The ProCo RAT Distortion & RAT-Alikes: King Of The Dirt Pedals? That Pedal Show

[@honestmusicreviews]

Dan - 1. Never put that SG jr down 2. Always keep a RAT variant on your board 3. Never let Mick turn your gain down. Brilliant episode! Thanks

[@GrahamSouthall-fp9ch]

I'm 56, only been playing for a couple of years. Just got a rat! Absolutely love it!!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

The RAT is the “Tele” of stomps IMHO!

[@codybaggett9741]

"I just figured out what Josh does in all his pedals: makes them loud with high headroom. That is what makes them sound good."-Mick "Loud is more good." -Josh

[@FrozenCharlottes]

Its funny because its true

[@LithiumGrim]

Well, actually no. When adding (hard)clipping diodes to a circuit it will logically lower the overall volume as it clips the amplitude of the wave. In the middle setting there are no clipping diodes in the circuit, thus making it sound louder or better said, not lowering the volume anymore. This has very little (=nothing) to do with headroom. Different diodes have different forward voltages and in that way have different effects on the overall volume of the pedal.

[@andymellor9056]

@@LithiumGrim Because Headroom has to do with the Op Amp, Correct?

[@LithiumGrim]

@@andymellor9056 Yes, and for the most part determined by the supply voltage to the opamp. Most pedals use +9V and ground (0V) for an opamp. If you use a 18V supply (when possible!!!) it will increase the headroom of the pedal (not the amp!!). Actually, it is more determined by the difference between V+ and V- of the opamp. If you put +9V to V+ and - 9V to V - you also get 18V :)

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

@@andymellor9056 just as Arnold said, but I just wanted to add the fact that different op-amps will vary in how close the output voltage can approach to the supply voltage. Some of the older chips couldn't get within a half volt of the negative supply. I understand that this was mainly down to inherent mismatches in the Npn and Pnp transistors, an issue that has pretty much been solved in more recent, higher end chips. Also the inherent noise of the op-amps can vary widely between different types.

[@pauliusi9691]

Guys, it’s been a year since I picked up playing again. After 10 years of teenagy, high-gainy, shreding I dropped the guitar. Came back last year mainly inspired by your channel. It’s been a year and I learned more than I did in those 10 years thanks to you guys. Just wanted to put that out as a thank you. One small comment under a vid, one giant part of my life.

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

I've used two Rats for decades through a Roland JC-120, and I've gotten nothing but praise since 1986, often from tube snobs who can't believe they're saying it. I never put the distortion up more than a third, the other one a fourth, and it gives me a great, classic Rock sound with lots of definition. I think I use distortion until I hear someone else using distortion. I'm always surprised how much players use. To each his own.

[@Roosterboi21]

One of the things I have noticed with other bands around here is that there is a load of gain on most guitar parts. They will be doing a CCR cover and the guitars sound like Whitesnake.

[@subjectt.change6599]

I use RATs through a JC40 and an CR120. Nothing makes tube snobs scratch their heads like RATs through solid state amps.

[@KingEvan87]

Dan’s uncontrolled giggling and mick covering his ears when Dan is making those amazing obnoxious noises through the JHS rat is what playing guitar is all about. So good.

[@jamesstonehouse3448]

Rat into a big muff is an iconic sound in the drone doom genre

[@subjectt.change6599]

I am the proud owner of 3 RATs; the You Dirty Rat, the Fat Rat, and the JHS Pack Rat (the new one, not the mod). I just can’t get the same feeling from anything else. It’s everything I like about fuzz, but nothing I hate. It’s everything I love about tubes, but without the weight or replacement costs. It truly was a revolutionary device.

[@joemisek]

42:26 It is absurd how excited I get when I hear some Soundgarden riffs on That Pedal Show. It's like bringing my youth together with my adult gear fascination.

[@RodClark]

I'm convinced that the tone knobs on a Marshall aren't actually connected to anything. LOL.

[@markferguson3745]

Funny, felt the same about most of my Fenders-

[@elonmush4793]

yeah the old Marshalls don't change sounds much

[@RAndrewNeal]

My Marshall (not old) solid state sounds best with all EQ knobs at noon. That's just the sound I like.

