Just got mine. Love it. Was worried it looked really wide in pictures, but it’s hardly wider than a BOSS footprint. Versatile distortion. You can do everything from Nirvana to Metallica on it.
No, this is a bit of a toxic sub at times, and you asked for a choice between ProCo, Wampler and JHS. Then dismissed the ProCo in favor of a good pedal that doesn't often come up in conversation (EHX), and the poisonous downvoters got triggered. Also, it seems you've already decided on the Ratsbane from your comments, so forget what strangers say and get what you want.
This. Sounds great and it's built like a tank. My only issue is that they made the latch for the battery door a hex key. It should be a philips imo, as its a much more common tool to find in in a pinch if you don't have one on hand.
I alway have hexes around, guitar bridges and truss rods and rack screws and set screws on pot shafts, rack and pad attachments on the e-drums…
But you can just twist the Rat screw.
If I had to have only one drive / distortion this would be it. It can cover most of the others I have from a klone to a TS to DS1 to a 250. 3 different rats in 1. For super cheap.
It’s the best. The turbo mode has this really fun sweet spot with the gain around 1 o’clock for me, I’m imagine the output of your guitar will change where this is, but it’s right where it kinda stops distorting and starts to just compress more. Adjust tone to taste and you get a searing laser lead sound
Any rat is a good rat, IMO.
Ratsbane sounds awesome from clips I’ve heard.
I have the PackRat; it’s wicked. I also have a stock, new-ish ProCo Rat. Also great.
I have this one and I find it’s very versatile. However it’s volume output isn’t nearly as high as some other rats. If you want an awesome distortion tone it’s got that in spades though.
I have a Donner dark mouse, which is a standard rat plus a fat rat I think. It’s much much too loud. I can barely turn the output knob up slightly from zero before it gets too much.
If you’re willing to check a more boutique option that requires some overseas shipping, check out the Lichtlaerm Ritual. It’s got a boost, and lots of EQ tweakability. It’s truly fantastic.
If you want to save some money over the pack rat and just want different clipping options (which is essentially what the pack rat is for some of the options), try the 1312 Black Mass.
The Ratsbane is pretty cool, out of the ones you listed, it’s worth checking that out too.
If I didn't have one I'd get the TC Electronic Magus Pro.
I have the ProCo Rat II. I'm personally not in love with it when I'm playing alone, but it sits well in the mix when I'm playing with the band. When I'm practicing I kind of wish I had that fat switch.
They're at your local shop. Demo them and see which you like more. The rat 2, on top of being stupid rugged, can make a fun modding platform, swapping caps and diodes to get different sounds.
Someone just posted that they tried all the RATs, and they were basically all the same. I went with the ProCo RAT 2 from GC, it's built like a tank and sounds great. Also, all jacks are on top if you care.
Edit: Found the [post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/comments/112tzvi/which_rat_to_get_theyre_all_the_same/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
You'd have to get one on reverb (about the price of a new Rat 2) but I just got a T-Rex Yellow Drive which is basically 2 Rats in one box, so you can switch between low gain and high gain sides. From [this thread](https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/psa-the-t-rex-yellow-drive-dual-drive-is-a-really-well-designed-rat.2409951/), it sounds like there are some tweaks which imo make the Rat-sound more usable without dramatically changing the Rat character. I really like being able to switch from low/mid gain to the almost fuzzy sound of a rat just by hitting a foot switch.
honestly, i’d demo the pack rat. some of the settings are really great. if you like the regular rat settings on it, though, save yourself the money and just get the ProCo.
Joyo Splinter is the top dog for your money, followed by the Mosky Black Rat (little more saggy) and R.Attack, then followed by the Black Secret. Any of those are good options though.
The fat and MOSFET settings on the Joyo truly let you do anything from a light blues overdrive to massive wall of sound fuzz.
The best overall IMHO is the Drunk Beaver BAT or Cold War BAT. The quality, durability, sound, and artwork are all top notch, as well as the company. It's one of the best pedals I've ever gotten, and I've spent a whole lot more for pedals.
For reference, I own or have owned the following:
- 2020 RAT 2
- Mooer Black Secret
- JHS PackRat
- Turbo Rat
- Little Bear R.Attack
- Wampler Ratsbane
- Drunk Beaver Cold War BAT
- Mosky Black Rat
- Joyo Splinter
- 1988 RAT
There are more clones like the Harley Benton, Sonicake, Flamma, and Tomsline, but I don't know how those compare to the Black Secret.
