Let's talk about the ProCo Rat2.

[ZBirdV8]

I want an over the top harsh pedal-something that is obnoxious and borderline unpleasant. Bonus if also has retro qualities. Looking for a pedal to terrorize people with. Yesterday, I was shown the ProCo Rat2.



This thing fits my criteria and is probably the most extreme pedal I've been exposed to in person and I'm learning pretty heavy toward owning it, but I had initially gone in for fuzz. The interesting thing is that while the pedal has a dial that specifically DISTORTION, I've also seen it listed as a fuzz pedal. Where is the line between the two, and what is this thing actually?

Also taking recommendations for other kinds of extreme effects.

 

[gh0st42]

If you dig the Rat 2, I'd recommend checking out the following pedals, which are all based on the Rat circuit, but optimized for Bass, with less low end loss, and better eq frequencies.

Fuzzrocious Cat Tail
MXR 85 Bass Distortion (a collaboration pedal designed by Fuzzrocious)
IdiotBox Blower Box
Dunwich Volt Thrower (Harder to find right now, but Magic Pedals took over when Dunwich closed up shop, and will likely be releasing more at some point.)
Broughton Locust Star (Hardest of the above to find for sale, but my fav of all the options I've tried so far.)

 

[gh0st42]

Also worth checking out some Muff based Fuzz pedals if you are looking for more towards the Fuzz end of things.

Sanford & Sonny Bluebeard
Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh, Son of Pharaoh, or Pharoah Deluxe
Stomp Under Foot - Anything based on a Green or Tall Front Russian
Wren & Cuff Tall Front Russian
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache

Bass BrassMaster based pedals are also one to try out.
Malekko makes a couple versions- B:assmaster and Diabolik
Iron Ether Oxide (Can be tricky to find)
Darkglass Duality Fuzz

 

[cnltb]

I want an over the top harsh pedal-something that is obnoxious and borderline unpleasant. Bonus if also has retro qualities. Looking for a pedal to terrorize people with. Yesterday, I was shown the ProCo Rat2.



This thing fits my criteria and is probably the most extreme pedal I've been exposed to in person and I'm learning pretty heavy toward owning it, but I had initially gone in for fuzz. The interesting thing is that while the pedal has a dial that specifically DISTORTION, I've also seen it listed as a fuzz pedal. Where is the line between the two, and what is this thing actually?

Also taking recommendations for other kinds of extreme effects.

I like rat 2. They seem to be quite inconsistent however so it's worth trying a few before you buy.
I also like the unpleasant surprise, which may well be my favourite pedal overall.
<>

 

[220_Hz]

The rat2 was my first pedal! That being said, I didn’t get a good sounding one and it ended up getting replaced.
Imho the best one that you can find almost anywhere for a good price is the Fuzzrocious cat tail

 

[YawningJorin]

I use a Volt Thrower. Amazing pedal. I don't think any plain distortion pedal has interested me other than this one.

I don't believe there's a concrete difference between fuzz and distortion. Both are extensions of overdrive, achieving hard clipping through diodes as opposed to soft clipping by driving an amplifying circuit to its limits. I would say that distortions tend to be colder and harsher, but also more responsive to dynamics. Fuzzes tend to be pretty warm sounding and more compressed especially as you dial up the fuzz. But that's just the overall idea. There's no hard line here.

 

[motornap]

I use a Rat with a P Bass. Sounds massive. Never noticed a loss of low end, either.

 

[ZBirdV8]

I bought the rat. I will record something with it and post in the near future.

 

[lucas303]

The Dwarfcraft Necromancer can get real, real nasty.

 

[Nuage420]

Speaking of Rats... i just received this today from sweetwaters recent gear giveaway. My first real pedal, other than a GT1B. It's freaking amazing! I've plugged it into my peavey foundation for some killer punk thrash tone. I've ran it through my actives and dialed up killer growl. It had me trying my best to blow my amp up for a few hours. I love this thing. Super easy to figure out, and they even give you tips on how to dial in tones an idea of where to find them in the settings. It's built like a tank too.

 

[roller]

Henretta Choad Blaster... dirt, fuzz and overdrive all in one.

Also taking recommendations for other kinds of extreme effects.

 

[Grahams Groove]

I second (or third?) the fuzzrocious cat tail. It beat out more traditional rat clones and some highly sought after ones on this site - i.e. the volt thrower and Broughton Locust Star. The least rare of the three is the best sounding. It strikes a nice balance where the VT can be too boxy and the LS gets way too shrill/harsh in the treble range.

 

[ZBirdV8]

Speaking of Rats... i just received this today from sweetwaters recent gear giveaway. My first real pedal, other than a GT1B. It's freaking amazing! I've plugged it into my peavey foundation for some killer punk thrash tone. I've ran it through my actives and dialed up killer growl. It had me trying my best to blow my amp up for a few hours. I love this thing. Super easy to figure out, and they even give you tips on how to dial in tones an idea of where to find them in the settings. It's built like a tank too.

I like it a lot but I didn't get a manual or anything. Where can I find these suggested tones?

 

[Nuage420]

I like it a lot but I didn't get a manual or anything. Where can I find these suggested tones?

Got you.

 

[IngloriousOz]

 

[ZBirdV8]

Made a thing. It's minimalist but it's what I felt.

 

[Nuage420]

...***

 

[Supadope]

I like it.

 

[ZBirdV8]

Well damn now I need this too.

 

[thetragichero]

signature sound of a rat is an lm308 op amp breaking down as it's slammed into the power rails (plus diodes to ground). I'd call that a fuzz myself
i replaced the op07 in mine with an lm308 and did notice some sonic difference