[@klorand]

(several people are typing...)

[@shoegazeforever8810]

On my Marshall Vintage Modern the tone knobs are just for decoration or very fine tuning. I just leave them on 5. (The Body and Detail knobs set the tone.)

[@NeopolitianNPLTN]

All I play is punk rock using a RAT and a blackface Fender. I don't usually go past 9 o'clock on the distortion knob. Then fine tune with guitar's volume knob. (LP junior)

[@jhnlk]

"No LED but it's quite obvious when it's on."

[@fishfingers160]

Fucking hope so 😉

[@chrisj2155]

That made me chuckle

[@Glicksman1]

Yeah, you know it's on. Your guitar sounds like rubbish.

[@alessandrodecarli2462]

🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelczesnozki1671]

The led is in the A of RAT. I have one.

[@brian_malota]

Just bought a 1989 rat and holy shit they work SO perfect with single coil neck pickups on a tele. Sounds amazing.

[@jamesgoddin8880]

Glad to see you include a budget Mooer pedal here. When I got back into pedals again after a foray into rack gear then multi-fx I bought a bunch of Mooer pedals because they were so cheap, especially on eBay. Admittedly I’ve switched out a few for the ‘real thing’ now (the green mile is not a great tune screamer) but several remain happily on my board - orange 90, trelicopter, ensemble king, pure boost, e-lady and black secret. They all do the job I want them to do very well and for a fraction of the cost of more respected pedals, plus they take up comparatively little real estate on the board.

[@lw1391]

The e-lady and black secret are phenomenal!!

[@spiltmilk615]

After more than a decade with the Rat 2, I recently made the switch to the JHS Rat, and two observations jump out at me. First, unlike most high gain boxes, it actually sounds great through an overdriven amp. Second, it's a killer platform for the gnarlier side of slide guitar. Great episode, guys!

[@antonioroman4895]

I had a Vintage Rat and now a JHS and a Moer. I highly recommend the Moer !!!

[@justinp2033]

And that TS into the Rattler combo is absolutely amazing. I need that tone in my life.

[@wadeadkins4927]

I bought a RAT while still in high school in 1983. It still is on my higher gain pedal board all these years later. Great pedal, great video!

[@40spinup]

Dave Grohl was a big Rat user on the first Foo’s album. Listen to Exhausted.

[@legatomodi3522]

drummers and bassists gravitate towards them when they play guitar for some reason. i can not say why, i can just say ive seen it happen enough to see a pattern that rarely fails

[@christianmoller263]

Been requesting this like mad so thanks for putting it up!

[@bbmade]

There’s usually a moment on That Pedal Show where I flash back to teenage year of trying guitars, amps, pedals and just having fun for the sake of fun. Good times.

[@philipellis7039]

When I was a child ( I'm 54 now to give you a time frame) my grandmother used to run entertainment evenings for other old folk and the kazoo was the main musical accompaniment for most of that. There is a lot of spit in my childhood memories. Whilst I'm here if I dare mention another pedal channel there is an episode of 60 Cycle Hum where he puts a mic'd kazoo through pedals. A must watch for anyone who is a fan of the small, spitty instrument. Sorry, as you were - back to the Rats.

[@LEgoiste]

Excellent tangent!

[@FinleyWheatback]

I bought a Rat 2 in 1989 brand new. It's been my main distortion for almost every situation. It just has an excellent voice that retains the tone of the note no matter how much gain you pile on. And I think it cleans up nicely when you back off the guitar volume. Scofield has used a Rat as his main grit effect since the 80s. I found with the drive on about 9 o'clock, and the volume on about 3'o'clock, you get as much distortion as you would probably want with guitar volume on 10, but it cleans up nicely almost completely clean with volume on below 5. And on those settings, it still provides just a little compression, and evens out some of the partials. I've tried a lot of boxes, but I keep coming back to the RAT, have been able to make it work for anything. That super- bright, overly distorted signature sound is not the only thing it can do.

[@ChristianBundgaard]

I have one of the old Rat 2 pedals from the early 90’s when they still used the LM308 chip. I think the Rat sounds great as a low/medium gain overdrive. The trick is to set the filter control really high. My go-to settings are: Distortion at 9-11 o'clock, filter at 3 o'clock or higher and volume at 3 o’clock. Set like this, it cleans up great with the guitars volume control or by varying your pick attack.

