I'm sure you will be deliriously happy with the Rat Tail. LED mode is awesome on the Bass D so no doubt it would be on the Rat Tail, too. The no-diode option sounds like another cool thing to experiment with as well.
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New mxr bass distortion!
- Thread starter Patchbass
- Start date
I could but I need it. You could send me your Rat Tail, you know 
I can't get a fix on what no diode mode does from the Youtube Rat Tail demos. The guy turns the knobs so quickly when he switches modes that I can't pick up on much of anything. And forget about the Rat King! I can't even figure that pedal out. But with the Rat Tail demos, to me it sounded fairly similar to LED mode when he switched between the two but who knows? If anyone knows of a demo that illustrates the differences better, please direct me to it.
I can't get a fix on what no diode mode does from the Youtube Rat Tail demos. The guy turns the knobs so quickly when he switches modes that I can't pick up on much of anything. And forget about the Rat King! I can't even figure that pedal out. But with the Rat Tail demos, to me it sounded fairly similar to LED mode when he switched between the two but who knows? If anyone knows of a demo that illustrates the differences better, please direct me to it.
Well after listening to those demos of the Rat King and Rat Tail, I am very confident that we don't need to swap pedals to see that both of us have or will have superior Rat technology that we can lord over those who don't, and that's what Talkbass is all about
I haven't tried a Rat or a Tube Screamer. I think that's a hell-worthy trespass, haha.
The thing I like about Rats is their frequency response. It doesn't sound boosted in a particular frequency range to my ears and always seems to be representative of whatever clean sound I have. You can always tell it's on, too, except maybe on its mildest settings, and while I can appreciate a good distorted sound that disappears a bit into the mix, I don't like it gone entirely. I don't know...may have a slight mid boost...not really sure...haven't measured it. All I know is they work very well for me on bass. There are others that work for me, of course, and I suppose it's not the end of the world if you never tried one (or a Tube Screamer, though I can pretty much take or leave it on bass), but out of all the distortion pedals I've tried, the Rat is the one I vibe with the most.
The second gain option on the Rat Tail was enough for me to pull the trigger. If I didn't need that, I would probably be happy with s BD.
Ok, well, Ive been reading this thread.... And well, my BB may be in trouble...... Damnit. Added to the list.
That's a good point. It does seem to be much quieter than any of my other pedals capable of heavy tones.
I've got an MXR BD waiting for me at bananas at large that i'm going to pick up after work. 
My board is getting pretty full... something will have likely have to go if it's a keeper.
Edit: got it.
My board is getting pretty full... something will have likely have to go if it's a keeper.
Edit: got it.
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Well... I think this is one of those pedals that leaves one scratching one's head a little in the living room, but put it in a live band setting and "Wow!"
I can tell already that my TFR is going to have a hard time competing for space on the board. And this is after successfully defending its space against a civil war. (The other distortion/fuzz pedals are a Duality and a wood chipper - also have a VMTd and a barbershop.)
Since I've never used a rat-based pedal before, it might take a minute for me to get used to the higher mids, but I like it a lot and think it'll sound awesome with my power trio. I like the separate disto and clean levels. I like the silicon-LED options. And I think the distortion gain knob has a usefully wide range.
I think I've done myself a disservice by not checking out Fuzzrocious.
The power trio is rehearsing tomorrow night and we have a gig sat night. I'm looking forward to using this in those environments.
I can tell already that my TFR is going to have a hard time competing for space on the board. And this is after successfully defending its space against a civil war. (The other distortion/fuzz pedals are a Duality and a wood chipper - also have a VMTd and a barbershop.)
Since I've never used a rat-based pedal before, it might take a minute for me to get used to the higher mids, but I like it a lot and think it'll sound awesome with my power trio. I like the separate disto and clean levels. I like the silicon-LED options. And I think the distortion gain knob has a usefully wide range.
I think I've done myself a disservice by not checking out Fuzzrocious.
The power trio is rehearsing tomorrow night and we have a gig sat night. I'm looking forward to using this in those environments.
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This pedal has led me down a dark path. I have now decided to use a full on pedal board for cover gigs. Just ordered some EBS patch cables, a pedal train nano+ and a T-Rex fuel tank jr. If I am going to do it I figure I might as well keep it neat and avoid loose wires.
I have a bigger board but that is for my country band which has my sennheiser wireless and tuner (not much else needed for country lol).
I have a bigger board but that is for my country band which has my sennheiser wireless and tuner (not much else needed for country lol).
I've used mine twice in rehearsal with my power trio and it sounds incredible. It really fills out the mix nicely. My first gig with it is also Saturday but I anticipate that it will kill! Now I'm just hoping there are no OT periods for the Stanley Cup game so we can start on time.
I can relate... being in northern Cali, I have NBA finals to integrate in to my schedule.
