I've been as cheap with the Timestamps as these Rat clones this week, enjoy: 00:00 Intro and what we’re doing today 01:01 ProCo Rat 2 specs and info 01:35 Harley Benton Rodent specs and info 02:17 TC Electronic Magus Pro specs and info 02:51 Mooer Black Secret specs and info 04:18 Today’s rig and plan 05:08 Epiphone Les Paul modern rock loop 13:44 Fender Telecaster indie rock loop
I picked up a Rat clone by a local builder a few months back that I found in a pawn shop. I paid $80 CAD. He originally sold them for $200 CAD, they had a 3 way toggle that gave you stock mode (a part for part clone of an original early 80's Rat), the 2nd position was a clipping mod of some sort, and then bypassing the clipping section. The idea behind the clipping bypass was that instead of needing to remove the Rat to put a boost pedal in its place, you already had the boost mode, a feature he did to most of his dirt pedals. It is by far, the best Rat I have tried and the 3 way clipping switch made it that much more versatile.
Good Sunday afternoon dear friend, I have HB and TC at home. I put together a separate PB from both brands. Although I am an amateur, I only play at home in my mini studio. I also recommend paying attention to other pedals of the mentioned brands. I use Mooer as a delay, reverb and looper even in their not quite usual models. Excellent comparison, great video. I wish you a nice new week. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍
Nice comparison Rich. They barely differ from each other at first value. It sounds like they can all be dialed in to almost exactly the same tone. It seems to me the Rodent lacks a tiny bit of high with the filter in the 12 o' clock positions, compared to the Rat. But that's all adjustable. Do you have a personal favorite, and why?
Thanks! It's funny... they're all Rats, of course, and you can make them all sound identical with just a little tweaking. But they also all have their own little quirks and idiosyncrasies. I agree about the HB, And for me it's the most raw sounding of the 4, and the least tameable. Which some will like, and some wont. For me, out of these four I reach for the ProCo most, but of the others, it's the TC Magus Pro. The three modes are all really usable, it's super chunky and well-built, and the knobs aren't as small and fiddly as the other two 😉 This elevates it for me, even though the switch TC uses on its mini pedals is a bit weird (as in, it only switches when you release your foot after pressing down - takes a little getting used to!). Remind me which Rat-type is your favorite?
Yes! I have the Rude Mouse (and I have videos of it on my channel) and it's a great one! Not better, but definitely same level. I'll do another Rat shootout soon and feature the Rude Mouse.
In the past I didn't liked the Rat pedal at all... I didn't knew really what this pedal could sound... I saw some old videos and the sounds were nothing for me... But than, after some years, I changed my opinion, because of good detailed videos, that showed different ways to use this pedal and how to combine it with other pedals... (I've forgotten the channel...) Now I'm a fan of the Proco Rat 2. The Proco Rat 2 has it own special character and the other pedals sounded a bit different... The other pedals are good, but I prefer the Proco Rat because of its behavior, the interaction with other pedals and the sounds that I can get. At the moment I'm waiting for my GT73 pedal that I will combine with the Proco Rat 2, for doom metal sounds and a lot more. Good video as always!
Probably just the settings but Mooer went more easily closer to the Rat. Rat had some scooping coming in more easily which was nice. But the at some times the ones under comparison were exactly the same so I take it is totally possible get the same tone from all of those.
I think if the cheap pedals make one good sound they are worth up to 40 or so Euro. Got the RAT and payed €90. Very versatile. From boost/overdrive to distortion (which it pretends to be 😎) into a hint of fuzz. A cheap pedal: set & forget. A more expensive pedal: buy & forget. Kinda 🤣
A wise man once told me what sounds big when jamming alone at home can become tinny sounding and small if playing in a band onstage at a rocking venue. Thats when you wish you hadnt cheaped out. Just buy the Proco. P.s. I haven't because I played professionally as a drummer and guitar is just for fun at home. I mainly use a BigMuffPi or the affordable black plastic Danelectro Metal it is kind of Ratty!
