Rat Distortion Pedal Serial Number

  

Description

  1. Likely a 2002 model going by the pot code (0223). Proco used the LM308 chip from 1991 (when the reissue first came out) right about to about 2002-2003, but if yours has a different chip and the ad says it was an LM308, then you've been mislead (perhaps by mistake, but still).
  2. THE RAT serial number RT-135744 Features Vintage classic distortion pedal uses Motorola LM308N chip, heavy steel case, 9V battery powered or has a 3.5mm (1/8') DC power in jack, automatically powers off when input jack is disconnected, Heavy duty on-off switch bypasses the unit, LED lights when unit is active, glow in the dark (phosphorescent.

SMurphy28 said: ↑. I believe you can also open up your Rat and look at the pots - the two numbers in the middle are the year the pedal was made. Click to expand. +1, this is the correct way to date a Rat.

Version differences

The design of the DS-1 has changed little throughout its lifetime, but the opamp this pedal is based around has changed several times. From 1978, the DS-1 was using the Toshiba TA7136AP opamp. In 1994 the Toshiba opamp was replaced by Rohm BA728N. In 2000 the opamp was changed again. The Mitsubishi M5223AL was now used. The last change was 2006 when Boss introduced the New Japan Radio NJM2904L opamp in the DS-1.

The DS-1 went through a few cosmetic changes in the early years of production. The first version had a clear switch, silver thumb screw and the D in DS-1 placed directly underneath the t in Distortion. This is usually referred to as the long dash version. The clear switch disappeared around serial number 8700, the silver thumb screw at serial number 0500 while the D in DS-1 ended up under the i in Distortion around serial number 14xx00 (short dash version). Since early 1982 the only changes has been to the bottom label. It changed when the production moved from Japan to Taiwan i 1988 and a silver label was introduced when the circuit was modified to accept the PSA adapter 1994.

Rat Distortion Pedal Bass

PedalRat distortion pedal serial numbers

Specifications

  • Controls: Tone, level, dist
  • Connectors: Input, output, AC adapter
  • Current draw: 4 mA (DC 9V)
  • Nominal input level: -20dBu
  • Input impedance: 470kOhm
  • Nominal output oevel: -20dBu
  • Output impedance: 1kohm
  • Recommended AC adapter: ACA or PSA series (depending on production year)

Tube Distortion Pedal

Labels

  • Black – Made In Japan
  • Black – Made In Taiwan
  • Silver – Made In Taiwan

Rat Distortion Pedal Power Adapter

Produced from 1978 to present.

Number

Documents

Manual
Service Notes (2nd edition)

Rat Distortion Pedal

I just took possession of an '88 'woodshed' RAT (LM308) and I have to say, it sounds amazing, especially with my Gretsch's. The hard-clipping is the ticket, Maybe that's why I love treble boosters so much too. So many newer distortions are just too mushy to my ears, with too many mids and fuzzes are hard for me to bond with. The crunch and sustain with the RAT are perfect - glassy leads, killer rhythm and the right amount of volume *why do builders give their pedals such ridiculous amounts of volume? 1:00-2:00 is unity on the RAT.

Anyway, just wanted to share my findings with this old treasure.

Rat Distortion Pedal Schematic

I took a gamble on it, based on the 'Black-Tail' patch on my XTOMP. The XTOMP in a side by side comparison really nails it.