Anybody have a Keeley Rat?

[45WinMag]

I just bought a second Rat (1983 big box) on the 'bay and I'm thinking about having the first one (vintage reissue) modded by Keeley when I go home on leave later this year. Would there be enough of a difference to justify keeping both Rats? What can I expect it to sound like?

At least once, I'm going to see what a Rat running into another Rat running into a Marshall Vintage Modern sounds like. Does anyone ever actually daisy-chain distortions like that (please forgive my ignorance, I've always been a straight-into-the-amp guy, pedals are kinda' new to me even though I'd wanted a Rat since I was a teenager in the 80's for some strange reason)?

I would have my Dad send the vintage reissue to Keeley so that it's ready when I get home, but with my luck he'd accidentally send the '83, so I'm going to wait.

 

[Beerdog80]

I used to have one that I traded in part of a gear swap. Don't recall the model and there are several different versions out there but I know it was a mid 80's one. It sounded great in front of my Ampeg VL-1002.

Nothing wrong with keeping both, use the Keeley all the time and the other as a boost or something. two rats are better than one.

If you handy with modding things yourself...check out this link..

DIY Tube Guitar Amp Page

 

[Ermghoti]

The '83 is gaining value, and the mods are largely aimed at making newer Rats sound like the older ones. I'd grab a beater if you want one modded.

Stacking Rats? Try it, but I'd be surprised if anything good happened. Part of the advantage of stacking is to build on the differences between pedals, IMO.

 

[captcoolaid]

okay I am gonna sound like an idiot. Are we talking about the old Pro Co Rat distortion boxes

 

[Beerdog80]

okay I am gonna sound like an idiot. Are we talking about the old Pro Co Rat distortion boxes

Yes. Stacking two distortion pedals full time isn't commonly done but using another as a solo boost works just fine.

 

[TeleDog]

I'm thinking about sending my Rat to get the mod. Mine has the serial under 300,000 so it's 60 bucks, but I don't know how good a mod that is. Is it really worth it? I would love to mod it myself, but don't know how! lol

 

[45WinMag]

The '83 is gaining value, and the mods are largely aimed at making newer Rats sound like the older ones. I'd grab a beater if you want one modded.

Stacking Rats? Try it, but I'd be surprised if anything good happened. Part of the advantage of stacking is to build on the differences between pedals, IMO.

I'm not touching the '83. I was thinking of modding the reissue.

The stacking is going to be more out of curiousity than thinking that it might actually sound good.

 

[Beerdog80]

I'm thinking about sending my Rat to get the mod. Mine has the serial under 300,000 so it's 60 bucks, but I don't know how good a mod that is. Is it really worth it? I would love to mod it myself, but don't know how! lol

Do you want to know?

Shoot me a PM if you do.

 

[st.bede]

I have a keeley modded ratt...very nice pedal....I have the 3 way...nice

I was thinking of modding the reissue.

the cool thing is that you can have the three switch mod and then there will be differences between your old ratt and the modded one...


"$65 Rat II -- 3 Way - We Mod Yours
Rat II -- 3 Way - We Mod Yours with a three-way toggle, giving you the Mighty Mouse boost and tailored bass responses. ONLY UNITS BELOW SERIAL NUMBER 300,000"

this won't be of much help but, ratt>epi valve head....:

 

[TeleDog]

Beerdog, the mods are in... Holly crap!

I noticed the volume has decreased a bit, is not as loud as it used to be. But hell, the tone is sweeter and not as metallic as it was! The filter knob actually works now and makes the Rat go from crisp to very, very dark!

Thanks to Beerdog for the help and the advice here, love my Rat now!

 

[Beerdog80]

Beerdog, the mods are in... Holly crap!

I noticed the volume has decreased a bit, is not as loud as it used to be. But hell, the tone is sweeter and not as metallic as it was! The filter knob actually works now and makes the Rat go from crisp to very, very dark!

Thanks to Beerdog for the help and the advice here, love my Rat now!

Not a problem Teledog. Hit me up anytime you got a question.

And I've got a fix for the volume drop too.

 

[TTQuick]

I have one . The mod makes it way more usable and versatile