Keep or Sell: Proco RAT 2

On my journey to try as much classic gear as possible it was time to come face to face with the rodent; The Proco RAT 2. Used by many artists on countless records, there's no doubting this is a true classic. I thought I knew what a RAT style pedal was like, that was until I tried one...

[TheRealUnknownMusician]

I bought a Rat 2 on the advice of a friend over thirty years ago. I’ll never sell it. I find I can travel with it and get sounds I like from any amp, even crappy little ones.
I like raunchy loud trebly blues outbursts and dimed feedback noise craziness. It does both well which helps make up for my terrible playing.
The durability of the thing is astounding. The switch started acting up over ten years ago. If I don’t use it for awhile, I have to activate it on and off more than a few times to get it to work properly. I’ve been meaning to open it up and clean the switch but haven’t really had to.
It’s been knocked around lots, pots still work fine…. amazing.
When the battery starts losing power, I can get some unique, over-limited (?) bonkers sounds and the character of the distortion changes. I keep low batteries around for this purpose.
Nice to know there’s such a thing as an adapter for the DC input. Of course there is! Silly me.

Thanks for the video.

[deathmetal]

Got one back in October. Have tried other pedals but this is one I plan on keeping for good.

[RoberNava]

I use RAT 2 for everything with amp sims. As you mention, somethings it does need an eq. But, since the output is compress it can be set very aggresive with no cliping. By the way, love the name of your channel

[vividvulpe]

Sounds good to me! I happen to have a MXR Distortion + that I use through my little Vox AC10. I suppose a RAT would also be a great alternative for a distortion pedal.

[bsquare]

I have a 1978 Rat version 1-a (with the fringe logo). Only a few hundred were made before proco made changes. I don't ever use it, in fact its still in the original box since my dad bought new. It's still in same mint condition as it was when it left the factory. Its such a cool thing, I look at it like a museum piece I cant get myself to use it.
Sell or keep?

[etherlords]

Here's the thing, if you already have RAT, don't let it go, it's the modern day TS808. If you haven't purchased it, you have options to try out! I have it and I'm not gonna sell it ever! It has it's own charm and that simple filter knob is pretty awesome!

[WhoDaFoksThatGuy]

Would you recommend the Rat or SD-1 to pair with the Distortion+? I’ve heard that the Rat is more versatile and I can get a better fitting tone, especially for metal. But I’ve also heard similar for the SD1.

I play Death, Iron Maiden, King Diamond, etc. for reference. I have a feeling the SD1 will fit me more but I’m not sure.

[charlesrubitschung]

You can also do Doom Metal with a Pro Co Rat pedal

[Callumpower]

What power adapter do I need to convey the dc cable to ?

[choadcityusa]

i think the rat 2 is becoming over rated now and shittier quality. i have two rats that are a few years apart and sound totally different from one another. paired with a fuzz pedal both are great, but the newest one is way too shrill, loose, flubby. the older one is warmer, more compressed. idk, i had the deucetone rat, that one was pretty rad, cascading clean rat setting into the YDR was my favorite, i need to get it again. or atleast just YDR.

[djc]

IMO for my style of music majority of the distortion knob is overkill and obnoxious. If i keep it around 9 oclock or even a smidge lower i can make it work with my set up. That's why its a mainstay on my board

[djc]

sounds too dark and muddy increase the treble on the filter sweep. Amazing how other guitar players have different ear taste in tone

[andrewsmall]

Sell. Distortion pedals into clean amps sound bush league compared to boosted high gain amps.