Duration 40:42

The Ultimate RAT Pedal Blindfold Challenge - 7 Pedals - £40 - £200 Shootout

by Andertons Music Co

102 594 watched

2.4 K

Published 13 Jun 2021

Seven RAT-inspired pedals, one real RAT & one blindfolded Pete Honoré. Can he find the most expensive from the most affordable? With a range of guitar pedals starting from £40 to £200, do all RAT overdrives sound the same when set to 12 o'clock? | https://tinyurl.com/y6qk6dh4 » Electro Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz & Distortion | https://tinyurl.com/y2nhfe7e » TC Electronic Magus Pro Distortion Pedal | https://tinyurl.com/y2y6nnne » Walrus Audio Iron Horse V2 Distortion | https://tinyurl.com/yygy7u8t » Mooer Black Secret Distortion | https://tinyurl.com/y2o9x44h » ProCo RAT 2 Classic Distortion | https://tinyurl.com/y4wafx6p » Jam Pedals Rattler Overdrive & Distortion Pedal | https://tinyurl.com/y6b2yzac » Wampler Ratsbane Mini Distortion | https://tinyurl.com/yyxehzuc » Iconic Guitars Vintage Modern S-HR In Aged Flat Black | https://tinyurl.com/y6xbnngd » The GigRig QuarterMaster Switcher | https://tinyurl.com/y2up3cc8 🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out our previous episode! » /watch/YYxfMTXQjt8Qf ↪️ Episode Guide ↩️ » 0:00 Cheap Vs Expensive Blindfold Challenge » 2:20 Let's See The Pedals » 4:38 ProCo RAT 2 » 8:25 Electro Harmonix Flatiron » 10:44 Jam Pedals Rattler » 14:47 TC Electronic Magus » 17:28 Wampler Ratsbane » 21:29 Walrus Audio Iron Horse » 23:27 Mooer Black Secret » 27:19 Quick Recap » 31:55 Was Pete Right? » 34:40 What Do The Switches Do? » 38:30 Final Thoughts? 📺 Looking for more exclusive content? Sign up to Andertons Extra? » https://andertonsextra.com/get-extra 📱 Why not give us a follow on our social channels? » Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/andertonsmusicco » Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/andertons/ » Twitter | https://twitter.com/andertonsmusic 🎸 Want To Jam Along? Check out our Backing Tracks! » https://andertonstv.bandcamp.com/ 👕 Buy A T-Shirt 👕 | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie, or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now! Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos! Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q #Andertons #RATPedals #BlindfoldChallenge