[@Noisehead101]

That's exactly how i set mine too

[@mrtwohats]

A TPS haiku: Mick finds the strat rat - In glorious schwaang Dan beams - Slight loss of hearing

[@mark7166]

Re: the Rat having Big Muff characteristics- I totally agree. I love the tone of a Big Muff, but it just does not work for me. A Rat, however, seems to do exactly what I want the Muff to do, but with more mids... so I guess I’m really a Rat person, haha!

[@ozono3videos]

I agree. I have a big mouth not knowing what to do with it and as I listened to the rat I said:eureka!

[@seandyer4151]

Trims all the flub off to but keeps the sustain and thickness . Probably it’s why Gilmour used one on delicate sound of thunder era board I think

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Hey Mark - I was Never a Muff/Fuzz guy until The Thorpy Fallout Cloud. Give it a go??? - It's like a Hi-Fi Big Muff (that cuts through the mix) You might like it? I will Never be without mine. Gilmour, Santana, Iommi = Done.

[@mark7166]

@@michael_caz_nyc Thanks for the suggestion! If I ever get back to wanting a Muff (other than the one I have), I will definitely look at it. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

[@mattgilbert7347]

@Phillip hanna I'm a fan of the Vick V-2. It's like a Rat-Muff hybrid.

[@kosmicwizard]

For the money the black secret is the ticket, in my humble opinion, it sounds better than the modern rat, has 3 clipping modes and uses the original LM308 chip. Cheers.

[@SandalwoodBros]

I believe it has two clipping modes?

[@kosmicwizard]

@@SandalwoodBros yep, couldn't remember off of the top of my head at the time. The tom'sline black teeth has solo, turbo and normal, so maybe I was getting confused with that? Cheers.

[@msmoniz]

In 30 years of playing I had never tried a Rat pedal of any kind. Last year stumbled upon on a used TurboRat. Tried it and it hasn't left my main board since! Hooked!

[@matthewgurlitz3514]

I just got a Rat 2 for the first time in years. I used to own one and sold it, God knows why. Here, all the Rats sound better than any other pedals in the lineup. I also have and love the SD-1, but in your context, the Rat kills it. It has serious body, whereas some of the others have a bit of flub. Unlike the SD-1 or Tube Screamer, the Rat sounds great at either living room volumes or band levels. The mid-hump stuff sounds a bit dull at home without a cranked amp.

[@TheMRCHEEFY]

RAT + SG = Winner! :)

[@stubkar]

Rat plus P90's....

[@kellymckenzie4865]

Agreed

42:37 - Outshined! Great tune, kudos Dan!!!

[@Yamazaki1923]

This show makes Fridays for guitar players around the world simply better. HAPPY FRIDAY!

[@antropophagore]

This is my favorite episode, I love rat pedals, I have a Proco Turbo rat and it is amazing. By the way, the option in the mooer, "vintage" is a Rat2 and "turbo" is a Turbo Rat Rat2 is Silicon clipping diodes, Turbo is LED clipping diodes.

[@thorwulfx1]

This episode made me very happy. The RAT is such a fun pedal. It's great for taking a well-mannered amp and turning it into a tooth-gnashing lunatic.

[@BruceHamiltonmusic]

As a Doom Metal Guitarist, RAT's are one of my favourite ways to get a massive sound, great to see so many of them!

[@jhut5150]

I’ll preface this comment by saying that I don’t have time just yet to watch the video, so maybe I’m missing something and if so, I apologize. I’m not seeing any mention in the description area about you guys using Dan’s vintage AC30 in this video. How in the world did this slip through the cracks? The Rat and the AC30 are a glorious match made by the rock gods in heaven!! Again, I’m sorry if I’m speaking out of turn having not watched the video yet. Love the show and thanks for doing this Rat video. It’s my all time favorite distortion/drive.

