Which The Rat Model am I?

[BorisOldesloe]

I hope, this is the right place for my question?!
I have this Rat. But I am not sure, which exact Model it is.
Is there anybody, who can tell me?
Thanks a lot from Germany!

 

[BuddytheReow]

Maybe open it up so we can see the guts? That would tell us much more.

 

[Nostradoomus]

There should be some codes on the pots inside for year, inside shots should help with model

 

[HamishR]

Looks like a bog standard original Rat to me. No turbo or dirty, etc. Obviously pics of the interior could help to make sure that it hasn't been modified, but I'd say it's just a regular original Rat.

Oder, das ist eine originale Ratte.

 

[Feral Feline]

I'll take a shot that it's a 1986 V3, might be mid to late '86 based on the serial # — what JHS describes as a late '86 "V3-C No Brackets"
Clues:
No LED of course
Black face front
No boxing/outline around the jack labels
No Boxing/outline around the control labels

Griffin Effects ProCo Rat Pot Date Codes

Guitar pedal modification, building, diy projects, effects projects, custom pedals and repair

www.griffineffects.com

History and Versions of the Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal - Paul Reno

The RAT is a distortion pedal developed by Pro Co. It has a very simple circuit with a single operational amplifier, the Motorola LM308.

paulreno.com

ProCo RAT pedal myths, history, and timeline — The JHS Show

This page is dedicated to the correct history and timeline of the ProCo RAT and all surrounding versions since 1977. I have spent almost a decade purposefully collecting, cross referencing and studying actual RAT units and any information below is given as a result of information I have seen and gat

thejhsshow.com

 

[JohnnyCreepy]

I’m derailing topic here, but when I first read topic title I thought @BorisOldesloe wants to start a thread quiz about ”What Rat variant YOU are?”

 

[Feral Feline]

I'm definitely a Juggernaut, and though partially modded to Fat Rat spec, I've got the Turbo's LED clipping.

 

[BorisOldesloe]

Thank you all for your support!
Here are some pics of the inside

 

[PedalBuilder]

Looks like what JHS calls the V3C “no brackets” version, as the control and jack labels are not placed inside of boxes. Based on the foot switch date, I’m guessing that it was built sometime between mid-1987 and 1988, when the PCB was redesigned and the LED was added.

 

[Feral Feline]

PedalBuilder corroborating my post #5.


"137" on the pots, so they're from Chicago Telephone Supply ie CTS.
Next numbers "86", so pots were made in 1986. Could still be an '87 Rat based on the footswitch PedalBuilder noted and some info direct from ProCo:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/proco-rat-does-yours-have-a-name-inside.791935/post-12139036

When they ran out of sticker labels for the names of the assembler/tester ("Woodcutter", "Grape", "Barry", "Kandy" etc), they'd put a little round sticker with the person's initials ... so yours has no name but the little round sticker — is that "GL", "bc" or "29" on it though? Looks like "29" to me and I've found nothing specific to that number.

 

[Feral Feline]

Some more info in this TDPRI thread:

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/a-rat-history-mystery.479831/

Mostly about the transition from MIA to MIC... but Ratty info nonetheless.

 

[BorisOldesloe]

wow... sounds like a professional detective investigation
Yes, i am sure, its a "29"....

 

[BorisOldesloe]

hmmmm.... mine has no LED. but the numbers I marked, are all similar to the "1988 Version 4-A “RAT2 Flat Top LED”.
It is late in Germany, so I´ll check the other pictures in that great list the next days ;-)

 

[Feral Feline]

hmmmm.... mine has no LED. but the numbers I marked, are all similar to the "1988 Version 4-A “RAT2 Flat Top LED”.
It is late in Germany, so I´ll check the other pictures in that great list the next days ;-)

Yet the layout is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

Not only is yours missing the LED, but look at the component locations, most notably the LM308.







Assuming JHS has correct information, here's a 1986 Version 3-B “Black Face” Gutshot vs a 1986/87 Circuit, Version 3-C “No Brackets” Gutshot:




Looks familiar...

 

[BorisOldesloe]

Mine is a mix of those two.
Unfortunately, I have to support my parents with a health issue the next days.
I'll go through the entire list of thejhsshow.com again at the beginning of next week and compare the pictures to my Rat.
I'll definitely post the results of my research here. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Feral Feline]

Family first, always!
Best wishes to your family.

 

[BorisOldesloe]

I was just able to do a little more research and compare photos.
I haven't found one that's exactly the same.
The 1986 V3-B and 1986/1987 V3-C are the most similar, except for small details. So it seems to be one in that time period an
I'm narrowing it down to 1985 – 1988

Thanks from Bad Oldesloe (aka Bad, old & slow) in northern Germany for your time and help!

Boris