Category

Comments - 497

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@lexist73 years ago What’s really impressive is that you were able to blindfold 7 rats 179
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@Alec_McCloskey3 years ago If you didn’t look at the screen, you’d have no idea Pete was blindfolded... Phenomenal player 166
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@CianRourke3 years ago Just a little suggestion. Label the pedals alphabetically. This way 1 won’t be 6, and 3 won’t be 2, etc. 329
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@rgbplumbinghilton3 years ago TC and Mooer are killing the competition for sound and value. 92
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@unitednihilists3 years ago I'm not a gigging musician. I RAWK out in my basement, and the one thing these blindfold challenges have taught me is that Tone City are the perfect tools for me. 21
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@JosePineda-jn8jk3 years ago I know you are saying “Rat tone” but, I keep hearing “Ratón” which in Spanish means Mouse 😂 . I now want to make my own clone and call it that! 🤔 33
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@sheltonuslast year I'm impressed at the smoothness in the Quartermaster's switching. I could hear absolutely no transition between pedal selection (other than pedal differences, of course). 6
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@eupraxis1last year Just, last week, ordered the Wampler, not because it sounded just like the Rat, but because, generally, I really liked the overall sounds. These others here were all great, but in the end I personally preferred the Wampler. 6
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@matthewtyler-jones83173 years ago Gotta say, Pete said somebody should make a RAT inspired pedal with a plague theme. He should check out the plague doctor on the Wampler Ratsbane 41
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@kurukq3 years ago Maybe you could label the pedals as ABCD Etc.., so as not to say #1 is #3 and so on. 60
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@rocket692183 years ago That TC did sound really good... amazing for the price. Not sure I would bother spending more on any of the others. 33
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@TheEmperorOfIceCream3 years ago I just pre-ordered the magus here in the states and then checked out this video to verify my decision. I have an original rat and I actually use it very low gain high volume with the filter at 9 oclock, which means less filter or more highs pass through. Even with subtle settings it colors or shapes the tone in a way I really like. The reason I want the magus is for the turbo rat setting which uses led clipping, and turbo rats go for almost twice as much. From videos I've watched they sound great with gain just below 9 o'clock as a sort of boost. I was a little bummed you guys didn't try that setting for turbo because Captain Even mentioned it when you guys were discussing that rats aren't really meant to be below 12 o'clock. Anyway, I'm hoping I feel that way when my magus finally arrives (3 months from now.) ... 10
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@e.g.systems61463 years ago While I'm not particularly a RAT lover, that little Mooer is really punching above its weight, and the TC is right up there! Thanks for the time you put into these boys! 16
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@richardb20323 years ago Why don’t you put numbers on post-it notes and then put them on the pedals. Easy to change around quickly. No need to keep re writing an order on paper ? 50
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@Yupppi3 years ago Rat is an interesting pedal. Nuno got it built in his signature amp, Graham Coxon had two stacked. For a pedal that is just somewhat simple distortion with bad transistor, it's been used in so many unexpected ways. 7
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@leoe3883 years ago Thanks for telling me that this video was coming. I've been so psyched all this time. I love this format 2
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@pepenietnagel74495 months ago The reason Pete is complaining about the gain being too much on the Wampler Ratsbane is, that the pedal was set to high gain mode all the time. The toggle switch on the left side should have been set to its middle position, which is the „original RAT“ gain setting. ... 2
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@rickspyder6159one week ago You just saved me 6 hours at a music store and the sanity of the salesman. Love these videos
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@jordandangelo1803 years ago Man I was very excited to see this as I’ve watched the Tube Screamer and Klon blindfold test so many times that I feel some relief to have a new blindfold to watch. I bought many RAT clones and then realized I was spending a lot of money trying to get the sound of a pedal that cost $65.00 and there really is no need for a clone when the real one exists! The Rattler is great and I bought a cool all white RAT but the original RAT is always the best. ... 10
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@MichealBT3 years ago Love the numbers and the prices!! Thanks production team!! Great video dudes! 1
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@christianhartmann85673 years ago I love these videos because I can listen to all the different nuances between similar pedals and then find my own ranking. Although I sometimes have a different taste than you there in the videos - it helps immensely to make an informed decision. Please keep making these Blindfold Challenges. ... 14
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@wspeed6573 years ago I love that the distortion sounds like an explosion when it starts or as you called it "bloom"
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@jimcamp24233 years ago The Rat 2 was my favorite, the feedback is something that none of the others could seem to emulate. Probably because the others are newer technology & takes on the Rat ? Oddly the EHX sounded much closer to the ProCo than the others to me, therefore actually better. ... 7
