Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

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cowie86
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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by cowie86 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:01 am

I've not tried one myself but the Mooer Black Secret is a vintage Rat clone that's cheap and tiny. Contains the LM308 chip that is apparently the secret ingredient in vintage Rats and also has a mini toggle to make it sound more like the Turbo Rat if that's more your thang.

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elektrovac
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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by elektrovac » Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:05 pm

Please forgive me for mentioning my own products here, but I think I have something which fits the OP's bill:

The Old Black Shoe is evolved from a Dist+, but replaces the opamp for a 'tin can' LM308 (of RAT fame) and adds a subtle tone control which gently bleeds off only the most harsh highs. The pedal feature an improved low-end response and a hybrid silicon/germanium clipping arrangement for more volume and a tighter, punchier sound. Mick Harvey used it for the recent PJ Harvey tour.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/oldblackshoe

The Germanium Dirt pedals is the same, but the hybrid clipping is replaced for four germanium diodes. This is twice as many as in a vintage Dist+ and it raises the output level (clips "later") - but still leaves the potential for a massive amount of distortion.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/germaniumdirt

Finally the new 'Wine and Roses' Steve Wynn signature pedal is basically the two above models packed in a two-in-one pedal (the tin-can LM308s replaced with regular 'DIP8' LM308N versions.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/wineandroses

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spiffy chap
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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by spiffy chap » Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:08 pm

Mojambo wrote:
Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:13 pm
spiffy chap wrote:
Wed Feb 07, 2018 3:28 pm
Way Huge Fat Sandwich is RAT inspired as is the TREX Yellow Drive and Mudhoney. The Freakshow FX started as BYOC RAT boards and then shifted to their own.
I think you're right...Fat rhymes with Rat, doesn't it?
Yes, general consensus on a few forums that cater to more DIY pedals.

I think the metal can LM is hype when it comes to the RAT circuit. I personally own a 1979 Tone knob RAT and it is the best version I’ve owned, but it doesn’t have a meta can and it is for sure original.

Also, have many pictures saved from auctions of other Tone knob RAT’s which had the standard LM chip.

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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by Mojambo » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:15 am

elektrovac wrote:
Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:05 pm
Please forgive me for mentioning my own products here, but I think I have something which fits the OP's bill:

The Old Black Shoe is evolved from a Dist+, but replaces the opamp for a 'tin can' LM308 (of RAT fame) and adds a subtle tone control which gently bleeds off only the most harsh highs. The pedal feature an improved low-end response and a hybrid silicon/germanium clipping arrangement for more volume and a tighter, punchier sound. Mick Harvey used it for the recent PJ Harvey tour.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/oldblackshoe

The Germanium Dirt pedals is the same, but the hybrid clipping is replaced for four germanium diodes. This is twice as many as in a vintage Dist+ and it raises the output level (clips "later") - but still leaves the potential for a massive amount of distortion.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/germaniumdirt

Finally the new 'Wine and Roses' Steve Wynn signature pedal is basically the two above models packed in a two-in-one pedal (the tin-can LM308s replaced with regular 'DIP8' LM308N versions.

https://www.reusseffects.com/products/wineandroses
Thanks, I'll check it out.

As an update, I've got my hands on a DOD 250 and it is AWESOME. I just wish it gave a little control over the amount of bass and treble, as it tends to add a substantial amount of both at the lower-gain settings. The search isn't over by any means but I know for certain that I'm on the right trail.

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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by Paco » Sat Mar 17, 2018 12:46 pm

The Trex Mudhoney is a great take on the Rat circuit, and getting to the sweet spots it's really easy compared to the rat. I have an 87' RAT 2 that sings, but I always end up picking the Mudhoney ::)

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Re: Old school distortion pedals (and modern variants)

Post by green_mario » Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:16 am

Mojambo wrote:
Wed Feb 07, 2018 9:05 am
Set low they can work as a slightly dirty boost, set higher they give a gritty and bright medium gain tone. Full on they're basically almost fuzz--this is the type of sound I'm after.
from what I've heard, the colorsound overdriver (and clones of it) fit this description really well. I've been meaning to pick one up forever but still haven't gotten around to it..
Very glued and greasy reverb sound

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