Anyone like the RAT??

cybersnyder · #1 01-10-2010, 09:54 PM

Took my weekly pilgrimage to Guitar Center (some people drink, I visit music stores) and they had a RAT in the used effects case for $39. I asked to borrow a screw driver and popped it open. Bingo! The chip was an LM308N. It was a little dirty, but that's easily fixed.

Anyways, I bought it, brought it home and fixed the cosmetics. Made in USA, Serial # 163023, silver screw on the battery holder. I think it's an '89 or '90, but that's hard to tell. Who cares what the year is, let's see how it sounds.

I had a RAT 2 that I picked up cheap at one time or another and it didn't sound all that great. But now I get to A/B it against something closer to the original RAT sound. Yeah, night and day. The distortion character of the older RAT is really nice especially with a pick.

I think I made a good buy for $39.

vegas532 · #2 01-10-2010, 10:11 PM

I have two old lm308 RATS, a vintage reissue and a Turbo...both are AMAZING on bass. All I gotta do now is pickup an old RATII and I'm set with a trifecta.

bobbass4k · #3 01-10-2010, 10:14 PM

Got a Turbo RAT a couple of weeks and i'm loving it actually, holds the low end well enough for me, and perfectly fills the gap between my AMT slap bass (OD) and fuzz

Happynoj · #4 01-10-2010, 10:35 PM

I want to get a Turbo Rat at some point, mainly because of that fat, filthy sound that Justin Chancellor gets out of it.

jumbo_steelie · #5 01-10-2010, 10:53 PM

I picked up a modded RAT off of Vegas a few months ago. I run it through a blender just to bring back in a touch of the lows. It's probably my favourite distortion.

vegas532 · #6 01-10-2010, 10:55 PM

When you do, be sure to seek out one of the old ones..they're killer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I want to get a Turbo Rat at some point, mainly because of that fat, filthy sound that Justin Chancellor gets out of it.

ourworldisgrey · #7 01-10-2010, 11:21 PM

RATs rule. Especially since the circuit is relatively unique, unlike the Big Muff, Superfuzz, Tubescreamer, Brassmaster, etc.

Mine is modded by fuzzrocious (rratajski here on talkbass, although he may not still be modding them) and I can't recommend that enough.

vegas532 · #8 01-10-2010, 11:54 PM

I had a fuzzrocious modded RAT that's single handedly the BIGGEST regret I have among the stuff I sold. Ryan does truly great work!

jaseOZ · #9 01-11-2010, 03:58 AM

Yeah I got an old LM308 circa 86 Rat and the distortion sounds cool but it totally eliminates all the low end on my D string.
Works OK on higher strings.

I would like to use it but turning it on in a band situation feels like being castrated! I still prefer my old trusty Boss HM-2 over my Rat. Cost me 1/4 the price on ebay too.

rratajski · #10 01-11-2010, 04:16 AM

Thanks, gentlemen!

Epic win of the new decade cybersnyder! Even if you decide to sell the old rat, you can make a profit of over $250 on eVilBay...
The RAT is definitely a unique pedal and can have its uses. Very cool!