Boss DS-1 vs EHX Big Muff vs ProCo Rat

In todays video we're comparing the Boss DS-1 Vs EHX Big Muff vs ProCo Rat 2 which one will be better?
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[@punkrockisdead]

Alt title: shootout between the pedals that were used on nevermind

[@kyledege315]

Did Kurt use a big muff??

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Yes Bitch Vig said he used a muff on Lithium

[@eaglebauer944]

Clearly no winner here. My personal favourite may be the Rat but all three are great pedals, otherwise they wouldn't have been around for decades.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Exactly they're all badass and built to last 🎸💪👌😎

[@James-kj9hw]

Rats probably my favourite too, only because it doesnt scoop the mids. The other two do, and from experience that kills your tone and volume live.

[@pedropontesaraujocastro8181]

They different animals. For studio use the RAT delivered the “most professional” tone, if that makes any sense. The DS-1 sounded pretty gnarly, in a rebel teen way. I like rebel teens. Also I like to observe how this supposed distortion unit can have fuzzy characteristics. I really enjoy that. Finally, the Big Muff sounds like the town is being invaded by a huge army. As it should be. If there’s any choice to be made here, it really depends on what kindda music one makes and plays.

[@chilldude30]

Rat can certainly do fuzzyness well. Better than the ds1 imo as an owner of both.

[@リベリオン]

John Frusciante! That's all I want to say. 😏

[@jonhawkins2374]

Had them all except the big muff loved the RAT PRO CO...🐀

[@jonhawkins2374]

I like 👍 the fuzz of the big muff tho tbh....

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

I use the Boss DS1, I gave it to mate to play bass through but when we record I use it with a little practice amp ( gorilla).and I can get to sound like a Saxophone using a LP special with the single coil pickups(The neighbours say "I love the sound of that saxophone)?

[@bretfuzz925]

I have had all 3 of those pedals at different points in time and they are all very good pedals. Different guitars, amplifiers, speakers, and signal chains make a huge difference in how they sound. Additionally, as was brought up by other commentators, the settings of the knobs is also key to getting the best sound out of either. Some rigs sound great no matter what you put in front of them.

[@vaperrecon165]

I've been running two muffs (sometimes one muff and one rat) in stereo,and I love it.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Beefy 👌🎸

[@jmch6359]

Anytime you move the distortion dial past noon on a DS-1 you should turn the tone anti-clockwise to get fatter tone. Otherwise it goes too bright and fizzy. It can sound very natural with the drive all the way anti-clockwise, and the tone around 10 O' Clock as well. Quite versatile compared to most other distortions.

[@sleepwalking117]

I agree with that but for me the tone limit is around 11 o'clock before I can't stand it lol

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

Yez, you need to try all the options , it can do smoothe sustain till thr cows come home.

[@seanelliott3782]

All 3 sound great. I have a DS-1 AND Big Muff. I use them on diff amps with diff chains. Love both of them. Never thought I needed a Rat, but it still sounds good. Keep bringing the great content!

[@stevennemeth6256]

BOSS DS-1 has that unmistakable "can of bees" buzz to it. Certainly less Fuzz and more Distortion than the other 2, but all are classics for a reason. And all can be found used for a steal.

[@lion39]

Great demo Rob! They all sound great but, I was feeling the Rat a little more today. Cheers man!😎

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Ah good choice the rat for me is the best all rounder 😎🎸

[@jetjaguar72]

The Rat certainly feels like the middle point between the clinical DS-1 and the fuzzy Muff. I love my Rat. I have a Shin Ei Companion clone that sounds like a chainsaw in a blender, just like the Jesus and Mary Chain like it... Pretty over the top!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Ooh nice 🎸👌😮

[@blues62751]

Great demo and playing ! I prefer the DS-1 because I have one and use it all the time. I used to own a Big Muff when I played out in the 70s because there wasn't many pedals back in those days. It's really good for Hendrix tunes with a wah wah.👍

[@stevehansen4755]

To me the RAT is more open and less compressed sounding than the other two. I would be inclined to use the Big Muff or Boss for the power chords and then the RAT for the lead. That way two different flavors. Also the sweet spot on the Big Miff is with tone a little bit brighter than that.

[@tracypartin7408]

I have the Rat, to me it does it all. Cool video as usual Rob.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Oh yes it sure does very versatile pedal, glad you liked the video 💪😎🎸👌

[@jorgetome7089]

Also for me. If this was a blind test i would say the Rat was the Muff :)

[@dowaliby1]

Yes, the Rat sounded great - fuller and less fizzy and trebly than the other two. Can the Rat only be used with a battery, or can it be plugged into an electrical outlet with a cord?

