Pro Co1988 (ubiquitous through every decade since)DistortionDistortion$Budget($50–250)
Pro Co RAT2
Guitarists wanting one of the most iconic, versatile distortion circuits ever made, from mild grit to full fuzz.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Check your gain staging
Free tool — convert dBu/dBV, chain gain stages, and check your headroom before it clips.
Strengths
- One of the most iconic distortion circuits ever made, capable of everything from mild overdrive to full fuzz-adjacent distortion from one 'Distortion' knob
- True bypass construction leaves clean tone completely untouched when off, unlike many classic-era rivals
- Extremely cheap and universally available, making it one of the lowest-risk ways to try a genuinely legendary distortion circuit
Trade-offs
- Its distinctive clipping-diode character reads as harsh or 'ratty' to some players outside rock and grunge contexts specifically
- So widely cloned and modified that stock unmodified units are sometimes overlooked next to boutique RAT-derived pedals
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pro Co |
| Model | RAT2 |
| Era | 1988 (ubiquitous through every decade since) |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Effect Type | Distortion |
| Circuit | Analog |
| True Bypass | Yes |
| Power | 9V battery/adapter |
| Controls | 3 knobs |
| Tap Tempo | No |
| I/O | Mono in/out |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Distortion
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Pro Co RAT2.
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This deckPro Co RAT2
Match59
Flexibility45
Portability88
Ease of Maintenance80
Tonal Neutrality22
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Maintenance & Supplies
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