[@deanjohnston104]

Hi. Nice show. Great show in fact. I too would like to add to what some others have mentioned; it would have been nice and also useful to see a Rat paired with a Vox Top Boost circuit. It seems a lot of people feel the Rat is one of the few distortion boxes that works well with this particular Vox channel. Since the AC4 variants are only Top Boost and also very popular with many home players (I have the hand wired version - it's flippin' great), how to dial a Rat in with these, or something along the lines of 'the Rat as solution - yes or no?' might have been useful. Thanks.

[@stratfredo27]

Bought the original in 1978. That with a Boss Flanger through a Fawn Marshall 50w JMP playing a Les Paul Pro Deluxe with P90's was for me the epitome of rock Great show as always boys

[@davedavem]

Graham Coxon on a previous TPS: "When I wanted more noise I added another RAT to my RAT." (slight paraphrase since I'm busy watching this video...)

[@ludovicboully3643]

Yes, and Mick and Dan added a Rat to a Rat to a Rat........

[@mattgilbert7347]

If you chain them together you get a Rat King.

[@davedavem]

@@mattgilbert7347 It's not good when your pedals become sentient.

[@elonmush4793]

needs more rats!

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@davedavem My mega-MIDI AI board begs to differ. And it knows where you live...

[@alanhaynes418]

Just love it when Dan repeatedly maxes out the sound level meter with the Les Paul/SG junior!

[@1961jscofield]

Wow, that SG (Jr.) is my age but sure as hell has endured the decades far better than I have!

[@rbrwr]

For what it's worth, I believe the switch on the Black Secret is up = silicon diodes, down = LEDs. You can see the LEDs flickering behind the filter knob in turbo mode (e.g. 54:50). 22:03 ...would loop this. 23:19 Mick using the ASAT.... was worried that Dan would pick up the Edcaster and then TPS would be backwards. 29:18 love the S&M leather pedal.

[@TomasWildViking]

I never had access to a Rat when I started out, so instead I tried many different overdrives and distortion pedals; Korg Overdrive (can't remember the model), Boss Turbo Overdrive, Washburn Thrash Metal, Boss DS-1, Boss Metalizer etc. At the moment I have 2 drives on my board, both Boss: SD-1 and DS-1. Followed by a MXR Phase 90 and a cheap 10-band equalizer

[@andrewnuzzo7919]

AND AS I KNOW HAVE AND ALWAYS USE I ALSO HAVE THE VERY BEST MOST USEFUL PEDAL ON MY BOARD ANY BOARD ALL BOARDS SHOULD HAVE AND I RECAMEND GETTING AN MXR 10 BAND OR THE I BELIEVE MINE IS THE CALINE COPY OF THAT WITH INPUT GAIN AND OUTPUT VOLUME. I CANNOT PLAY EVER AGAIN WITHOUT ONE. I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECAMEND IT TO EVERYONE IN PEDAL LAND AND THOES WHO REIE JUST ON AMP WITH CHANNELS PLEASE GET N USE A 10BAND EQ YOULL NEVER LOOK BACK AGAIN. signed the GUITAR WIZARD

[@andreaschronis3161]

Thanks for finally getting to this topic. I have a TON of distortion / OD pedals, and I love a lot of them, but nothing ever feels better than playing through a Rat at high volume. It may be the GOAT.

[@billtice5057]

The EQ on the MXR Super Badass Distortion is the game changer with distortion. It should have been in this lineup

[@hongsiahseow5969]

It's not a Rat circuit though, is it? As far as I know its an MIAB. Had it but had to sell it and replace with an even smaller pedal on my board so I can fit one more pedal on it.

[@LeviBulger]

Not even a Rat. So no, it doesn't belong.

[@robbennett4010]

You’ll probably find that the Rat 2 you have has symmetrical clipping and *not* asymmetrical clipping, unless it has been modified of course. Additionally, if it is a fairly modern (>2000AD) stock Rat 2, it will probably be fitted with the quieter (in terms of noise voltage) OP07 op amp rather than the LM308. Great video guys!

[@srh361]

Surprisingly the mooer held its own! I was hoping to see a keeley stahlhammer but these selections will definitely do! The JAM sounded the best!

