ProCo Rat new vs original

[Citrus]

How do the newer models stack up against the originals.

The asking $$ for the vintage ones is too rich for my blood - new ones are priced right. Any other pedals in the price range comparable or better??

[carfish7]

The first big-box reissues are said to be tonally the same as the really old (expensive) ones, and the debate over the LM308 chip rages on......

Lots of different versions, and as usual, everyone has a different opinion on which is "the One". I think they come from China these days, too, rather than the USA.

Earachemyeye has done some twiddling with them and had a modded version that sounded very nice to my ears.

I have an Ibanez FC10 "Fat Cat" that is VERY close to what my version of the rat sounds like, and those seem to pop up for low dough on occasion.

[bubs_42]

Over and Over I have heard the only thing the same about the "NEW" Rat's is the name as far as the MOJO goes. I've had 2 old ones and one 90's reissue. I'll just say i'm not a friend of the Rat.

[Ted]

I bought a new one in ~'06. I just can't bond with it, but the "stories" of catching the original one's Mojo has me holding on. I need to give it one last try in the next couple of days, and if the magic still doesn't happen it is time to move it on.

[hamerjunkie]

I used a 90`s re-issue Rat for a couple of years, now I switch between a Boss Metal Zone and an old Ibanez Sonic Distortion, would like to find the newer version on the cheap to A/B .........

[Disturber]

The first big-box reissues are said to be tonally the same as the really old (expensive) ones, and the debate over the LM308 chip rages on......

I bought a 90's big box reissue with the right chip from someone on this board, it was a long time ago so I don't remember from whom.

I ended up selling it as I didn't like it that much. It was kinda harsh sounding.

A couple of years ago I found a 1986 version with the smaller box. This one sounds awesome. Nothing like the 90's reissue. Suddenly I understod what it was all about. This machine is excellet for strats in to a Fender amp. It's THE tone heard on so many classic albums from back then.

There is a newer 1985 whiteface reissue that is supposed to be the real deal. I'd either look for an 80's version, or this reissue.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Jun/ProCo_Limited_Edition_85_Whiteface_RAT_Pedal_Review.aspx

[carfish7]

Off-topic derail rant:

I hope this person is more "player" than "journalist".....

"While the Whiteface RAT can achieve classic ‘80s tones ala Eddie Van Halen, but the infinite sustain, harmonic distortion, and growly fuzz has allowed the RAT to find its way into other genres, such as blues, grunge, stoner rock, doom and drone, making the RAT a highly versatile pedal for players of all types."

That sentence made my teeth hurt a bit. Our language, or at least proper usage of same, has perished.

[polara]

carfish7, agred: you'd need an MIT grad to diagram that sentence.

On a marginally-related note, I also like more biting RAT-esque distortion sounds over smoother TS flavors. I ended up with an MXR Custom Badass '78. Pretty cheap and can go from just a little gain to a whole lot. With tone and dirt levels backed off a bit it is in the RAT camp and your local dealer or - perish the thought - GC might let you try before you buy.

[Ethan]

If you guys are looking for a "boutique" version of a Rat, the Fuzzrocious Rat Tail is the one. It's made way better and has more tonal options-I own one primarily for bass but sounds awesome on guitar as well:

http://www.fuzzrociouspedals.com/

[tbonesullivan]

I had a proco "vintage rat" without the LED some years ago. I really liked the lead tone. Only really got rid of it because the COSM modelling on my boss OD-20 is just that good. I really couldn't tell much of a difference, and i doubt anyone could in a live setting. That thing saved me from spending tons on various "vintage" and "vintage reissue" pedals.

The issue is that you're dealing with sound and solid state circuitry. As production tolereances and methods have improved, the magical clipping made by one chip or one diode may suddenly not be so magical anymore, as they are not the parts the design was made using. So, while many are all about how it uses the "correct" parts, etc etc, I think the sound is more important. If you can get the same sound using different components, go for it.

[crunchee]

I've heard that ProCo Rats (whatever version) can be hard on preamp tubes. True? Would that be a concern for using other distortion stomp boxes? As a rule, I don't use effects, I just plug in and play, I'm just too lazy to mess with 'em.

[ZR]

I've heard that ProCo Rats (whatever version) can be hard on preamp tubes. True? Would that be a concern for using other distortion stomp boxes? As a rule, I don't use effects, I just plug in and play, I'm just too lazy to mess with 'em.

I don't think that's true. I never heard about that anywhere.

I have a Keeley-modded RAT w/ the LM308 chip and the LED in the middle of the A...maybe an 80's model. It has RAT, SuperRat and clear boost settings...pretty cool.

[stonge]

my old Rat has been loaned out to a friend for the last couple of years, so I don't quite remember how it sounded (there's a Rat R2DU in one of my mothballed rack systems - cascading 2 Rats into a Boogie Quad preamp provided enough gain lol).

I'm thinking of building up a Rat clone from Build Your Own Clone; the kits are pretty easy to build, and there is a six-position switch for changing between a few variants. Some of their kits also have options so you can tweak to your preferred tones. I've built their compressor, and it sounds pretty good. Basically, if you can figure out which end of the soldering iron to hold (spoiler: not the hot end), you can build their kits. The kits are a fun little project imho.

[ptm1diver]

I tried several pedals over the years, but the one I settled on is the ROCKBOX Boiling Point Overdrive Boost Pedal. Its a boutique pedal. but you can do a ton with it. There are some places you can purchase pedals from and try them out. If you don't like the one you got, send it back. I think Pedals Plus Effects Warehouse will still let you do that. Before committing to a pedal that does not fit your rig, or the sound you are looking for, try some pedals and find the one for you.

[anathemata]

Off-topic derail rant:

I hope this person is more "player" than "journalist".....

"While the Whiteface RAT can achieve classic ‘80s tones ala Eddie Van Halen, but the infinite sustain, harmonic distortion, and growly fuzz has allowed the RAT to find its way into other genres, such as blues, grunge, stoner rock, doom and drone, making the RAT a highly versatile pedal for players of all types."

That sentence made my teeth hurt a bit. Our language, or at least proper usage of same, has perished.

Maybe because there is no such thing as a "While...but..." construction in English!