Premier Rock Forum

You know, Rats are pretty decent Rats. Not sure the price points but, were I buying today I’d let used prices heavily inform my choice. Most rat mods are very simple anyway.

Man, it's weird getting old.

It's funny to me how much the RAT pedal sound is deeply ingrained in my brain as "Oh, that's the '90s, innit?"

That sort of gray, grainy distortion evokes everything from Jawbox to Smashing Pumpkins to me. Gets me right in the nostalgia vagus nerve.

Anyway, carry on. I'm not mad about it. I just find it to be really evocative of a time in my life.

dontfeartheringo wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:26 am Man, it's weird getting old.

It's funny to me how much the RAT pedal sound is deeply ingrained in my brain as "Oh, that's the '90s, innit?"

That sort of gray, grainy distortion evokes everything from Jawbox to Smashing Pumpkins to me. Gets me right in the nostalgia vagus nerve.

Anyway, carry on. I'm not mad about it. I just find it to be really evocative of a time in my life.

I wind up thinking along that line when ever the Ampeg vh140c comes to mind.

It's just that said piece of gear is sorta the opposite of a Rat. Most folks will get the "Rat..." reference. Way less get the vh140c.

dontfeartheringo wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:26 am Man, it's weird getting old.

It's funny to me how much the RAT pedal sound is deeply ingrained in my brain as "Oh, that's the '90s, innit?"

That sort of gray, grainy distortion evokes everything from Jawbox to Smashing Pumpkins to me. Gets me right in the nostalgia vagus nerve.

I avoided it for a long time thinking it would give everything a late '80s thrash metal stain. I was wrong. It can be extremely versatile, subtle, and mid forward. I think I like it best as a dirty boost, though great as a feedback sustainer too. It still feels a little funny praising the RAT though..

penningtron wrote: Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:47 am

dontfeartheringo wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:26 am Man, it's weird getting old.

It's funny to me how much the RAT pedal sound is deeply ingrained in my brain as "Oh, that's the '90s, innit?"

That sort of gray, grainy distortion evokes everything from Jawbox to Smashing Pumpkins to me. Gets me right in the nostalgia vagus nerve.

I avoided it for a long time thinking it would give everything a late '80s thrash metal stain. I was wrong. It can be extremely versatile, subtle, and mid forward. I think I like it best as a dirty boost, though great as a feedback sustainer too. It still feels a little funny praising the RAT though..

I always thought RATs were great and versatile. What I don't get is the connoisseurship around Boss DS-1's. The weak link in the Big Muff, the tone stack, combined with squeaky distortion.

Boss DS-1 - what a useless pedal. Thin and shrill without enough volume level. Have to crank the volume to get anywhere close to unity. I have no idea how people use these things. The DS-2 is a pretty big step up but I’ve never been a fan of any of their distortion pedals. The OD-3 is about the only decent one, and it’s a real sleeper no one ever talks about.

tommy wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:20 am Boss DS-1 - what a useless pedal. Thin and shrill without enough volume level. Have to crank the volume to get anywhere close to unity. I have no idea how people use these things. The DS-2 is a pretty big step up but I’ve never been a fan of any of their distortion pedals. The OD-3 is about the only decent one, and it’s a real sleeper no one ever talks about.

The OD-3 is excellent. Good on bass, too - I much prefer it in that application over the ODB-3.

tommy wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:20 am Boss DS-1 - what a useless pedal. Thin and shrill without enough volume level. Have to crank the volume to get anywhere close to unity. I have no idea how people use these things. The DS-2 is a pretty big step up but I’ve never been a fan of any of their distortion pedals. The OD-3 is about the only decent one, and it’s a real sleeper no one ever talks about.

My first guitar pedal was a DOD distortion pedal I think I paid like $30 for. When I was ready to upgrade, Guitar Center dude swore that the DS-1 was the route to go. I took it home and immediately went back to the DOD. I traded to DS-1 to some dude at school for an old big muff, who told me he was ripping me off, but if I wanted to do it, he'd do it.

Owen wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 11:44 am

tommy wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:20 am Boss DS-1 - what a useless pedal. Thin and shrill without enough volume level. Have to crank the volume to get anywhere close to unity. I have no idea how people use these things. The DS-2 is a pretty big step up but I’ve never been a fan of any of their distortion pedals. The OD-3 is about the only decent one, and it’s a real sleeper no one ever talks about.

My first guitar pedal was a DOD distortion pedal I think I paid like $30 for. When I was ready to upgrade, Guitar Center dude swore that the DS-1 was the route to go. I took it home and immediately went back to the DOD. I traded to DS-1 to some dude at school for an old big muff, who told me he was ripping me off, but if I wanted to do it, he'd do it.

DS-1 was my first pedal too. The big selling point was the $25 price at the time and Nirvana used it. It sounded marginally better than the built in Peavy Transtube distortion channel. Quickly upgraded to lucky pawnshop find Sansamp GT2 and which just blew away the DS-1 away. Then bought a Rat for a different flavor. When I switched to tube amps the Rat took over.

But that DS-1 was a stinker. Let a friend borrow it and never saw or missed it again. I’ve since been gifted two!! Maybe I’ll mod it to something fucked up but I doubt I’ll get around to it.

biscuitdough wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 10:13 am

tommy wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:20 am Boss DS-1 - what a useless pedal. Thin and shrill without enough volume level. Have to crank the volume to get anywhere close to unity. I have no idea how people use these things. The DS-2 is a pretty big step up but I’ve never been a fan of any of their distortion pedals. The OD-3 is about the only decent one, and it’s a real sleeper no one ever talks about.

The OD-3 is excellent. Good on bass, too - I much prefer it in that application over the ODB-3.

I'm a fan of OD-3 on bass as well. Cuts a bit of low end but my amp and bass have enough to spare.

I have a DS-1 for laughs, not sure what it's really good for,.