The Ibanez OD855 Overdrive II pedal, introduced in 1976, marks a significant moment in the evolution of guitar overdrive effects. During a time when guitarists were searching for easy ways to achieve rich overdriven tones without pushing their amplifiers to the limit, the OD855 emerged as a groundbreaking solution. While it was later overshadowed by the iconic Tube Screamer series, the OD855 remains a highly sought-after piece of gear, prized for its unique tonal character and rugged vintage appeal.

In terms of design, the OD855 offers a straightforward interface with two main controls: "Level" to adjust output volume and "Distortion" to control the amount of drive. This simple setup allows players to dial in anything from a subtle overdrive to a full-on, crunchy distortion.

There are five different versions of the OD-855 “narrow box with round switch” model:

Script Logo Version (also called "First Series").
- v1 (1978): Block logo with “flying fingers” graphic, no power jack, knobs: Distortion, Tone, Balance.
 
Block logo version
- v2 (1978): Block logo with flying fingers, no power jack, knobs: Distortion, Balance, Tone.
- v3 (1979): Block logo with flying fingers, includes power jack, knobs: Distortion, Balance, Tone.
- v4 (1979 - 1980): No flying fingers, includes power jack, knobs: Distortion, Balance, Tone.

The unit we have here is a v3 version from 1979, featuring the narrow box design, the “flying fingers” logo, and a convenient power jack with an adapter included. It’s in perfect working order and in excellent condition!