ProCo Rat distortion pedal shootout, current version versus 90's Vintage Reissue guitar effects demo

[boddumblues]

I had a RAT 2 for years and did gainstacking with Marsahll BB-1.

I tried the Turbo rat in hope of better gain, but couldn't take the lack of definition.

I don't remember too well, but both rats had to go because i couldn't get the topend/definition

that I wanted, they are distortion/fuzz boxes and not overdrives.

But if you can play loud and use the rats as boosters with grit, I think you can make kickass noises :-)

[IllStayGoldForever22]

I have a high gain tube amp, could this be used to boost my distorted channel or would that just be too much? I'm in need of a good overdrive pedal. suggestions?

[dicksatan]

I like the old one. New one sounded a bit muddier.

[TheAcousticFrenzy]

i was really looking forward to your opinion through the entire video, i'm heart broken.

[74997499b]

The RAT2 is the better sounding of the two here, but the '85 whiteface reissue RAT sounds better than both of these.

[BidleyThePirate]

I actually prefer the newer one, tone seemed to have more body.

[joshboitnott]

He sounds like Jack Black

[HaywirePictures]

@joshboitnott oh my god he totally does...what if he actually is????

[joshboitnott]

@HaywirePictures He does play guitar. He's in a band "Tenacious D"

[MegaFenderstrat]

It seems to me like the newer one has a little more mids.

[CacheSeaker]

Joe Walsh uses the Rat, therefore I shall use the Rat. Simple as that

[coyotl18]

the newer model has more of a boost and a lower end, while the tone on the older one is deeper, but you would need to turn up the volume in order to get that certain chunck that the new one can give. I personally have the new one but I like them both especially when you play mine with a gretsch electromatic ;) my tele doesn't sound bad through it at all either though :)

[SkankerxD]

I preffer the newer :O

[Aerosmitty77]

What the hell are Ratt standing next to on that poster???

[xPsuedo]

i like them both actually. they have their own character. i would imagine the one on the right to be better with single coils, and the one on the left would sound better with humbuckers.

[AlterEgoEffectors]

Cool pedals

[jordidwdw]

i have an old one it isnt a reissue i dont think it is an old 80's one is still works sounds good and i in great condition :)))))

[666tonybones]

is that jack black???

[MrHatandClogs42]

@666tonybones This sounds like something he would have done while being in the " School of Rock" movie.

[funkynektaria]

i like the one on the right

[jfrizzlle]

New one has more low end, I like more low end. They're both different though, and good

[Archie4]

I think I'd use the newer model, because I like the more intense sound, the low-end to it. I'm looking for a more shredding sound, though.

[bleachfreakchris]

jack black dude!

[JBiggsNewJersey]

Very cool man, great review, playing, and shoes! I actually like the new one more, who'd've guessed.

[74997499b]

@JBiggsNewJersey

I agree, but the '85 whiteface RAT sounds better than both of these.

[lordofthemetal1]

which one do i like better...( shows ratt poster)... ahhhh! pure comedy

[ManBearPigInc]

I heard Metallica used these on Kill 'Em All way back when

[DaveElectric]

@ManBearPigInc I also heard the DM band Obituary uses these through a cranked up Marshall.

[Nogginator]

far out now you gave it away definitely jack black

[MrSuperCort]

good  boots

[kidificationable]

This is DEFINANTLY, DEFINANTLY DEFINANTLY Jack Black!!!! at 0:36 you can tell straight away b how he describes everything!

[tchimmerroks]

They sound the same to me except the newer version is more in-your-face. Both sound good, if I had to choose, I'd probably go with the more laid back, vintage model.

[DementedSquirel]

I prefer the proco rat 2 to be honest

[sknnyjns1]

alright jack black... literally the same voice.

[indieclock]

love my 90s bigbox reissue - never had a small stock one but DID have a Keeley RAT... the keeley was ok but not worth the extra $ imo

[letsgetcarriedaway]

The newer one sounds muddier and woofier. The 90s one has a lot more clarity and is not so muddy.

[modalmood]

@ddos411 I concur. The vintage box sounds warmer and fuzzier than the new version. The new one is more crunchy. I guess it depends on what you like. Both sound incredible. And GMD is SUCH Jack Black (jk). Actually if you've seen him walking around the Dallas Guitar show taking video, the fact that he isn't MOBBED is evidence that he is, in fact, NOT Jack Black (though I'm sure that won't put an end to the rumor!)

