The Rat Guitar Pedal is a legendary distortion and fuzz effect that has shaped the sound of countless guitarists across genres for decades. From subtle overdrive to thick, snarling distortion and even fuzz-like saturation, the Rat’s versatility and unique tonal character have cemented its place as a must-have pedal on many boards. This article dives deep into the world of the Rat pedal, exploring its history, features, different versions, and how to get the most out of this iconic stompbox.
What is a Rat Pedal? Unveiling the Legend
The ProCo Rat, often simply referred to as “The Rat,” is a distortion pedal first introduced in the late 1970s. It quickly gained popularity for its distinct sound, sitting somewhere between overdrive, distortion, and fuzz. Unlike typical overdrive pedals that often aim for amp-like breakup, the Rat offers a more aggressive and gritty distortion, capable of producing a wide range of tones depending on its settings.
A Brief History of the Rat
The Rat was created by Scott Burnham and John Johnson at Pro Co Sound. Initially conceived as a custom modification to existing fuzz pedals, it evolved into its own unique circuit design. The original “Big Box” Rat pedals from the late 70s and early 80s are highly sought after by collectors and players for their specific components and sound. Over the years, the Rat has gone through several iterations, including the Rat 2, Turbo Rat, and various mini and boutique versions, each offering slight variations on the core Rat sound.
The Circuit and the Sound
At its heart, the Rat is a distortion pedal that utilizes a single op-amp and diode clipping to achieve its signature sound. It’s known for its dynamic response to playing dynamics and guitar volume, allowing players to go from cleaner tones to full-on distortion simply by adjusting their playing. The Rat’s tone is often described as thick, crunchy, and articulate, with a pronounced midrange that helps guitars cut through a mix. It excels at delivering everything from bluesy overdrive to hard rock rhythm tones and searing lead sounds.
Key Features and Controls of the Rat Pedal
Understanding the controls of a Rat pedal is crucial to unlocking its full potential. While different versions may have slight variations, the core controls remain consistent:
- Distortion: This knob controls the amount of gain and distortion. At lower settings, it provides a gritty overdrive; as you increase it, the distortion becomes thicker and more saturated, eventually entering fuzz-like territory at maximum settings.
- Filter: Uniquely, the Rat features a filter control instead of a traditional tone knob. This control is a low-pass filter that cuts high frequencies. Turning it clockwise darkens the tone, making it warmer and smoother, while counter-clockwise brightens the tone and emphasizes the high-end bite. Many users find the filter control to be a key element in shaping the Rat’s sound.
- Volume: This control adjusts the output volume of the pedal, allowing you to balance the Rat’s level with your clean signal or other pedals.
These three simple controls offer a surprisingly wide range of tonal possibilities, making the Rat a very versatile pedal.
Exploring Different Rat Pedal Versions
Over its long history, the Rat pedal has seen several variations and iterations. Here are some of the most notable versions:
- Original “Big Box” Rat: The earliest versions, known for their large enclosure and specific components like the LM308 op-amp chip. These are highly collectible and prized for their vintage sound.
- Rat 2: The most common and widely produced version. It features a smaller enclosure and a slightly refined circuit compared to the original. The Rat 2 is known for its reliability and affordability, making it a staple on many pedalboards.
- Turbo Rat: A higher gain version of the Rat, utilizing different diodes for a more aggressive and modern distortion sound. The Turbo Rat is favored for heavier genres and players seeking a more searing tone.
- Mini Rat: A compact version of the Rat 2, offering the same core circuit and sound in a pedalboard-friendly size.
- You Dirty Rat: A variation with a different clipping section, resulting in a more open and less compressed sound compared to the standard Rat.
- Boutique Rat Clones and Modifications: Many boutique pedal builders offer their own interpretations of the Rat circuit, often with modifications like different op-amps, clipping options, and tone control enhancements, catering to players seeking even more refined or customized Rat tones.
How to Use a Rat Pedal: Settings and Applications
The Rat pedal is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of musical genres and playing styles. Here are some common ways to use a Rat:
- Overdrive: With the distortion knob set low and the filter adjusted to taste, the Rat can function as a gritty and dynamic overdrive, perfect for blues, classic rock, and adding some edge to cleaner tones.
- Distortion: Increasing the distortion knob brings out the Rat’s signature distortion, ideal for rock, hard rock, punk, and heavier styles. Experiment with the filter control to shape the midrange and high-end bite for rhythm and lead playing.
- Fuzz: At maximum distortion settings, the Rat can venture into fuzz territory, producing thick, saturated, and even gated fuzz-like tones, especially when combined with a cranked amp.
- Stacking with Other Pedals: The Rat stacks exceptionally well with other pedals. It can be used to boost overdrive pedals for more sustain and saturation, or placed after fuzz pedals to tighten up the low-end and add definition. Experimenting with stacking the Rat with different boosts, overdrives, and fuzzes can lead to a wide array of unique tones.
- Genre Applications: The Rat is at home in a wide range of genres, including:
- Rock and Hard Rock: Classic rock rhythm tones, searing lead sounds, and aggressive distortion.
- Blues: Gritty overdrive and dynamic response for expressive blues playing.
- Punk and Alternative: Raw and aggressive distortion for punk rhythm and lead work.
- Indie and Lo-Fi: Characterful distortion and fuzz for adding texture and grit.
- Metal (certain subgenres): While not a typical metal distortion, the Turbo Rat and modified Rats can be used for certain metal subgenres, especially when paired with amp distortion.
Why Guitarists Love the Rat Pedal: Versatility and Tone
The enduring popularity of the Rat pedal stems from several key factors:
- Versatility: The Rat’s ability to cover a wide range of gain stages, from overdrive to distortion and fuzz, makes it a highly versatile pedal for various genres and playing styles.
- Unique Tone: The Rat’s distinctive midrange character, gritty distortion, and dynamic response set it apart from other distortion pedals, giving it a unique and recognizable sonic signature.
- Affordability and Availability: The Rat 2 is readily available and relatively affordable, making it accessible to guitarists of all levels.
- Durability and Reliability: Rats are known for their robust construction and reliability, making them road-worthy and dependable pedals.
- Famous Users: The Rat has been used by a vast array of influential guitarists across genres, including Jeff Beck, Kurt Cobain, James Hetfield (early Metallica), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), and many more. This widespread adoption by renowned players further solidifies its legendary status.
Conclusion: Is the Rat Pedal Right for You?
The Rat guitar pedal is a truly iconic and versatile distortion effect that deserves a place in any guitarist’s consideration. Whether you’re seeking gritty overdrive, classic rock distortion, or fuzz-like saturation, the Rat offers a wide range of tones in a simple and robust package. Its unique character, dynamic response, and affordability have made it a favorite among guitarists for decades. If you’re looking for a distortion pedal that can cover a lot of ground and provide a distinctive and inspiring sound, the Rat is definitely worth exploring. Experiment with different settings and versions to discover how this legendary pedal can shape your own guitar tone.
