Pro Co FAT RAT Distortion / Fuzz / Overdrive Pedal Reviews
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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Highest Rated Reviews
Even Splinter would be proud!
It's totally ratrocious! It's the rattiest! Wickedly good! Also Jordan is awesome!
Superior to the Rat2
I got this pedal as a gift to myself. Did you ever just want to buy something nice for yourself? Well, this is a great choice. I am a Rat2 owner and I've always loved its lo-fi, kinda muffly charm that always made it sound like you were playing a song from the 80's. But I always wished it was just…..better???
Well, enter the FatRat. I plugged in the 18v power supply and immediately this pedal gave me what I was after. Less compression, more clarity, doesn't fart out at high gain. On 9v, it still had the dirty, saggy rat charm, but I felt 18v felt and sounded much better. The MOSFET option absolutely makes the pedal sound and feel more open, smoother, and big-amp like. The Fat switch makes it feel as if you've added the bass of a Big Muff to the Rat circuit, it also tames some of the Rat's signature harsh highs. Absolutely great for heavy, down tuned riffs.
The stock setting by itself sounds so much better than the basic Rat2, they used their Whiteface reissue for this pedal, it's very responsive to your playing and guitar volume. Ironically a great gain stage to go into this Rat is…..the standard stock Rat2 on low gain. Hand made in the USA as well, which accounts for much of the higher price. Glad I took a gamble on this, videos online do not at all do it justice, you gotta play it in person. Thanks Proco!
This RAT's been eating New York trash
Just to explain the title a bit, there are a lot of people in New York, thus a lot of garbage at the landfills. Basically, this Rat has been eating a lot of that garbage. This is not a judgment on New Yorkers.
Anyways, this pedal with a Tube Screamer or another Rat makes for some great rock and metal tones. I go for 70s and 80s era type tones and this gets me there. Into a Two Notes Cab M DynIR and power amp Sim, the Fat Rat sounds spectacular. The Tube Screamer helps to focus the pedal a bit, making it tighter if necessary or to boost for a solo. Using another Rat style pedal, like a Turbo Rat or "clean" Rat (clipped diodes), can give it a nice sort of boost in a different way than a Tube Screamer would.
All in all, a great pedal! It's one of mu favorite Rat type pedals and I've had a ton of them over the years. Buy it.
My new favorite pedal.
It's a tone monster! In a good way... Or a great way really.
Just got it today, and it's honestly the happiest I've been with a pedal purchase.
Awesome gain pedal
This pedal turns a tweed bassman into jcm 800 territory.
Back off volume. Cleans up nicely.
Best of all Rats. I own them all.
This rat is fat
Excellent drive pedal.
The hype is true.
Awesome pedal!
This pedal sounds amazing. Makes my Marshall DSL5 sound like the Marshall JCM 900 half stack which I had in the nineties. Proco solid build quality. Excellent for palm muting riffs, power chords and solos as well.
A standard in distortion for a reason.
Awesome
Killer sounding pedal with a ton of distortion but with clarity also. The switches give you a lot of options with this pedal
Fat Rat Rocks!
Love this pedal! Makes some absolutely beautiful noise! Thanks, Sweetwater
Mother of all Rats!!!
I've been collecting rat pedals religiously for the past decade, I own many different variations & tons of clones including my crowning jewel Woodcutter Blackface Silver Screw Lm308 & the Fat Rat beats them all. This pedal just nails everything flawlessly & I already have a neat little collection of IC chips which is one of the best features because the socketed op-amp, an ultra original concept something other pedal builders still haven't been doing & had me sold immediately.
I really appreciate the Fat & Mosfet options, the Fat switch especially, sick all the way around. My Rat collection is complete.
The ultimate Rat!
I've used a Rat on and off for decades. Just recently got the Fat Rat and I'm loving it.