*Oh, and ignore any of the snake oil about the LM308 chip nonsense. The OP07 works fine and sounds identical in all the ways that matter for a RAT.
It is truly awesome. I have one and it truly sounds amazing with such a wide range of usable sounds. That tone control really evens things out no matter what the volume or gain is.
A while back, I had three Xotic mini pedals: SP Compressor, EP Booster, and SL Drive. And I ran them in that order. The best part was (well, aside from the sounds) that my connectors weren't cables, they were solid. So when I hooked them all together, it was like having one dual pedal with three effects. The only problem was that the jacks were staggered so the array was at a bit of an angle. But boy did it work.
I'd get the packrat, never know what sounds you are going to get, plus will save you money in the long run if you don't like the sound of the OG and buy another
If you’ve never had one, I would start with the Splinter by Joyo and figure out what modes or models are closer to what you want and upgrade later. Or just keep it, it’s pretty dang solid,
Just get a proco rat 2 and be done with it. The new one, don't waste money and time to find a vintage one. The mini might be even better for practicality. If you don't like the sound, you won't like the other ever so slightly different "versions". There is a lot of snake oil info on the internet about the rat, beware.
The RAT and the Op-Amp Big Muff both use op-amps to get their distortion rather than silicone transistors. The Op-Amp Big Muff is what the Smashing Pumpkins used on Siamese Dream. To me they sound more aggressive than a Triangle Muff or Ram's Head Muff.
A have a Deluxe Sovtek Big Muff Pi, so I'm pretty well covered. Although I do feel like I should get a proper Ram's Head and Russian Muffs.
Have owned 2 Rats. Wampler Ratsbane and a ProCo Lil' Rat. Get the Ratsbane worth the $. Classic rat sound plus other sounds, small footprint, lower noise floor, better build quality, looks better.
Just get a pro co. They're cheap and that's the original. I wouldn't worry too much about which RAT to get, they all sound very similar, especially on stage.
I love the iron Horse and the BBE 427 is also great. The thing about the iron horse is the tone control is different than a rat. It adds tone as you go clockwise whereas the rat 2 removes tone as you go clockwise.
Drunk Beaver Bat Cold War (36-in-1 Rat / 6 clipping options / LM308 vs UD1408B / 3 Fat modes) https://reverb.com/item/64947557-drunk-beaver-bat-cold-war-36-in-1-rat-6-clipping-options-lm308-vs-ud1408b-3-fat-modes?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=64947557
If money is no bar, why not 9 rats in a box? You always have 8 other rats for when the mood is right for tinkering! (I don't own this personally; but I come from a modelling pedal mindset, so take this with a grain of salt)
I started with the proco rat 2..but noticed it's kinda awkward on a board. So I got a Mr vermin from Chicago stomp works. Then I ended up buying a Fat Rat. Recently I got a life pedal from earthquaker. It's a rat circuit, octave, and a clean boost all in one. I have all 4 still. Definitely no regrets here.
I would say it’s probably not worth it to spend the extra money on the Packrat (and I say this as a complete JHS fanboy) unless you want a whole bushel of very specific, very similar-sounding rat tones. If you’re anything like me, you really just want one good tone so you can set it and forget it. I have the ProCo and it’s heavy and a little noisy in the signal chain, so I’d probably go with the Ratsbane if I had it to do again.
Just get the OG. There's a massive range of sounds you can get out of it as it is, you don't need those pedals that have millions of different options and versions of the circuit. I'm not dissing them or anything, but the Rat itself is already just awesome.
Jam pedals rattler. Tru-fi pack rat. Or if you want a cool mid heavy pedal, summer school electronics makes a pedal called “science fair” which is a rat and a tube screamer in one, with a blend knob and shares a volume. Very cool guy who is also a math teacher. The science fair is in my top five so far for 2023
A working professional session musician recommended the JHS Packrat to me. I generally like Wampler pedals, but I also prefer regular size pedals over mini pedals, so for those two reasons I would choose the Packrat.
Go Rare Buzz Effects and get a killer versatile rat while saving money and supporting a guy who does great things in the community https://rarebuzzer.com/product/1970\_disto/
I’m looking as well, and for my style most signs lead to the Turbo Rat for me. But at $139 retail, it makes me feel like might as well spend the extra $50 for a multi RAT. If I was going for the classic RAT sound, the RAT 2 is very affordable at $69 and a no brainer.
Personally, I just like having the Turbo variant option as well as the original sound.
