The Pro Co '85 Whiteface RAT is a limited edition distortion pedal that Pro Co built as an accurate reproduction of the 1985 "Whiteface" version of the RAT, the model the company had in production from 1985 until 19891. Announced at NAMM in January 2010 and scheduled for distribution as early as February 2010, it was produced in a one-time limited quantity, reported by MusicRadar as 2000 units12. For a player, it is the RAT as it sounded in the mid-1980s: the same steel chassis, circuit board layout, large CTS pots and LM308 chip as the original, with true bypass switching3.
The RAT itself goes back further. Pro Co founder Charlie Wicks first started building the RAT in 1978, and after a couple of incarnations the Whiteface arrived in '854. MusicRadar describes the RAT family as the home of the grot-heavy distortion favored by Nirvana and The Pixies4.
What it does and how it sounds
The RAT is a straightforward stompbox with three controls: Distortion (labeled Gain on some versions), Filter and Volume, plus an on/off stomp switch34. The Distortion knob does more than set the gain level. As Premier Guitar's reviewer put it, the pedal covers "everything from a bluesy overdrive to biting distortion to fuzzed-out sonic bliss" depending on where the knob sits3. The RAT's long-running tagline, "The last fuzz you will ever need," is, in that reviewer's judgment, "isn't simply hyperbole"3.
With the Gain set low and the Filter rolled back, MusicRadar's reviewer found you get a dark, vintage-sounding overdrive4. At higher gain settings the character moves into the distortion and fuzz territory the RAT is known for.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distortion (Gain) | Adds gain clockwise; the character changes from overdrive to distortion to fuzz as it rises3 |
| Filter | A 6dB per octave low-pass filter acting as a reverse tone control; clockwise rolls off treble3 |
| Volume | Sets the output level3 |
| Stomp switch | On/off, true bypass3 |
The Filter knob is the one that surprises players new to the RAT. Unlike a normal tone control, it cuts treble as you turn it up, so fully clockwise is the darkest setting. Rolling it back opens the pedal up for brighter, biting sounds3.
The LM308 chip and the circuit
At the heart of the RAT's sound is the LM308 op-amp chip4. It is the same chip used in RAT pedals generally5, but at the time of the reissue, the '85 Whiteface was the only model in Pro Co's then-current range to feature it4. The reissue also uses the same circuit board layout and large CTS pots as the 1985 original, which is what separates it from the standard RAT 2 in the catalog3.
How it differs from the RAT 2
The practical difference is the chip. The RAT 2 is the non-LM308-loaded version, and MusicRadar noted a large price gap between the two: £140 difference against the £89 RAT 2, with the Whiteface reissue at £229 in UK pricing4. In US street pricing, Premier Guitar listed the reissue at $1993. MusicRadar's reviewer summed up the trade-off: "This Rat does make some great sounds, but that price tag is a lot for a pedal of this type. It's worth considering whether you really need the LM308 chip"4.
Looks and build
The Whiteface is characterized by its small, square "indestructible" steel enclosure1. The name comes from the graphics: the RAT logo is silkscreened on the face, with the Pro Co and RAT logos reversed out of a white field enclosed by a white ruled box1. The reissue carries the same black U-shaped chassis with white graphics as the original3. Around the back there is a battery compartment, and power comes through a 9V jack3.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer was positive on fidelity, writing that "this pedal sounds as close to the original as you can get without owning the real deal"3. MusicRadar's review was more mixed, listing "authentic grungy distortion" as a reason to buy and "you need to justify the price" as a reason to avoid4.
"This Rat does make some great sounds, but that price tag is a lot for a pedal of this type. It's worth considering whether you really need that LM308 chip."
Videos
Guitar Interactive Magazine
The Tone King
EffectsBay
Questions
Is the Pro Co '85 Whiteface RAT a limited edition?
Yes. Pro Co announced it as a one-time limited quantity reissue, and MusicRadar reported the run was limited to 2000 units. It was scheduled for distribution as early as February 2010, so it is no longer a current catalog item and is found on the used market.
What is the LM308 chip in a RAT?
The LM308 is an operational amplifier chip that sits at the heart of the RAT's sound. It is the chip used in RAT pedals, and the reissue '85 Whiteface was the only model in Pro Co's current range at the time to feature it, which is part of why it commands a higher price than the RAT 2.
What does the Filter knob do on a RAT?
Filter is a 6dB per octave low-pass filter that works as a reverse tone control. Turning it clockwise rolls off treble, so fully clockwise is darkest and fully counterclockwise is brightest. Combined with the Gain knob it shapes the pedal from dark vintage overdrive to biting distortion.
How is the Whiteface RAT different from the RAT 2?
The Whiteface reissue reproduces the 1985 RAT circuit with the LM308 chip, the same circuit board layout and large CTS pots, while the current RAT 2 does not use the LM308. MusicRadar noted a large price gap between the two, and suggested buyers weigh whether they really need the LM308 chip.
How can you tell a Whiteface RAT by looking at it?
The Whiteface has the small, square steel enclosure with the Pro Co and RAT logos reversed out of a white field enclosed by a white ruled box, rather than the standard black graphics. The reissue uses the same steel chassis and white graphics as the 1985 original.
Is the ProCo '85 Whiteface RAT true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's review lists a true bypass switch among the reissue's features, alongside the mono input and outputs, 9V jack and a battery compartment on the back of the pedal.
Sources (5)
- NAMM 2010: Pro Co reissues '85 Whiteface RAT distortion pedal, MusicRadar, 2010-01-15
- Rat 85 White Face Distortion Pedal Reissue: First look, MusicRadar, 2010-04-01
- ProCo Limited Edition ’85 Whiteface RAT Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2010-06-03
- Pro Co Reissue '85 Whiteface RAT review, MusicRadar, 2010-08-02
- Walrus Audio Iron Horse V2 Distortion pedal, gearnews.com, 2017-06-22
