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Average Price: $27

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$80

$181+

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Description

The Black Rat Distortion by Mosky

The Mosky Black Rat Distortion is a compact distortion pedal inspired by the RAT , offers toggle between the "Vintage" and "Turbo" RAT circuits., offering a wide range of tones from gritty overdrive to aggressive high-gain distortion. Designed for electric guitar and bass, it delivers powerful midrange punch, smooth sustain, and a distinctive filter control that shapes the overall brightness of the sound. Its mini-sized metal enclosure makes it pedalboard-friendly while still providing rugged durability for live performances and rehearsals. True bypass switching helps preserve the natural tone of the instrument when the pedal is disengaged. Popular among budget-conscious players, the Black Rat is valued for delivering classic RAT-style tones at an affordable price point.

Specs:

• Product Type: Distortion / Overdrive Effects Pedal
• Circuit Style: RAT-Style Analog Distortion
• Two-Position Switch: Classic RAT Distortion / Turbo RAT Distortion
• Controls: Tone (Filter), Gain (Distortion), Volume
• Signal Path: 100% Analog
• Bypass Type: True Bypass
• Switching: Footswitch Activation
• LED Indicator: On/Off Status LED
• Input/Output: 1 × 1/4" Input, 1 × 1/4" Output
• Power Supply: 9V DC (Negative Tip, Regulated Recommended)
• Construction: Metal Alloy Housing
• Format: Mini Pedal Design
• Dimensions: 94 mm (W) × 39 mm (L) × 32 mm (H)
• Weight: 125 g
• Compatibility: Electric Guitar & Bass
• Finish: Matte Black
• Portability: Compact Pedalboard-Friendly Size
• Use Cases: Rock, Punk, Metal, Alternative, Blues Rock
• Country of Manufacture: China

Product specs

Brand Mosky Audio
Model Black Rat Distortion
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Made In China
Categories Distortion Pedals
Color Family Black

FAQs

What type of distortion does the Mosky Black Rat pedal offer?

The Mosky Black Rat provides both classic distortion and fuzz tones, emulating the iconic sound of the Pro Co RAT pedal. It’s versatile enough for various genres, from rock to metal.

Does the Mosky Black Rat work well with both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Mosky Black Rat is suitable for both guitar and bass, offering a wide range of distortion tones that enhance the sound of either instrument.

What are the power requirements for the Mosky Black Rat pedal?

The Mosky Black Rat requires a standard 9V DC power supply and has a current draw of approximately 10mA. It does not come with a power adapter, so one must be purchased separately if needed.

How does the Mosky Black Rat compare to the original Pro Co RAT pedal?

The Mosky Black Rat is a compact and affordable alternative to the Pro Co RAT, delivering similar distortion tones. It’s ideal for players seeking the classic RAT sound in a smaller, budget-friendly format.

Is the Mosky Black Rat pedal easy to use for beginners?

Yes, the Mosky Black Rat is user-friendly with simple controls for distortion, filter, and volume, making it accessible for beginners who want to explore distortion effects.

Derek Paul Guitar

Derek Paul Guitar

Mosky Black rat | ProCo RAT clone?

Video thumbnail for Mosky Black rat | ProCo RAT clone? by Derek Paul Guitar

Mosky Black rat | ProCo RAT clone?

Derek Paul Guitar

Derek Paul Guitar

Video thumbnail for Крыса с АЛИ за 20$ для андеграунда! Mosky Black Rat by HardSound

Крыса с АЛИ за 20$ для андеграунда! Mosky Black Rat

HardSound

HardSound

Video thumbnail for The Mosky Audio Black Rat vs The Proco rat! Presented by AJL music! by Aaron J Livecchi

The Mosky Audio Black Rat vs The Proco rat! Presented by AJL music!

Aaron J Livecchi

Aaron J Livecchi

Video thumbnail for It's a BUDGET RAT - Mosky Black Rat Distortion by TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

It's a BUDGET RAT - Mosky Black Rat Distortion

TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

Video thumbnail for Mosky Black Rat Demo/playthrough (no talking) by Rudy Bressers

Mosky Black Rat Demo/playthrough (no talking)

Rudy Bressers

Rudy Bressers

Video thumbnail for MOSKY - Black Rat Distortion - Demo by Ryan Lutton

MOSKY - Black Rat Distortion - Demo

Ryan Lutton

Ryan Lutton

Video thumbnail for Mosky Black Rat Distortion - Ultimate Mini Rat?! by Budget Pedal Chap

Mosky Black Rat Distortion - Ultimate Mini Rat?!

