Let's talk about Rats.

[Ursa Minor]

When did Malkmus start using his Orange head? I imagine a Hot Cake would sound great with an Orange???

I'm pretty happy with my 90s "The Rat" but this thread has got me wondering if I should try out some variations.

[Spit on a Stranger]

When did Malkmus start using his Orange head? I imagine a Hot Cake would sound great with an Orange???

Not until the very end of Pavement, around the time Terror Twilight came out... By then he was using a Big Cheese for his distortion, though it's possible that he used the Hot Cake too. He's got some lighter drive going on in live performances from that era, but I just assumed it was coming from the amp, since he's known to run pretty minimal pedal set-ups. But who knows, he was running a few pedals towards the end of Pavement, including a wah and a delay, so maybe the Hot Cake was in there too.

I'm actually having a hard time figuring out where the Hot Cake figures into the Pavement timeline, because I know he was using the Rat at least up to 95... I was watching Slow Century recently, and when it gets to the part about Lollapalooza 95, you can pretty clearly see a Rat at his feet. And I know by the time Brighten the Corners came out (1997) he was using the Big Cheese. So, that really just leaves 1996, though I suspect maybe the Hot Cake was just for studio use, since he gigged through a Fender Twin until 1998 or 1999. I do know that on the Pavement reunion tour, Scott was actually using a Hot Cake, and sure enough, through a Fender head. It was hooked up to a Marshall 4x12 though, so maybe that made some kind of difference.

[Jaguar018]

I'm pretty happy with my 90s "The Rat" but this thread has got me wondering if I should try out some variations.

I'd actually caution against this. I tried four or five different Rat variations and just ended back where I started with a White Face Rat.

I do own two. The aforementioned WF Rat and I have a clone built by DayDreamDelay as well. So I guess I'm full of crap... but for all the talk of Rats, mods, LM308 chips, and everything else, if you have a good Rat the grass probably won't be that much greener on the other side of the Rat fence.

[parry]

...and I have a clone built by DayDreamDelay as well.

I wonder if yours is of the same era as mine...
I've had a bunch of Rats come and go, but his has been consistently on my board.
It's a keeper, for sure.

...and stacked with an SSBS Mini

[Ursa Minor]

I'm pretty happy with my 90s "The Rat" but this thread has got me wondering if I should try out some variations.

I'd actually caution against this. I tried four or five different Rat variations and just ended back where I started with a White Face Rat.

I do own two. The aforementioned WF Rat and I have a clone built by DayDreamDelay as well. So I guess I'm full of crap... but for all the talk of Rats, mods, LM308 chips, and everything else, if you have a good Rat the grass probably won't be that much greener on the other side of the Rat fence.

Thanks for the sage advice. This can probably be like splitting hairs at times.
No worries, though. I don't use my Rats very often anymore, so I likely won't go through the trouble.

[71Smallbox]

Rats into Big Muffs don't work too well together and sound terrible. Don't do it, it will be a career ender.

What? You mean this guy is wrong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y2ZRU11xtc

Pfffff... I can't believe it!

I meant the Thurstonz

[OffYourFace]

I use an '86 RAT with reutz mod into an ARC effects big green muff with the flat mids setting engaged. Magical.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I use an '86 RAT with reutz mod into an ARC effects big green muff with the flat mids setting engaged. Magical.

Still in love with the Arc Big Green?

[MrShake]

I was holding my breath 'til I got a "shipped" confirmation. 'Cause I knew how popular this sale from F.E.A. has been. Paranoid I'd get a "sorry, we're sold out" notice. But I got it. She's on her way to me. Monday.

Now, all of you, GO, GO, GO! Snatch 'em up 'fore they're gone!

[OffYourFace]

I use an '86 RAT with reutz mod into an ARC effects big green muff with the flat mids setting engaged. Magical.

Still in love with the Arc Big Green?

yes. I never touch my real Tall Font Sovtek anymore
When doing a multiple muff guitar tracks, i'll use the Arc and my '78 op amp muff. they compliment each other nicely. The ARC is great for a big 'crunchier' rhythm sound and a thicker lead tone.
the op amp is great for thickening up choruses with power chords, a bit brighter & scooped.

anyway, back to RATS... I had our admin Jay build me this a while back. I still love it!

http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... in#p729047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Spit on a Stranger]

I actually really want an Arc Big Green. I was actually considering getting it for this new one-dirt set-up, but I figured the Rat would probably be more sensible because it can do both low and high gain stuff, though I imagine I'll be using it mostly for higher gain sounds. But I think the Big Green is next on my list... the fact that it actually LOOKS the way a Muff should is enough to grab my attention.

[Ursa Minor]

^ Hell Yes. These sound and look excellent. I need another Green Muff in my arsenal. It has something different than the Short Box Black Russian I have.

Hmmm..I think I may have to build one. It would definitely get an over-sized box for sure. Big Muffs need to be BIG!!!

[71Smallbox]

I never touch my real Tall Font Sovtek anymore
When doing a multiple muff guitar tracks, i'll use the Arc and my '78 op amp muff. they compliment each other nicely.

So would you say the Arc sounds exactly like your Tall Font? I have a Tall Font one too and its the best sounding Sovtek Big Muff that I've ever had, and I've had over 8 different ones!

[OffYourFace]

No it doesn't. It has more mids thanks to the 'flat mids' switch/mod.
It has more of a muff meets Marshall amp crunch feel and sound.
i don't find the scooped sound of muffs useful when playing with a band.

[71Smallbox]

That's probably why I like it best with my AC30