| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
 Posted - 09/19/2008 : 10:36:21
|
hi guys,
im thinking of buying one of these. i know NOTHING about them except a few guitarists i like use them.
apparently, from crunchy, tubey kind of kinks-esque snarls, to super distorted sounds are achieveable.
would anyone care to say whether this is true?
cheers, plucker |
Edited by - happyplucker on 09/19/2008 10:37:06 |
|
|
visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 11:49:20
|
Yes this is all true.
It can do a clean boost, the sound of a Boss OD-1, from then on it can go to extremes as well.
The pedal is very very dynamic. Probably the most dynamic distortionpedal I can think of. Almost feels like a valve amp.
Both the Rat and the one with the LED do sound similar.
Never tried an old one, I guess mine are from the early 2000s, but from reviews it seems that they have not changed their sound.
The Kinks sound? Well it depends from which period you are looking at.
I think the XT-2 with its Vox sound can get you close to that early KInks sound. |
 |
|
|
happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 14:15:15
|
| cheers for that. i was referring to the early kinks sound. apparently the rough tones were created by slicing the speaker with a razor. not sure how true this is mind! |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 15:52:35
|
I heard that about the Kinks too... Like to see the speaker cab today 
Anyway - i have 3 Rats in my collection. I wouldn't say they would give a "Kinks' type sound, but they will give a rough drivey kind of sound. Hard to describe - best to find a shop with one and give it a go...
|
|
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 16:11:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by happyplucker
cheers for that. i was referring to the early kinks sound. apparently the rough tones were created by slicing the speaker with a razor. not sure how true this is mind!
Hi happyplucker & Guys
I read an article in an old 70's rock magazine,
They interviewed Richie Blackmore from Deep Purple,
he mad a simlar statment, about cutting the edges of the cones, to get a buzzing-Fuzzy-Distortion sound.
It was all regarding the fact, that back then all the Amp designers were trying to eliminate distortion in thier desins,
It seems ironic doesn't it.
The Engineer that mentored me during the early parts of my career, was a Tube amp designer, he designed one of the well know Australian brands of Tube Guitar amps.
His original first Guitar amp designs, were Awesome almost distortion free, Ultra-linear transformer output stages.
And Yeap, he had no Idea why, they couldn't sell any.
He is a quick study & amended his HiFi Low distortion thinking & designs.
Sure enough, the amps started to roll out the factory doors.
This was all during the times when all Engineers & designers were taught to go to unbelievable lengths & designs to minimize, possibly eliminate distortion.
But he shakes his head in disbelief, when he comes over for & visit,
& I show him yet another type of distortion - dirt pedal. 
I think, maybe I went a little off topic?
Regards Dr. Bob. |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 09/19/2008 16:13:14 |
|
|
|
Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 16:46:40
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
I think, maybe I went a little off topic?
No, that just proves that one man's overload is another man's blessing.  |
|
|
|
FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2008 : 17:41:11
|
Good story Doc.... just a quick one about ritchie blackmore as far as i know he used an old reel to reel tape recorder as a pre amp for his 200 watt Marshall Major... ..Mick Ronson called his Major "the pig"....... |
|
|
|
StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2008 : 22:35:40
|
The RAT is my favorite distortion pedal ever made, aside from the OD-1 of course. its just a mean sounding tough son of a bitch. i would say its not even comparable to any certain Boss pedal as it has its own voice. it slightly reminds me of the Digitech Grunge but not quite as harsh (which is good)..
Note: dont buy into the other editions of the RAT.. i think theres some kind of "double rat" pedal or something,i find it it doesnt compare to the original.
|
|
|
|
happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2008 : 10:31:52
|
excellent guys. thanks for all the input. i'll get down the the rip off music shop for a tryout, then back home to ebay to purchase if i like it.
excellent news! |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
pro co rat
