Pro Co The Rat

^# 19

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$88.00 to $2,000.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (32)

1 Critic Review

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Pro Co RAT 2

$79.00 - $108.00

4.5 (477)

Find out who is using Pro Co The Rat

3 community setups

Featured in

RAT Distortion Pedal Guide: Settings & Top 2026 Picks

15 wishlisted

72 saved

Page last updated Jun 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated June 1, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (229)

$88.00

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4.5 (75)

$88.00

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$2,000.00 6 available Used

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Average Price: $725

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Pro Co The Rat is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Pro Co The Rat". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Pro Co The Rat is a powerhouse distortion pedal that has been a staple on pedalboards for over four decades. Its hard-clipping distortion circuit delivers versatile tones that range from subtle overdrive to thick, fuzz-like saturation, making it a beloved choice for guitarists across genres—from rock and blues to punk and jazz. The RAT's intuitive 3-knob layout—Distortion, Filter, and Volume—offers a wide palette of sonic possibilities, allowing you to sculpt everything from warm, tube-like overdrive to aggressive, harmonically rich grunge.

The Distortion control lets you decide the level of saturation, acting as a gritty boost at its lowest setting or unleashing roaring fuzz tones at its peak. The Filter knob is your gateway to tone shaping, providing clarity and punch when rolled back, or a smooth, cranked amp-like warmth when dialed up. The Volume control ensures you can always match the output level to your amp, maintaining the pedal's unique character without excess noise.

Built to endure the rigors of live performance, the RAT 2 features a near-bulletproof metal enclosure and a rugged footswitch. The stylish "A" status LED and glow-in-the-dark graphics are both functional and eye-catching, ensuring you can make adjustments even on dimly lit stages. Whether you're looking to enhance a clean amp with rich overtones or boost a high-gain head into new realms of distortion, the RAT 2 stands ready to deliver.

Key Features:

Hard-clipping distortion circuit for versatile tone shaping
Intuitive 3-knob layout: Distortion, Filter, and Volume
Durable metal enclosure with rugged on/off footswitch
Stylish "A" status LED and glow-in-the-dark graphics
Tool-free battery compartment for easy changes
Compatible with 9V battery or optional power supply

Product specs

Pedal Type	Distortion, Fuzz, Overdrive
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
True Bypass	Yes
Controls	Distortion, Filter
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Height	2.5"
Width	3.5"
Depth	4"
Weight	2 lbs.

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Pro Co The Rat pedal?: The Pro Co The Rat offers a wide range of tones, from smooth overdrive and classic fuzz to aggressive distortion, making it versatile for various genres, including rock and metal.
Is the Pro Co The Rat suitable for both beginners and advanced players?: Yes, the Pro Co The Rat is suitable for both beginners and advanced players due to its simple control layout and versatile sound capabilities.
Does the Pro Co The Rat pedal have true bypass?: Yes, the Pro Co The Rat features true bypass, ensuring your guitar signal remains unaltered when the pedal is not in use.
Can the Pro Co The Rat be powered by a battery?: Yes, the Pro Co The Rat can be powered by a 9V battery, and it also offers a no-tools battery compartment for easy replacement.
What are the main controls on the Pro Co The Rat pedal?: The Pro Co The Rat pedal features three main controls: Distortion, Filter, and Volume, allowing you to shape your sound from subtle overdrive to full-on distortion.

Videos

Add video

Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - RAT DISTORTION

Ola Englund

History of the ProCo RAT Pedal and Myths Debunked

JHS Pedals

The ProCo RAT Distortion & RAT-Alikes: King Of The Dirt Pedals? That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

The RAT • Review for Gilmour and Pink Floyd sound

Francesco Carpentieri

I Was So WRONG About the Rat Distortion Pedal

John Nathan Cordy

Bass: Proco The Rat Distortion - 1981 Big Box Tone Knob LM308

devnulljp

rats.mov

jermsfuzz

Reviews

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PROS

Ideal for bassists, enhancing lead performances significantly
Versatile sound from slight crunch to full-on Santana-like singing tone
Legendary with the LM308N chip for warmer tone
Simple, effective controls for tone and output level adjustment
Works well with various amps, including Fender Twin Reverb and Marshall
Capable of producing iconic sounds of Tom Morello, Sonic Youth, and REM

CONS

Original models with the LM308N chip can be pricier
Basic design lacks fancy features like LED indicators
Sound quality may vary if not equipped with LM308 chip

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pro Co The Rat.

