Jazzmaster into Blackface Drive Pedal Recommendations - RAT?

[DeathByVolume]

I am running a Fender AV65 Jazzmaster into a Deluxe Reverb. Bright Cap Removed and Speaker replaced with a Cannabis Rex. Also sometimes into a Twin w/legends for larger house shows/outdoor gigs.

It is a relatively bright rig but not overly so. I use a Barber Half Gainer with my setup right now, it sounded absolutely amazing with my old AC30HW but I am feeling like it's just a bit harsh/overly jangly with the Fenders. I would prefer a bit more gain on tap as well for the Twin.

I have heard the RAT is sort of the go to overdrive/distortion/fuzzish pedal for a Jazzmaster into Blackface clean amps. Id be happy to take other suggestions for this setup! I would prefer something with 2 Channels like the Half Gainer or something with a built in boost.

What are the best current production RAT models, clone or otherwise? What 2 channel RAT options are out there? What are some good rat models that also sound good at low/med gain? I am currently considering the Fuzzrocious RAT Tail with the extra gain channel.

[kbit]

RAT TAIL RULES

[DeathByVolume]

https://reverb.com/item/80201-chicago-s ... tom-colors this looks rad too

[Uncle Grandfather]

Check out the Gretsch Playboy Harmon Booster, pretty spectacular range from od to fuzz.

[myrrh]

I used jazzmaster into rat into twin reverb blackface for the longest time. Works good. OCD also works good.
But both are a bit boring to me, I have been running the Smallsound/Bigsound Fuck and Mini last couple of years. A bit more dark grit.

[rfurtkamp]

All my amps are BF-voiced stuff, clean until death from the amp at least.

What level of aggressive are you looking for, sound ranges, etc?

I'm not sure a Rat would be my first choice, keep in mind a lot of the ILF folks are running amps that are themselves less than clean and will just shout out whatever works for them with a no-headroom gain channel monster.

[HorseyBoy]

With that setup, unless you're really driving the amp, the Rat isn't going to take you into fuzz territory but if you use the tone (filter) knob judiciously it will definitely take away the top end jangle and should sound pretty damn good. I've got an AV65 Jazzy and run it into an old Carvin X-60A, which is pretty similar to a blackface sound, and a Ceriatone 5E7 Bandmaster, which has plenty of headroom and is probably a little less bright. Rat sounds awesome into both amps, but you need to take into account that I'd take a Rat over pretty much anything else as my dirt pedal of choice. Rats definitely sound great at low to medium gain and stack beautifully with other pedals. It'd probably work really well with the Barber Half Gainer to add a bit of warmth to the sound.
As for what Rat to go for, I'd try to find an old ProCo with the LM308 chip in it - maybe a big box vintage reissue or one of the recent whiteface reissues. Otherwise, the ARC Effects Woodcutter looks pretty much GREAT. It's a Rat with four clipping options (classic, boutique, open, turbo LED), internally switched hi (standard) and low (overdrive) gain modes, and filter control that works like the old tone-knob Rats (ie, bass to treble, not the other way around). Pre-orders are up for that here: http://arc-effects.com/woodcutter/
Really, you can't go wrong with a Rat. You might find you need something fuzzier if you need a little more kick a little later on, but get a Rat first.

[DeathByVolume]

Well my ideal pedal would be something that goes from a slightly dirty cleanish sound all the way through a good 90s distortion sound. Sonic Youth's light OD sounds really "natural", that's a good reference point (and their heavier drive is a good reference as well, maybe Yo La Tengo too).

Seems like mostly Turbo Rats, Klons, and Hot Cakes? I am also into some of the smoother, more compressed sounds Nels Cline gets.

Really my issue is that the Barber is too open sounding I think. It sounds much like it does in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsuJ0M0UEkc . Harsh, open, overly present to my ears, to some it probably sounds very natural. Just not my bag.

I want something that thickens up as you turn it up and smooths as well. Something big sounding. But not necessarily crazy high gain.

Also 2 Channels if possible, I can't really free up any more space on my board than what removing the half gainer will open and need to fit 2 gain settings in there.

I would love to hear some wisdom on the matter rfurtkamp and what you use, even if it doesn't match my description exactly!