[@philhardy18]

Hi guys , fun show . Sorry though Dan , there's only two diodes back to back in the rat . So youre correct , its a hard clipper , but its not clipping asymmetrically

[@SraightEdgeSup4star]

With Mick saying he wants to try the Rat type pedal on his board knowing his amps sound different from the ones used here raises the question; can we see a vlog or pick n mix type vid with Dan playing Mick's board vs Mick playing Dan's board? Would be cool to see how you play using the other bloke's sound

[@tgiencke]

For Dan: I found this to work very well for inspiring tone while using headphones. A Neunaber Iconoclast speaker emulator (headphone output) and (purchased from Celestion) G12H-75 Creamback IR. The Iconoclast doesn’t use IR’s, but with the software, superimpose the IR curve and copy the curve and upload it into the Iconoclast. Why the Iconoclast and not something that can use the Celestion IR directly? Because the Iconoclast is stereo in and out. With a simple mixer I can do a wet/dry/(wet) rig into stereo headphones. Side note: Ever since the “Awesome Wet/Dry/Wet” show I have been working in multi-channel. Taking a page from eurorack modular synths workflow, I rebuilt my pedalboards using Pedaltrain Metro 16, Boredbrain Patchulator 8000 (8x TRS patchbay), Strymon Ojai R30 (modular power). Looking forward to what you have been doing at home.

[@jasondejong3062]

The Jam Rattler+ tubescreamer= mick on full beast mode! See mick, you can play with loads of gainy awsomeness🤘🏼

[@elliotttadanier5971]

Right around the 21:50 mark Dan makes a pretty wild feedback noise, would love to see a show dedicated to feedback and the devices that help us create it. Cheers from Minnesota.

[@jrr832]

That would cool, espically at low volume

[@mitchellmurray5395]

Point your guitar at your speaker and shake the fuck out of it

[@SirVicc]

I have a RAT clone that I barely ever play. Can't get along with the sound. Then I see something like this and want to give it another go. Then when I do I remember why it never gets played.

[@Gadrun]

This might be my favourite episode so far, keep up the great work, guys!

[@louaquiler]

To my ears, nothing comes close to the current Rat 2! Fantastic sound.

Been play guitar for 40 years. Gibson, Martin, Guild, Taylor...got my first 2 electric's las year. 2018 Gibson Les Paul & SG. Marshall, Blackstar & Fender tube amps. My first pedal I'm gonna try here at my Hollywood pedal shop will be the Rat! What a sound!! Thanks guys for another great show!!!!!

[@fishfingers160]

Love these little tangents you guys go off on. Like watching Ronnie Corbett trying to tell a story in his big chair.

[@GGBBDIY]

There's an interesting story behind the "Filter" knob. The original RAT - which was a big box, not the small box whiteface - had a proper tone control. But in order to cut costs, it was switched to the filter control not long after introduction so that the reverse-audio taper tone pot could be replaced with a normal audio taper pot. This allowed the same pot - 100K audio - to be used for all three controls which simplified production and lowered the cost on pots.

[@frankfionn]

Yo La Tengo and Bill Frisell are my favourite Rat-users. Love this sound.

[@proteusswarm7291]

Add Mary Halvorson to that list and I'm with you 100%. Bill uses the Catalinbread version I believe.

[@frankfionn]

He uses the Catalinbread Katzenkönig and there is a rat-circuit included. Shure, it is not his main sound, but he has some distorted moments and than he turns this thing on.

[@frankfionn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHaweKmFiZuAZ9E

[@NashTurley]

Nice, yeah I guess he has some gnarly moments :)

[@ionobelisk]

@@NashTurley IIRC, Bill once said that it was the pedal he wouldn't want to do without. It certainly seemed to be ever present once he ditched his enormous rack system.

[@jimvalver8449]

I had a Big Box Rat as a teenager in the 80's. That along with an Ibanez FL9 Flanger and a solid state 2x12 was my first "Rig"

[@PinkAsAPistol]

In terms of gain, the RAT is a bit more versatile than people give it credit for. You can get a few decent tones out of it as is sounds like it makes a punkish noise at low gain and gets progressively fuzzier on high. What makes it most difficult for people to get a good sound is that the tone knob has a huge range. It always seems to me that it gives me a decent tone at a very specific spot; a little off and it sounds like crap. And due to that seeming dual nature of its drive, tweak the gain on a RAT just slightly and you have to find that extremely narrow sweet spot of its tone control all over again.

