Anyone using a ProCo RAT exclusively for classic rock tones?

geddyleedog · December 22nd, 2004, 05:36 PM

I was wondering if anyone was using a RAT for their classic rock rhythm or lead tones (or both)? I just can't get over this RAT thing. I used to have one and it just didn't do the classic rock thing for me. It was too "different". It was always way too muddy and compressed. I tried the knobs in every possible combination. However, I read about people who love theirs. I've also heard about people who had to try a few before they got one that they liked. Maybe that was my problem? For me it was good for one thing. Sustain. It had sustain for days. However, it wasn't classic rock sounding at all. I've been wanting to try another RAT but I was wondering if I would just be wasting my time. Any input would be appreciated.

Tim Swartz · December 22nd, 2004, 06:03 PM

I've used one for years... The ones for me are either the current reissue "vintage" model or an old one, both sans LED. I recently picked up a ToneBone Classic and it seems to cover much of the same sonic ground, but with more diversity. My current quest is for an OD that sounds like my '51 Deluxe on 10.... There are way way too many OD pedals out there.

chrome red · December 22nd, 2004, 06:29 PM

no intention bash it indeed but I had a one in late 80´s with my ultra clean Pro Reverb and despite how much I dialed it, it sounded something else than the music I liked to "ape" => then a Marshall recording preamp (can´t remember the model) with really crappy noisy pots => Zoom modeling amp => Tech21 TM 10 w amp. That is not perfect but some improvement anyhow.

Ringo · December 22nd, 2004, 07:47 PM

I think the RAT is one of those pedals that you really have to try a few of them out, I've had maybe 6/7 over the years, some were only mediocre, but a few of them really sounded good, also a lot depends on what type guitar, pu's, amp etc... that you're using too.

halouis · December 22nd, 2004, 11:05 PM

RATs are Great!. But a Keeley modded RAT is outstanding. but no matter what, the muddy sustain thing is a result of you pumping up the DIST knob. Key is to keep the Dist below 12:00. i like it more around 10:00 and pump up the LEVEL more. the Filter (tone) depends on the amp used, but I usually keep it around 1-3:00

So the reg RATS are excellent, but the Keeley ones give you 3 modes to choose from and it just overall sounds much more clear and ballsy. better bottom end too.

Ringo · December 23rd, 2004, 12:34 AM

Maybe it's just me but I tried out a Keeley modded RAT last year , bought it used , I didn't like it as much as a stock RAT.
It was a Turbo RAT, so maybe that had something to do with it too, the "good" sounding RAT pedals I've owned (and there were only a few outstanding ones per my above post ), sounded much better than the modded one.
I play Fenders, Teles and Strats into Fender amps, DR, Bassman etc...
YMMV

geddyleedog · December 23rd, 2004, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringo

Maybe it's just me but I tried out a Keeley modded RAT last year , bought it used , I didn't like it as much as a stock RAT.

I forgot to mention it, but I eventually got my RAT modded by Keeley too and I liked it even less than the unmodded version too. It lost what little I liked about the original RAT. Because of the switch it's supposed to be like 3 pedals in one, but to me, most people aren't going to use it like 3 pedals. Hopefully, they'll find one sound they like and they'll probably just keep it there.

marquis de jonny · December 23rd, 2004, 10:51 AM

i've never enjoyed a rat, but i haven't had that much time playing around with 'em. mind you, graham coxon uses a tele, a rat, and a marshall and sounds fantastic. there's gotta be something in 'em....

Klaus Kemmerling · December 23rd, 2004, 01:08 PM

Hello,
i don't know what you mean with "classic rock" sound. However i use my RAT 2 for lots of years now. And it is my most important stomp box at all. I like the sound wit almost each of my guitars and amps.
I never tried other examples of the Rat because i like mine so much. I usually have the distortion about 1 - 2 o clock, filter about 3. Works great for me.
Klaus

Maggot · December 28th, 2004, 02:46 AM

I had a RAT 2 for years that got great classic rock tones, and was very controllable. Later I got a Vintage Rat reissue that didn't do it for me - too buzzy. I think you can find really nice classic rock tones if you keep the gain below noon and don't crank the filter up too much, but like I said, I had one that was great for everything and one that was less useful.

The good ones are real bang-for-buck champions in terms of versatility. There's also a good chance that you just don't like the RAT tone or feel. They're certainly very different from a tube screamer type thing. There's always a little bit of compression and a metallic edge. Either you like it or you don't.

JerryPro · December 28th, 2004, 07:08 PM

Wasn't even a Rat at all. I still have it. It's an old Ibanez Fat Cat. I think it's a Rat clone. I had a very early 80s Rat and didn't like it. This one works great but it wants and needs humbuckers.

Matt Plescher · January 4th, 2005, 02:21 PM

I use my Keeley modded Rat with the distortion set LOW. Right at the edge of where the distortion engages. I wish there was more sweep in this area because it's the sweet spot for me.

