Question about RAT sound...

[Earthscum]

I was wondering if any of the more experienced RAT users could answer what may hopefully be a couple simple questions:

Does adding a boost or buffer of any sort change the sound of the RAT over plugging straight in from your pickups? I'm plugging a rat together with the OP07, and am going to be using it to chase a sound I have in my head, but if the sound changes with a stage added before, then I gotta rethink things.

Also, how much does the fet type add to the actual sound, do different fets change the sound much? Last time I had one plugged in, I tried a BC109 as an output buffer... really raspy sound, even with dinkering with the values. Pretty much what I expected out of a bjt. I dig the fet's softness, but was wondering if anyone has found that 'magical' fet, or they all just about sound the same. Basically, I'm eliminating the filtering, but keeping the fet output buffer (because I need it anyways). I'm looking for more of a 'slap' at the tip of the waves rather than a ping, ding, thud, or whomp. Bass friendly, in your face, but not blasting it off. I'll have filtering later in the chain.

[Chugs]

In my experience changing the Fet type does change the colour of the sound. I tried replacing the traditional 2N5458 with a 2SK117 but ended up going back to the 2N5458. The 2SK117 added some gain which, being a Rat, I found unnecessary.

I haven't noticed any differences when running buffered pedals before a Rat.

[zombiwoof]

I was wondering if any of the more experienced RAT users could answer what may hopefully be a couple simple questions:

Does adding a boost or buffer of any sort change the sound of the RAT over plugging straight in from your pickups? I'm plugging a rat together with the OP07, and am going to be using it to chase a sound I have in my head, but if the sound changes with a stage added before, then I gotta rethink things.

Also, how much does the fet type add to the actual sound, do different fets change the sound much? Last time I had one plugged in, I tried a BC109 as an output buffer... really raspy sound, even with dinkering with the values. Pretty much what I expected out of a bjt. I dig the fet's softness, but was wondering if anyone has found that 'magical' fet, or they all just about sound the same. Basically, I'm eliminating the filtering, but keeping the fet output buffer (because I need it anyways). I'm looking for more of a 'slap' at the tip of the waves rather than a ping, ding, thud, or whomp. Bass friendly, in your face, but not blasting it off. I'll have filtering later in the chain.

If you're building a RAT, why not use the LM308 in it?.  The consensus is that the LM308 is a much better sounding chip than the OP07 in a RAT.

Al

[Earthscum]

Thanks much, Chugs. I just got done sorting out ten 2SK117 GR's, and was kinda wondering about the sound. I assume you probably used Y's? If so, I may like these GR's... just drop the source resistor down a bit.

If you're building a RAT, why not use the LM308 in it?.  The consensus is that the LM308 is a much better sounding chip than the OP07 in a RAT.

Al

Ahh, yes... but  I heard something in the OP07 that I've been looking for for my own bass sound. I'm the same way with DS-1's... for Bass, I definitely prefer the TA7136AP for it's clarity. For transistors, I fell in love with the same thing about MPSA13 darlingtons. I'm still on the fence about fets... haven't ran my fingers through enough of them yet.

Oh yeah, speaking of which... how do MPF102's sound in this compared to others? All I've tried is MPF102's and J201. I'm gonna pop in a 2SK here in a bit, once I get motivated. The -8F (before wind chill) is making me lazy... or it may be the hot cocoa...

[Chugs]

I used 117 GR OH