keeper. I use it with a Fender Twin Reverb and various axes - the pedal is quiet as the other reviewer suggested, and is blessed with a smooth overdrive which is just top quality. The bass is cut back slightly when engaged (the bypass sounds transparent to me) and the whole EQ of the guitar is changed a bit by the OD-10 but yet the guitar tone still shines through which is the most important single consideration - I like it a lot. Doesn't fizz like some pedals, its warm, smooth and classy (dunno how you describe tone?). You can go towards a TS tone but it seems to have a character of its own which I like. Responds well to backing off the volume on the guitar too, you can dial in anything from a light valve warmth to a crunch to heavy driving power chords. I won't give a 10 as there must always be room for improvement, but this is a gem of an overdrive IMO.

I would not gig without a backup overdrive pedal period. This guy is 20 years old (they were only built in '83-'85), constructed to a fairly rugged standard with a decent sturdy metal case. The knobs are recessed as well as a Boss so I guess it *could* be damaged by over-zealous stomping but mine is still going strong. Battery access is quick and easy (I run mine off a 9V adapter).

I play all styles of pop/rock - I use other pedals too but this one is central to my sound.

Doubt I could replace the aria easily if it broke or was stolen. Ain't seen another one in years.

First some quick explanation... I've been looking for one of these for quite a while... I know how to set & use the switches & knobs for optimum performance (Rock/Blues style like SRV, Derek Trucks .. ect)
Very easy to use.. does have a push the pedal down twice thing for a sceond gain stage which is controlable with a second DRIVE knob...
Got lucky and a fellow Harmony Central dude contacted me and I saved a few $$'s (there was one on eBay with the "Good" power chip and I was *EXTREELY* temped to push the Buy It Now button)(Thank you Billy G>!!!)
This pedal has a killer sound/tone without messing up the guitar voice. One of the question on this format is: something about firmware revision number ... I do know this... I have a firend with one of these (and now one that I own) that were both made in 1984 according some numbers found on the parts inside. This pedal has a JRC4558D power chip and I read on analogmike.com that these are one the things that help make the Ibanez TS-808 sound good. I bought one of these OD-10 last year (?) and it had a power chip with a big "S" on it and it sucked some of the tone out of my guitar signal and isn't a smooth OD pedal.. more distortion than Overdrive. That one has stuff dated 34th week of 1985 in it. So I guess they must have did some kind of revision that messed these things up. The new one I just got this morning is as good if not better than the one Matt owns.

MIJ 1985 Strat & PRS McCarty. 1971 Silverface Vibrolux & 1-15 Musicman SixtyFive (early 1977) Also just tried my Dano through it...
On a 0 to 10 scale I would say the signal noise from this pedal is maybe a 2 .. extremely quite for a old pedal. This is NOT a one trick pony ... sound great with volume rolled off or up full on guitar and the pedal is reactive to this. The only other pedal (besides my RMC-1 wah) I used in my signal was a DOD FX20 Phaser ... these two togther are some serious tone expanders.. very flexable for different range of sound colors.

Only had it one day... but it is made of metal and my first so-so one is the same pedal and has taken a beating... no problems. I've been doing the college bar circuit for over 3 years and anything that can stand up to this is cool.

Never dealt with the Company

If anyone steals this I would have to hunt them down and give them a serious whooping! I plan on stashing some $$$'s away so "if" I ever find another one with the 1984 circuit I want to buy that one also... unfortunately $$$'s don't grow on trees (school books don't either)
Been playing for 11 years... most Blues/Rock, House and starting to mess with Hip-Hop. Unless someone "gives me" a couple free TS-808 or TS-9 pedals this is going to remain my #1 OD pedal. It has great sustain, buttery soft overdrive and can be dialed up to dimed overdrive amp sound. I've played some really expensive boutique pedals... this Aria OD-10 sounds great and doesn't cost $250+ for ONE SOUND ... multiple voicing/coloring with the guitar not changing its own signature.