[@darwinsaye]

@@dowaliby1 Rat can be used with battery or power supply.

[@dowaliby1]

@@darwinsaye Thank you. I just picked up a Rat 2 in mint condition and am ready to take it for a spin.

[@matthewh8507]

I've got all three and couldn't choose between them. They're all different animals that sound great in their own way. Great comparison!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

All awesome pedals 💯🎸

[@strat-man-du8716]

Rat sounded great to me but the DS-1 is such a awesome pedal. Probably my favourite ever pedal!

[@MurryFBM]

I agree, big muff sounded the fullest. I only have two pedals but they work great for guitar and bass. Oldschool v8 big muff and ehx bass wah.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Awesome pedals

[@longships9373]

The song he's playing is basically Losing touch with my mind by Spacemen 3. Freakin awesome

[@theguitarmanifesto]

I've never heard that 😮

[@the_based_and_trad_protestant]

i use my rat with my bass.sometimes i use it with my Jazzmaster. and when i use it with my Jazzmaster, i sometimes like to use the rhythm circuit and get a really dark and distorted tone

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Ooh nice pure grunge heaven 👌😎🎸

[@grass.around.gravestone]

all of these are great pedals but big muff is definitely my favourite. cool vid as always ✌👌

[@theguitarmanifesto]

They are all awesome for sure, the big muff has such a big sound

[@rafaelcruz966]

🎉 ótimo comparativo, muito bem detalhado e direto ao ponto G

[@darwinsaye]

I was always interested in the Big Muff after reading when I was kid that Gilmour used one, but the one time I got to try one (same model you use here) in a store, I found it to be one of the nastiest, harshest sounding pedals I've ever played through. I realized later that you can make it sound great with added reverb and delay or studio processing, or maybe even stacking it with other types of drives, but I found it's own raw sound was just terrible, right up there with my old Shin Ei fuzz or DOD Grunge. I finally sold my Shin Ei for 5 times what I paid for it back in the late 70s, and I couldn't believe it had become such a cult pedal that anyone would be willing to pay that much for one. I still have the Grunge, but only because I eventually learned I could get a decent fuzz sound out of it if I stacked it with another drive pedal and an EQ pedal. I have an old Rat and I like that but I tend to find it sounds best set to barely breaking up and with some bass added back with an EQ. I think the most useable fuzz sound I've ever heard is the classic Fuzz Face, but these days I tend to just get good fuzz tones by stacking drive pedals.

[@84kjk]

I just got big muff tone wicker version and I’m NOT loving it right now.

[@Haze763]

Rat sounded great! They're all cool. I just got my first Muff. The Green Russian re issue. Love it! Have a nice weekend Rob.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Ah nice choice great pedals 😎💪👌🎸

[@shaunw9270]

Cool Michael . I always regretted not buying one when they came out , and the Small Stone. They were shipped in a wooden box which is off the scale Soviet cool imo lol 😎👌

[@theguitarmanifesto]

I had a few EHX pedals that came in wooden boxes

[@shaunw9270]

@@theguitarmanifesto I just think the box is a cool touch that wasn't contrived , and the paint and knobs look like they were stolen from some redundant piece of cold War era equipment . I love all that stuff 😂👍

[@theguitarmanifesto]

@@shaunw9270 yeah proper 😂😂 communism special 🎸👌

[@squirelova1815]

I believe the EHX "Flatiron Fuzz" should be right up there in legendary utility with these three and it's a rather improved version of a Rat but can do very defined fuzz as well.

[@4ndresravest]

I use a boss ds1 bosting a big muff on a bass guitar for post-punks riffs.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Nice 🎸👌

[@bernab]

For me, The Big Muff for lead and the RAT for the chords.

[@dimayehonathankurbet8960]

ProCo Rat 2 IS BY FAR THE BEST FOR SOLO DS1 RIFF IS THE BEST THE MUFF IS A MUFF - MUFF :)

[@spoon7250]

This man deserves more subscriber!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Why thank you 😮👌🎸😎

[@spoon7250]

Your content is so good.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Thank you very much glad you enjoy the channel

[@David01.d]

Cuvave Fuzz is a nice cheap fuzz pedal sounds similar to nirvana budget wise. I ordered the Joyo Zip Amp overdrive compressor and sounds like its nice according to the videos I've seen.

