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Neill Levine · October 2nd, 2008, 10:30 PM

Looking for opinions.

I am very happy with my keeley SD1, working with my tube amps.

Is a rat pedal designed to do the same sound as a flat out tube amp with an OD?

Some players I like (Scofield, Frisell) have the rat, but a tubescreamer also?

I was listening to 'History Mystery' and when Frisell uses that brutal lead sound, it kills me. I was wondering which he is using to get that...

Neill

Jenix · October 3rd, 2008, 01:44 AM

Totally different animals those two. I love my rat and I have a keeley tubescreamer. They both have their places. My Rat is a mid eighties one (86') which is what you should try to get if your serious about buying one. The new ones are nice too but not the same goodluck

geddyleedog · October 3rd, 2008, 05:54 AM

An SD-1 (Monte Allums Modded Version) and a RAT have been my main two overdrives for many years. To me, they are the perfect compliment to each other.

I use them both on very low drive settings. I use the SD-1 when I just need a little dirt, and then the RAT when I want to get a little nastier. Like I said I keep the drive set low on both so I can even use them both at the same time for some really good higher gain lead tones.

Go for it!

theraygun · October 3rd, 2008, 11:28 AM

yes.

Actually, I would recommend the Vodka Mods Rat over the Keely. The VM is just more flexible. Also check out CMATMODS or Freak Show Effects for some boutique versions of the Rat.

Nub · October 3rd, 2008, 11:43 AM

Everyone needs a Rat!

Neill Levine · October 4th, 2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenix

My Rat is a mid eighties one (86') which is what you should try to get if your serious about buying one. The new ones are nice too but not the same goodluck

yes, I have heard that the older ones are best. So the new ones are best avoided?

Jenix · October 5th, 2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neill Levine

yes, I have heard that the older ones are best. So the new ones are best avoided?

Keeley mentions it a little on his rat mod page if you go to his website. My friend really loved mine and bought a newer one. and it broke shortly there after. I think even ones from 2000 might be a better build quality than the ones they're producing now. I'd ebay it. Beware though the only way to date it is by the pots on the bottom in the inside. Here's a picture of mine.

This is a good resource for the rat pedals right here just to get a little info on it. http://www.ratdistortion.com/history.htm

There are some websites for dating pots but I unless your completely obsessed with tone I wouldn't bother getting an older one unless one came by. I mean they're great and I wouldn't trade mine for nearly any other pedal. Goodluck

Neill Levine · October 5th, 2008, 07:16 PM

Thanks Jenix, I might keep an eye out for one on ebay.

I have an MI Audio Fuzz pedal to muck around with still, but I need to put more time in dialling up a tone I like.

NL

Yoni · October 5th, 2008, 09:16 PM

build a BYOC mouse. It has 6 settings of distortion/overdrive.

SMurphy28 · October 5th, 2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geddyleedog

An SD-1 (Monte Allums Modded Version) and a RAT have been my main two overdrives for many years. To me, they are the perfect compliment to each other.

I use them both on very low drive settings. I use the SD-1 when I just need a little dirt, and then the RAT when I want to get a little nastier. Like I said I keep the drive set low on both so I can even use them both at the same time for some really good higher gain lead tones.

Go for it!

Do you place your SD-1 first or Rat first? Just curious - I have the same pedals except my SD-1 is an Analogman modded pedal.

65flh5326 · October 6th, 2008, 03:43 AM

I bought this RAT new, I have tried newer ones with the LED light, they dont seem to be the same.
The ones with RAT in black letters seem to be really good and are getting hard to find.
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u...ecaster028.jpg

geddyleedog · October 6th, 2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMurphy28

Do you place your SD-1 first or Rat first? Just curious - I have the same pedals except my SD-1 is an Analogman modded pedal.

I put the the RAT first. The only time it matters is when they're both on (obviously). If I put the SD-1 first, and use both pedals, it seems to be muddier than if put the RAT first. It seems that the RAT doesn't like anything being in front of it.

Stevil · October 10th, 2008, 12:45 AM

I have one of the big-box Rats and it's great. It plays surprisingly well with my BYOC large beaver fuzz, as well.

October 2nd, 2008, 10:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Neill Levine Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 164	I own a keeley SD-1...do I need a Rat pedal? Looking for opinions. I am very happy with my keeley SD1, working with my tube amps. Is a rat pedal designed to do the same sound as a flat out tube amp with an OD? Some players I like (Scofield, Frisell) have the rat, but a tubescreamer also? I was listening to 'History Mystery' and when Frisell uses that brutal lead sound, it kills me. I was wondering which he is using to get that... Neill

October 3rd, 2008, 01:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jenix Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Illinois State University Age: 20 Posts: 507	Totally different animals those two. I love my rat and I have a keeley tubescreamer. They both have their places. My Rat is a mid eighties one (86') which is what you should try to get if your serious about buying one. The new ones are nice too but not the same goodluck __________________ USA Ovation MIA Standard Telecaster * Vox AC15CC Martin 000C-16RGTE Aura ISP Decimator - MXR Super Comp - Wah - Keeley TS9 86 Pro Co Rat - Volume Pedal (Boss TU-2) - Boss DD6 Some people sing in the shower, I play guitar...

October 3rd, 2008, 05:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
geddyleedog Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 596	An SD-1 (Monte Allums Modded Version) and a RAT have been my main two overdrives for many years. To me, they are the perfect compliment to each other. I use them both on very low drive settings. I use the SD-1 when I just need a little dirt, and then the RAT when I want to get a little nastier. Like I said I keep the drive set low on both so I can even use them both at the same time for some really good higher gain lead tones. Go for it! __________________ (.o)==:::

October 5th, 2008, 09:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Yoni Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Age: 26 Posts: 1,671	build a BYOC mouse. It has 6 settings of distortion/overdrive. __________________ Fall in Love it's Fun-EV Music is the perfect virus-Henry Rollins

October 3rd, 2008, 11:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
theraygun Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 147	yes. Actually, I would recommend the Vodka Mods Rat over the Keely. The VM is just more flexible. Also check out CMATMODS or Freak Show Effects for some boutique versions of the Rat.

October 3rd, 2008, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nub Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,055	Everyone needs a Rat!

October 5th, 2008, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Neill Levine Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 164	Thanks Jenix, I might keep an eye out for one on ebay. I have an MI Audio Fuzz pedal to muck around with still, but I need to put more time in dialling up a tone I like. NL

October 6th, 2008, 03:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
65flh5326 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: walla walla wa Posts: 250	I bought this RAT new, I have tried newer ones with the LED light, they dont seem to be the same. The ones with RAT in black letters seem to be really good and are getting hard to find. http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u...ecaster028.jpg

October 10th, 2008, 12:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Stevil Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 103	I have one of the big-box Rats and it's great. It plays surprisingly well with my BYOC large beaver fuzz, as well.

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