Members oceanofnoise Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Looking at the pedal boards of my favourite bands they all seem to use Proco Rats. I assume that these are are vintage and not new, so can someone tell me about differences between models? And also, roughly how much the different versions are worth? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Philly Fuzz Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who can provide more detail, but I'll just state upfront that I have a Vintage Rat (large-box) which I absolutely love! This model was made from 1991-2005, and you can still find them on eBay hopefully for under $100. Older RATs from the late 70s-80s will cost you more. Here's a brief history: http://www.ratdistortion.com/history.htm I use it to play anything from 70s style punk (Dead Boys, Ramones, et al.) to 80s alternative (Pixies, Husker Du, Jesus & Mary Chain, etc) to alt-country and sounds great for all. Highly recommended! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackjack davey Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 The biggest difference between a 'vintage' & new one is the coveted LM308n chip. Older Rat models usually run up to a $120US or so and the current Rat2 (small box with red LED) are around $80-90US. The chip can be bought on several sites and there are a lot of modders out there who can turn a new Rat into a 'vintage' one rather quickly. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oceanofnoise Posted April 7, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Welladjusted Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I have the new one stock, and it's a very solid unit. I wouldn't start looking into mods right away. You may find the stock unit satisfactory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Philly Fuzz Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Oh, yeah. Let me add that I also had a Keeley-modded RAT II and at first I really liked it and then I didn't. It was good for a crisp, full distortion sound, but it seemed to lose some of its "fuzziness" which is what is really good about the RAT in the first place. At least to my sonically damaged ears... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ottobahn Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Oh, yeah. Let me add that I also had a Keeley-modded RAT II and at first I really liked it and then I didn't. It was good for a crisp, full distortion sound, but it seemed to lose some of its "fuzziness" which is what is really good about the RAT in the first place. At least to my sonically damaged ears... Did you get the 3-way mod? I did for my Turbo Rat and love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jbrazz Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 i bought my 86 small box rat for $140. lets just say i would have been fine with paying $200 for what i got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members booher Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 i got a small box rat, 80s (assuming it's early, i've dated the serial number before), and I got it for a steal at guitar center. I'm pretty sure they thought it was a RAT II, but I noticed it right away, told them I'd buy it for $50 instead of the 55 and they gave it a go. Haven't let go of it since. There are some things I wish it could do a bit better, but I'll always love the low OD drive settings on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MetalChimp Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 On the Arctic Monkeys' first album, Alex Turner used two of the current RATs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Philly Fuzz Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 Did you get the 3-way mod? I did for my Turbo Rat and love it.Yeah, it was the 3-way mod. It sounded good and all... just seemed to lose something compared to the "vintage" model at least. Maybe it was just me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stella_blues Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I've been abusing my Rat 2 for about 20 years (OMG is it really that long!!!),fantastic natural distortion, not too much fizziness unless you really crank the gain up. However my on/off switch is very tempremental now, sometimes it goes on fine, other times no sound at all...lots of frantic hitting till it kicks in. Does anyone know if I can replace the on/off button,and if so what kind of switch do I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackpotjewell Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 I've been abusing my Rat 2 for about 20 years (OMG is it really that long!!!),fantastic natural distortion, not too much fizziness unless you really crank the gain up.However my on/off switch is very tempremental now, sometimes it goes on fine, other times no sound at all...lots of frantic hitting till it kicks in.Does anyone know if I can replace the on/off button,and if so what kind of switch do I need? Mine does the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TomCTC Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 There's a Top Hat modded Rat II by Vodkamods on eBay right now for $170.I want it so badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fightingmike Posted April 7, 2008 Members Share Posted April 7, 2008 The larger box Rat was the first distortion pedal that i got and it is totally mostly for the sound of the bands i wanted to sound like when i got it(Older Smashing Pumpkins, older Weezer, My Bloody Valentine, etc...) It gives out a pretty dirty 90's rock distortion, but it can also be used to just color an amp's gain and give it a little extra oomph. I like them, but i dont use it much anymore, prefer my amp's gain and a tube screamer as a boost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kpd78 Posted April 8, 2008 Members Share Posted April 8, 2008 I've been abusing my Rat 2 for about 20 years (OMG is it really that long!!!),fantastic natural distortion, not too much fizziness unless you really crank the gain up. However my on/off switch is very tempremental now, sometimes it goes on fine, other times no sound at all...lots of frantic hitting till it kicks in. Does anyone know if I can replace the on/off button,and if so what kind of switch do I need? the same thing happened with my early-90s Rat 2.i replaced the switch in mine without any problems with one of these:http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Small Stone Posted April 8, 2008 Members Share Posted April 8, 2008 The Rat is the answer. I had the Vintage Rat reissue, now I have a Rat II with the LM90210 chip (or whatever it's called). The Rat II is a bit more compressed, but sounds good, whereas the VR is fatter, dirtier. Still excellent distortion. Check out that dude on youtube who tests the Rat and plays the "Airbag" riff. I can confirm that it gives the same sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.