A Versatile RAT with Selectable MOSFET Clipping
The RAT is renowned for its sonic flexibility. That said, the Pro Co FAT RAT takes this versatility to a whole new level. Like the original RAT, this distortion pedal includes a silicon clipping circuit, yielding you the classic harmonic-rich sound that's been a pedalboard staple for more than four decades. But unlike its predecessor, the FAT RAT includes a selectable MOSFET clipping circuit, supplying you with a smoother upper midrange than a standard RAT, along with an amp-like tone that's guaranteed to inspire. What's more, the FAT switch produces thunderous low end and a simultaneous high cut that's tailor-made for bass and down-tuned electric guitars. This amazing dirt box boasts a familiar 3-knob layout, along with a rugged on/off footswitch and a status LED. The FAT RAT comes complete with solderless op-amp swapping and 18-volt operation for increased headroom.
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A RAT modder's dream come true
By the turn of the millennium, RAT mods had become a dime a dozen. Boutique pedal builders had found a zillion ways to retool this classic circuit, swapping out op-amps and clipping diodes to produce never-before-heard sonic textures. The FAT RAT captures this trend perfectly. A switchable clipping section toggles between the standard silicon circuit and a MOSFET-based one, arming you with an amp-like tone and feel that are still decidedly RAT-ish. You also get a bass enhancement circuit that lends the perfect amount of low-end juice to bass and down-tuned guitars. To top it off, the FAT RAT enables solderless swapping of its OD07DP op-amp with an LM308 or another compatible chip. High-fidelity 18-volt operation rounds out the FAT RAT's impressive enhancements.
Dial in a wide range of useable tones
The Pro Co FAT RAT includes the same intuitive top-panel controls as its forerunners: Distortion, Filter, and Volume. You use the Distortion knob to dial in the total amount of saturation. At its minimum setting, this control acts as a fuel-injected dirty boost; at maximum, it delivers harmonic-laden fuzz tones. The Filter knob gives you lots of sonic flexibility. Turn the control counterclockwise for mix-piercing tones with lots of clarity; twist it clockwise to roll off your highs for a warm, cranked amp-like tone. The Volume knob adjusts your total output level. You can run the FAT RAT at unity gain for a bit of added grit or crank it to punish the front end of your amp. Countless guitarists here at Sweetwater have a RAT on their pedalboard — it's a must-have stompbox.
Pro Co FAT RAT Pedal Features:
- Delivers the famous silicon-based, hard-clipping distortion that the original RAT made famous
- Selectable MOSFET clipping circuit yields you an amp-like tone and feel that are still decidedly RAT-ish
- FAT switch produces thunderous low end that's tailor-made for bass and down-tuned guitars
- Distortion knob dials in the total amount of saturation
- Filter knob conjures up a myriad of sonic textures
- Volume knob adjusts your total output level
- Enables solderless swapping of the included OD07DP op-amp with an LM308 or another compatible chip
- High-fidelity 18V operation
- Near-bulletproof metal enclosure
- Rugged on/off footswitch and status LED