1986 ProCo Rat

Colonel Monk · #1 10-18-2011, 07:08 PM

Guys:

A friend of mine gave this this beat up RAT about a year ago.

I've searched around a bit and found that it's probably a 1986 or 1987 model from the date codes on the pots (which are 86), so that makes it a 3rd GEN Blackface model. I guess that's the 308N chip...

So far, I have only plugged it in here in my apartment thru POD into headphones. Initial impression is that it has a pretty kickass distortion tone, but as other mention here on the forum it kills alot of bass.

I'm on the list for a Badger Schism for this reason already, I feel alot of my dirt pedals need a little dry tone to preserve the bottom end.

Have any of you used one with a blender? What was your impression of the tone? And how does that compare to modding one for better bass response?

The switch seems to have a problem and it's an older looking 3PDT switch - not sure if any of the switches I have will work or not.

Regarding the value - just what's the deal? I remember reading something here a long while back about these, and I'm seeing several for sale on ebay for what seems like pretty crazy prices - like $250 for one in nice shape.... Completed listings I saw for blackface era rats (not RAT 2) from $200 to 175 to 130... So many are for sale it looks like the sale amounts are all over the map.

Soooo, would you rock it or should I sell it?

CM

DeltaPhoenix · #2 10-18-2011, 09:54 PM

I had a Rat from 83 or 84 and I sold it. I just couldn't get what I was looking for from it. I remember thinking that in '91 when I got it as a kid at a yard sale for about $20. I was only happy with it on guitar and I was wanting it for bass. I put it up and earlier this year sold it (for a pretty penny) to fund a newer pedal.

Brass Brawls · #3 10-19-2011, 12:09 AM

i blend my rat with the boss ls-2 and love it

ampegfuzz · #4 10-19-2011, 12:15 AM

I own two rats, one 91 big box and fuzzrocious Rat Tail both are awesome and need no blend. I would not mod it due to it hurting the value but if you need "more bass" find a cheap blend ped.

cst bass · #5 10-19-2011, 02:37 AM

my 91 rat has some low end loss. i find using it very lightly with other effects gets a sweet fuzz with retained lows.

if i combine oc2, rat and envelope its nice.

rat by itself maybe not so great for the low end -

but i still keep it around, i usually find something i like about any pedal - never know when the rat mood's gonna hit.

rratajski · #6 10-19-2011, 03:50 AM

Watch eBay and sell it when there aren't a lot of vintage RATs posted. Capitalize on it.
Then get a clone that's out there. There are a million of them, so you can really shop around. The tone will match up and you'll be able to get ones that are set up for bass or have options for tweaking.
Sell it! Not because you're not 100% happy with the tone, but because money's nice and if you can get a clone for 1/2ish of the sale price.

Colonel Monk · #7 10-19-2011, 02:01 PM

Thanks everyone.

I do think it's a cool pedal but the vintage value doesn't do much for me.

I suppose if it can sell for $200 bucks that cash is better spent on something else, especially a RAT circuit that sound awesome with bass...

About the switch - anyone know if a regular 3PDT will fit in there or where I can get a new OE switch?

Thanks

rratajski · #8 10-19-2011, 02:07 PM

Are you trying to mod it for an LED?
It may...need gut shots.

ampegfuzz · #9 10-19-2011, 02:34 PM

Well since IMO no two Proco rats sound alike, if you dont care for it dump it and buy a Rat Tail from this guy^^^^^ You will not be disappointed!!

Chowowbus · #10 10-19-2011, 08:12 PM

I have a brand new custom rat clone made by a our bands guitarist. It has a blend. I only use the blend cracked open one quarter of the way. This rat clone also has a bass and treble eq. I also have a pro co rat. I use the rat clone because I dont loose so much low end. The blend makes a huge difference to me. I run the rat clone with just a touch of distorition and blend into a sansamp bddi...I really love what I get when I do this