It's definitely true that the tones many of us love using at home don't translate well to the stage. We tend to scoop the mids a bit much, and that's what you need live! But yeah. With the Rats, you can get heard over most dins. I also favor the ProCo for its solid build and larger knobs, both of which can be easier to get on with live. I particularly dislike fiddling with some of the tiny mini pedal knobs under pressure 😉 Sounds like I need to track down one of those little Danelectros then!
Yeah, besides the ProCo the Magus Pro is my go-to Rat at the moment. Super solid, the three modes are all great and the knobs are the right size for tweaking. The mini pedals can be just too fiddly for my chunky fingers. The only thing that took some getting used to with the Magus was the switch and how it only switches once you release your foot after pressing down. After some practice it becomes second nature though.
@@RichWordsMusic The Magus Pro seems to provide interesting versatility with the additional switch, and good compromise dimension-wise. However, who came with the idea of inverting the activation mode? What could be the benefit of it? I'm puzzled. And I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to adapt. (Moreover, seems to be a mix in the TC lineup between "regular" and "inverted" pedals, right? They seem to make interesting pedals, but hard to find info about which is what.)
@@RichWordsMusic idk really, something about the mids that makes them loose and tight at the same time, aaaah, who cares about words, let's go play the thing 😄
Funnily enough I just got the Mickey last week and it is indeed pretty awesome! Haven't done any A/B tests with it yet. Will put it in my next cheap Rat challenge for sure 👍
I've been as cheap with the Timestamps as these Rat clones this week, enjoy:
00:00 Intro and what we’re doing today
01:01 ProCo Rat 2 specs and info
01:35 Harley Benton Rodent specs and info
02:17 TC Electronic Magus Pro specs and info
02:51 Mooer Black Secret specs and info
04:18 Today’s rig and plan
05:08 Epiphone Les Paul modern rock loop
13:44 Fender Telecaster indie rock loop
I picked up a Rat clone by a local builder a few months back that I found in a pawn shop. I paid $80 CAD. He originally sold them for $200 CAD, they had a 3 way toggle that gave you stock mode (a part for part clone of an original early 80's Rat), the 2nd position was a clipping mod of some sort, and then bypassing the clipping section. The idea behind the clipping bypass was that instead of needing to remove the Rat to put a boost pedal in its place, you already had the boost mode, a feature he did to most of his dirt pedals.
It is by far, the best Rat I have tried and the 3 way clipping switch made it that much more versatile.
That Magus FAT mode really makes a difference! Thanks for making this video 🙂
It does indeed! Hope you try it for yourself soon too. I shall be watching out for videos :)
Good Sunday afternoon dear friend, I have HB and TC at home. I put together a separate PB from both brands. Although I am an amateur, I only play at home in my mini studio. I also recommend paying attention to other pedals of the mentioned brands. I use Mooer as a delay, reverb and looper even in their not quite usual models. Excellent comparison, great video. I wish you a nice new week. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍
Nice comparison Rich. They barely differ from each other at first value. It sounds like they can all be dialed in to almost exactly the same tone. It seems to me the Rodent lacks a tiny bit of high with the filter in the 12 o' clock positions, compared to the Rat. But that's all adjustable. Do you have a personal favorite, and why?
Thanks! It's funny... they're all Rats, of course, and you can make them all sound identical with just a little tweaking. But they also all have their own little quirks and idiosyncrasies. I agree about the HB, And for me it's the most raw sounding of the 4, and the least tameable. Which some will like, and some wont.
For me, out of these four I reach for the ProCo most, but of the others, it's the TC Magus Pro. The three modes are all really usable, it's super chunky and well-built, and the knobs aren't as small and fiddly as the other two 😉 This elevates it for me, even though the switch TC uses on its mini pedals is a bit weird (as in, it only switches when you release your foot after pressing down - takes a little getting used to!). Remind me which Rat-type is your favorite?
Great reviews as always Rich. Thank you
And thank you for watching and the kind comments! Rock on 👍
Did you find the sonicake rude mouse to be a good Rat pedal? Is it better than the others?
Yes! I have the Rude Mouse (and I have videos of it on my channel) and it's a great one! Not better, but definitely same level. I'll do another Rat shootout soon and feature the Rude Mouse.
