Big Box RAT.

Big Box RAT Reissue with Pete's '79 Mods, Including an NOS 1979 Fairchild UA308 Metal Can Chip, 18v Mod: Amazing sounding and versatile big box RAT in excellent used condition. This is a made in the USA reissue from 2000 and I have upgraded it in a number of tasty ways. First, I replaced the modern LM308 IC chip with an NOS 1979 Fairchild metal can LM308 chip - to most closely emulate some of the earliest RAT models. The schematics for these old chips are completely different from the more modern equivalents (usually, a lot fewer parts) which results in a warmer, less aggressive feel, though there is still plenty of distortion in there. I then did my magic tone mods for that warmer '79 sound, upgraded the caps so this can handle 18v power if so desired, and I did my version of the Reutz mod that both tames the gain and greatly improves the tonal response. The little toggle on the right, when switched to the left, provides a warmer, more variable gain response, and can dial in some delicious overdrive with the Distortion control dialed back. Flip the toggle to the right and get a gain boost for more output, more distortion (pushes more signal through the diodes) and some sweet clarity at high distortion settings. I also replaced the crap stock diodes with NOS Philips 1N914 diodes, to more closely match those in the originals. The little toggle on the left is a diode lift (lift is switch to the right) for a louder, fuller sound, and more clean headroom. It is an amazing rodent with that extra power coursing through. Finally, I modded this puppy to more closely emulate the original '79 version by converting the Filter control to the original style Tone control. This required a different taper pot (I used a high-end Bourns pot with the correct length bushing). Now this works by sweeping from low to high as you turn the control clockwise. This is a very versatile RAT machine with lots of options and some amazing tone. It sports red aluminum Davies-style knobs and a bl;ack dress nut on the switch. An attractive little RAT for sure. [from Pete]
 
I ran it thru the 40 watt EVH 5150 Iconic combo yesterday, its totally ratical.
Gonna run it thru 100 watt Marshall tomorrow.
 
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