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@ascosta3 years ago I love how the pedals are already randomly pre sorted and then Pete does a second random sorting for no good reason other than to make things confusing 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣 15
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@luisangelmedia44593 years ago What a great time to be a guitar player. Incredible amounts of options to choose from if you have $50 or $200. Anybody can afford a solid rig right now with these! 5
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@UnboundOdysseus2 years ago The ProCo Rat is my favourite. Turning UP the filter control actually cuts some high end and makes leads just sing like a violin. 13
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@dragffys3 years ago Easy, label the pedals with letters (A, B, C..) and place them in order on the pedalboard. Then place post-its with the position number (1st, 2nd, 3rd...), and move the post-its around as required. 2
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@FoxVert3 years ago I thought the Magus sounded good when you did the video putting together your less expensive pedal boards. I'm glad to hear that it holds up in this company. 5
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@geoffblack96553 years ago The RAT absolutely has a great low gain tone around 8- ish. Darken it a bit, raise the volume and it’s the tits. 11
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@Sui77811 months ago TC Magus Pro is right there with everything else and the three modes on the toggle switch are the most useful of all the units that had switches. 2
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@david_farmer2 years ago I'd love to see a shootout that includes the modeled pedals in a Kemper,
Ampero II, HX Stomp, etc., compared to the actual stomp boxes. />Love this! That Blues Breaker really did sound great. I own a Kemper
and am also looking to get an Ampero II Stomp. I already own Helix
Native or I'd be looking at an HX Stomp. But I find myself wondering
how well included modeled pedals really hold up.
These video comparisons you've done are just great! Lots of honesty in
here and its just great to see and hear. ... 2
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@billyhughes97763 years ago They all sound really good -- Liked the Rattler, Ratsbane, Ironhorse and Original the best. I have an Ironhorse and really love it. 1
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@mdmusic21303 years ago I have the Rat original and the Rat proco 2 but I love the New Wampler Ratsbane…huge killer tone!!!Fantastic pedal!!! 2
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@wildbilltexas3 years ago That was a fun comparison. The Rat had a rep for making shitty amps sound good! 17
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@thunderbirdbrown30022 years ago The difference between the Iron Horse and The Black Secret was insane dude! They sound the same... fascinating 🤘🏿 1
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@drdre43972 years ago I chose the ratsbane, I just like the mid focused feel and I won't really be turning the gain up that far. I will say the toggles have a huge effect on the tone and with the gain toggle left and voice toggle right, you get less gain with a bit of a mid punch and it's really nice. I don't use it in any other mode. ... 3
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@MrWilson-WithaPbass3 years ago Thank you guys , Big Rat fan here (I have the Iron horse ) ,Had an OG in the day ,as well as a Keely modded one (sold both ) along the way ., gotta say I like the Low end in EHX .Good deal for those. 1
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@daniels.29783 years ago Day in day out you guys present the most fun, informative gear reviews. Peace love and rock n roll Pete and Lee.l
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@vadenk44332 years ago I’m gonna pick up a Magus. That’s a killer pedal for the price 4
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@SunTzuBean3 years ago For these blindfold challenges they should set them up like this:
Out of all the pedals, choose the one that is in the middle of the price range (i.e. the one that is the median price of the bunch) and allow Pete to test it without a blindfold. After he is comfortable with the sound of that one, he should A/B blindfold test the median pedal against the rest of the pedals so that Pete can sort them into a “more” expensive or “less” expensive than the median pedal. Then, if you guys really want to order them, you can order the “less” expensive group and the “more” expensive groups independently. That should cut down on the amount of things Pete has to remember and order, and the final product is still an ordered list from least to most expensive sounding. I think it would produce more surprising results since Pete only has to think about whether or not the pedal he is testing is more expensive than the one he has already heard. ... 4
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@mahatma_gandalf3 years ago I kind of liked them all about the same. Having said that, I didn't really love any of them, as I typically prefer the rat sound with single coils. 11
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@tonygunk67953 years ago The rat sounds so damn good.. my favorite distortion pedal 7
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@dominic98933 years ago The affordable moore seems to be a big winner here. Sounded great and very similar to the ironhorse. 2
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@the5chord2 years ago You guys are awesome. If I was in England I would be ordering from you all the time. Unfortunately all we have in this country is the queen on our money but no Andertons! 3
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@gcvrsa3 years ago I have had my eye on the Walrus for months, mainly because of the "wide open mode". I know you aren't really getting into the additional modes of the Wampler, tc electronic, and Walrus, but I have to say that in the standard mode, the tc electronic pedal is really great and a fantastic value. I think I might pick one up just because it's great and inexpensive. But the JAM Rattler really is in this compart a stand out.