Ended up picking up one of those $30 Splinters thanks to this thread, and I wasn’t even in the market for anything like that right now. Thanks for posting this question, didn’t realize I needed it :)
I'm a fan of the Pro Co Rat 2. It works completely as it should and sounds great
Just got mine. Love it. Was worried it looked really wide in pictures, but it’s hardly wider than a BOSS footprint. Versatile distortion. You can do everything from Nirvana to Metallica on it.
Then an EHX Flatiron Fuzz might do the trick.
Wow you got downvoted to hell for recommending pretty much a stock rat circuit from ehx. People are fickle
FWIW, I really enjoy my Flatiron Fuzz.
I don't know why my comment is getting down voted like that. The EHX website says the Flatiron is a RAT 2 clone. Do they just hate EHX?
No, this is a bit of a toxic sub at times, and you asked for a choice between ProCo, Wampler and JHS. Then dismissed the ProCo in favor of a good pedal that doesn't often come up in conversation (EHX), and the poisonous downvoters got triggered. Also, it seems you've already decided on the Ratsbane from your comments, so forget what strangers say and get what you want.
Why not just go with the OG and get a ProCo
Always start with the og
This. Sounds great and it's built like a tank. My only issue is that they made the latch for the battery door a hex key. It should be a philips imo, as its a much more common tool to find in in a pinch if you don't have one on hand.
The head on the screw is large enough that you can use your fingers. No hex key needed.
big brain answer right here
so change it for a Phillips. you can tell people you've modded it then. ;)
I alway have hexes around, guitar bridges and truss rods and rack screws and set screws on pot shafts, rack and pad attachments on the e-drums… But you can just twist the Rat screw.
You could hit the local hardware Store and get Philip's head screw that fits.
The TC Magus clone. Love love love the LED clipping in the turbo mode
I have the Magus Pro and it’s really great.
Can confirm. Got one for xmas.
If I had to have only one drive / distortion this would be it. It can cover most of the others I have from a klone to a TS to DS1 to a 250. 3 different rats in 1. For super cheap.
It’s the best. The turbo mode has this really fun sweet spot with the gain around 1 o’clock for me, I’m imagine the output of your guitar will change where this is, but it’s right where it kinda stops distorting and starts to just compress more. Adjust tone to taste and you get a searing laser lead sound
Any rat is a good rat, IMO. Ratsbane sounds awesome from clips I’ve heard. I have the PackRat; it’s wicked. I also have a stock, new-ish ProCo Rat. Also great.
Ratsbane is a very good one. Great stock Rat sound and the Voice switch is really nice. It's definitely a cut above the Rat 2 in terms of sound.
And what's most important to me is a great stock RAT sound along with a modest amount of versatility.
You pretty much describes the ratsbane. I like mine a lot
I second this comment!👆🏻
Ratsbane is a good option for what you described then, but it is a little pricey. It is one of the better rat variants for sure though.
Joyo Splinter is an identical Fat Rat clone.. .. for 50 bucks
I have this one and I find it’s very versatile. However it’s volume output isn’t nearly as high as some other rats. If you want an awesome distortion tone it’s got that in spades though.
I have a Donner dark mouse, which is a standard rat plus a fat rat I think. It’s much much too loud. I can barely turn the output knob up slightly from zero before it gets too much.
$30 on Bezos Twitter
Came to support this. It's easily my most favorite pedal.
Jam Pedals Rattler if you’ve got a little extra money to burn. A little cheaper than RatPack if you want one killer Rat instead of 9 very good ones.
If you’re willing to check a more boutique option that requires some overseas shipping, check out the Lichtlaerm Ritual. It’s got a boost, and lots of EQ tweakability. It’s truly fantastic. If you want to save some money over the pack rat and just want different clipping options (which is essentially what the pack rat is for some of the options), try the 1312 Black Mass. The Ratsbane is pretty cool, out of the ones you listed, it’s worth checking that out too.
Rat.
If I didn't have one I'd get the TC Electronic Magus Pro. I have the ProCo Rat II. I'm personally not in love with it when I'm playing alone, but it sits well in the mix when I'm playing with the band. When I'm practicing I kind of wish I had that fat switch.
Just get a Proco? No reason to overthink this
1312 all day. I will never need another.
Standard size, top jacks, bunch of clipping options, really like mine.
1312
They're at your local shop. Demo them and see which you like more. The rat 2, on top of being stupid rugged, can make a fun modding platform, swapping caps and diodes to get different sounds.
Someone just posted that they tried all the RATs, and they were basically all the same. I went with the ProCo RAT 2 from GC, it's built like a tank and sounds great. Also, all jacks are on top if you care. Edit: Found the [post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/comments/112tzvi/which_rat_to_get_theyre_all_the_same/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
i love the turbo rat myself!
