Who makes a good Rat?

[MGR]

Guys -
Check out the Big Ear Wood Cutter as reviewed by Juan Alderete:

Great sound but I can see this as a prime candidate to put in a clean blend.

 

[deathness]

New York City produces some pretty robust rats...

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

get your self an mxr bass dist and call it a day.

 

[Deadsound]

According to social media, Dunwich will have some more stock at some point in the near future. Get a Volt Thrower and bypass the entire search process.

This is the correct answer

Mxr bass dist is good too

 

[BartmanPDX]

The Volt Thrower is by far the best and most versatile Rat I've ever tried. It's also the only pedal I've regretted selling.

 

[socialleper]

I can't stand Rat based pedals but the Volt Thrower is freaking huge and amazing sounding. I was surprised when I learned it was based on the rat.

The VT is very different because of the clipping selection and the 2 band EQ. It also grabs on to your bass when in 18v mode in a way that I haven't seen from another Rat.

 

[deathness]

I would totally go Volt Thrower if I was putting together a Sunn O))) cover band...

 

[HiEnd Basses]

I use an MXR Bass Distortion, which has a very good rep in the biz. Also Fuzzrocious Cat Tail, but I've never used one.

 

[jwr]

I had a Rat King and it was awesome too. Always wanted to try a Proco.

Oh I had the Walrus Audio Iron Horse. That thing actually sounded really good as well!

The Made By Ryan one does sound pretty damn good too. Maybe I've misjudged Rats...

 

[JJS23]

My favorite is the Robo Pedals-the Rodent. Their made by the bassist for Multicult. She also make a big box version with sweep and a clipping switch. And every pedal has its own original art. Great low end, dirty but clear distortion, and easy to dial in.

the Rodent

Robocat (the big box version)

 

[capnjagg]

A lot of good answers in this thread, I'd also throw in just a regular old RAT with an EQ pedal. If you know or can learn to solder, you could always buy a kit too.

 

[mmbongo]

I'll just leave this right here.

And were done!

 

[socialleper]

The advantage of the MXR 85 is that it is readily available, pretty affordable, and it has a separate clean and fx volume which I think is the right way to do a blend.

 

[emjazz]

Cog Effects makes an amazing version as well.

The MXR is a great choice. Can't go wrong there.

 

[Sound&Fury]

Yo Sound and Fury, I just found this one which might be interesting.
Built By Ryan Big Bad Rat Burnt Orange Peel
It's not a direct "built by Ryan" sale, but rather a person who is selling theirs privately.

Thanks MGR!
Unfortunately I'm at the other side of the Atlantic and the seller won't ship here.

 

[Andy westwood]

A little vid I did a while back



For me the Fuzzrocious is the winner, I now have a custom cat tail and into a big valve head like a ashdown ctm or orange ad200 it just sounds great

 

[MGR]

Thanks MGR!
Unfortunately I'm at the other side of the Atlantic and the seller won't ship here.

That sucks.....

I got a chance to really put the Ryan Rat to the test last night and the mid-scooped mode (which I'm pretty sure no other clone has) makes the pedal so damn mean sounding and ballsy I can't believe it. It's like a B3K in it's punchiness, but without the artificial sheen of the B3K. I'd highly recommend the Ryan Rat for anyone looking for that deep, scooped metal sound. It can probably also more than hold it's own for reggae, dub with the gain turned down. Between the Ryan Rat, a Ryan Ampeg Scrambler, the Mantic Vitriol and the B3K, my dirt needs are more than covered. Good luck Sound and Fury! I hope you find your pedal!!

 

[rjovin]

Fuzzrocious cat tail for me. The only other rat style pedal I've tried was the proco and i didn't like it at all.

 

[Merovign]

I have a little bear r.attack and it does the job pretty well for cheap. It has a 3 way switch for "dirty", "turbo", and "vintage", i suppose its a diode mod, since the turbo kinda makes the 2 LEDs blink. I'm digging it in the bedroom but i'll take it to the wringer during the next rehearsal.

Wish I could graduate to a fuzzrocious or a volt thrower but alas, I am a poor student.

 

[Sound&Fury]

Any love for the Arc Effects Soothsayer? Does it hold its own against the Rat Tail, MXR M85, Blower Box,...?