[tbirdpunk]

I miss my Rat pedals, unfortunately they all sound so similar to eachother there is no real point  in having more than one.

[danakerman]

@tbirdpunk Huh??? Did you even watch this video?? The two pedals sound so different from each other it was like they should have had different names! They might as well have been made by different companies!

[tbirdpunk]

@danakerman Um. I don't need a video to tell me anything, I owned them. I sold all of them because the difference in tone imo was so minimal it wasn't worth owning a wide variety of them.

[testedpuddle]

Is that Jack Black? haha

[silvergun83]

I owned the vintage version few years ago...great pedal, still don't know why I sold it...

[skurtix]

That ain't a Rat, THIS IS A RAT.. Oh wait, that's a rat too.. well, go on.

[nihilnoise]

i think i like the vintage one better, but they definitely sound different

[GhostOfAE]

Man I love your demos, GMD. Also, this is weird. I usually find the vintage ones sound better, but to my ears the one on the right sounds incredible by comparison. Interesting..

[desr2395]

you are so jack black hahahaha

[claudiotube83]

I really like the 90s era Rat, but I just got the new one, what a great distortion!! If you notice, the New version is more bright than the 90s era, I think both are great, it's very personal what it's sound better to your hear!!! Great demo, good job :) thanks for upload...

[MonkeyRiffs]

i like the Rat 2 by far, much more my style i guess

[SilverFoo79]

New one for sure. I don't know what ppl think they are hearing.. but the new one has more midrange and is clearer. The old one is wayyyy more scooped and tinny sounding. To each their own! Good video though!

[vinny1577]

@SilverFoo79 I agree. THat is EXACTLY what I thought as well. Maybe the 90s era sounds good in other settings, but in this demo, I definitely favor the newer RAT.

[mikemunyon1]

you sound like jack black hahahaha

[shango02005]

The only difference I hear is the re-issue sounds more "vintage", and the newer one sounds scooped and thinner. Enough tweeking, and you could get them to sound pretty close, maybe? Idk... Don't like either enough to justify buying right now anyway.

Rock on GMD!!

[ddos411]

Decent sounding Rat it sounds like "I'm on the nightrain. Ready to crash and burn. I never learn."

[dnnysrock]

@ddos411 wich one? :S nightarin' wich rat

[ddos411]

@dnnysrock big box version, its warmer. small box a bit harsh imho.

[mashaiam]

I own Vantage Rat. Hands down it's better then the recent made in China Rat 2

[Ncuab]

90's Vintage Reissue (left) - warmer, smoother

Recent version (right) - a little harsher, rat'ier, and slightly louder

***as always, it depends on what other gear you're using, how all of your gear complements/works against each other, what sound you're looking for, how it feels, and what you're willing to pay***

[ChablesMan]

I dig the newer one way more.

[logen99999]

my favorite thing about these videos is the white coily cable. :)

[joshie4330]

The newer one sounds like there is a blanket over the amp. The older one kills it.

[kanirip]

(Yes, It's all subjective, one man's meat is another man's poison, etc, but) IF YOU LIKE THE NEWER ONE YOU ARE AN ASS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU

[bigskymind81]

i like them both!!!

[DemoColorScheme]

Definitely the newer one for me. Like others have said; fatter, more punch, more balls. The 90ies one sounds rather fizzy and, indeed, scooped.

[jonw82]

jack black snuck into his house and did this review for us

[nickpoker]

Smell it



[PierreAndreJacques]

I think I'm the only one here who liked the sound of the vintage better, however, I use it on bass and dont need the fatter sound. I concede the new one sounds better on guitar. I still use the one I bought new in '87 and have thought of buying a new rat because I painted mine in dark purple with green glitter mixed into the paint and kinda want that classic black look back.

[TomMunster]

I love my Rat to bits but I never ever use the filter knob.

[bluesfuse]

I got an 86 rat, I love it!

[gibsonjammer1]

I like the new one the best, fatter,

[mateo2006]

Newer rat seems smoother, fatter. Vintage reissue seems brighter and grittier. Older isn't always better. Of course, right tool for the situation trumps all else.

[Ianasauras]

Ratt are awesome!

[Ianasauras]

Ratt are awesome!

[Maxx61]

One thing I wish would have been done here is to see if the older RAT's scooped tone could have been dialed out to more closely match the modern version. If so, I'd prefer the more stout USA version knowing I could dime the newbie's tone. Without any adjustment of the tone knob, the newbie definitely sounds creamier.

