Jam Pedals has unveiled the eagerly awaited Rattler MkII, a revamped version of their popular Rat-inspired distortion pedal. This new iteration boasts a comprehensive circuit redesign, offering enhanced versatility and tone-shaping capabilities for the modern musician.
Preserving the Legacy with Custom Op-Amp
The original Rattler’s revered sound stemmed from its use of LM308 chips. While these chips are now hard to find, Jam Pedals has addressed this challenge by developing their own custom op-amp.
This innovative design, meticulously crafted with discrete components, meticulously preserves the open, dynamic, and tube-amp feel that guitarists have come to love.
Unveiling New Sonic Territories
The Rattler MkII goes beyond simply replicating the original. It introduces a switchable clipping function, allowing you to explore symmetrical and asymmetrical styles for distinct distortion flavors.
Additionally, a dedicated mid-boost circuit, activated by a second footswitch, injects a powerful yet nuanced boost before the distortion stage. Jam Pedals emphasizes that this is more than just a volume boost but a “tone enhancer” that provides precise control over the midrange frequencies.
Internal Tweaks and Startup Options
While the MkII retains the classic black rattlesnake artwork and familiar Level, Gain, and Tone controls, it offers hidden depths for meticulous sound customization. Internally adjustable controls allow you to fine-tune the boost’s output level and bass response.
Additionally, the MkII provides various startup modes, letting you choose whether the pedal activates with distortion engaged, boost engaged, both together, or bypassed—perfect for seamlessly integrating into your existing pedalboard configuration.
The Rattler MKII On Bass
Bass players haven’t been forgotten! Jam Pedals offers a dedicated Bass Rattler MkII with an inverted color scheme. This version caters specifically to low-end distortion needs. A wet/dry blend control, or “Mix” knob, ensures clarity and articulation even with heavy distortion.
More Gain
A second footswitch unlocks a higher gain stage for those moments when you need to unleash sonic fury. The Bass Rattler MkII also boasts higher headroom than its guitar counterpart, making it ideal for bassists seeking a versatile distortion tool.
Key Features:
- Custom op-amp preserves classic Rat sound
- Switchable clipping (symmetrical/asymmetrical)
- Pre-gain mid-boost with internal adjustments
- Click-less operation and various startup modes
- Bass Rattler MkII with wet/dry blend and high-gain boost
- True bypass, 95mA current draw
Ready to Unleash Your Decadent Saturation?
The Jam Pedals Rattler MkII is now available for purchase at £199/$249. Head to Jam Pedals to learn more and unleash a new era of decadent saturation in your playing!
At Guitar Bomb, we are all huge fans of the original ProCo RAT pedal. For a handy guide that includes this classic distortion pedal, read our Top 5 Distortion And Overdrive Pedals And How To Use Them.
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