The Proco Rat 2 best distortion pedal is a modern version of a well-known vintage pedal. If you don’t know what a Rat sounds like, you’ve probably heard it before – it was very popular among rock ‘n roll and blues players in the 80’s and is still used by many guitarists today. There are all kinds of modern distortion pedals on the market but for many guitarists, there’s just nothing quite like that thick, fuzzy vintage tone that you get for a Rat.
Besides that perfect vintage sound that you just can’t replace in a live rig, what makes the Proco Rat 2 so valuable is its versatility. It features distortion and filter knobs to cover a range of sounds – use a low distortion setting to dial in just that little extra over your main amp, or crank it up more for a thick and fuzzy tone. The filter control allows you to dial in more low end for a thicker, fuller sound or go for more treble to maintain more clarity in your notes. This allows you to get lots of fuzzy distortion without getting too muddy, so that your notes don’t get lost. The wide range that these knobs cover, however, means that the Proco Rat 2 will require a bit of fiddling to get your sound right. All 3 knobs are surprisingly sensitive.
Turning up the volume control will give you a significant volume boost as well. Some players like to keep the volume high and the distortion low – this way, when it’s time for a solo they can step on the Rat and get a volume boost with just a hint of that fuzzy distortion to really stand out in the mix.
The Proco Rat 2 can be powered by either a single 9-volt battery or an AC power source. While the battery life tends to be good, it’s not going to be much fun to have to replace a battery on stage since an allen wrench is required to access the battery compartment and for this reason it may be preferable to use AC power when using this at a gig. The Proco Rat 2 has an AC jack but you’ll need to buy your own adapter and cord.
Overall, this is an excellent pedal – sturdy construction and a great vintage sound.
Pros:
– Great vintage sound
– Good versatility
– Solid, durable and reliable
– Easy to maintain clarity with significant amounts of distortion
Cons:
– Control knobs are quite touchy and will take some time to get used to and dial in your sweet spot
– Battery not easily accessible
Best Distortion Pedal 