[jp6l6]

 The current Rat seems to sound fatter and better

[mverdi9]

nice demo, thanks.

[TheLiam01]

The older one sounds scooped, which I don't really like. I prefer the newer one.

[m0joGriffin]

How about that, years of honing the circuit and improving on everything made it sound... better... what a surprise!

The sarcasm applies because in general guitarist somehow think it's the opposite with everything guitar-related.

[nadibs]

Were all Rat!

[xxNailFirexx]

the 90's vintage oe sounds scooped

[BiblePit]

Great demo!

[soundsickness]

Ok, I was looking for a late 1980's RATwith LM308N chip, haven't heard that one(and don't know the exacts differences between that on and this big box reissue) but after watching this video I'll stick to my beloved RAT 2. Thanks for posting this.

[WoWandMetalFTW]

These are great pedal demos, but with no disrespect, I never am to fond of the dry amp setup lol

[reditreefrogs]

@WoWandMetalFTW I use a Plexi amp that's a loud dry signal with no effects...The amp turned past 6 is tube saturation and bottom end sound...I am forced to use pedals to improve the loud dry signal...I use

Holly Grail reverb, EVH Phase 90, EVH flange, GHS Brownie, Metal Muff & Top boost, MXR Dist.2, Digitec Death Metal, Boss Super OD, Zoom G1, to name a few and switch around for differant sounds...

I am waiting on the Rat 2 pedal...Gearmandude and Tone King have helped doing demos!

[RoShr89]

thanks for ur demos Jack (y)

[jdaa79]

Thanks Gearmanndude! Have been searching for a vintage rat to try before purchasing one of these two bad boys. The new one IMO blows away the old one. I'm shocked (and relieved) that I won't have to shell out for the old one!

[mverdi9]

@jdaa79 Just an aside, the build quality of the two (as in usa vs china) is massive. I've had both, the newer chinese still has the strong casing, but CAN NOT withstand a beating to the same extent as an older model. I'm not great with electronics but the interior of the two are night and day, serious. If you don't plan on beating it to death with gigs, the china will do okay.

[8bigtubes]

Definitely the newer one. Hands down winner IMO!

The older version has overly piercing highs and sounds thinner than the newer version.

[JordanPemberton]

Bridge pickup: Smell it. Taste it. Be it

[tony93666]

I actually prefer the new one

[andy92811]

I was so disappointed when I bought the Rat 2, it dead right away. I took it back and bought the new Rat W/Face. Which is amazing.

[Schpudd]

@andy92811 i wasnt a fan of the rat whiteface at all, but each to their own right?

[LedZeppelinisgod100]

dr. z of.....afterlife.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

GEARMANDUDE FOREVAH.

[TheLoneAdvocator]

Good to see the Dr. Z back on its ass. It was lying down for awhile. What a lazy amp. Get that dude to stay up.

[JandTRockBand2]

Les Paul of death... Slayer should get one :D

[johanbeyl]

You sound kinda like Jack Black! Awesome!

[19ZoSo93]

The old one definitely sounds more smooth.. I would go with that one, but the new one sounds louder. But both sound pretty damn good.

Also, do you think you can look at the new pedals from Visual Sound? I think its like the GarageTone series or something.. They look pretty interesting, and are super cheap. Dunno if they are any good though.

[Visualundeath]

I much prefer the one on the right, mainly because its got some nice bassy growl to it.

[maynardblues]

Lot of cords going on there GMD! Loved it! I still love my Rat2!!! ROCK ON!!!

[ehowie]

Has anyone tried the '85 Whiteface Rat reissue yet?

[andy92811]

@ehowie It's a lot better than the cheap Rat 2, which died right after I bought it. I own it and love it, nice Marshally sound in a box.

[ehowie]

@andy92811 Cool, so its worth the extra money then? I have the vintage one, think its from '95 or '96 and I love it. I was surprised how versatile it was, it cleans up better than I thought it would.

[andy92811]

@ehowie It was worth the upgrade from the rat 2. I'm not familiar with the the vintage rat.

[barbwirebats]

The old one is smoother and better to my ears, new one is harsh but you still dialed in some cool meaty tones that the big box couldn't muster up , but a Keeley modded is the shazite! My 90's version has the Phat Rat, Might Mouse & Vintage Rat all in one killer big box with lots of killer sounds on tap. GREAT DEMO,, lets hear a Keeley modded one next time!