@@RichWordsMusic recently, I ordered the ProCo rat & I will be getting it 6-7-24. Your video helped me decide that. Thanks.
In the past I didn't liked the Rat pedal at all... I didn't knew really what this pedal could sound... I saw some old videos and the sounds were nothing for me... But than, after some years, I changed my opinion, because of good detailed videos, that showed different ways to use this pedal and how to combine it with other pedals... (I've forgotten the channel...)
Now I'm a fan of the Proco Rat 2. The Proco Rat 2 has it own special character and the other pedals sounded a bit different... The other pedals are good, but I prefer the Proco Rat because of its behavior, the interaction with other pedals and the sounds that I can get. At the moment I'm waiting for my GT73 pedal that I will combine with the Proco Rat 2, for doom metal sounds and a lot more.
Good video as always!
I'd like to see this kind of video and pedal comparisons with a bass. Rat is also great for bass players. Thanks for your work.
Good shout! I do dabble in bass on the side and want to make some bass videos soon. So a Rat one would be a good start!
@@RichWordsMusic that will be great 👍 thanks a lot !
Have you tried the Joyo Splilnter?
No, I haven't... definitely on my list though. Can you recommend it?
Probably just the settings but Mooer went more easily closer to the Rat. Rat had some scooping coming in more easily which was nice. But the at some times the ones under comparison were exactly the same so I take it is totally possible get the same tone from all of those.
I think if the cheap pedals make one good sound they are worth up to 40 or so Euro.
Got the RAT and payed €90. Very versatile. From boost/overdrive to distortion (which it pretends to be 😎) into a hint of fuzz.
A cheap pedal: set & forget.
A more expensive pedal: buy & forget.
Kinda 🤣
A wise man once told me what sounds big when jamming alone at home can become tinny sounding and small if playing in a band onstage at a rocking venue. Thats when you wish you hadnt cheaped out.
Just buy the Proco.
P.s. I haven't because I played professionally as a drummer and guitar is just for fun at home.
I mainly use a BigMuffPi or the affordable black plastic Danelectro Metal it is kind of Ratty!
And I dont play Metal.
Depends. It takes up a lot of board real estate. AND, if you want more than one flavor of Rat, that's more board space. It's why I run the Magus.
It's definitely true that the tones many of us love using at home don't translate well to the stage. We tend to scoop the mids a bit much, and that's what you need live! But yeah. With the Rats, you can get heard over most dins. I also favor the ProCo for its solid build and larger knobs, both of which can be easier to get on with live. I particularly dislike fiddling with some of the tiny mini pedal knobs under pressure 😉 Sounds like I need to track down one of those little Danelectros then!
Yeah, besides the ProCo the Magus Pro is my go-to Rat at the moment. Super solid, the three modes are all great and the knobs are the right size for tweaking. The mini pedals can be just too fiddly for my chunky fingers. The only thing that took some getting used to with the Magus was the switch and how it only switches once you release your foot after pressing down. After some practice it becomes second nature though.
@@RichWordsMusic The Magus Pro seems to provide interesting versatility with the additional switch, and good compromise dimension-wise. However, who came with the idea of inverting the activation mode? What could be the benefit of it? I'm puzzled. And I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to adapt.
(Moreover, seems to be a mix in the TC lineup between "regular" and "inverted" pedals, right? They seem to make interesting pedals, but hard to find info about which is what.)
damn, the original sounds so much clearer on the low mids it's ridiculous
Interesting, right? There's something just a bit magic about the ProCo...
@@RichWordsMusic idk really, something about the mids that makes them loose and tight at the same time, aaaah, who cares about words, let's go play the thing 😄
The Tone City Mickey sounds better than the Mooer (which the Rodent is a rebadge job)
Funnily enough I just got the Mickey last week and it is indeed pretty awesome! Haven't done any A/B tests with it yet. Will put it in my next cheap Rat challenge for sure 👍
Hey there Pluto!
STOMP on a rat! * squeak *
He he, always a great sound!
@@RichWordsMusic ;o)
👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you good sir!