Boss mod that sounds like a Rat? [Archive]

Rich_S

September 3rd, 2009, 04:33 PM

Does anyone know of any Boss mods that sound pretty close to a Rat? I used to own an LM308 no-LED small-box, but sold it. Doh! My main overdrive these days just changed from a BB Preamp to an SD-1 Eternity Mod - both medium-gain, fairly transparent overdrives. I need an over-the-top kind of distortion to complement the SD-1E.

Although it wasn't perfect (a bit too compressed) I loved the way the Rat had those sort of random, bubbling, mid-range harmonics. Also, I liked the distortion-at-max, nearly-infinite sustain thing it would do at almost any volume; great for pinky-volume-swell cello parts. (Obscure 80's album reference: check out Martha and the Muffins' Dansparc album or CD. Classic Rat-through-a-JC120 stuff, especially the song "Sins of Children".) Who needs an E-Bow?

Yes, I could just buy a clone kit or a GGG board and build it myself. But I'm sort of locked into my "junky modded mostly-Boss pedals" thang. So, what do you think? What DS-1 (or other) mods can get close to the 80s nasty Rat sound?

P.S. I've owned both the Keeley SEM/Ultra and the Monte Allums Recto Mod. Both great pedals, but they ain't "it".

Montana_Dawg

September 7th, 2009, 03:21 AM

Unfortunately, the closest thing to a Rat, IS a Rat. The super gain LM308 amplifier is the main component. The horrible slew rate of the amp makes it perfect for a distortion box.

I also found that using 1n4000 series diodes like the original add to the sound of the Rat.

Like the original MXR Phase 90, IMO the original Rat is perfect.


	Telecaster Guitar Forum > The DIY Channel > Burnt Fingers DIY Effects > Boss mod that sounds like a Rat? PDA Boss mod that sounds like a Rat? Rich_S September 3rd, 2009, 04:33 PM Does anyone know of any Boss mods that sound pretty close to a Rat? I used to own an LM308 no-LED small-box, but sold it. Doh! My main overdrive these days just changed from a BB Preamp to an SD-1 Eternity Mod - both medium-gain, fairly transparent overdrives. I need an over-the-top kind of distortion to complement the SD-1E. Although it wasn't perfect (a bit too compressed) I loved the way the Rat had those sort of random, bubbling, mid-range harmonics. Also, I liked the distortion-at-max, nearly-infinite sustain thing it would do at almost any volume; great for pinky-volume-swell cello parts. (Obscure 80's album reference: check out Martha and the Muffins' Dansparc album or CD. Classic Rat-through-a-JC120 stuff, especially the song "Sins of Children".) Who needs an E-Bow? Yes, I could just buy a clone kit or a GGG board and build it myself. But I'm sort of locked into my "junky modded mostly-Boss pedals" thang. So, what do you think? What DS-1 (or other) mods can get close to the 80s nasty Rat sound? P.S. I've owned both the Keeley SEM/Ultra and the Monte Allums Recto Mod. Both great pedals, but they ain't "it". ReIgnition September 3rd, 2009, 04:55 PM Read up on the Analogman DS-1 - there might be something there you like. Montana_Dawg September 7th, 2009, 03:21 AM Unfortunately, the closest thing to a Rat, IS a Rat. The super gain LM308 amplifier is the main component. The horrible slew rate of the amp makes it perfect for a distortion box. I also found that using 1n4000 series diodes like the original add to the sound of the Rat. Like the original MXR Phase 90, IMO the original Rat is perfect.