[caylepua]

I like the older one...

[xXNeoShredderXx]

The smaller one sounds better to me.

[MissingMars]

Hey Guitarmandude, if you ever decide to make a career change, may I suggest going into stand up comedy ....? Les Paul of death, Dr. Z of afterlife ..... bridge pick-up, smell it, taste it, ..... be it! BWHAHAHAHHAHA LMAO! The RATT poster was a nice capper!

[littlewing62]

new one has more bottom end but retains deffinition and edge.. new one for me..

[PapaKenny777]

they are different, the new has more balls thats for sure, more guts and midrange. Ratts are actually very versatile they can do a very nice cleanish boost.

[Vindrewski]

New one!!

[vanhalenkid]

Play some Ratt!

[thedayzed]

i like the older one 

[duankoboi]

i like the new one ! :D

[chase1410]

Very nice review GMD, that R9 is my favorite of your guitars, i got the current rat, its a pretty harsh distortion, but hey, that why its a rat!

[fdge]

def. the new one! 

[xeamus]

new one. all the way.

[jotakabe13]

Yep...new version rocks harder. It is nice to see that some things actually do progress in a nice way as time goes on. PS - @Oxidindigo, Ratt's "Slip of the Lip" was one of the first "guitar songs" that I ever liked. In retrospect, suck...probably. But they played a part in getting me here. :)

[WiiGamerof1995]

the current one has a stronger tone to me it soundsa little more solid

[oxidindigo]

p.s. ratt (the band) sucks. and reverb is cool. :P

[oxidindigo]

old version, to me, has more character and is more balanced. new one has more presence and heavier mids with a little less bass. both are cool just depends on what sound you want i guess. i prefer the older version

[gary97209]

The smaller one on the right sounds more Here n Now. LOL Whatever that means!

[maskedmillionaire]

this is ratt

priceless.

[KickingAss24]

i really like these pedals but im told you should only use overdrives to send a tube amp into deahmetal. im playing a jcm 900 wat do you reckon?

[CompulsiveOrigami]

@KickingAss24 Depends on what you prefer really. I've played with a JCM 900 before and I had no problems getting the tones that I wanted (although in terms of amp heads, I prefer Mesa Boogie over Marshall), even death metal.

[smurp]

@KickingAss24 Don't listen to anyone who says "you should only..." when it comes to tone. Trust only your own ears and that little beastie that lives inside you that made you pick up a guitar in the first place. Ridiculous how long it took me to figure that out.

[MissingMars]

@smurp -well said smurp! took me years to realize that too ...... I do prefer the newer RAT and actually have a RAT Deucetone to dial in all the RAT Pedals (Vintage RAT, Dirty RAT, Turbo RAT, and Clean RAT). Check it out, it's an amazing dual pedal.

[noremac91]

@smurp It's ridiculous how many people ask questions like "I Play a lot of classic rock with a Fender amp, Would this pedal be good for me?" Like did you not just listen to the fucking demo!?!?!?! Or people who ask "I'm Torn Between The Mesa Dual Rectifier and Peavey 3120 I Play a lot of thrash metal and death metal, Which one should i get?" Really!?!?! Go fucking try them out and decide! Some people are just stupid. :P It's all in what YOU hear, not other youtube chumps lol

[TheJesseMusic]

''The blablablablablala version'' - Brilliant!

[ibanezman007]

The newer one has more gain and mids.

[MascisMan1]

lol, "This.....is Ratt."

[twistedH3L1X]

Although it sounds to me like the VRIssue uses a higher high pass filter, I like it better. It sounds more more musical to my ears. Thanks Jac... errr, GMD. ;-)

[sportsportsport]

I prefer the newer one. It's more tubey.

[dejiita]

man i like those boots where can i get a pair of those and the rat effects

[15000volts]

@dejiita there's a vid where he changes from an old pair of boots to the one he uses now. He says what brand and model they are, if you really are interested..

[TheEthanhausler]

The newer is a bit tighter sounding. i like it better than the proco

[15000volts]

@TheEthanhausler they're both proco. That's the brand. and I prefer the newer version also

[Der1metzger]

Hmm I actually like the new one a lot more. Much more mid-heavy and full sounding. The older one is a bit tinny and very heavy on the treble.

[EuphorbusBTB]

Pro Co All the way, big and wide sounding