[@kosmonument2682]

The Rat is the first pedal I ever bought and the last I'd ever part with.

[@danielramos6466]

I might need to go try out a rat. It's like a balance between the ds1 and muff.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Yeah definitely a great all rounder

[@shellydrew100]

Oh do remember the all girl band "we've got a fuzzbox and we're gonna use it " ?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

😂😂🤣🤣

[@shellydrew100]

@@theguitarmanifesto we.ve got a digital delay pedal and we're gonna use it....noooooo :)

[@theguitarmanifesto]

We've got a vibrato and it's gonna get messy 😜

[@shellydrew100]

@@theguitarmanifesto Fuzzbox was the name of the band , but they did a track called we've got a fuzz box and we're gonna use it ...bout the same era as The "Slits"

[@shellydrew100]

@@theguitarmanifesto hahaha :)

[@seanalexander6310]

You should have thrown in the MXR Distortion+...

[@caca_spaniel_1239]

Bought a DS1 just to realize GAS is an incurable disease, god damn it give me all three

[@theguitarmanifesto]

We've all walked that slippery slope 😂😂

[@TheSome01]

For me Big Muff was more intense and cooler. Great lead sound!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Big muff is an awesome pedal, thank you

[@Mike28625]

I'd stack all three. Muff in the middle, ds1 on low in front as overdrive, Rat on high after the muff for distortion.

[@helio1055]

Now here’s a great comparison video

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Glad you liked the video 😎🎸🤘💯

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

They all sounded good but you got a wicked Epiphone Les Paul custom and that was the star. Big muff is my fave , it pushes the single notes way out front. Plug that Guitar into a Fender Deluxe or similar and crank to 10, you won't even be thinking about boxes and wires.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Yeah it was an awesome Les Paul, sounded great cranked through a Marshall tube amp 👌

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

@@theguitarmanifesto Could you do some-thing boring like a " Compressor" review, for low volume playing they can be handy? Let's hear that Steve Jonesy style lez paul again and if you get a P90 Les Paul to crank it would be a treat, thanks , still can't get over how good that Epiphone sounded,!!!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo unfortunately that one went a couple of years back it's an old video.

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

@@theguitarmanifesto Get another for Christmas.

[@scadoosh7928]

Happy to say that I’m here before this channel blows up

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Noting on here blows up anymore it's a long slow trickle 😂🎸👌

[@AndyIsleman]

Hmm... I feel like I need a Volkswagen and all three pedals to go on tour :)

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Mind control 😂👌

[@tohstygohstygal]

It would actually be pretty awesome to have the VW Bug that came with the First Act guitar all those years ago. Remember, in the commercials with John Mayer?

[@justanotheryoutubechannel3102]

BIG MUFF for the win! tonally in between the other two, but with nice big grainy fuzz

[@musicisfree91]

I really dig that Superfuzz from the Bigmuff.

[@gotex2796]

Rat: chunky, crunchy, mid heavy, bold DS1: aggressive, crisp, fizzy, blistering Big Muff: fat, hot, searing, scorched

[@joesmith908]

I got a ds2 a rat and an op amp big muff. All amazing pedals 😊

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Solid selection 👌🎸

[@kyle9maloney]

I love that DS1

[@amethystglare]

Man you can't go wrong with any of the three! I love the muff! The DS sounds good on lead too! They're all fun!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

All awesome pedals 👌

[@Tezzy_01]

2:51

[@octtrinittolavg]

As someone in comments said "Three different animals". There is no definitely winner, at least not until I try all of them (I tried only DS-1) 😄 From here: Rat has the most beautiful leading/solo tone definitely, but for rhythm is, as in my place people say: dead race. Can't decide so simply.

[@Hagchtogow]

It's clear that the Proco is ten miles ahead ! 😜 I'm not surprise cause I compared them in different music store and took the Rat. Now I have two pedalboards and 5 good overdrives but if I had to keep only one it would be the Turbo one. Never understand the enthusiasm for Boss overdrive and his "digital" sound ?

[@73prd]

Ds1 sounds the best I think

[@dragan4658]

I preferred 1. Big muff 2. Rat 3. Boss

[@84kjk]

Dumb question but when you play barre/ power chords on the E string do you ever leave the middle finger in to make it major or do you only use the top 3 strings only??

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Depends what song I'm playing, power chords generally top 2 or 3

[@rustemvaliev7990]

На отдельных нотах, во время соло, Big muff более певучий, приятный на мой слух. Ритм партия гитары на аккордах, в данном видео, конечно Rat даёт более зрелый звук.

