 | ProCo RAT
Since 78 the RAT has dug its dirty little claws into some of the best sounding rigs on the planet. Players such as Johnny Greenwood, Graham Coxon, Dave Gilmour, Jeff Beck, James Hetfield, Joe Perry, and John Schofield all step on this animal from time to time to hear it wince in pain.
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| Impressions
I remember my first RAT encounter well. I was playing one of my first big gigs in a 7-piece soul band in 88. The lead guitarist turned up to rehearsal with an old strat, a beat up Deluxe Reverb and his new acquisition, a ProCo Rat pedal. He sounded amazing. Whenever the Rat was stomped on his amp screamed in delight. "If you think this sounds good wait till you hear my big rig," he said. So I waited, I heard, I was more than a little disappointed. For all of his fridge size, rack mount devices and multiple amp configurations, nothing he played moved me like those first few days in the garage with that dirty throaty growl from that Rat pedal.
In the years since the humble RAT pedal has been through a lot of changes, from re-issues, new models and even a fantastic Keeley modded version. But through it all, the pedal has retained a certain character that made it what it is - the sleaziest sounding stomper around, and you name em, they've used em. Players from every musical genre' from metal to soul to jazz-fusion use the Rats distinctive tone. Actually, the circuit is very similar to the classic Boss DS-1 stomper with a couple of worthy differences.
First, the amount of usable gain on tap here is bordering on the ridiculous, yet it remains dynamic and sensitive, even up to the point where it starts spitting at you.
Second, the RAT has this amazing mid to low mid hump that just blasts your tone through the mix like a nail bomb complete with rich harmonic overtones which is a very neat trick considering its simple design.
Cooking RAT-at-Ooweee!
The way to get your RAT to cook is by careful manipulation of the distortion and filter control. These controls work together to give you an amount of useable options, but generally each RAT will have its own sweet spot in relation to the amp you use. Start with both controls dead centre then make small adjustments as a little goes a long way.
How much should I pay?
As with many vintage collectable pedals the old RATs have rocketed in price lately. An original from the late 70's in good nick can fetch £200+, but I've a well-kept secret. This reissue made in 91 uses not only the same circuit, but also identical components including the coveted LM 308 chip found in the originals and sounds every bit as rich and dirty as a 70's Bond girl. What's more you can pick these up in good condition for around £60.
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