The Ibanez MT-10 Mostortion is a vintage distortion pedal from Ibanez's Power Series 10, made in Japan and produced between 1990 and 1993 only12. It has been discontinued for years, and TONEHOME lists it as never having been re-issued, with availability rated rare and collectibility rated high1. Despite the "MOS-FET" in its name, the distortion itself comes from clipping diodes; the MOSFETs live in the op amp stage3.
How the clipping works
The Mostortion's name has caused some confusion over the years. Guitarists began to take note of its amp-like low-gain tones, attributing them, arguably incorrectly, to the onboard MOSFET op amps3. Wampler Pedals puts it plainly: "It uses a 'MOSFET based op-amp', but it uses clipping diodes to produce distortion"3. Premier Guitar's reviewer reached the same conclusion: "While the original Mostortion had a MOSFET-based op amp, it actually used clipping diodes to create its overdrive"5.
The clipping stage uses silicon diodes6, arranged for a high clipping threshold: "The original has a high clipping threshold using two stacked diodes in each direction," as Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio describes it2. Stacked diodes pass a larger signal before clipping begins, which is part of why the pedal is known for lower-gain, amp-like character rather than heavy saturation.
The gain engine is the CA3260, a MOSFET-based op amp4. gearnews describes the overall design as "a CMOS op-amp based distortion with a great tone"8. One practical consequence for anyone rebuilding or servicing one: the original CMOS op-amp used by Ibanez was discontinued in 20059.
The 3-band EQ
What sets the MT-10 apart within Ibanez's lineup is its tone control. It carries a versatile 3-band EQ72, and per De Gregorio "it's the only Ibanez pedal with a 3-band tonestack"2. Where most distortion pedals offer a single tone knob, the Mostortion gives players bass, mid and treble cut and boost, which is a large part of its reputation for shaping low-gain tones to sit with an amp rather than fight it.
Why it is collectible, and where the circuit lives on
The MT-10 was only produced between 1990 and 19938, never reissued1, and TONEHOME rates its collectibility high and availability rare1. MadBean Pedals notes it "has gained some notoriety through various aficionado opines"4. That combination of short production run, distinctive EQ and MOSFET op-amp story has made originals sought after.
Because Ibanez has not brought it back1, the circuit has lived on through other makers:
- Wampler Mofetta: Brian Wampler's take on the Mostortion, described by Guitar Pedal X as having "unique MOSFET texture clipping"6, and reviewed by Premier Guitar5.
- Cascade Pedals Hosstortion: based on the rare Ibanez MT-10 Mostortion, per gearnews1.
- Danelectro Roebuck: Guitar World reported at NAMM 2020 that "The Foxx Tone Machine and Ibanez MT10 MOSFET Distortion return" in Danelectro's lineup10.
- DIY kits: Aion FX offers a Mostortion-style MOSFET distortion kit4, and MadBean Pedals' Misfit project documents the original's CA3260 gain engine4.
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Questions
Has the Ibanez MT-10 Mostortion been reissued?
No. TONEHOME lists the MT10 Mostortion as not re-issued, and the pedal has been discontinued for years. Its circuit has instead surfaced in other makers' takes: Wampler's Mofetta, Cascade Pedals' Hosstortion, the Danelectro Roebuck, and DIY kits from Aion FX and MadBean Pedals all revisit the Mostortion design.
When was the Ibanez MT-10 made?
The MT-10 Mostortion was produced between 1990 and 1993 only. TONEHOME gives the production years as 1990 to 1993, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio likewise says it was released in 1990 and discontinued in 1993.
Where was the Ibanez MT-10 made?
The MT10 Mostortion was made in Japan, as part of Ibanez's Power Series 10.
Why is the Ibanez MT-10 collectible?
TONEHOME rates the MT10's collectibility as high and its availability as rare, since it was only produced from 1990 to 1993 and never reissued. Its amp-like low-gain tones, which guitarists have attributed to the onboard MOSFET op amps, have added to its notoriety among players.
Is the MT-10 the only Ibanez pedal with a 3-band EQ?
According to Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, the MT-10 is the only Ibanez pedal with a 3-band tonestack, which gives it more tone-shaping range than a typical distortion pedal's single tone control.
Sources (10)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME
- Aion FX Quantum Mosfet Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2021-06-14
- Mofetta | Wampler Pedals, Wampler Pedals, 2026-07-06
- Misfit.pdf, madbeanpedals.com, 2025-02-14
- Wampler Mofetta Review: Unleash Bold Tones, Premier Guitar, 2024-10-08
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-17
- New Pedal: Wampler Mofetta (Mostortion-Style), Delicious Audio, 2024-05-20
- Cascade Pedals' Hosstortion is based on the rare Ibanez MT-10 Mostortion, gearnews.com, 2020-03-27
- Cascade Pedals Hosstortion, Delicious Audio, 2020-10-15
- NAMM 2020: Danelectro unveils boutique-styled 3699 Fuzz, Back Talk Reverse Delay and Roebuck Distortion, Guitar World, 2020-01-06