[@kevinvanhise6151]

Luv the Rat the best...Big Muff last sounded too muddy compared to the other 2..

[@patmclaughlin6726]

Is it ok to use and switch between the three of them on a pedalboard to get a specific tone of each while playing live?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Of course do what you like

[@bitsandatoms8008]

I just love the meatiness of the DS-1. They all sound great, but for my personal playing style the DS-1 is a no-brainer.

[@aleksej79novosibirsk]

These three are mine favorite pedals! :)

[@theguitarmanifesto]

3 awesome pedals

[@MrBluesplayerman]

I love Big Muff sound

[@bernardmarlow9727]

I have the Bad Dog distortion another classic 👍

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Nice pedal

[@michaelholm1692]

The RAT sounds much better. Has the overtones in control ...super pedal !

[@dylanbrown4683]

1st rat, 2nd ds1, 3rd muff

[@mtitus27]

The Rat is always the answer. Dirty boost to Op amp Muff tones depending on where it's set, plus it always cuts through.

[@fodaseodinheiro]

They are all great, but I really like the tightness of attack on the DS1.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

So raw 🎸🤘

[@badcomma]

I have the DS1 and a Big Muff... now I want a Rat.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

All great pedals

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

Very good video. Were the pedals the current models or old ones?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

All made within the last 20 years or so

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

@@theguitarmanifesto Thanks

[@lxndrvrdr3932]

i"m a big muf pedal fan and i've got a ds 1 but here the rat wins for me

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Best all rounder 🎸👌

[@somethingelsedoesmatter]

Three sounds I love, was surprised to prefer the Rat overall, though.

[@johncollins5552]

I think Big Muff sounded the best, then the rat and the ds tin of wasps. Buy them all.

[@Shawndoh]

Muff sounds so full and silky not trying to be 3 different pedals

[@ChrisJones-ht9zn]

Hi Rob. Do you find that you get a fizz that sits under the tone of the rat? I took my first one back because it bugged me but the replacement was just the same. Sounds great here but can't love mine.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

I must say that's something i've never noticed before, maybe it's an issue on the latest reissues?

[@_MetaL]

All Three Combined Please!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Badass 🤣😎🎸💪

[@MartyFisket]

i got the rat n the ds -1 but got a muff tone wicker

[@theguitarmanifesto]

The tone wicker is awesome I have one 💯🎸

[@dragui9932]

Great comparison. I love my Rat and my Big Muff

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Thanks dude they're awesome pedals

[@theguitarprofessionals8584]

Great Content Great Channel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Thank you very much, glad you love the channel 💯🎸😎🤘

[@MasterKinglobo]

DS 1 THE BEST ! Three of them are really cool btw, so grunge I would say may be.

[@hotdogwater7037]

your comment made me belly laugh

[@chrisclayton584]

The Big Muff sounds like early Black Sabbath.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Classic sound 👌

[@empisamosir8243]

I'll go with big muff any day

[@TheCleaner6969]

If you take the Muff apart there is a small board inside.

[@MickeyDeSadist]

the RAT had the best most defined thick heavy chords and its lead was equal to the muff ... good demo but one has to try it on their own guitar and amp!

[@nealdewar9959]

Yeah Rob the Big Muff. Argos are selling Hardtail Strats but they're not Bullets with no stripe down the back & only come in red or black only '£90. I wonder if they have the same measurements as the Bullets or the Affinity & if they are routed for humbuckers?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

I've had one before they're junk don't touch them

[@nealdewar9959]

@@theguitarmanifesto Wow that was quick! There's no point in paying £90 for a body when I can't use the rest thanks.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Get a hardtail bullet instead much better quality

[@nealdewar9959]

@@theguitarmanifesto Hi are they routed for Humbuckers & will they take an Affinity neck?

[@harryvillamil7965]

The Rat Sounded Great!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

It is an awesome pedal 💪😎🎸👌

[@mattiisosalo918]

That lead with Rat was instant Noel Gallagher sound.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Noel used an ibanez tube screamer in the Oasis days, so I guess it's the closet pedal to one 🇬🇧🎸

[@christhompson5553]

Great video - most youtubers would take 30 minutes to cover what you did in 5 minutes!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Yeah lot of wasters on the tube

[@shadowedge729]

i want to get a big muff at some point but i can’t right now because i’m saving up for a jazzmaster

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Good choice of guitar 👌

[@shadowedge729]

@@theguitarmanifesto do you have any suggestions for which model i should get?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

The Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster is awesome, I've had a few on the channel.

