Comprehensive History and Timeline of the ProCo RAT Guitar Pedal (1977-Present)
By
brudgers
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
This article provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the ProCo RAT guitar pedal, tracing its development from 1977 to present day. The author has spent nearly a decade researching and collecting actual RAT units to document the correct timeline and versions. The content covers the pedal's origins, design evolution, circuit changes, manufacturing history, and various model variations including the original RAT, Turbo RAT, You Dirty RAT, and other versions. It addresses common misconceptions and provides detailed technical information about the pedal's development over decades.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledThis 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 in as a result of information I have seen and verified.
The RAT pedal has become one of the most iconic distortion pedals in guitar history, with a distinctive sound that has been used by countless musicians across genres.
Understanding the timeline and variations is crucial for collectors, players, and anyone interested in the history of guitar effects pedals.
The evolution of the RAT circuit reflects changes in manufacturing, component availability, and design philosophy over four decades.
You might also wanna read
La pasión por "Il Trovatore" de Verdi en la Lima del siglo XIX: el regreso de la ópera italiana en 1863
El artículo recuerda cómo en mayo de 1863, el público limeño esperó con gran anticipación la llegada de una compañía lírica italiana contrat

Unearthed 1964 recording captures Harpo Marx speaking to audience in character
A newly unearthed 1964 recording reveals Harpo Marx, famous for his silent pantomime persona with the Marx Brothers, speaking to an audience
Chaka Khan Reflects on Her Black Panther Roots and the Enduring Legacy of the Black Power Movement
Chaka Khan reflects on her involvement in the Black Power movement during the late 1960s and 1970s, including her work with the Black Panthe
How Kraftwerk's 1976 track "Radioactivity" became an anti-nuclear protest anthem
A feature article examining how Kraftwerk's 1976 track "Radioactivity" evolved from a groundbreaking electronic music piece into an anti-nuc
The Origins of Last.fm and Audioscrobbler: How 2002 Student Projects Pioneered Social Music Discovery
The article explores the early history of Last.fm and Audioscrobbler, two pioneering music recommendation services founded in 2002 that help
Modern Laptop Connected to 1930s Dance Hall Music Machine at Utrecht Museum
A visitor to Utrecht's Speelkok Museum describes connecting a modern laptop to a 1930s dance hall machine that originally played music from
