GEAR REVIEW
DEUCETONE RAT AND LIL ’ RAT | Steve Sattler
• Signature RAT sound
• 100 % all-analog signal path
• Military-spec glass-epoxy circuit board
• Industrial grade footswitches , knobs , and jacks
The ProCo RAT is arguably one of the most popular distortion guitar effect pedals ever created , right up there with such venerable stomp boxes as the Ibanez Tube Screamer and the BOSS DS-1 . If you are a guitar player , chances are you have owned or at least played through a RAT distortion pedal at least once in your career .
KEY FEATURES
Since it was originally created back in 1978 , the RAT has evolved from a single , hand-built prototype into a family of versatile guitar effect pedals and has been in continuous production for almost fifty years . During that time , there have been many different RAT variations with many different components and features . Actually , the RAT brand has been owned by several different companies over the years including ProCo , RapcoHorizon and ACT Entertainment , which currently offers a full range of authentic RAT pedals . Included among these are the Deucetone RAT and Lil ’ RAT , which sit at either end of the current RAT product line-up . More on those two stompboxes later , but first , a little background .
Back in 1978 , the original design goal of the RAT was to create a brand-new distortion sound that would cut through the mix on stage without being too over the top . The signature RAT sound , which was discovered purely by accident , is produced by a single op-amp and a variable-gain circuit with silicon diodes that short the output to ground , thereby clipping the source material . The key to the RAT ’ s signature sound is that the circuits ’ op-amp circuit is run at such a high rate that it starts distorting even before the signal hits the diodes resulting in a clipping effect . As it was discovered , clipping the diodes allows the guitarist to create complex harmonic effects ranging from low gain distortion to heavy fuzz , all in a single guitar effect pedal .
While there have been many different RAT variations created over the years , almost all share some common features including a 100 % all-analog signal path ; military-spec glass-epoxy circuit board housed in a virtually indestructible steel enclosure ; heavy-duty , industrial grade footswitches , knobs , and jacks ; an easy to see on / off LED indicator ; a sloped face for easy switching ; an AC jack ; and a “ no tools required ” battery compartment .
70 January 2024 Subscribe for Free ...