Chinese Turbo Rats??

gibsualdo · #1 12-27-2009, 01:10 AM

So I've just been reading about the decline of the Proco RAT, from the vintage US-made model with the LM308 chip, through to the current Chinese-made RAT II that Robert Keeley refuses to sell. Does anyone know if production of the Turbo RAT has also switched to China, and subsequently now made with lower quality components as with the regular RAT?

I was thinking about buying a Turbo, but I'm not so sure now.

bongomania · #2 12-27-2009, 01:14 AM

I just have to say that "Chinese Turbo Rats" is an excellent band name.

FreaqyFrequency · #3 12-27-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I just have to say that "Chinese Turbo Rats" is an excellent band name.

This made me laugh.

As for quality, it only makes sense. America is digging itself a hole, especially for mass producers, that is making a sound suspiciously alike to Mr. Perot's proverbial sucking sound.

I've heard great things about the Turbo Rat. If I wanted one, I would buy it pretty much regardless of where it was made. I've thought about buying Behringer products before, however, so my country pride and dignity is already questionable.

gibsualdo · #4 12-27-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I just have to say that "Chinese Turbo Rats" is an excellent band name.

LOL, I couldn't agree more!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

I've heard great things about the Turbo Rat.

I've heard great things too, but I'm just wondering if they were all US-made Turbos that the great things were said about. I've heard the Chinese RAT II sucks major balls, compared even to the US one made not so long ago (which also apparently sucks balls, just not as much).

This is all just what I've managed to find through google of course, and should be taken as nothing more than what I perceive to be the general consensus.

theunknowndude · #5 12-27-2009, 04:12 AM

where would you find where its made? from memory my turbo rat is just a black box everywhere including the back and the bottom with the battery cover...

it produces very awesome turbo rat sounds and loses just a bit of low end if you listen carefully... I've never had an issue with low end loss on it tho, sounds perfectly delicious unblended

gibsualdo · #6 12-27-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theunknowndude

where would you find where its made? from memory my turbo rat is just a black box everywhere including the back and the bottom with the battery cover...

it produces very awesome turbo rat sounds and loses just a bit of low end if you listen carefully... I've never had an issue with low end loss on it tho, sounds perfectly delicious unblended

I've no idea exactly how, but I just thought maybe there'd be a sticker underneath or a stamp somewhere. My Boss and Tech21 pedals for instance have "made in U.S.A." and "Made in Taiwan" on them. I've nho idea about RATs though, only that anything with a serial number over 300,000 is likely to be Chinese-made and some older RATs had "Made in Kalamazoo, MI, USA" on them.

Not sure if the newer RATs have "Made in China" stickers, but Robert Keeley seems to think the serial number is a good enough indicator, if that's anything to go by. Thinking about it, I may as well just email Proco and maybe Keeley too to see what they say about it. I'll post what I hear back, if anything.

vegas532 · #7 12-27-2009, 09:35 AM

This is just one man's opinion. I tried one of the newer Turbo Rats that I could've gotten cheaply. After putting it through its paces, I politely declined and sought out an old USA LM308 one...now I'm happy.

scootron · #8 12-27-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

This is just one man's opinion. I tried one of the newer Turbo Rats that I could've gotten cheaply. After putting it through its paces, I politely declined and sought out an old USA LM308 one...now I'm happy.

Me, too.

**TheFantod** · #9 12-27-2009, 11:43 AM

Oddly enough, there are differences even in the "Made in the USA" versions. I have two of them, both serials starting with a 1 and both with "Made in USA" on the sticker. However, one of them has the LM308N chip, and one of them doesn't.

I'm actually planning to A/B them and put them on YouTube to illustrate (aurally) the difference between them, once I figure out the best way to do it. There is a definite difference between a version with LM308N chip, and one without.

rcubed · #10 12-27-2009, 11:52 AM

Is the chip the ONLY difference between the two circuits? 'cause everyone says it's the chip but it might not be.

Happynoj · #11 12-27-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

Oddly enough, there are differences even in the "Made in the USA" versions. I have two of them, both serials starting with a 1 and both with "Made in USA" on the sticker. However, one of them has the LM308N chip, and one of them doesn't.

I'm actually planning to A/B them and put them on YouTube to illustrate (aurally) the difference between them, once I figure out the best way to do it. There is a definite difference between a version with LM308N chip, and one without.

Is the difference big enough that it would make a difference to someone who wanted to buy one?

**TheFantod** · #12 12-27-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

Is the difference big enough that it would make a difference to someone who wanted to buy one?

It depends on the sound you're going for. The "newer" versions w/out the LM308N chip are a lot fuzzier. The attack is a bit dulled, and when playing fast the notes kind of blend into each other. It's a bit similar to the Boss ODB-3.

The older version with the 308 chip keeps a much better tone, and is much more percussive in the attack. The notes don't get "swallowed up" like the newer version.

Granted, all this is MY OPINION only. There's no "Oscilloscopes 4 Less" around where I live so I can't back it up with scientific data. I'm just going with what my ears tell me. I definitely like the LM308 version. It sounds a bit raunchier, and more vintage like.

As always, your mileage may vary.

I plan on posting an A/B check between the two on YouTube sometime this week. I will post here when I do.

vegas532 · #13 12-27-2009, 08:34 PM

As an added bonus, the old ones are extremely responsive to your attack.

jaseOZ · #14 12-28-2009, 12:35 AM

I bought an old one (small box rat 1 with lm308N) recently and I like it but it does cut a lot of the deeper low end.

I managed to get some back with the VT bass though so it sounds cool. Not sure how much i'll use it live.

Implosion · #15 12-28-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I just have to say that "Chinese Turbo Rats" is an excellent band name.

That was my first thought when I saw the thread.

Carry on.

theunknowndude · #16 12-28-2009, 02:13 AM

hmmm
no markins on mine but I bought mine in 2007 fomr what I assume is new stock so I assume its from wherever they are now made