Compared to the current Rat the Fat Rat with stock settings is a bit less compressed, and less nasally with better clarity. The distortion control on the Fat Rat has a more gradual sweep making it much easier to dial in a great low gain crunch, which is a huge benefit to me. The Fat Rat, unlike the standard Rat, can be run on 18 volts, which makes a pretty noticeable difference. More clarity, punch, and dynamics.
The 'fat' mode sounds great in my opinion. Brings the low end up to a "normal" level and doesn't get flubby.
The mosfet clipping option is very nice too. It's smoother with less mids. I prefer the stock diode setting but the mosfet setting is great, just doesn't sound like a Rat.
I could easily see using 2 Fat Rats on my pedal board. One for low gain crunch, the other for high gain. I may actually do that in the near future.
I've had quite a few "boutique" Rat clones and the Fat Rat is as good, or better in my opinion. If you prefer the classic Rat sound it's in there. If you want more flexibility/options it covers a lot of ground. This is one of the best dirt pedals I've ever used. Highly recommended.
RAT rules!!!
What can I say? ... except that the RAT rules! My favourite dirt box ever! I own a slew of RATs (both current ones and old white face), and the Fat RAT is another great addition to the family. The mosfet clipping option is fantastic. I definitely recommend the Fat RAT.
Pro Co Fat Rat
I"ve also got a Turbo Rat. This Fat Rat is more versatile, and I prefer the sound of it. It holds its own against my other distortion pedals: Diezel VH4, Seymour Duncan Palladium, Wampler Dracarys, and Fulltone OCD. There"s a ridiculous number of distortion pedals out there. The Pro Co Fat Rat is one worth considering.
Follow up Review......
This is a follow up to my original review, hopefully this information will be useful to anyone looking at this pedal. As much as I love the classic Rat tone, sometimes the mids feel a little too forward and the pedal feels a bit stiff. I recently switched the clipping switch from Stock to MOSFET and the difference has been substantial. The pedal is much more natural and responsive in MOSFET mode, and mids are slightly more relaxed. Medium gain tones are more convincing and the pedal just feels better to play. I am using this pedal with two LP's and a vintage Gretsch, all played through clean Fender amps. I set the Fat Rat up for a good medium gain tone, then boost it with a Mini Tube Screamer for leads and heavier sounds. Initially I preferred the Stock sound, which is based on the Whiteface Rat. After several more hours of playing I now prefer the MOSFET setting. Overall, I am still very happy with this pedal and continue to find good sounds in it. I am glad I purchased a real Rat and not a clone. I hope this information is helpful. Rock on!!
A Modern Classic
I purchased two Fat Rats from Sweetwater and I am extremely satisfied with them. One is on my board and the other serves as a backup. The stock chip sounds very good, but I did end up replacing the chips in both pedals with some old LM308N's. To my ears the 308's are slightly darker and smoother. This pedal replaced an OCD and a Crunch Box and works much better with my Fender amps. The different modes work very well and offer very usable tones, although I prefer the stock settings most of the time. The large case, vintage style knobs and silk screened logo remind me of the old Rats I used to own. Best thing is the tone, it sounds like my old Rats and has some added versatility as well. The socketed op-amp is a simple but brilliant idea, more manufacturers should do this. The pedal is built like a tank and everything is neatly wired and assembled. If you are a Rat fan or are looking for something different and more "old school" I highly suggest you consider the Fat Rat.
High price for a Rat, but some really nice options.
This is a solid pedal. Great old rat sound with some nice new mods. It is big on a pedal board, but could possibly be your one distortion depending on your needs. For me, it fits at least half of my applications. The bass boost give something more to a Big Muff type sound, while the new mosfet switch gives me a much smoother sound that allows the pedal to be used more in blues applications.
Rat Pack
I have my original Rat from 1986, and also a discontinued Deucetone from 20 years ago. This one continues the Rat tradition of great tones but honestly isn't worth double the classic Rat....which is the clear best value winner. So if you only get one, thats the one. The extra cash gets you a little more tonal versatility but not enough to justify the cost.