Robert changed the chip in mine also and it was a clear improvement to my ears. I think there are a lot of versions with different chips over the years.

But I don't play anything close to classic rock, it's just another tone for me.

Right now I use it as a volume boost for my acoustic. I turn it on for single note lines, and with a little chorus added it sounds sweet with nice break up when I hit a double stop.

Cheers
Matt

Kingpin · January 5th, 2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Plescher

I use my Keeley modded Rat with the distortion set LOW. Right at the edge of where the distortion engages. I wish there was more sweep in this area because it's the sweet spot for me.

My thoughts exactly. It is a very narrow usable band if you're not looking to sound like metal player. I use the Keeley Rat2 in conjunction with my Keeley BD2 when I want to push the distortion over the edge. I think the two pedals working together give a fuller sound than just one pedal with the gain turned up. I also like the variety of tones available when you have a distortion box and an OD in combination.

The Phat Rat setting is my favorite.

RevMike · January 5th, 2005, 05:46 PM

Got it on recommendation from Audly Freed of The Black Crowes. He usta work at our local guitar shop when I lived in Raleigh, NC. I've litterally had it since I was a teenager and its the only OD/Distortion box I've used since. Its the one they now call the "Vintage Rat". I always thought it was pretty versitile.

teledude66 · January 10th, 2005, 09:27 AM

one for about a month now and so far i love it but i like others keep it around 9 o'clock or so and boost the level...i've been searching for a good overdrive (breaking up slightly) i bought the digitech and love it through a mixer but through my amp it was to harsh...i have noticed that as my amp warms up i have to play with the tone knob....yes i have went higher with the distortion but got a lil muddy, but if i want serious crunch i also have a boss metal zone so with these two peds i cover everything i want to play

TonyBlack · January 10th, 2005, 08:49 PM

I just used one on a session before an Adrenalinn amp modeler then direct to a mic pre and compressor.
We got some very cool tones that could qualify for some classic rock.
I've also used a RAT for years before a traditional "amp" with plenty of cool success.

geddyleedog · January 11th, 2005, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate it. I finally caved and purchased a RAT (again) from Ebay. I think that the mistake I made with my first RAT is that I used it as my "heavy" distortion sound. Therefore, it got muddy. I now have a Keeley Boss DS-1 SEM. It's great for the heavier stuff and it doesn't get muddy. When I get the RAT I'll use it to add a little dirt. It seems like some of you have used it that way with some success. By just turning up the distortion knob slightly, I don't think I'll get the mud.

December 22nd, 2004, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
geddyleedog Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 583	Anyone using a ProCo RAT exclusively for classic rock tones? I was wondering if anyone was using a RAT for their classic rock rhythm or lead tones (or both)? I just can't get over this RAT thing. I used to have one and it just didn't do the classic rock thing for me. It was too "different". It was always way too muddy and compressed. I tried the knobs in every possible combination. However, I read about people who love theirs. I've also heard about people who had to try a few before they got one that they liked. Maybe that was my problem? For me it was good for one thing. Sustain. It had sustain for days. However, it wasn't classic rock sounding at all. I've been wanting to try another RAT but I was wondering if I would just be wasting my time. Any input would be appreciated. __________________ (.o)==:::

December 22nd, 2004, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,881	I've used one for years... The ones for me are either the current reissue "vintage" model or an old one, both sans LED. I recently picked up a ToneBone Classic and it seems to cover much of the same sonic ground, but with more diversity. My current quest is for an OD that sounds like my '51 Deluxe on 10.... There are way way too many OD pedals out there. __________________

December 22nd, 2004, 06:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
chrome red Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Finland Posts: 209 1 Photos	It is just a sort of fuzzbox ... no intention bash it indeed but I had a one in late 80´s with my ultra clean Pro Reverb and despite how much I dialed it, it sounded something else than the music I liked to "ape" => then a Marshall recording preamp (can´t remember the model) with really crappy noisy pots => Zoom modeling amp => Tech21 TM 10 w amp. That is not perfect but some improvement anyhow. __________________ "aa, nakutakuu, Siiri riisuu katukanaa"

December 22nd, 2004, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ringo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,913	re RAT I think the RAT is one of those pedals that you really have to try a few of them out, I've had maybe 6/7 over the years, some were only mediocre, but a few of them really sounded good, also a lot depends on what type guitar, pu's, amp etc... that you're using too.

