Hey guys I have a serious urge to buy a Rat but I know many people out there are making clones of it and I was curious if the Rat is for me. I am looking for a harder type of distortion with a tight bass that wont go flabby on me agressive mids and a nice top end. I really like the sound samples of the Rat but what is the deal with the lm308? Is this like the fabled chip in the tube screamer that all people swear by? I am by no means a expert on these types of subjects so i was hoping that someone could explain it to me to see if my cravings for a rat are misguided or should I look somewhere else maybe?
ProCo Rat please educate me!
- Thread starter Hawkz900
- Start date
devastone
Well-known member
Re: ProCo Rat please educate me!
The 308 is a single opamp, it's the original opamp that is in the old Rats. I think the very first Rats had the metal can version, later ones have the chips. Not sure what they are currently using.
The tubescreamer chip is a JRC4558, which is a dual opamp, the TS (and SD-1 among others) uses one amp for gain/distortion and the other one for the tone control.
As far as tight bass, if you crank a Rat, it can get mushy and fuzzy sounding, there are lots of mods for them though. If you can solder, check out the BYOC version, it has a 3 way switch for distortion (standard or Turbo Rat sound depending on what diodes you use), clean boost (not totally clean, but tight), or assymetrical overdrive. Very cool pedal. FWIW, you might check out the Turbo Rat, it may be more what you are looking for. The only difference is that it uses LEDs for clippers instead of 1N914s, but the higher breakover voltage makes it louder and tighter.
<$0.02
The 308 is a single opamp, it's the original opamp that is in the old Rats. I think the very first Rats had the metal can version, later ones have the chips. Not sure what they are currently using.
The tubescreamer chip is a JRC4558, which is a dual opamp, the TS (and SD-1 among others) uses one amp for gain/distortion and the other one for the tone control.
As far as tight bass, if you crank a Rat, it can get mushy and fuzzy sounding, there are lots of mods for them though. If you can solder, check out the BYOC version, it has a 3 way switch for distortion (standard or Turbo Rat sound depending on what diodes you use), clean boost (not totally clean, but tight), or assymetrical overdrive. Very cool pedal. FWIW, you might check out the Turbo Rat, it may be more what you are looking for. The only difference is that it uses LEDs for clippers instead of 1N914s, but the higher breakover voltage makes it louder and tighter.
<$0.02
baritone
Well-known member
Re: ProCo Rat please educate me!
There are so many different versions of RATs out there, even from the same periods and the same models. The ones that have the LM308 chip are just more coveted because of the tone. For those that don't have it, it is probably an easy and inexpensive fix, but I don't know how to replace parts in a pedal. I have a Keeley-modified RAT, all of which have the LM308 chip.
There are so many different versions of RATs out there, even from the same periods and the same models. The ones that have the LM308 chip are just more coveted because of the tone. For those that don't have it, it is probably an easy and inexpensive fix, but I don't know how to replace parts in a pedal. I have a Keeley-modified RAT, all of which have the LM308 chip.
Re: ProCo Rat please educate me!
You say you want a RAT education.
Okay, here you go.
I don't recall were I found it, though it was well over a year ago, otherwise I'd give credit.
You say you want a RAT education.
Okay, here you go.
I don't recall were I found it, though it was well over a year ago, otherwise I'd give credit.
chuckbat
New member
Re: ProCo Rat please educate me!
GO with the Line 6 Uber Metal. Very versatile distortion. It has a scoop knob for mid adjustment, it has your basic bass, mids, treble controls, it has drive and level controls too. It has a switch for 3 types of distortion and a built in noise gate that you can turn on or off. You can setup this to do full on goatmetal or you can get classic rat style distortion out of it. I picked it up at Guitar Center for less than $100.
GO with the Line 6 Uber Metal. Very versatile distortion. It has a scoop knob for mid adjustment, it has your basic bass, mids, treble controls, it has drive and level controls too. It has a switch for 3 types of distortion and a built in noise gate that you can turn on or off. You can setup this to do full on goatmetal or you can get classic rat style distortion out of it. I picked it up at Guitar Center for less than $100.