[@tweedguitar9103]

Thanks guys..Dan, i've waited 30 years for some insight into this beast ..thankyou . Back in the day I wondered why it sounded so good with just a strat and marshall of the early 80's straight ahead rock. i haven't heard one since , but it's an big edgy sound that cut through the mix, a sound i'll never forget. Loved the singing versatility of the rattler with your strat Mick.

[@bobilly]

Thanks for the show! The TRex Mudhoney we all love is quite RAT-ish actually and my favorite variant I've played. This gives me some more options to ponder!

[@dinadams]

MetalThrashingMatt me too, I’ve had many a boutique Rat, but the Mudhoney is the best, midrange in just the right place and can be smooth or aggressive, treble not so papery and it’s very dynamic. Danish Mudhoney is currently going for an absolute song at Thomann, get it while you can folks!

[@bobilly]

@@dinadams wow, you aren't kidding! $93 😲

[@bulletproofzest]

Fellas- I know this is over a year old but it’s my forSt time seeing it. former Proco employee here- the original production rat was the big box, so called “tone knob Rat.” This gave way to the big box with the filter knob, which then gave way to the whiteface. This is to say nothing of the orange bud box prototypes which are rare as hens teeth. That said, the circuit for the big box with the filter circuit and the original whiteface are the same. Component tolerances of course will have an effect.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you!

[@MiniMationsAnimations]

No way, I was about to search for a video about the RAT, and this beauty pops up in my feed!

[@mrmatthew2443]

The tone Mick got when all of them were on and he went his whammy bar..!!! Epic sound

[@stevekirby7333]

Finally got my hands on a Rattler, which I've been looking to try ever since this video. I noted that other than trying it with one of the Rats and finding that the sound didn't clean up, the Rattler wasn't tried with the guitar turned down. I was looking for slight grit to moderate dirt. I found that with a Strat in the store, that turning down the guitar gave a really boxy sound on the Rattler. I guess there are some input impedance things going on but while it cleaned up better than the Rat in this demo, the top went totally away and that mid voice that made the Rattler sound big took over. Glad I tried it before doing the online order thing. Back to the search.

[@stephenpetris9603]

A a

[@TheChadPad]

24:42 apparently, if you turn down the distortion and turn the volume way up, of course turning up your amp too, it sounds like an awesome overdrive! I read this on a forum with a bunch of rats crawlin around in it ;) that may be how he got the sound. They named names, idk what they were. The forum is entitled "Are 'vintage' RATs that good? on a website called TDPRI. Scroll down, long post towards the bottom of the first or second page, guy talks about the different types of sound you can get out of a rat and why it works that way. Fascinating

[@misterknightowlandco]

Rat + Tube Screamer + Chorus = The sounds of 80's metal. 🍻

[@MegaPaulCooper]

Yes sir

[@javierubilla4852]

The rat before the tube?

[@saintrhoads3375]

@@javierubilla4852 idk, but I'm definitely trying this tommorow

[@adakhochalai]

Tube screamer can be swapped with sd1as well

[@saintrhoads3375]

@@adakhochalai it didn't sound that great

[@PJSGBC]

I want to thank D&M and also this time the first bunch of commentors! Thanks for the positives here folks. I had the thought when I scrolled that there had better not be any criticisms on this episode or I might have to kick a rat (get it?) I for one loved that you used a TubeScreamer and DS-1 for reference. For the critics who ever say you are not thorough or didn't do ______________________ (fill in the blank with the exact scenario the commentor thought appropriate), I say this is perfect! If you can't imagine an approximation knowing what those two go-to pedals sound like, it is not that TPS is missing something, we are! It is always my highlight when the glee while playing is palpable! Either that gating, or feedback, or whatever... I feel the same think you guys do! Thanks so much fellas. Really... it is a privilege for us to get to experience this vicariously... and a crazy coincidence, I was just looking into Rat-alikes! Brilliant.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Wow, thank you!

[@adamscottv]

Tube Screamer into RAT sounded great.