Use cases and applications

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RAT's tone-shaping capabilities make it a favorite for shoe gaze and alternative rock, particularly when paired with a BD-2.
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The RAT is effective in stacking with other pedals, such as a Klon clone, to enhance distorted tones for solos and heavy riffs.
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The RAT excels in 80s hair metal sounds, providing a crisp, 80s hair metal-like distortion when paired with a Gibson SG and Vox AC30.
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Despite its reputation, the RAT is less suited for modern metal genres; it shines more in classic metal, doom, and alternative rock contexts.
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When used into a dirty amp, the RAT can function as a treble booster with low gain and high output, transforming its tonal characteristics.
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Features and functionality

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The RAT's filter knob provides a wide sweep, crucial for controlling high-end fizz when used with amps that lack dedicated EQ controls.
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The RAT offers a broad tonal range, from smooth overdrive to gnarly fuzz, making it suitable for both classic rock and modern grunge.
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The RAT is versatile, excelling in genres like doom metal due to its fuzz-like qualities while maintaining clarity, especially when played with low tuning.
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The RAT is described as functioning like a distortion with a filter, akin to the older Systech Harmonic Energizer.
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User experience

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Many users appreciate the RAT's dynamic response to guitar volume adjustments, enhancing versatility in tone from clean to full distortion.
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Users highlight the RAT's ability to cover a spectrum from smooth overdrive to fuzzy distortion, making it a versatile choice for varied musical styles.
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Some owners prefer the sound of modern RATs over vintage ones, attributing differences to both personal taste and the consistency of newer models.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners highlight the benefit of pedals with LED clipping options, like the Turbo RAT, for a tighter, overdrive-like distortion.
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The Foxpedal Wrath is recommended for extra features over the ProCo Rat 2, offering additional tonal versatility.
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For diode mods, skip germanium diodes and opt for asymmetrical clipping using silicon and LEDs for enhanced performance.
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For modding, a voltage starve can be added using a 10KB pot and a 10uF capacitor, enhancing glitchy, sputtery tones.
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Comparisons

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The RAT's standard 3-knob version is considered less versatile compared to clones like Joyo Splinter and Mosky King RAT, which offer additional modes and features.
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The Mosky Blackrat, a $30 clone, is noted as a cost-effective alternative to the original RAT.
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Older RATs, especially those with the LM308 chip, may sound different from modern versions, which are often more consistent in sound quality.
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Critic Reviews

Pro Co Rat Distortion Pedal

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

Pro Co's The Rat distortion pedal is a classic that has left a lasting impression since its 1980s debut. Praised for its versatility, the Rat can morph from a smooth overdrive to a fierce fuzz, making it a staple on many iconic albums. The review highlights the reissued 1985 Whiteface model as a faithful recreation of the original, complete with the sought-after LM308 chip. While the differences between the various Rat iterations are subtle, the Turbo Rat stands out for its robust overdrive and clarity. The reissue's higher price may deter some, but its authentic vintage tone is appealing to purists. Overall, The Rat remains a formidable choice for those seeking a versatile distortion pedal.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 32 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

zoot_car

almost 10 years ago

Bassists: Here's your distortion

This is, simply put, THE distortion pedal for bassists. I've got an old one from the early 80s that I got from a singer of a band I was in, and every time I've needed to turn up and take the lead, the old Rat is the pedal that gets me there. I'd recommend looking for an old one with the LM308N chip - it's worth the extra cost.

mnb

219

about 10 years ago

My go to distortion pedal

It's a solid state fuzz box, so how good can it sound, right? It sounds great! Especially run through a Fender Twin Reverb.

Dial in just a bit of crunch and you can do all the REM/Smithereens/etc sounds you want. Max the Gain and run it through a stereo chorus for a marvelous singing tone, similar to Santana.

Or anywhere in between, with a tone and output level adjustment to make it suit your needs and drop right into the mix without being too brash.

No fancy lights, your most basic on/bypass switch, but this is one of the best distortion pedals made.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock New Wave

jimmarchi1

40994

10 years ago about 10 years ago

yeah, every time I go back to the tried and true Rat I am like "How the hell does a simple pair of diodes to ground sound so good?"

longgoneloser

426

almost 8 years ago

If you wanna sound like the New Bomb Turks...

This pedal is perfect if you want that raw gritty dirty sound as heard by the New Bomb Turks. Crank it through a Marshall and voila, DESTROY O BOY!

ericcalvert

126

over 10 years ago

92' Vintage

Some came with LM308's and some didn't. Mine didn't so I put a NOS 78' LM308 can in it which gave it a warmer tone

vladimirkulichenko

180

over 8 years ago

RATM, Sonic Youth sound

I wanted to receive a sound of Tom Morello and Sonic Youth. We recorded the "Cargo 200" song of "Heart" for the second album. she is ideal has approached there. I pozaimstovat her at the Russian guitarist Pavel Dodonov.