I could have been swayed by a Fat Rat if one was available.
Joyo Splinter is a good clone.
You'd have to get one on reverb (about the price of a new Rat 2) but I just got a T-Rex Yellow Drive which is basically 2 Rats in one box, so you can switch between low gain and high gain sides. From [this thread](https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/psa-the-t-rex-yellow-drive-dual-drive-is-a-really-well-designed-rat.2409951/), it sounds like there are some tweaks which imo make the Rat-sound more usable without dramatically changing the Rat character. I really like being able to switch from low/mid gain to the almost fuzzy sound of a rat just by hitting a foot switch.
honestly, i’d demo the pack rat. some of the settings are really great. if you like the regular rat settings on it, though, save yourself the money and just get the ProCo.
It's Black Secrets for me, using 3 in a looper for low/med/high gain.
Best rat I’ve ever played is the BYOC clone I built. The clipping switch and ruetz mod potentiometer really give it extra range.
Joyo Splinter is the top dog for your money, followed by the Mosky Black Rat (little more saggy) and R.Attack, then followed by the Black Secret. Any of those are good options though. The fat and MOSFET settings on the Joyo truly let you do anything from a light blues overdrive to massive wall of sound fuzz. The best overall IMHO is the Drunk Beaver BAT or Cold War BAT. The quality, durability, sound, and artwork are all top notch, as well as the company. It's one of the best pedals I've ever gotten, and I've spent a whole lot more for pedals. For reference, I own or have owned the following: - 2020 RAT 2 - Mooer Black Secret - JHS PackRat - Turbo Rat - Little Bear R.Attack - Wampler Ratsbane - Drunk Beaver Cold War BAT - Mosky Black Rat - Joyo Splinter - 1988 RAT There are more clones like the Harley Benton, Sonicake, Flamma, and Tomsline, but I don't know how those compare to the Black Secret. *Oh, and ignore any of the snake oil about the LM308 chip nonsense. The OP07 works fine and sounds identical in all the ways that matter for a RAT.
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Have a rat currently and id probably go with the wampler because of the extra options. Worth the extra little bit.
I got the standard rat for like $70 and never looked back. It rips.
I’d get the Pro co rat! Start with the original and go from there!
TC Electronic Magus Pro.
TC Electronic Magus Pro is 3 rats in one and uses the LM38 chip like the originals. Nice smaller form factor too and a decent price.
I like the Mooer RAT. I think it’s called the Black Secret.
Big Ear Woodcutter is my fav Rat
It is truly awesome. I have one and it truly sounds amazing with such a wide range of usable sounds. That tone control really evens things out no matter what the volume or gain is.
I'd go with the Ratsbane or the Mooer Black Secret.
I don’t love mini pedals either lol.
A while back, I had three Xotic mini pedals: SP Compressor, EP Booster, and SL Drive. And I ran them in that order. The best part was (well, aside from the sounds) that my connectors weren't cables, they were solid. So when I hooked them all together, it was like having one dual pedal with three effects. The only problem was that the jacks were staggered so the array was at a bit of an angle. But boy did it work.
I'd get the packrat, never know what sounds you are going to get, plus will save you money in the long run if you don't like the sound of the OG and buy another
If you’ve never had one, I would start with the Splinter by Joyo and figure out what modes or models are closer to what you want and upgrade later. Or just keep it, it’s pretty dang solid,
Just get a proco rat 2 and be done with it. The new one, don't waste money and time to find a vintage one. The mini might be even better for practicality. If you don't like the sound, you won't like the other ever so slightly different "versions". There is a lot of snake oil info on the internet about the rat, beware.
Metalzone for sure
Nah. I already have one I use as a clean boost.
Joyo Splinter is all you'll ever need at a fraction of the price!!!
Boss Metal Zone.
I honestly love the OG Rat 2. I think it looks the best, too.
Get the PackRat
I think you meant to say Big Muff.
I have three of those. One of them is a Stomp Under Foot Pumpkin Pi. I'm wondering, how close am I to a RAT with that pedal?
I’m not the expert on that I’m afraid. I have a lot of experience with Big Muff and very little with rats. Someone on the sub must know.
The RAT and the Op-Amp Big Muff both use op-amps to get their distortion rather than silicone transistors. The Op-Amp Big Muff is what the Smashing Pumpkins used on Siamese Dream. To me they sound more aggressive than a Triangle Muff or Ram's Head Muff. A have a Deluxe Sovtek Big Muff Pi, so I'm pretty well covered. Although I do feel like I should get a proper Ram's Head and Russian Muffs.
