Conference napalm::guitar

    
    I've seen mail order prices at around $60.00.  
    
    Anything under $100 is probably reasonable.   Anything under $75
    is probably good.
    

    
    It seems to me I've seen the RAT distortion box for 49 in Music
    Emporium or some such place.  Now, this may have been the one
    without the on/off Lighted panel.  
    
    How is this box, has anybody tried it.  I heard it was pretty good.
    
    /pc
    

    
    
    Re: .1 and .2
    
    Thanks.  I'll keep these prices in mind as I look around.
    
    Re: .2
    
    I have never used one, or to my knowledge even heard one.
    I am also thinking about checking into some of the new rack
    mount preamps from Rocktron, ADA, Peavey, etc.  Oh well,
    so many toys, so little time.
    
    frank
    

    I noticed an ad by ProCo, in the current of GFTPM, for a RACK mount
    RAT distortion unit.  It actually has two RATs in it and is switchable
    between them (and I'd hope, bypass).  Looks like a nice unit, monitor
    lights on the front to indicate which is currently on.  Anyone seen
    one of these, or know how much it'll go for retail?
    
    Also, I've heard of a lot of performers using the RATs, but havn't
    tried one myself.  I might be in the market for a distortion or
    preamp and like rack equipment.  Does anyone have any comments on
    the RAT distortion?  What is it's general sound?
   
    Thanks,
    Greg 
        

  I tried the Rat stomp box when looking for a new distortion 
  unit.  I spent about an hour comparing it against the Chandler
  Tube Driver through a Boogie amp.  At first I thought they
  sounded similar, but after a while I could tell a
  difference between them.  I thought the Tube Driver sounded
  much better and bought it.  I didn't think the Rat was a bad unit,
  I just preferred the sound of the other.  If the Tube Driver
  wasn't around, I probably would have bought the Rat.

  ( Warning: Personal opinion follows.)

  I came to the conclusion that transistor distortion has
  a certain appeal at first. After a little time spent listening
  to it though, it seems to take on a rather harsh quality that I don't
  like.  So, from now on I'm sticking with tubes.

  Frank
  

    I've tried a RAT a few times. I think they have the most over-
    whelming distortion sound I've ever heard. They're the only
    thing I've seen that can make a Strat sustain forever at very
    low volume.

    Sounds good, I'll have to try one!  Anyone seen the rack beast yet?
    or know how much it will cost?
    
    gh

    I bought a RAT a few months back.  I have the stomp box variety
    w/LED.  I picked it up for $79 (which was $10 less than any other
    price I could find for the same unit).  I've never seen the rack-
    mount version.  Like Dave said a couple of replies back, it will
    make my strat [copy] sustain for ever.  There are a lot of different
    sounds you can get w/this unit, but three basic ones come to mind:
    
    1.  A crunch rhythm type of sound for getting that Marshall-cranked-
        all-the-way-up sound (good for Ramones,HM, or solos for that
        matter);
    
    2.  A very moderate tube-type distortion reminiscent of early blues
        stuff (you can even tweak it to get almost a wah-type sound)
        good for soloing;
    
    3.  Total distortion/fusion sound with infinite sustain (feedback
        at high volumes).
    
    For the $79 it seems a good deal to me.  I like it and it is very
    easy on batteries.
    
    joe.

    RE: Joe...
    
    Were you playing the rhythm parts for your band most of the time at
    SpringJam?  If so, were you using the RAT then?  I really liked the
    sound you had on the tape (if that was you, I'm pretty sure it was)!
    (Since I'm in CO, I couldn't attend, but Mark J. gratiously supplied me
    with tapes).
    
    Greg

    Yeah, it was probably me ;^)  although Tony and I double some of
    the rhythm parts.  I used the RAT on "Rockaway Beach" and for the
    distort-o-metal sections of "Fade To Black".  If you hear any other
    distortion, then it was Tony (who has an awesome home made distortion
    unit).
    
    joe.

    Thanks, Joe.  I'll listen to the SpringJam tapes again and check
    out the sound.
    
    Greg

    Talking of RAT's and Tube distortion units......
    
    I am interested in building my own.
    
    Does anybody have a schematic for one of these 12AX7 tube stomp
    boxes, or, as a second a schematic for the RAT ?
         
    ( I will try this...) does anyone have a schematic for a BOOGIE?
    
    I want to get a summer construction project going, so any help would
    be appreciated.
    
    Thanks in advance for any help you can give me,
    
    /Dave  
    

    A friend's RAT pedal is eating batterys like noones business...and for
    no apparent reason?!
    
    Anyone with a clue as to the symptoms of this scenario?

    unplug it when you ain't playin'

    > unplug it when you ain't playin'
      
    They did that...unplugged, it eats batteris in a day...anyone with a
    clue?? 

    
    If the battery is gone in a day, the little booger isn't turning off
    when you unplug it.  Open it up and bend the contacts on the input jack
    (that's the one that usually switches the power) so that the unit turns
    off when you remove the plug.
    
    Can anyone else think of any other possible solution?
    

    My Rat does that too...and it can't be a relative of yours, since it
    sleeps on the floor of an appartment near Munich..:-)
    I take the battery out after playing......
    
    
    sascha

    I come to sing the praises of the lowly Rat.
    
    As usual, I'm about a decade behind the times.  Lots of good players
    that I like (some of them here at DEC) are known Rat stompers, so why
    has it taken me so long to check one out for myself????
    
    This is one great pedal.  My XXL has been gathering dust ever since it
    arrived.  So simple even my dog could get great tone with this thing.
    Just plug it in and voila.  Mine is one of the older units, pre indicator
    LED.  I've heard some talk that old ones sound better, blah, blah...
    All I know is, this one rocks.
    
    To quote a review on the net "I would buy it a million times".
    
    /rick
    

    Yup. Rats rule. I got one for $20 about 8 years ago. Beat up, vintage,
    the works. Since it's vintage I'll let it go for $225 now.
    
    - Dave

   re: .18  PLEASE tell me you don't use it on your bass!?!?!  Euwww...  :-)

   -- Sam

    Haven't actually tried it with the bass, although someone on the net
    claims to be doing just that
    
    Actually, the Boss Metal Zone is reputed to be the nads for gnarly bass
    distortion; go figure...
    
    /ox