Let's talk about Rats.

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Spit on a Stranger
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Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Spit on a Stranger » Thu May 16, 2013 1:55 am

So, I just bought a Whiteface reissue off Front End Audio. Couldn't resist the price.

I've never used a Rat. I've been wanting to try one for a while, but also I have this strange desire to minimize my set-up to one dirt pedal, one delay, and have that be it. I feel like you really grow as a player when you don't have many effects to rely on for new sounds and textures. Right now I'm running a Tubescreamer and a Frantone Peachfuzz in my set-up for dirt, and I felt that if I was going to size things down to just one pedal, the Rat might be the way to go since it can do light overdrive and heavier fuzzed out tones too.

Anyway, I'm excited to try it out, but now I have to wait 7 days for it to get here! In the mean time, help keep my GAS at bay by talking about your Rat's and how you use them. Or whatever.

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Johnnyseven
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Johnnyseven » Thu May 16, 2013 2:05 am

I no longer have a Rat, but in the past i've had 4 Rats and at least 2 Turbo Rats. For some reason i've never got on with them, same goes for muffs as well. I can say that out of all the Rats i've had, the big box Rat from the 90's (the one with no LED) was the best sounding.

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Johno
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Johno » Thu May 16, 2013 2:24 am

I love all RATS, they all sound great. I have a 90's USA with the mojo chip.

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s_mcsleazy
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by s_mcsleazy » Thu May 16, 2013 2:30 am

my bandmate stuart has my rat at the moment and i miss it soo much im considering on buying another one.
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by surfdivision » Thu May 16, 2013 6:17 am

I want to try the 'mojo' 90s one or WFRI so bad, because I have that chinese RAT2 and it's almost perfect, but it's lacking something... or maybe it's just my cheap solid state amp
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Ursa Minor
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Ursa Minor » Thu May 16, 2013 7:18 am

I have 2 90's non-LED Rats (the big box ones). They were my go to dirt when I was in a loud rock band. I painted one silver and the other one orange so I could see them on stage. I played a Marshall and a strat or jag (mostly) back then and really loved that sound with the rats. I never dug the low-gain sounds though. I tried using Muffs, but always preferred the cut and grit of the Rat.

It seems now that I have mostly Fender amps, the Rat hasn't been used much. I just can't get that sound anymore. I have an easier time with an OCD, which I hate to admit. It also does a better low-gain drive and boost, imo.

The Rat is unqiue though. I'll give it that. I'll never sell 'em fwiw. I can see it working in a one-dirt setup.

How do you like the Frantone Peach Fuzz? I never see these come up? Heard they're like a IC Big Muff....
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Jaguar018
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Jaguar018 » Thu May 16, 2013 8:34 am

I have been playing with Rats since I first started to get into distortion pedals (like 20 years ago?!? :wacko: )

Started with a Turbo Rat --> then a LED rat--> then a non-led rat --> then a few clones. Suffice it say: I am a strong advocate of Rat pedals

Currently I have an original White Face Rat and a clone. I use them for distortion and *more* distortion, never any kind of mild overdrive, as I use a Klon and a TS9 reissue for that stuff. This is with a Jaguar and a Fender blackface type amp.

There is one song where we get all METAL and I play with a humbucker Kramer wedge guitar. The Rat handles that with ease.

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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Ursa Minor » Thu May 16, 2013 8:41 am

Jaguar018 wrote:There is one song where we get all METAL and I play with a humbucker Kramer wedge guitar. The Rat handles that with ease.
Would love to see that!
Rats and 'buckers go hand in hand.

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MrShake
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by MrShake » Thu May 16, 2013 10:22 am

My favorite pedal for both mild overdrive and "distortion to 10", and sounds good on 10 doing punk, grungy rock, shoegaze smears, metalish things, legato sustainy leads, etc. Does 'em all wonderfully. Versatile. Plays well with other pedals, too. Two on my board at all times. One for grit/clang, and a "'90s mojo chip" one to crank up. You're gonna love it.

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Monkeytrick
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Monkeytrick » Thu May 16, 2013 10:26 am

I bought a 1988 Rat (with the famous chip) on eBay on a whim without having tried one before. It's been my first real pedal and probably the only one I'll never sell of the few ones I have. Along with my Zombie klone, that is.
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by 71Smallbox » Thu May 16, 2013 10:38 am

So many good records have been made with rats..

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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by HNB » Thu May 16, 2013 11:27 am

I have a Mooer Black Secret which is a mini Rat clone with a mojo chip and turbo mode switch. EXCELLENT pedal. :)
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Ex Lion Tamer » Thu May 16, 2013 11:48 am

Nasty things. They have fleas and they can give you rabies and bubonic plague. Ugh!

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71Smallbox
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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by 71Smallbox » Thu May 16, 2013 11:55 am

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

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Re: Let's talk about Rats.

Post by Ex Lion Tamer » Thu May 16, 2013 12:00 pm

71Smallbox wrote:Rats into Big Muffs don't work too well together and sound terrible. Don't do it, it will be a career ender.
Ewww! Gross!

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