But, for the record, although top-mounted jacks allow one to place pedals closer together, this is not necessarily a good idea, because you do need to have enough space between pedals to fit a foot between them and no accidentally hit two or three switches at once in the middle of a song. ... 2
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@Dreyno3 years ago I have a Proco Vintage Rat that I bought new in the late 90s. At the time I wasn’t sure about it but I put it away for a few years and when I dug it out, I loved it. The main reason for buying a Proco is because you know what to look for on the board. The others don’t look like Rats but they sound like them. ...
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@josephharrison79143 years ago Finally the Rat blindfold challenge is here 46
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@happygolukky3 years ago Lol - wow so similar - especially when you flipped between all 7 - maybe it is down to extra signal noise? Or just price? Great blindfold! And Pete is amazing. Also - got all the fam kitted out in Anderton’s T’s here in the US. ... 2
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@RobertFisher19693 years ago Love this series of videos! Maybe next time use letters for the pedals so that Pete can say “A is my #3” instead of “#1 is my #3”. 🙂 3
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@SkyBrotherBortz3 years ago A Rat into a cranked up AC30 is an amazing, ferocious sound. 2
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@guitarlessonsnow3431last year RAT is the best distortion for versatility. From light overdrive to fuzz and everything in between. 1
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@captainwhizz3 years ago You guys must be psychic; I’ve got a load of stuff sitting in my online basket, waiting for me to decide which boost or drive pedal I’m going to get, and you throw this out there!
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@Chazbattles3 years ago Preferred the original rat for some reason. Loved the rattler too. Great Demo. Can we do a univibe blind test or a analog delay shootout. 4
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@Scoots19943 years ago I couldn't click on this fast enough. I love my Deucetone Rat, but that Rattler was the winner for me too. Even with the gain high it still had some nice tone. 2
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@niccololaforteza79833 years ago the more expensive ones seem to have more presence, according to my ears at least.
but heck, im gonna go get that magus. 3
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@jdjk73 years ago Broughton Locust Star. It sounds as phenomenal guitar as it does on bass. I had the EHX Flatiron a long time ago when they first came out, but there was really no way to get enough low end out of it without simply putting it in a blender loop. ...
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@miquelmarti65373 days ago Most difficult shootout ever... and he even spotted the original one. I think I liked the Mooer and the TC the most.
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@emeraldchan77703 years ago I love my mooer and classic rat. They really get the job done. 2
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@guyfawkes88733 months ago Great idea to ask the viewers to put the video away x) so much fun
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@LL-bl8hd9 months ago I listened without looking at the screen and ended up liking the EHX and Wampler the best. They were all good, though. 1
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@GuitarBailey3 years ago HEY HEY....THIS IS THE MOMENT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR 6 MONTHS AND HERES THE ULTIMATE RAT SHOOT OUT THANK YOU PETE AND CAP. 3
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@ihaveaproblem31533 years ago Great video, I think the guitars pickups are pretty hot making the dynamics of the gain not show, I use a rat as an overdrive sometimes with a Tele, if I put a guitar with a bigger output into the rat with a low gain setting it no longer acts as an overdrive. I guess sometimes the guitars pickup determine the style of music your going to perform, Pete would have been more comfortable with a low output 50/60 style guitar with the rat then a modern style guitar ...
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@Magnum51603 years ago I own five of these pedals and this did not conclude as I expected. The flatiron is one of my favorite pedals, not just among rats, and the Wampler is the one on my board right now. I actually don't care much for my Iron Horse, and they all sound pretty drastically different except for the affordable models, which approximate the original quite well. ... 1
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@armandomorenotherevival78273 months ago Nuno doesn’t use the rat for gain , but more for tone shaping . According to Nuno it’s what tightens up the lowend and gives that percussive sound he loves . Gain down and filter/tone 12 o clock and level to you hear it kick in ...
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@michaell.89388 months ago I really like the Iron Horse. The switches made noticeable differences in tone. The original Rat is still a huge contender here. 1
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@stringtheoryguitars49523 years ago I have 6 vintage Rats (79-86) and you can't make them sound the same. One sounds similar to a Marshall, another has a "reedy" kind of sax tone, another has a violin kind of tone... that's why I have so many. I could never choose a favorite LOL! ...
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@jeffreyesguitar51293 years ago It’s uncanny how often Pete guesses which pedal is the original. 9
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@DougMen13 years ago They all sound so similar, so you might as well just buy the one you like of the cheaper ones. I kind of liked the EHX, 'cause it sounded a little smoother and less harsh to me 2
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@mootsym9 months ago If the TC and Walrus had the same quietness of the Rattler, they’d be my favorites for their versatility plus sound. The walrus almost got Muffy on one of the settings. 1
