Proco Rat questio(s)

[Wallace]

Hi, can anyone tell me if the new Rat2 has the 308 chip?
Which do/dont? Some are cool and some are 'less than cool'
?
I want to hunt one down on the cheap on ebay but I don't want to get the 'wrong' one!

Any info would help....or point me toward a sale?

Thanks!
W

[GitarooMan]

Nooooooooo it sure does not.

All American Rats have the chip. The new Chinese ones don't and suck.

You know it's American because all American Rats have "Made in U.S.A." on the bottom.

There are American Rat 2's, but your best bet would be to find what's called the "Vintage Rat." All are guaranteed to be what you're looking for.

You can even buy the chip alone on Ebay or Craigslist but my advice would be try to just find an older Rat on Ebay.

Prices range immensely. Usually in the $120-$160 range, but I lucked out and got a wonderful American Vintage Rat for 65 bucks.

[kramerlover]

[QUOTE=GitarooMan;6459325]Nooooooooo it sure does not.

All American Rats have the chip. The new Chinese ones don't and suck.

You know it's American because all American Rats have "Made in U.S.A." on the bottom.

QUOTE]

I hate to differ, but this is only 1/2 correct... The new Chinese RATs DO SUCK... but unfortunately SOME USA RATs don't have the chip either...

I think they all did until around 1992... but then the RAT 2 models used a different chip. I believe the "DUECE" (double RAT) also uses a different chip. Also, "TURBO RAT"s don't have that chip (to the best of my knowledge).

When I see one on eBay that I want to buy... I just ask the seller to check the chip.

Good luck with your search!

[GitarooMan]

Well this further justifies my plea to just get a Vintage Rat.

[Radspin]

Yeah, I bought a new Rat about two years ago on an impulse and sold it soon after as i thought it sounded terrible--buzzy, thin, cheesy, just awful.

On the other hand, I once heard a guitarist play an older Rat through a BF Vibrolux Reverb and it sounded great.

[Telepatio]

I've got one of the 308 Rats and it is a really great pedal. 5 stars.

[kramerlover]

Originally Posted by Telepatio

I've got one of the 308 Rats and it is a really great pedal. 5 stars.

Still my favorite Overdrive to Distortion! I've tried quite a few... but I keep coming back to one of my old RAT pedals!

[Wallace]

Thanks you guys for your comments! I just sored a late 80's 308 loaded rat off the bay!
Got a good (under $98 shipped) price too. Well, an OK price I guess!

Thanks! This board rocks when it comes fast info!!

W

[wingwalker]

Not all MIA Rat pedals have the LM308...most but far from all...if you want to know for sure just take the battery door off...the chip can be seen from teh battery door...if the chip says LM308N you're golden.

Price it tough...I've seen them break $225 recently but I've owned well over a dozen of them since the mid 90's and the last one I bought I bought less than a year ago...I've never paid more than $75 (except my first one, which was new!) and I've never owed one w/o the 308...

[fieldsroyal]

I had a vintage small box RAT that had a LM301 chip - i was a bit dirty when i found out - not sure why it had been changed or why it came with an LM301 -
The vintage reissues are killer - if you can check the circuitboard to see if it's a WOODCUTTER model - i own several vintage reissues and the WOODCUTTER is discernibly superior. My WC was from first run of reissues (1991) and i love it to death.....

[Telepatio]

mine is one of the vintage reissues. what makes it a woodcutter?

also, it says LM308A on the chip, not 308N. Any difference?

either way, one of my favorite distortion pedals.

[Windup 43]

[QUOTE=kramerlover;6459484]

Originally Posted by GitarooMan

Nooooooooo it sure does not.

All American Rats have the chip. The new Chinese ones don't and suck.

You know it's American because all American Rats have "Made in U.S.A." on the bottom.

QUOTE]

I hate to differ, but this is only 1/2 correct... The new Chinese RATs DO SUCK... but unfortunately SOME USA RATs don't have the chip either...

I think they all did until around 1992... but then the RAT 2 models used a different chip. I believe the "DUECE" (double RAT) also uses a different chip. Also, "TURBO RAT"s don't have that chip (to the best of my knowledge).

When I see one on eBay that I want to buy... I just ask the seller to check the chip.

Good luck with your search!

The Rat 2 and Vintage Rats all had the LM308 until 2003.

[cj_wattage]

Originally Posted by fieldsroyal

I had a vintage small box RAT that had a LM301 chip - i was a bit dirty when i found out - not sure why it had been changed or why it came with an LM301 -

I've tried both a 308 and 301 in a Rat, and I personally cannot hear a difference.

Right now you can buy a LM308 for about $4, while a LM301 is right around $1.50. As far as I can tell, the model number and price is the only difference, but your interpretation may differ.

[205]

I wouldn't be to concerned about this chip business. I replaced the chip in my 2003ish USA made RAT II with the 308 and the difference is very, very minor.
I've also played my RAT next to some 80's Rats and again the difference is minor, each can be dialled in to sound like the other.

[Windup 43]

Originally Posted by 205

I wouldn't be to concerned about this chip business. I replaced the chip in my 2003ish USA made RAT II with the 308 and the difference is very, very minor.
I've also played my RAT next to some 80's Rats and again the difference is minor, each can be dialled in to sound like the other.

I've tried/owned quite a few Rats and I disagree. Right now I have a late 90's Rat 2 w/ LM308 and an '86 smallbox and they are very different sounding. The Rat 2 is more compressed w/ bigger bottom end and the '86 is more focused w/ better clarity/ less bottom end and less gain. I've had them side by side and they can't be dialed in to sound the same. That said, I love them both but very different animals...