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Rat?
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:49 pm
by DarkAxel
So um guys... long story short - i was drooling over the Catalinbread Teaser Stallion but i was dissapointed when i discovered i can't really find one USED... and the prices new are not very friendly to me... and then i read that it's essentially just a Rat with the oscillation. I own a Fuzz Factory clone, so i have the oscillation covered and i was like "um... wtf? i haven't play a rat yet!"
i have a Catalinbread DLS, but frankly... it's more of a low gain OD and with gain around noon, it sounds the best... higher gain settings sound worse IMHO. SO what do you think? Rat for higher gain sounds? Would the Rat sound AWESOME for leads when combined with the DLS (aka marshall in a box)?
and can some rat afficionado describe different rat version aviable now?
thanks!
Re: Rat?
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:02 pm
by The4455
The regular Rat pedal is basically "Marshall" in a box, it works well with modulation effects and okay with other distortion/overdrive efects. I would buy a used Rat and have it modified. Recently Pro Co. has reissued the White face Rat, I would also check out the Solo Rat it has a three way switch of awesome, Fat tone has a used one too!
http://www.fattoneguitars.com/ProCo_Rat_Solo_Distortion_Effect_Pedal_Used_p/ron33.htm
Re: Rat?
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:22 pm
by futuresailors
A used rat was the best $40 I've ever spent.
Just sayin...
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:27 am
by DarkAxel
The4455 wrote:The regular Rat pedal is basically "Marshall" in a box, it works well with modulation effects and okay with other distortion/overdrive efects. I would buy a used Rat and have it modified. Recently Pro Co. has reissued the White face Rat, I would also check out the Solo Rat it has a three way switch of awesome, Fat tone has a used one too!
http://www.fattoneguitars.com/ProCo_Rat_Solo_Distortion_Effect_Pedal_Used_p/ron33.htm
thanks, but i think i'll stick with the cheaper regular version... my financial situation hasn't been very good lately
so you think i should stick with the Rat 2? What is the difference between this one and You Dirty Rat or a Turbo Rat?
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:51 am
by nbabmf
There are really only two major differences between the Rats:
Op amp - Early ones use the LM308 chip, whereas many of the newer ones use OPA07. Most prefer the LM308, which is why switching chips is the most popular mod for newer Rats.
Clipping diodes - The Turbo Rat has LED clippers, which have a less compressed, raunchier sound. All the others have silicon clipping diodes. A popular mod is to put both on a toggle switch. I use a 3 way switch with neither in the middle for purely op amp clipping.
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:55 am
by DarkAxel
Thank you, guys!

i'm currently waiting for my money an then i'll try to get some Rat

i'm not really experienced when it comes to soldering, but i don't expect the mods to be complicated
i expect the sound of rock... i don't need big, overcompressed higain, but i appreciate a mean sound

The DLS can get pretty nasty, it just sounds better to me with gain on like... a half (and with neck single coil it's pure love

) and i'm not a guy that uses mainly fuzz on rhythms
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:00 am
by jrmy
DarkAxel wrote:i expect the sound of rock... i don't need big, overcompressed higain, but i appreciate a mean sound
If the mean sound of rock is what you seek, the Rat will most likely deliver! I've had a Rat of one type or another on my board since first getting into fuzz. There are certain (mean, rock, etc) sounds that no other pedal can do quite like it...
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:11 am
by DarkAxel
yeah, i actually don't get how did i not try one in almost five years of playing
i just hope it will stack with the DLS well for the leads
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:35 am
by hazelwould
DarkAxel wrote:yeah, i actually don't get how did i not try one in almost five years of playing
i just hope it will stack with the DLS well for the leads
I'm willing to put money that they stack well. So far, the rat has been one of the best stackers, and now the DLS is up there. The Rat and my Fix'd work SOOOOO well together. The Fix'd (how I leave it) can be pretty dark and gritty. When I add the Rat, it adds more gain and bite. Lets it cut better.

But the whole thing remains still really clear. It's awesome... And the DLS works well with the Fix'd as well.
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:02 pm
by DarkAxel
Unfortunately... stacking DLS with a Si Fuzz Face didn't go very... good...
but i've heard that DLS is a great stacker and i hope it'll live up to my expectations
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:05 pm
by jrmy
I know you're waiting on money, but did you see this dealio over in b/s/t?
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=12876#p160268 - $50 for a tricked-out / tweaked-up Rat seems like a pretty great deal...

Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:06 pm
by DarkAxel
jrmy wrote:I know you're waiting on money, but did you see this dealio over in b/s/t?
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=12876#p160268 - $50 for a tricked-out / tweaked-up Rat seems like a pretty great deal...

thanks, man, i kinda overlooked that... will ask for shipping to europe and maybe will buy...
Re: Rat?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:51 pm
by nbabmf
Definitely hit that Roadkill-turned-Rat if you want the vintage sound. Just don't open it up haha. The board is gigantic and not laid out for off-board wiring (everything was board mounted), so it's a mess inside.
