ProCo RAT-2

About the ProCo RAT-2

The ProCo RAT is a distortion pedal that dates to the late 1970s and has stayed in production, most commonly as the RAT 2. Its defining control is the Filter, a passive tone knob that rolls off high end as it is turned up, and the pedal covers a wide range, from a light, compressed overdrive through thick distortion to a hairy near-fuzz when cranked. It is inexpensive, and its circuit has been widely cloned; vintage units built around the LM308 op-amp are the ones collectors seek out.

What owners have said elsewhere

Paraphrased from 1541 discussion threads among 24 owners, 2024-2025. No names, nothing quoted.

Owners hold the RAT in unusually high regard, many calling it one of the best distortions ever made and a pedal everyone should own at some point; the main caveats are that it can get noisy at high gain and does not have a lot of volume on tap. It is easy to dial and at its best into a clean amp: keep the distortion low for a compressed overdrive, higher for a smooth distortion, or crank it for fuzz, with the Filter used like a reversed tone control. It stacks readily with a lower-gain overdrive in front, such as an SD-1, BD-2, Tube Screamer or Klon-style pedal, and with a Big Muff for heavier tones. Owners draw a clear line between the RAT and a Boss DS-1: the RAT is the more versatile and clean-amp-friendly of the two, while the DS-1 shines pushing an already-driven amp, and many rate the RAT the higher of the pair. Affordable clones such as the Joyo Splinter and JAM Rattler come recommended for those not chasing a vintage LM308 unit.