Big Muff v RAT

Noisy Cat · Post by **Noisy Cat** » Thu May 03, 2012 9:59 am

Bit of a lame newbie question I know, but how different are they? I already own a Big Muff (with wicker) and am considering getting a RAT. Are they contrasting enough to justify owning both? If you have them both on your board, how do you use them? (My main dirt pedal is an OCD.)

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Thu May 03, 2012 10:12 am

Yep, very different. Great separately and together. And a combination you'll find on many people's boards.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu May 03, 2012 10:48 am

benecol wrote:Yep, very different. Great separately and together. And a combination you'll find on many people's boards.

I'd echo this sentiment. They both offer different tonal pallets to play with and both cracking pedals

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:10 am

I thought I once read that the IC Muff and Rat had similar circuits, this could be cobblers though. There have been times when my Rat and IC Muff have sounded similar, eg when I recorded recently with the 50 Top I had, although the Muff did sound a bit fatter than the Rat.

metalhead384 · Post by **metalhead384** » Thu May 03, 2012 12:14 pm

I own the Big Muff with Tone Wicker and its my main Dirt pedal, just makes my guitar sounds great. Your going to get a different a sound from the Muff and the RAT, especially with the Tone Wicker. Seeing as the Muff is actually a Fuzz and the Rat is a balls Ahead Distortion pedal. I was considering buying a Rat, but i liked my Big Muff to much. But thats just me

h8mtv · Post by **h8mtv** » Thu May 03, 2012 12:47 pm

They are hugely different. The IC muff is no more like the rat than the original other than that it uses an IC. This is my IC muff/Rat combo. Toggle on the rat side selects diodes to go from regular rat, to diode lift, to turbo rat.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Post by **Mike** » Thu May 03, 2012 1:30 pm

johnnyseven wrote:I thought I once read that the IC Muff and Rat had similar circuits, this could be cobblers though.

Complete bullshit.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Thu May 03, 2012 2:17 pm

I would say have both. Very different, but very good.

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Thu May 03, 2012 2:20 pm

I have both... I prefer the RAT, but the Big Muff has its uses.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Thu May 03, 2012 2:40 pm

They are both very unique pedals. The Rat has a nasty wild distortion I really like.

The Muff is more heavy like a fuzz pedal. Sounds cool with Jags and Jazzy's using the bassier rhythm switch.

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:42 pm

Generally the Muff is more scooped and is definitely fuzzy (the IC versions included) while a RAT is dirtier and more midrangey. I own an IC Muff with separate rotary knobs for bass and treble, and although I can get it in the same general tonal ballpark with a bit of tweaking they're still different in character. Neither pedal sounds like the OCD, which is mild, transparent and lacking in sustain...a nice contrasting array of sounds there since Muffs and RATs are thick and compressed.

+1 on the RAT -> Muff though. Some distortions sound awful when used together, but that combo just *works*. It can get a bit much with the gain too high but they do work well together.

I've used RATs for years and came to the conclusion that they're one of the most versatile dirt boxes ever...absolutely badass for bass too.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:24 am

I'd go ahead and pick up a Rat. I own an original IC muff ... amazing as it is, pretty much a one trick pony. Agree that Rats are super versatile.

MrJamesBrown · Post by **MrJamesBrown** » Mon May 07, 2012 8:21 pm

Rats are really versatile. I have the VFE Alpha Dog, which is based on the Whiteface but with clipping options to give you the Turbo and YDR options, and it sounds great. From what I gather, RATS come into their own on low gain. If i had to choose 1 dirt box, it would be the VFE- can do low, high and fuzz!