[@danielgrubb9496]

Guys.. I hate to critical, I love your show and greatly appreciate everything you contribute to our community. The Rat Kings are Jeff Beck and Scofield. They are right in your wheelhouse and give a master class on how to get the most from this pedal. The Rockett Blue Note is a boutique variant of this circuit that has perfected the lower gain sounds if that is preferred.. I think you missed the mark a bit with this video, Mick I beg you to slap one on your board and spend more time with it. The Blue note may be more your speed but the OG is still my preference and I like it over a fuzz any day. Check the electrosmash page for more details of the circuit to understand it a bit more... Rant over haha.

[@oansun]

For a while, Dustin Kensrue in Thrice used an Iron Horse for his main distortion. Sounded great (he moved to Helix now, the traitor), and a guy in my annual Weezer cover gig used one as his main Rat variant for the Pinkerton stuff. Sounded awesome. A bit sad we missed out on hearing the Mudhoney here, but I know, many variants and little time. Mooer= nah. Jam pedals wins this one for me, though. Love the distortion episodes.

[@Hangingofgiants]

Seeing Thrice in May, first time since I live in NZ. Very excited.

[@oansun]

Kirk Hodgson hyped for you! I’ve seen them a couple of times but I’m glad they’re making to you guys!!

[@BenCDaugherty]

FYI, rats were indeed the big box when they came out. When they went small, then they became white faced. Great vid guys!

[@ludovicboully3643]

Finally the SG Junior is Back...And with th Rat it´s a killer sound

[@jotakabe13]

I agree with Dan. I own a Rat clone and I LOVE the sound, but when I put it in a band context, for me, it is too loose and sloppy. So in my live rig I have a tighter distortion sound. But in the 3 or 4 pedal home rig, it is the Rat. Loved this episode. Thanks guys!

[@daniel207pzd]

Ah the ProCo Rat... My favourite and main go-to distortion pedal with my Fender Blackface amps! :)

[@page29]

John Scofield relied heavily on the Rat for his tone. His tone is outstanding. There is a ton of versatility to be found in this pedal. Very smooth OD. Same w/ David Gilmour and his Boss HM-2. People who assume these are a one trick pony are way off.

[@Marksmusic191]

Nuno Bettencourt’s whole tone is based around the rat especially in the early days when he had to rent what ever back line was available when touring.

[@jesperbc]

This was awesome. The Walrus Audio Iron Horse was great, the JAM Pedals Rattler was even better, but the in-production RAT 2 sounded great, held its own like the reigning champ that it is. Would've been interesting to see the 1981 DRV and the Caroline Guitar Co. Wave Cannon Mk II in there, but they're not "just" RAT clones. The Big Ear NYC Woodcutter, Frost Giant Electronics The Mountain, and the Abominable Electronics Don't Shred On Me would've been nice additions to the video, as well.

[@johnballantyne3458]

Someone should make a RAT clone called Siberian Hamster.

[@Gorphoz]

Special price. Only £5

[@doctiberius2717]

Many have tried but they always become Faulty ! 🐀

[@kevinjohnbetts]

Someone did. Iss very rare though.

[@garywordsworth9302]

Fatty Owls a small pedal company from Swanage i believe

[@seandyer4151]

Or Basil

[@BaronsDuju]

Love the Trower tangent! This is where this show shines. Goes to show that we need to be okay with some of the settings being on 0 or 10. I think it’s natural for guitarists to set everything between 4 and 8. Sometimes the extremes sound great as well. I recently made peace with 0 presence on my Silver Jubilee when I gave my strat plugged in. It sounds better in smaller rooms, but my OCD hates it that way.

[@RAndrewNeal]

The Rat 2, fourth overdrive/distortion pedal on my list of pedals to save up for. Sounds awesome.

[@karlopalenzuela7915]

just got mine at a surplus shop..and mind blown years of searching ...this is something

[@TinManSixtySix]

I've had this 1989 Rat 2 since 1990. Got it second hand, it and a Crybaby wah. Ten years ago a friend took it to the US for Robert Keeley's three-way mod. Love it even more. The Rat is distortion with a fuzzy edge. Good for Gilmour, Nuno and Lynch, good for me.

[@thehoppo]

Gregory Kochery on the show, please make it happen, thanks in advance

[@LEgoiste]

Great idea, but I don’t think much playing or analysis will happen, he’s hilarious. Dan and Mick will have a hard time keeping it together.