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@michael_caz_nyc3 years ago I love the Jam Pedals Rattler the Best = (less fizzy). The TC Magus was My #2, also-impressive & great value. Original Rat was #3 for me.
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@tomaselke36702 years ago I'm still a fan of Electro Harmonix partly because I like the artwork on their pedals, but I'd probably go for the Wampler based on the sounds I heard in this video. 1
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@OscarFaldi3 years ago I have mooer black secret.. it's so funny watching this challenge hahaha 4
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@jordanb95112 years ago Little Mooer Black Secret for the win here. It’s got a tasteful boxiness and gain texture to it at a fraction of the price of the Rattler, which is the creme de la creme here, especially that bloom man.
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@albertplaysguitar3 years ago Love the Magus Pro... the Wampler Ratsbane is like driving a Ferrari... I just need a nice Honda or Toyota. Enter the Magus Pro! But, in defense of the Ratsbane, it can do that and more. You just need to get a feel for how to set the knobs. ... 1
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@twenty3electronics2 years ago When Pete says “it sounds good in isolation but...” The perceived volume of the RAT is lower than some other distortion pedals at the same decibel level. So it doesn’t cut through in a mix that well. Kind of diffuse. It is kind of bedroom player pedal. I prefer the Turbo RAT, which used LEDs for the clipping, so I would probably go for the Mugus or Mooer ...
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@olliedf893 years ago Perfect timing for me too as I’ve been after a good rat for ages! I’d love to see you do these comparisons with a wee bass blast through at the end. Not enough of these style videos with bass content, and low end consistency is one of the hardest things to compare across separate demo videos. That said I’ll probably pick up an original all the same! ... 2
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@GuitarBailey3 years ago I can say I'm sold on the jam pedals I have a Eureka fuzz and I love it so versatile time to add the rattler.
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@davidburke21323 years ago I can only think the sound in the room, maybe because of the effects of volume on perception, are quite different to what comes through on the recorded video because when the guys were switching backwards and forwards between the Rattler and the Iron Horse saying how similar they were I was noticing a significant difference in saturation, low end and clarity.
And again… to me the Mooer didn’t sound “identical” to the Iron Horse. It was very similar, but the Iron Horse was clearer, and let’s remember, they’re supposed to be “very similar”! 😜 ... 1
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@anthonyt78133 years ago My ear must be developing. I could follow how Pete and Lee were describing all. In earlier times everything would have sounded the same to me! I liked the original one here the most. Cheers.
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@jorgearturoarevalogutierre13283 years ago Damn! You reaaaaaally need to cover them up from the viewers too for some instance, i keep hearing the slight differences but i’m hugely biased towards the iron horse just because it LOOKS awsome… but the tc electronics is way cheaper and sounds pretty much the same… damn it! Great video! ... 2
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@OctopusEars2 years ago Imo can't beat the rat 2 for $70.. and I bought mine for the low gain, barely bring in the gain and boost the volume.. and control the breakup with your guitar's volume knob.. great fun 1
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@memygtar3 years ago Rat called Ben 😂😂😂 I’ve had a beer but I almost pissed myself laughing 2
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@yadakc3 years ago Greetings from across the pond!!!
I too really liked the Rattler. Being a big EHX fan I was quite disappointed with the Iron whatever? For the price the Mooer is hard to beat, and even out here in videpland, it was nearly impossible to distinguish the Rat from the Rattler! I'd likely go for the ProCo unless I ran into some unexpected cash, and would then grab the Rattler. Love your videos, and would love to purchase some gear from you if I could get it for what I pay here in Yankland!!!
Peace, Keith in Virginia!!!! ...
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@wrenchburner40233 years ago 24.51 Capt. Maybe don't insert your opinion here. Love you brother (and ABSOLUTLY not being negative). Please let it flow when the blindfold is on. Great work as always. 1
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@alittlebitoflight9 months ago You dialled out the thing I like most about the rat (dynamic highs) super early and then were highish gain from there on. Fair enough. Gotta choose some kind of approach. But for those of us who like lower gain walls of distortion, it wasn't as instructive. Still enjoyed it. ...
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@AGNC73 years ago Rattler does sound the best to me too. I can’t say I would have put them all in the same order but the Rattler sounded the best for sure!
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@michaeljohnson80583 years ago Here's my tuppence trying to help: designate the pedals with letters, ie: A, B, C and use numbers for the order the pedals are in. ( as you're currently doing. 🙂 ) if you like this idea, I'd really dig a French seal t-shirt cheers 😜 ... 1
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@BigMateo243 years ago Now we need the ultimate CE-2 chorus shootout. 10
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@sleepwait96133 years ago I'd like to see a comparison at max level just to understand how much hey can stand out form the clean sound when engaged. Playing in a sludge/doom band it is important that there's a huge volume upgrade when engaging a distortion pedal ...