Wampler RatsbaneFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 41 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment79%
PROS 79%
CONS 21%

Rank based on 41 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want RAT-style tone with more tweakability via the voice switch
  • You want a mini, pedalboard-friendly footprint with premium build quality
  • You like experimenting with swappable op-amp chips

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want the exact raw, raspy edge of an original ProCo RAT
  • You need a full-size pedal with more knob spacing
  • You play in a heavy/prog context needing maximum low-mid punch

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Wampler Ratsbane
Wampler brand trust and personalityVoice switch flexibilityAuthentic Rat-style growl and versatilityDemo coverage gapsMini size not for everyoneThinner or more congested tone vs original
Wampler Ratsbane
Wampler brand trust and personality
Voice switch flexibility
Authentic Rat-style growl and versatility
Demo coverage gaps
Mini size not for everyone
Thinner or more congested tone vs original

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Longtime RAT users say the voice switch is a genuine upgrade. Multiple 35-year Rat veterans specifically ordered the Ratsbane for its voice feature, which adds presence around 800Hz-4kHz while rolling off boomy lows that plague Rat circuits on stage. Commenters call it a 'godsend' and note it lets players go from light gain to searing distortion via a switch alone, without retouching knob settings, adding real-world flexibility over vintage originals.

Opinions split on whether it truly matches the original RAT's raw character. Some reviewers say it 'sounds massive' and is more refined and clear than a beat-up original, even calling it their new favorite Rat-style pedal. Others disagree, describing it as thinner, more 'congested,' or lacking the punch and 'balz' of a real Rat II, especially in denser band mixes, though most agree it's still gig-worthy and versatile.

The swappable op-amp and mini form factor appeal to gear tinkerers. Users appreciate the through-hole IC socket accepting nearly any single op-amp, letting them try chips like the LM308N that Rat modders favor. The compact size pleases mini/nano-board builders wanting to retire full-size pedals, though a handful wish for a larger enclosure with more spread-out controls or a second footswitch for presets.

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