December 23rd, 2004, 12:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ringo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,913	re modded RAT Maybe it's just me but I tried out a Keeley modded RAT last year , bought it used , I didn't like it as much as a stock RAT. It was a Turbo RAT, so maybe that had something to do with it too, the "good" sounding RAT pedals I've owned (and there were only a few outstanding ones per my above post ), sounded much better than the modded one. I play Fenders, Teles and Strats into Fender amps, DR, Bassman etc... YMMV

December 22nd, 2004, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,404 7 Photos	RATs are Great!. But a Keeley modded RAT is outstanding. but no matter what, the muddy sustain thing is a result of you pumping up the DIST knob. Key is to keep the Dist below 12:00. i like it more around 10:00 and pump up the LEVEL more. the Filter (tone) depends on the amp used, but I usually keep it around 1-3:00 So the reg RATS are excellent, but the Keeley ones give you 3 modes to choose from and it just overall sounds much more clear and ballsy. better bottom end too.

December 23rd, 2004, 10:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
marquis de jonny Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ise-shima, japan/melbourne, australia Age: 36 Posts: 824 8 Photos	i've never enjoyed a rat, but i haven't had that much time playing around with 'em. mind you, graham coxon uses a tele, a rat, and a marshall and sounds fantastic. there's gotta be something in 'em.... __________________ i'm gonna have me some unreal f#$%*&g good times

December 23rd, 2004, 01:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Klaus Kemmerling Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cologne/Germany Age: 44 Posts: 194	Hello, i don't know what you mean with "classic rock" sound. However i use my RAT 2 for lots of years now. And it is my most important stomp box at all. I like the sound wit almost each of my guitars and amps. I never tried other examples of the Rat because i like mine so much. I usually have the distortion about 1 - 2 o clock, filter about 3. Works great for me. Klaus

December 28th, 2004, 02:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
Maggot Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 735 1 Photos	I had a RAT 2 for years that got great classic rock tones, and was very controllable. Later I got a Vintage Rat reissue that didn't do it for me - too buzzy. I think you can find really nice classic rock tones if you keep the gain below noon and don't crank the filter up too much, but like I said, I had one that was great for everything and one that was less useful. The good ones are real bang-for-buck champions in terms of versatility. There's also a good chance that you just don't like the RAT tone or feel. They're certainly very different from a tube screamer type thing. There's always a little bit of compression and a metallic edge. Either you like it or you don't. __________________ www.myspace.com/feierman

December 28th, 2004, 07:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
JerryPro Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arkansas(Razorbacks) Age: 46 Posts: 556	The best Rat I ever had? Wasn't even a Rat at all. I still have it. It's an old Ibanez Fat Cat. I think it's a Rat clone. I had a very early 80s Rat and didn't like it. This one works great but it wants and needs humbuckers. __________________ ...it's not the load that breaks you down it's the way in which you carry it.

January 4th, 2005, 02:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Matt Plescher Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Michigan Posts: 837	I use my Keeley modded Rat with the distortion set LOW. Right at the edge of where the distortion engages. I wish there was more sweep in this area because it's the sweet spot for me. Robert changed the chip in mine also and it was a clear improvement to my ears. I think there are a lot of versions with different chips over the years. But I don't play anything close to classic rock, it's just another tone for me. Right now I use it as a volume boost for my acoustic. I turn it on for single note lines, and with a little chorus added it sounds sweet with nice break up when I hit a double stop. Cheers Matt __________________ She's not your satellite She doesn't miss you So turn off your smoke machine And Marshall stack

January 5th, 2005, 05:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
RevMike Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 1,059	I have had one since I was a young'un... Got it on recommendation from Audly Freed of The Black Crowes. He usta work at our local guitar shop when I lived in Raleigh, NC. I've litterally had it since I was a teenager and its the only OD/Distortion box I've used since. Its the one they now call the "Vintage Rat". I always thought it was pretty versitile.

January 10th, 2005, 09:27 AM	#15 (permalink)
teledude66 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lawndale,N.C. Age: 42 Posts: 2,750 20 Photos	i've had ... one for about a month now and so far i love it but i like others keep it around 9 o'clock or so and boost the level...i've been searching for a good overdrive (breaking up slightly) i bought the digitech and love it through a mixer but through my amp it was to harsh...i have noticed that as my amp warms up i have to play with the tone knob....yes i have went higher with the distortion but got a lil muddy, but if i want serious crunch i also have a boss metal zone so with these two peds i cover everything i want to play

January 10th, 2005, 08:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
TonyBlack Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: new york city Posts: 437	I just used one on a session before an Adrenalinn amp modeler then direct to a mic pre and compressor. We got some very cool tones that could qualify for some classic rock. I've also used a RAT for years before a traditional "amp" with plenty of cool success. __________________ salute, Tony Black maia davies denis woods

January 11th, 2005, 06:02 AM	#17 (permalink)
geddyleedog Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 583	Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate it. I finally caved and purchased a RAT (again) from Ebay. I think that the mistake I made with my first RAT is that I used it as my "heavy" distortion sound. Therefore, it got muddy. I now have a Keeley Boss DS-1 SEM. It's great for the heavier stuff and it doesn't get muddy. When I get the RAT I'll use it to add a little dirt. It seems like some of you have used it that way with some success. By just turning up the distortion knob slightly, I don't think I'll get the mud. __________________ (.o)==:::