[@Bombersk8s]

For the love of humanity, no.

[@cawfeedawg]

Koch&Roll baby

[@ttbfan]

I'm not sure that mansquatch would fit in that pedal shed. I sure would love to see it though.

[@austinf8758]

Thats my boi dylans dad. Great dude

[@DanEtch]

Had a Keeley-modded Rat, and it was incredible. My mate who plays bass was on the lookout for a dirt pedal and hated everything he tried until he tried that Rat. I then sold him the Rat, to his great excitement and it has not left his board since. I was extremely happy as I had helped my mate realise his tonal nirvana. Now I want a Rat again. Dang.

[@robytjoseph]

Mick, ever the journalist, grabs the Rat away from Dan (who's apparently trying to learn to juggle as he shows it to the camera) and holds it still for the perfect shot. What would you guys do without each other? On a serious note, that Trower tip--that's incredible! My TS10, KOT, and Morning Glory all want a go at that!

[@ThatPedalShow]

I'll never understand MIDI and Dan will never understand that Simon can't focus on a pedal that won't stay still for more than three nanoseconds. And points somewhere in the direction of the camera.

[@MrLoddebolten]

Hi guys, great show! I just bought the strangest pedal, called the vibe&drive. I was told it is a "ONE-OFF" by a company named VFE-pedals. It contains three in one, a tremolo, a 808ts and,.......a rat! The rat is great for lead tones, and with the tremolo dialed deep, I almost get a swelling effect. I love it!

[@monkobillo5806]

you should make a spinoff series containing only tangents :-)

[@mattgilbert7347]

"Mick's Musings"

[@elonmush4793]

That Palaver Show

[@carnaldevices2455]

They should make a spinoff series containing actual information and playing.

[@mattgilbert7347]

"Dan's Digressions"

[@Banditsalive]

Off-topic slightly, had early 80's ts9 4558d 83 & kept 81 with the 2034d. Made a fair amount of difference at low to medium amp volume but no diff with a cranked ac or plexi. 2043d has a slight mid hump compared to the savage mid him in the 4558. So much fun. First world problems.

[@Danocaster214]

Man, 22:00 There was something special about that Big Box Rat, the clipping is more jagged in a really neat way. That gating thing was awesome. Does the Jam Rattler have that similar gating thing?

[@TheseusTitan]

The ES-335 is so rich in tone. It sounds great!

[@tomcox4107]

Would have been great to hear a 1981 DRV on there... If you can get hold of one!

[@DareBear2099]

One of my favorite channels on youtube doing an episode of my favorite distortion pedal ever... Rat has been on my board since I was in high school. It's my favorite, always and forever.

[@JonathanPaek]

It’s like you guys knew I’m looking To buying a Rat and made a buyers guide to rats just for me. I feel so special and honored and will invite you to my birthday party.

[@AlbusBand]

I’ve never got on with RAT pedals, but what happened when Mick ran the Rattler w/Blue, my entire life’s worth of RAT experience changed. What.a.sound. 👏👏👏 -Aaron

[@Bobby_Digital37]

The re-issue rat costs $70 new... a boutique one with spec’d with better components should cost about $100-$125... pedal companies are ripping us all off 😳 but I really like the re-issue 😁

[@AllGearNoSkillz]

Another great show and really helped me on my search for adding the classic Rat sound to my board! Keep the videos coming!

[@daddyosink4413]

I bought a Turbo Rat in 1989 when they came out. The pedal confused me until about 6 years ago, it hasnt left my board since.

[@evanmiller2579]

Brilliant episode. Mick you had me at the beginning with your first power chord with the 335. Amp combination was stellar as well. I can remember this pedal back in the 80s through a Peavey Bandit 65. I remember it making me feel like a Rockstar. I also think my folks hated it which made me like it more. A little reverb and delay gives the notes a chords a little more air and bloom around them as well. Well done!! Breath Dan!

[@davidkieltyka9]

Yeah, the Bandit 65 was the amp I got at the same time as my RAT. 1985. The amp is long gone but I’ve still got the RAT!

[@evanmiller2579]

David Kieltyka that rocks you still have it. I managed to hang onto a Boss DD2 and CS2. The Rat is gone though.