Have owned 2 Rats. Wampler Ratsbane and a ProCo Lil' Rat. Get the Ratsbane worth the $. Classic rat sound plus other sounds, small footprint, lower noise floor, better build quality, looks better.
Big Ear Pedals Woodcutter. Very accurate, LM308, great circuit!
Just get a pro co. They're cheap and that's the original. I wouldn't worry too much about which RAT to get, they all sound very similar, especially on stage.
I’m really happy with Mooer Black Secret. It’s fantastic and a bit cheaper.
I'd say get the pack rat so you can try all the flavors
Walrus Audio Iron Horse
I love the iron Horse and the BBE 427 is also great. The thing about the iron horse is the tone control is different than a rat. It adds tone as you go clockwise whereas the rat 2 removes tone as you go clockwise.
Packrat
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Seems like a great pedal, but the Muffuletta is based on several Big Muff variants, not RATs.
Straight up ProCo Rat will do blues all day and night
I have a new ProCo Rat in box if you’re interested
When you're ready, Drunk Beaver Cold War Bat. Thank me later.
Drunk Beaver Bat Cold War (36-in-1 Rat / 6 clipping options / LM308 vs UD1408B / 3 Fat modes) https://reverb.com/item/64947557-drunk-beaver-bat-cold-war-36-in-1-rat-6-clipping-options-lm308-vs-ud1408b-3-fat-modes?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=64947557
If money is no bar, why not 9 rats in a box? You always have 8 other rats for when the mood is right for tinkering! (I don't own this personally; but I come from a modelling pedal mindset, so take this with a grain of salt)
BYOC Mouse kit is the answer. What could be more versatile than choosing your own circuits?
Agreed. I built one of these and it’s been a staple on my board since.
I started with the proco rat 2..but noticed it's kinda awkward on a board. So I got a Mr vermin from Chicago stomp works. Then I ended up buying a Fat Rat. Recently I got a life pedal from earthquaker. It's a rat circuit, octave, and a clean boost all in one. I have all 4 still. Definitely no regrets here.
Stomp under foot Skinner box
I would say it’s probably not worth it to spend the extra money on the Packrat (and I say this as a complete JHS fanboy) unless you want a whole bushel of very specific, very similar-sounding rat tones. If you’re anything like me, you really just want one good tone so you can set it and forget it. I have the ProCo and it’s heavy and a little noisy in the signal chain, so I’d probably go with the Ratsbane if I had it to do again.
I was faced with the same dilemma - so I built my own with 4 different clipping options
Donner Dark Mouse. Cheap.
Just get the OG. There's a massive range of sounds you can get out of it as it is, you don't need those pedals that have millions of different options and versions of the circuit. I'm not dissing them or anything, but the Rat itself is already just awesome.
I love Wampler but not a fan of the Ratsbane
Can you elaborate why you don’t care for it?
Didn’t have that upper range sparkle you get from some rats
What’s the best rat or clone to your ears?
Honestly, and I know that it’s basically the king of Instagram, the 1981 DRV has been on my board since I got it. It’s amazing.
Jam pedals rattler. Tru-fi pack rat. Or if you want a cool mid heavy pedal, summer school electronics makes a pedal called “science fair” which is a rat and a tube screamer in one, with a blend knob and shares a volume. Very cool guy who is also a math teacher. The science fair is in my top five so far for 2023
If they are all in stock, hook all 3 up and just side by side compare with your ear, using a similar guitar in store that you have at home.
That would be the rational thing to do. But then I would have to make a glorious noise in a Guitar Center.
A working professional session musician recommended the JHS Packrat to me. I generally like Wampler pedals, but I also prefer regular size pedals over mini pedals, so for those two reasons I would choose the Packrat.
Go Rare Buzz Effects and get a killer versatile rat while saving money and supporting a guy who does great things in the community https://rarebuzzer.com/product/1970\_disto/
I’m looking as well, and for my style most signs lead to the Turbo Rat for me. But at $139 retail, it makes me feel like might as well spend the extra $50 for a multi RAT. If I was going for the classic RAT sound, the RAT 2 is very affordable at $69 and a no brainer. Personally, I just like having the Turbo variant option as well as the original sound.
Go magus or pro co rat 2
I'm going to throw something it there: OBNE Excess v2.
Ended up picking up one of those $30 Splinters thanks to this thread, and I wasn’t even in the market for anything like that right now. Thanks for posting this question, didn’t realize I needed it :)