ProCo RAT: Buy New or Used?
Quick verdict: Buy new. A current RAT 2 runs $70-90 and gets you 90% of what people love about the RAT. The "vintage chip is magic" argument that drives up used prices is shakier than most vintage-gear claims — blind tests routinely fail to separate old units from new ones.
At a Glance
| RAT 2 (new) | Vintage/Whiteface RAT (used) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70-90 | $250-600+ (early units can go higher) |
| Chip | OP07DP op-amp | LM308 op-amp (original) |
| Character | Slightly brighter, more scooped | Warmer, more mid-forward (claimed) |
| Availability | In stock everywhere, new | Used market only |
| Warranty | Yes | None |
Why This Pedal Splits Opinion
The RAT has one of the more genuinely contested reputations in the pedal world — not because it's unreliable, but because players can't agree on which version is "the real one." For its first couple of decades, the RAT ran on a Motorola LM308 op-amp. In the early 2000s, ProCo switched to the more available OP07DP chip, which is what's in every current RAT 2. That single component swap is the entire basis of a used-market premium that runs into the hundreds of dollars.
Here's the catch: the actual audible difference is disputed even among people who've owned both. Some players insist the LM308 units are warmer and more mid-forward. Others — including several detailed blind-comparison writeups — report they genuinely can't pick the vintage chip out of a lineup. This isn't a case like the Klon, where nearly everyone agrees the tone is identical and the price is pure scarcity. With the RAT, real players have real, conflicting first-hand impressions. It's a legitimately unsettled argument, not a settled one dressed up as a debate.
Used Prices Are Genuinely All Over the Place
Unlike a lot of pedals where used pricing tracks fairly predictably, RAT prices vary widely by era and seller. A vintage "big box" RAT from the 90s can be found for around $250, but earlier LM308 units — especially early Whiteface models — can run $600 or more. Sellers frequently call out the chip in their listing titles specifically because it moves the price. If you're buying used and the chip matters to you, verify it before paying a premium; it's not something you can confirm from a photo alone.
What Actually Varies Beyond the Chip
The chip gets all the attention, but it's not the only thing that's changed across RAT versions:
- Diodes: The RAT 2 (released 1988) switched from 1N914 to 1N4148 diodes. Other variants like the "You Dirty Rat" use germanium diodes for a different clipping character entirely.
- Enclosure and switching: Vintage units and reissues use passive true-bypass switching; the RAT 2 uses an active FET-based LED circuit — functionally similar, but a different design choice.
- Reliability: Older units may need footswitch or jack repairs after decades of use; ProCo's warranty support has a reputation for being generous even on old units, but that only helps if you can get in touch with them.
Who Should Buy New
Buy the current RAT 2 if: you want the classic RAT sound and workflow without gambling on used-market pricing or condition. At $70-90, it's one of the most inexpensive ways to get a genuinely iconic distortion circuit, backed by a warranty, in a pedal that's been road-tested by thousands of gigging musicians for decades.
Who Should Buy Used
Buy a vintage or Whiteface reissue if: you've A/B'd both chips yourself (or trust a specific seller's blind-test claims) and have a real preference, or you're chasing a specific era for collecting reasons. Just go in knowing you're paying a real premium for a difference that plenty of experienced players say isn't there.
Final Recommendation
Start with a new RAT 2. It's cheap enough that if you eventually want to compare it against a vintage unit, you're not out much money finding out you can't tell the difference — which is what happens to a lot of people who make that comparison. If you fall in love with RAT-style distortion and want to explore variants, ProCo also sells the Whiteface reissue and Turbo RAT new, both cheaper than chasing an original on the used market.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
What's the actual difference between the RAT 2 and a vintage RAT? Primarily the op-amp chip (OP07DP vs. the original LM308) and some diode changes. Many players report the difference is subtle to nonexistent in a blind test; others insist they can hear it.
Is the LM308 chip actually rarer or better? It's genuinely out of production and harder to source, which is why ProCo switched away from it — that's a real scarcity factor. Whether it sounds meaningfully better is the contested part.
What's the difference between the RAT 2 and the Turbo RAT? The Turbo RAT uses an LED clipping diode instead of standard silicon diodes, giving it a tighter, higher-gain, more overdrive-like character compared to the RAT 2's fuzzier top end.
Are RAT clones worth considering instead? Yes — there's a large clone market (JHS PackRat, Black Mass 1312, TC Electronic Magus Pro, and various budget options) if you want to explore variations on the circuit without committing to an original ProCo unit.
How do I know if a used RAT has the LM308 chip? You typically have to open the pedal and check, or trust a seller's listing claim. Sellers who know this matters to buyers usually mention it explicitly in the title or description.