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So I tried a RAT 2 not too long ago and while I dug it for the most part, it sounded very hissy and weird at the same time. But my friend's old as shit rat doesn't sound like that at all. It's actually very awesome sounding!

I want to find one like that, but don't really want to spend $200 to get there with a vintage pedal. Would something like The Rat reissue suit this or does that differ from the whiteface specs? Should I just find a builder or something if I'm looking to spend more like $120?

Big Box Vintage Reissue from the 90s are a good sounding rat. You would probably pickup one of those in your budget. They are great and there is plenty of space inside for mods. You could also get some great Rat kits. Fuzzdog Pedal Parts in the UK has a kit for one that lets you do all the popular mods quite easily. All on board. If you are not comfortable with DIY someone in the Shark Tank could put it together for you. Or I also could put it together for you. Or get someone in the Shark Tank to build you one from scratch.

I picked up an Alchemy Audio modded Rat II on Reverb for $100 and it is probably as close to perfect as my dirt tone has ever been. Before that I had a Fuzzrocious Rat Tail and that was pretty bitchin' as well. If you're patient you should be able to pick one up for $120, which is more than I sold mine for.

Find an old shit rat. It's a good investment.

SoaringTortoise wrote:Find an old shit rat. It's a good investment.

+1. just keep your eyes peeled for one that's beat to shit that the collectors will be less likely to pounce on.

but the big box vintage RI is awesome too, will not sound hissy or thin, they're pretty woolly compared to the RAT2 imo.

TurboRat4Lyfe

Yeahup. Big Box Reissue or a mid 80s one that needs to be kicked from time to time so the sellers letting it go cheap is the way to go.

Volt Thrower. I know, I know, it's in the "what you don't want to spend" area but it's seriously the best rat I've ever heard.

So you tried both the Rat2 and your friend's old Rat on the same amp?

While there's definitely *some* difference, it shouldn't be huge, unless either of those Rat you tried were modded/broken or something...

frigid midget wrote:So you tried both the Rat2 and your friend's old Rat on the same amp?

While there's definitely *some* difference, it shouldn't be huge, unless either of those Rat you tried were modded/broken or something...

I've tried both with his rig and noticed that difference. It wouldn't be noticeable live but it was still annoying. Tried another rat 2 in a store and got the same result.

Somehow I've still never tried a RAT and every time one of these threads comes up I realize I'm probably going to kick myself for waiting so long when I finally do.

bigchiefbc wrote:TurboRat4Lyfe

Yup.

You can crank the distortion high and it will stay loud and clear. Can't say the same about the Rat 2 and the Vintage Reissue I had before.
But they all are great as an OD/mid-dist.

ramonovski wrote:

bigchiefbc wrote:TurboRat4Lyfe

Yup.

You can crank the distortion high and it will stay loud and clear. Can't say the same about the Rat 2 and the Vintage Reissue I had before.
But they all are great as an OD/mid-dist.

Do you think the turbo rat would be better if I'm going to be using it more as an overdrive than a distortion?

backwardsvoyager wrote:

SoaringTortoise wrote:Find an old shit rat. It's a good investment.

+1. just keep your eyes peeled for one that's beat to shit that the collectors will be less likely to pounce on.

but the big box vintage RI is awesome too, will not sound hissy or thin, they're pretty woolly compared to the RAT2 imo.

I've found a few really REALLY beat to shit ones but they're like $300. Fuck that.

Found a couple older 90's Rat 2 pedals for sale that are beat to shit but are still like $150.

The best I've found so far is some vintage rat clone that has the reutz mod switch and an added feedback loop knob and switch. I think that was like $150 ish, but with all that stuff it might be worth the extra money.

ancientbones wrote:

ramonovski wrote:

bigchiefbc wrote:TurboRat4Lyfe

Yup.

You can crank the distortion high and it will stay loud and clear. Can't say the same about the Rat 2 and the Vintage Reissue I had before.
But they all are great as an OD/mid-dist.

Do you think the turbo rat would be better if I'm going to be using it more as an overdrive than a distortion?

There was no big difference when the distortion is set low-ish IME, things become more obvious when you start to crank it up past 12-1 o'clock.

I would get the cheapest Rat 2 I could find if I were looking for a Rat as an overdrive.