[@shadowedge729]

@@theguitarmanifesto ok i’ll check it out!

[@mton9292]

Nice review! Was wondering tho, on what amp were you playing?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Thanks dude, I used garageband for this demo

[@mton9292]

@@theguitarmanifesto Thanks! I was wondering since I want to push distortion thru a solid state amp (roland cube 60) with my epiphone wildkat (p90's like yours). I guess you went a "neutral" way going thru your computer! That helps a lots! Thanks!

[@mlud3742]

Are you playing through the amps clean channel?

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Yes

[@robertmoon906]

I have the BIG MUFF and the DS-1. Great pedals. Along with my CRY BABY Wah pedal.

[@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300]

…what’s your review of The Nano Big Muff pi? It has good grit on the fuzz side; I haven’t tried muffing much.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

I don't think I've covered that pedal in this channel before, I'm sure I've had one in the past but can't remember

[@glenkepic3208]

From a time ago, but i have experience with all 3 (i know i'm not alone ;) I bought a red script Big Muff new in '75, used it with a Cry Baby, nice little tube Magnatone amp and a Strat, well SG first. I loved this rig. Perfect for UFO, Trower, Yesterday And Today and 'Skynyrd stuff. A year later, i stop by the same shop like always but saw a new version of the 'Muff. Tried it and didn't like it. I know that EH would use what ever was available for parts (Tube Screamers from the '80s, same deal) so maybe mine was supposed to be sludgy,,,it wasn't. Screamed ! Then again, maybe they changed the circuit with the 'logo'. Gone so got nostalgic and tried one again about 20 years ago. Still didn't like it I have a DS-1. Got it about 10 years ago as part of in store credit for a Super Shifter that i didn't like. I hit a Bad Monkey or BBII first. Have tried to use it more since shut down free time,,, Nephew wants to buy an amp and pedal to go with a guitar i gave him (LP Special copy), he's like 14 in '84. Marshall Lead 12 combo and a Rat or SS Princeton style amp and a Tube Screamer. I suggested the latter. I don't know if he went back and swapped but heard he couldn't get the sound he wanted. Looking back, it was a great rig for a kid. To me it sounded crappy. He went semi pro playing all over the place so not all bad ;)

[@glenkepic3208]

Thx,,,DS 1 fired up. Most open amp tone since a move almost 6 years ago. Rock ON !

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

just a personal thing, but my favourite is the rat

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Good choice 🎸👌

[@andylong7759]

The DS-1 made me smile for some reason. Some kind of wonderful awfulness that sounds like it would sit it the mix really well in a loud rock song.

[@JackSon-yn4hm]

It seems Big Muff is the coolest.

[@grungepants]

The Rat and Big Muff are good for classic grunge sounds. Ds1 might be better for punk.

[@luisgoregonzalez7394]

Proco rat For me! Is more like "Oasis"sound here!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Raw 💯🎸👌

[@pedropontesaraujocastro8181]

I got that Oasis vibe too. Quite strongly really.

[@pinkman2287]

The Rat, the Rat...of course. Solid pedal. Simple, and good sound. That's just the sound we are accustomed to ear from the beginning of times😄

[@damien6997]

Definitely the rat it rings. Have the other two but these are classic. Will look out for one.

[@theguitarmanifesto]

The Rat is a great versatile pedal can be used as a Overdrive, distortion and a Fuzz

[@damien6997]

@@theguitarmanifesto yeah found one locally but being a vintage type pedal also carries a vintage price. Will keep looking for sure. Great clip mate. Oh and your tshirt and mug arrived from teespring last week. A few teething problems but they sorted no issues. Cheers

[@VinnieBlues1]

Well, i have the 03 pedals but Muff 4 me

[@Eternity909]

That big muff has clearly seen some action

[@theguitarmanifesto]

And the rat 🎸👌 the big muff I believe is a 1999/2000 model

[@gonzalozuniga6200]

Big Muff forever!

[@theguitarmanifesto]

💪😎🎸👌oh yes

[@Jao_Xiden20]

Big muff for ever

[@shane1472]

I choose them all, but I do own a big muff and ds1

[@theguitarmanifesto]

Great pedals 💪🎸

[@shane1472]

@@theguitarmanifesto yes I they bring me a lot of joy

[@michaelross1339]

I swear by my (fourth) DS-1.

[@johncrawford7570]

The big muff best fuzz rat sounded better than the boss just more intense clearer