Budget Pedal Chap

Budget Pedal Chap

Video thumbnail for Mosky Black Rat Demo by Chuck's Guitar Geekery

Mosky Black Rat Demo

Chuck's Guitar Geekery

Chuck's Guitar Geekery

Reviews

PROS

  • Offers a huge sounding boost function, from slight to full doom

  • Versatile tone blending, from harsh to smooth cream tones

  • Durable and sturdily built

  • Great value for the price, with diverse tonal capabilities

  • Works well with various amps and styles, from metal to dirty blues

CONS

  • Not a true Rat clone, may disappoint purists

  • Can produce a muddy sound compared to original Rat pedals

  • Tone blending not fully effective for all desired sounds

  • Knobs may move too easily, potentially losing settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mosky Black Rat Distortion.

Features and functionality

  • The Filter knob on the Mosky Black Rat operates in reverse, getting brighter as turned clockwise, indicating it's a V1 Rat clone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users prefer the Mosky Black Rat over the ProCo Rat 2 due to its wider range of sounds and form factor.

    Source
  • Despite technical inaccuracies in the circuit, some users find it sounds 'beefier' than other clones or modern Rats.

    Source
  • The Mosky Black Rat's circuit is slightly incorrect, offering a thicker and more saggy sound compared to other Rat clones, which some users prefer.

    Source
  • The Mosky Black Rat uses an LM308 opamp, considered essential for authentic Rat tones, unlike some Chinese clones with different opamps.

    Source
  • Mosky and DemonFX are linked, with the Black Rat being slightly different from the traditional Rat circuit, offering a looser, fuzzier sound preferred in doom genres.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners experience an excessively bright LED, which can be distracting during use.

    Source
  • Turbo mode offers a notable volume increase over the vintage mode due to less signal clipping by the LEDs.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Drunk Beaver's BAT pedals, particularly the Cold War BAT, are recommended as superior upgrades due to excellent build quality and versatility.

    Source
  • Swapping the stock LM308 opamp for a NE5534AP can improve the Mosky Black Rat's muddiness, enhancing clarity and tone.

    Source
  • Changing the output capacitor can adjust the low-end filtering, though this is more challenging with SMD components than with through-hole components.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Turbo Rat is favored for low gain tones, though differences are subtle enough that many cannot differentiate them in blind tests.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users report issues with the Mosky Black Rat's footswitch, describing it as low quality.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Mosky Black Rat Pedal Review: The Cheapest RAT I Can Find – Guitars For Idiots

guitarsforidiots.com

The Mosky Black Rat pedal, while attractively priced at $31.99, fails to live up to the iconic RAT sound. Despite offering a "turbo" and "vintage" mode, the Black Rat struggles with muddiness and lacks the mid-scoop and high-end clarity of its inspirations, such as the ProCo RAT2. It delivers a bass-heavy, thick distortion, but doesn't cut through the mix or achieve the famous RAT fuzziness. Though it might serve as a budget-friendly option for bass-heavy, rhythm-focused distortion, it falls short as a genuine RAT alternative. Consider saving for a Boss DS-1 or RAT2 instead.

negative

Mosky Black Rat Distortion | Delicious Audio

delicious-audio.com
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
empirecrunner

Coolest Rat clone

It sounds sooo good, and u can switch between the Vintage and Turbo Rats.

From Gear Setup
endwggn

Cheap, solid, and reliable. Won't blow you away but a good product.

Personally I go for heavier distortion styles anyway, but I couldn't afford the fuzzbox I wanted so I decided to run this into my ODB-3 to get more of a fake-fuzz crunch. Biggest complaint really is that the knobs move so easily that its easily to lose your settings just by packing up. Definitely worth your money if you're looking to add to your board on a tight budget.

jimmarchi1

you can build justa bout any dirt pedal for a few dollars in small aprts and the cost of a pre-drilled bud box

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Nasty Nate Clark uses Mosky Black Rat Distortion

Nasty Nate Clark

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Facebook

Nasty Nate Clark utilizes the Mosky Black Rat, a cost-effective Rat clone distortion pedal, as highlighted on his Facebook page.

See how Mike Brenner uses Mosky Black Rat Distortion

Mike Brenner

Guitarist

Songs: Ohia

...
Verified via Photo

In a photograph taken by Equipboard user Sprucebringsteen on December 11, 2025, a Mosky Black Rat Distortion can be seen on Mike Brenner's Magnolia & Johnson Co. pedalboard.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mosky Black Rat Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

Community setups

Show yours
tel_nobody

tel_nobody

Gear IQ 3007

R

roadcone

Gear IQ 135

R

roadcone

Gear IQ 135

empirecrunner

empirecrunner

Gear IQ 193

3 alternative and related items for Mosky Black Rat Distortion, curated by the Equipboard community.

JHS Packrat

$208.00 - $251.00

similar sound high-end alternative

JHS just made an awesome clone which covers 9 different RAT models!

Pro Co RAT

$280.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound high-end alternative

Mosky Black Rat is one of the many cheap clones of the Rat, in vintage mode, and the Turbo Rat, in turbo mode.

Pro Co Turbo RAT

$139.00 - $159.99

similar sound high-end alternative

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Accessories & Related Items

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    endwggn
    endwggn

    Gear IQ 194