NPD: Yellow (Rat) Fever

[Jaguar018]

Saw someone post one of these on Reddit, and because I am an impulsive twit, I had to have one too. It took like two days to get here from Japan (via FedEx) I had a red one a year or two ago. These Ikebe Rats, made in China, are cool, but I feel like they are a little more fizzy than the vintage ones.

[marqueemoon]

[Maggieo]

That's just wrong.

[stevejamsecono]

[stevejamsecono]

Admittedly I've very much changed my tune on Rats since I started playing a Vox and got my unmarked Mr. Vermin. The two things were made for each other.

[Jaguar018]

That's just wrong.

Oh, like you’ve never become transfixed by a piece of regular gear that comes in a quirky color? If these came in a nice shade of green I’d probably own three of them and get some WF Rat guts rehoused.

Admittedly I've very much changed my tune on Rats since I started playing a Vox and got my unmarked Mr. Vermin. The two things were made for each other.

I have a Chicago Stompworks unmarked DOD 250. I like their stuff, but after trying a few clones (one of which I still have), I have gone back to the source: ProCo Rats. I love the aesthetic.

As for the sound... Vox eh? Yeah. I don’t really jive with Vox amps— it’s that whole “other players sound great with them but not me” deals. I just play with Fender amps and Rats sound great to me, mostly with my Jag, but also with my Kramer and Les Paul. Rats, like their rodent inspiration, are tough and versatile. I know the Rat Haterz hear cheesy metal and fizzy crap with Rats, but they’ve always been top-top for my needs.

[ElephantDNA]

Admittedly I've very much changed my tune on Rats since I started playing a Vox and got my unmarked Mr. Vermin. The two things were made for each other.

Damn I just ordered and got the CSW red llama clone (sounds good) and was on the fence about ordering that one too. Very difficult for me to continue to hold out after that comment! I have too much dirt though...one of life's biggest questions here. Can you have enough dirt pedals?

[Jaguar018]

One of life's biggest questions here. Can you have enough dirt pedals?

From the guy who just received like his seventh or eighth version of more or less the same pedal (I currently already have 2) clearly the answer is "NO." I believe everyone should at least try a Rat. Whether or not it will add that magic spice is up in the air, but chances are it will be fun to find out.

[Shadoweclipse13]

One of life's biggest questions here. Can you have enough dirt pedals?

From the guy who just received like his seventh or eighth version of more or less the same pedal (I currently already have 2) clearly the answer is "NO." I believe everyone should at least try a Rat. Whether or not it will add that magic spice is up in the air, but chances are it will be fun to find out.

I've never played a real RAT, so I can't compare, but since you love the circuit I'm wondering if you've ever played an Arc Effects Soothsayer or a Magnetic Effects Lonely Robot. I've currently got a Lonely Robot and it's a very versatile circuit. The EQ alone is extremely interactive and unique.

[Jaguar018]

I'm wondering if you've ever played an Arc Effects Soothsayer or a Magnetic Effects Lonely Robot. I've currently got a Lonely Robot and it's a very versatile circuit. The EQ alone is extremely interactive and unique.

I haven't played either of those pedals. I'd like to claim that I have an orthodox fealty to ProCo Rat pedals, but I confess that I have strayed from the path of righteousness. At one point I had Freakshow Brown Rabbit and at another, a Smart People Factory Red Threat (which I *think* was also a Rat variation?). Anyway, two more 'boutique' pedal brands that have gone extinct. I totally remember watching Just Nick's gushing review of the Soothsayer and gassing for one, but... eh... ultimately it's just another Rat clone, and I can get most of those sounds with the stuff I have.

[stevejamsecono]

Admittedly I've very much changed my tune on Rats since I started playing a Vox and got my unmarked Mr. Vermin. The two things were made for each other.

I have a Chicago Stompworks unmarked DOD 250. I like their stuff, but after trying a few clones (one of which I still have), I have gone back to the source: ProCo Rats. I love the aesthetic.

As for the sound... Vox eh? Yeah. I don’t really jive with Vox amps— it’s that whole “other players sound great with them but not me” deals. I just play with Fender amps and Rats sound great to me, mostly with my Jag, but also with my Kramer and Les Paul. Rats, like their rodent inspiration, are tough and versatile. I know the Rat Haterz hear cheesy metal and fizzy crap with Rats, but they’ve always been top-top for my needs.
[/quote]

I felt the same way about Voxes for a long time until I got my AC15 and realized that the Top Boost channel was the source of all evils. Loving the Normal channel on it now after years on other things. Sounds killer with my Telecaster.

[stevejamsecono]

Admittedly I've very much changed my tune on Rats since I started playing a Vox and got my unmarked Mr. Vermin. The two things were made for each other.

Damn I just ordered and got the CSW red llama clone (sounds good) and was on the fence about ordering that one too. Very difficult for me to continue to hold out after that comment! I have too much dirt though...one of life's biggest questions here. Can you have enough dirt pedals?

They certainly seem like a good source of well-made popular circuits. Admittedly I've only played two version of the Rat, a stock Rat 2 that I got about ten years ago that seemed to have an overexaggerated version of the filter control that went from woofy crap to ear-piercing, and this one which the filter doesn't have as wide of a range. That being said, where it DOES go seems to fit my setup perfectly so I have no complaints, and I got one without the art which was nice and cheap.