www.shortscale.org

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

do such things exist, boutique clone/mod or otherwise? i love the mooer black secret im borrowing off tim, but a rat style pedal with retained bass would be nigh on perfect.

for "distortion" i only use between 9 to 12 o'clock, so pedals with overall less gain than a rat would be fine.

Noirie. · YOUTH Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 4472

Google Ruetz mod.

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

i've read a bit about that, and a lot of people say it takes something from the original rat sound, so im not sure. have you tried it?

Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 3141

How about this?

I got one, it's awesome.
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Doog · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:40 pm Post subject:

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

Nice. Having read about various boutique clones they don't seem worth it. Seems I've got two options then:

1. Buy a used rat2 and drill the enclosure for a for a ruetz switch, maybe even pot to make the mod effect variable.
2. Get a used mooer or eno clone and be happy with the original sound.

markleton · . Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Ipswich, UK

paul_ · . Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 8872

I could've sworn someone was making cheap RAT clones with the Ruetz mod switchable from the get-go?

I've noticed I don't really like using rats unless I have my 4x12 tbh. Through my Vibro Champ XD or '70s Bassman Ten, it's a shitfest. And yes, I do realize "use a closed-back 4x12" is a solution that doesn't help most people.
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George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

yeah, i've owned a rat before and it was awful with fender and the (admittedly shite) mesa nomad i owned. with the ac15 it's really a fantastic low-mid gain pedal.

i'd love to know if there's a cheap chinese clone doing the rounds with the ruetz mod. and that boutique pedal looks excellent, but i'm not sure i want to drop that much money at the moment.

Doog · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 12:47 pm Post subject:

I'm sure Mike could knock you up something great
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George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

that might just be the answer! is mike still building? i didn't know if he was too busy with his little one these days.

Doog · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:05 pm Post subject:

Busy with both, it'd seem https://www.instagram.com/madebymikepedals/

Hank's the best, I gotta go visit the clan again soon
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Grant · . Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 1148 Location: Los Angeles

Can confirm: Mike's Rat is super good and should be purchased.

(photo stolen shamelessly from http://madebymike.co.uk/)
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George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

ive sent him a pm but assume he's too busy to check shortscale at the moment.

can you talk me through the mods on that? what does the texture pot and switch do?

Concretebadger · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:15 pm Post subject:

I figured Mike's busy with the fam, but he's posted a few builds on FB in recent weeks (Dreamboxes and a Fender Blender iirc) so it looks like he has at least some time for pedal builds.

I still have the Rat 2 rebuild that he did ages ago, and it sounds spot on. +1 for a MIEK RAT.

Grant · . Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 1148 Location: Los Angeles

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 19979 Location: UK

so the "softer" switch is diode options? it seems a common mod is to get a 3-way that does silicone/led/none.

i'm actually putting a shopping list together now for mike to price up. things i like so far:

- ruetz pot
- 560r on/off switch (works well with ruetz pot apparently)
- led/silicone/off diode switch
- internal trim pot to control overall gain/volume taper (smoother taper at lower gain settings and no silence below 8 o clock)
- feedback loop! can't decide between dpdt/monentary or both (controlled by a switch)