Keeley Modded Rat vs. HBE Power Screamer with Phat boost

[cwilliams963]

What is the difference between them. I have never really played through a RAT. I play mostly Mexican Rock along with some Funk and a couple of country standards. I have a BB preamp, Zendrive, OCD Ver 4 and an AC booster on the way. Any opinions would help. Thanks

 

[cvansickle]

Rats are fuzzy. Power Screamers are more in the TS family. I know that "fuzzy" is not a word I would ever use to describe my PS.

 

[cwilliams963]

Thats what I was kinda thinking.

 

[markj]

I've got a Rat2 that I did the monte allum mods and I love it. Use it and an OCD for tubescreamer stuff and that's a great combo.

 

[big mike]

Rat's are more brash and well...ratty sounding.
The HBE screamer is a great TS inspired pedal. SMooth mids, nice and warm tone.

Joel does a great job with that one.

 

[Twin63]

I have a Keeley Rat and keep it on the "Phat Rat" setting. The tone is smoother and fatter on that setting. I haven't played a Power Screamer but do have a couple of TS based pedals. Rats and tube screamers are different animals but compliment each other very well.

 

[playthecray]

You don't need a Rat. There is a very limited amount of gain that is usable with the Rat. It is a very harsh sounding pedal in my opinion. The Zendrive and the BB should do you well.

 

[thunderpuppy]

My Keeley Rat is my main rhythm pedal... I wouldn't call it fuzzy (in a respectable amount of gain... cranked, it will fuzz up), but I also wouldn't call it "warm." I leave it in Fat Rat mode, and I find it useful through most of its gain range.

I have tried to replace this pedal more than once, and nothing has been able to do what the Rat does for me.

 

[vintage66]

If you've never played through a Rat you should just find one at a local store to play through first and see if that's generally the sound you're after. I've played through a Keeley but don't have one-I have a Rat 2 and Vintage Rat. The Rat 2 (Lm308) is my favorite pedal through my Jcm800-it really adds a certain bite that other pedals don't. Apples and oranges with a tube screamer type pedal though. The Rat has a certain nasally quality due to the filter control. I don't know what kind of match it would be for your musical stylel though.