Looking for designing a ultra-hyper mod of the RAT (proco)

[richon]

I have a Vintage RAT D.I.Y., but after modding a TS and a OCD to have better tone y found that the RAT doesn't have the bass notes clear or at least, no clearly better tone..


besides changing Clipers from 1n4148 to Mosfet (2n7000),
increasing the output coupling CAP?
testing the RUETZ mod ... what should I look for to have a less DISTORTION but a better or almost BEST clean sounds.

[ACS]

Have you checked out Dano's site?  http://www.beavisaudio.com/  He's a self confessed Rat-o-holic and has done a LOT of playing with this circuit (FKR, Double Rat Rack, Triple Rat just to name a few!

[reverbie]

Richon,

I have a DIY RAT as well. By far the best "clean" tone is to just clip one of the diodes or use LEDs in place of the 1N418 diodes. Better than GE. Better than Mosfet. Louder and clearer than stock diodes. You could probably wire up a toggle switch pretty easily there as well.

You can also try the Reverse Ruetz, which is clipping the 560 ohm resistor instead of the 47 ohm resistor. It's right above the 47 ohm resistor in the actualy Pro Co unit, and it wired up the the 4.7uf cap. I have never tried it, but my buddy says it basically eliminates the low end distortion, so you can crank the pedal more while not introducing too much distorted bass. Anyone else heard of this?

GL

[raycroft]

To echo ACS, Beavis has done the Ruetz mod to the rat, and he has either mods to the stock rat (all possible mods) , or, he combines pretty much everything you could do to a Rat in the FKR ( Four KNob Rat).  AND, he shows us how to do it!

[WGTP]

IMHO the Ruetz mod is cutting the wrong "leg" out.  It will be more fuzz like that way.  I second using the 47ohm/2.2uf leg.  It will be more like a distortion.  Switches in that area or trim pots are a good mod.  If the 47ohm/2.2uf is too thin, use the 4.7uf cap with the 47ohm resistor, or use both the 2.2uf and the 4.7uf caps with the 47ohm resistor.   

The op amp in the Rat contributes a lot to the overall distortion.  A different op amp might get a better "clean" sound.