With that setup, unless you're really driving the amp, the Rat isn't going to take you into fuzz territory but if you use the tone (filter) knob judiciously it will definitely take away the top end jangle and should sound pretty damn good. I've got an AV65 Jazzy and run it into an old Carvin X-60A, which is pretty similar to a blackface sound, and a Ceriatone 5E7 Bandmaster, which has plenty of headroom and is probably a little less bright. Rat sounds awesome into both amps, but you need to take into account that I'd take a Rat over pretty much anything else as my dirt pedal of choice. Rats definitely sound great at low to medium gain and stack beautifully with other pedals. It'd probably work really well with the Barber Half Gainer to add a bit of warmth to the sound.
As for what Rat to go for, I'd try to find an old ProCo with the LM308 chip in it - maybe a big box vintage reissue or one of the recent whiteface reissues. Otherwise, the ARC Effects Woodcutter looks pretty much GREAT. It's a Rat with four clipping options (classic, boutique, open, turbo LED), internally switched hi (standard) and low (overdrive) gain modes, and filter control that works like the old tone-knob Rats (ie, bass to treble, not the other way around). Pre-orders are up for that here: http://arc-effects.com/woodcutter/
Really, you can't go wrong with a Rat. You might find you need something fuzzier if you need a little more kick a little later on, but get a Rat first.

Oh I gots the fuzz. I have a DBA Apocalypse, Fuzz God and a couple fuzz faces and muffs. No need for that. Good to hear more positive Rat feedback!

How is the Black Cat OD/Boost dealy?

[Fuzz_Pi]

Check out the SS/BS Fuck/Mini that was mention before.

You almost perfectly described it above^

[rfurtkamp]

For that era stuff, think of what was available. And cheap. Because that's what both those bands used.

90s distortion stuff the Rat will get you in the ballpark, don't overlook the venerable HM-2. That's what a lot of us used then because it was that..or..not much else.

As far as what I'm using, my rig is insanely complicated to say the least ( http://media.furtkamp.com/rig2014-default.jpg ) even on the day to day stripped down level.

For basic distortion purposes into a BF amp, using a Jazzmaster or Jaguar or Mustang or a VI, I have either a HM-2 on steroids (the Boss GL-100 rackmount of the era, that's all their analog stuff in one box on two channels with parametric EQs) or a Basic Audio Lucky Number (which will do everything from mildish to modern distortion but certainly isn't fuzz).

If I want OD-type stuff, I overload the Space Echo preamp. For basic OD, I'd look at the blues-lawyer gear - the TS-type circuits. I'm sure somebody out there has built a TS/Rat combo (I know of a few TS/DS-1 combos which would also get you there).

Given your space constraints though, I'd talk to one of the builders here about making you a two-in-one that meets your needs. Shouldn't be too bad as you're not describing esoteric stuff. The problem is that the two sounds you're describing are going to have pretty different tone stacks/settings.

Might be worth it to just buy a used non-boutique-snob TS and DS1 and non-corksniffer Rat and see if you like the flavors, then contact said builders.

[Ro_S]

T-Rex Mudhoney. Very versatile and its circuit is apparently Rat-based. See if you can find a second-hand 3-knob one, if price is an issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ugHMAv7lRw

[Holy Schnikes]

Rat Tail is great on bass but I prefer the Iron Pig/Acid Pig on guitar for sure! Or get the Elements if you want everything from clean boost to clean-ish to crunch to earth rattling high gain. That's the best option imo.

A good example of RATs thru blackface Fenders is Interpol's Turn On The Bright Lights. Granted they used mostly low gain settings and Gibsons Paul Banks eventually started using a Jaguar and those dudes have SICK toan.

[DeathByVolume]

You dudes are awesome, thanks so much for all the suggestions, I have gotten a few that I had not heard of and that is exactly what I was hoping!

The 2 channel Mudhoney looks great! I also contacted smallsound/bigsound about their 2 channel Mini on their youtube channel, heres to hoping they will entertain building me one!

Interpol is a very good example of the sound I am looking for so that is perfect! If they used Rats on Turn on The Bright Lights then that really helps.

The Acid Pig sounds great, wish it was 2 channel. I will have to consider it though as the demos I have heard are pretty much the sound in my head when it comes to the dirtiest side of things.

Fuck Man, to many good choices!

[Ghost Hip]

Acid Pig or Fuck Overdrive. I'd say.