JHS PackRat Distortion Pedal

A tribute to 40 years of the Rat! The JHS PackRat pedal offers nine distinct modes of Rat distortion, from the original, to JHS's modern interpretation.

In 1978, the most versatile and influential distortion pedal of all time was invented in Kalamazoo, MI. Scott Burnham and Steve Kiraly first had the idea after playing, repairing and modifying all the available distortion pedals on the market. They wanted something that didn't exist in the then mainstream throes of MXR, DOD and even BOSS's product line; they wanted a pedal that could go from overdrive to distortion and then all the way to fuzz. By 1979 Scott had perfected the circuit in his RAT-infested basement workshop, and the rest is history.

Check out all the gnarly tones in the PackRat in our zZounds live demo:


The PackRat is the ultimate tribute to the 40+ years of rodent evolution and its impact on the guitar's sound. Artists from every genre have used the iconic tones in this unassuming black box to create their sounds, including Nirvana, John Schofield, Pink Floyd, Metallica, REM, the Eagles, Jeff Beck and Radiohead.

Building on the Multi-Mode pedal series that includes the Muffuletta and Bonsai, the PackRat uses the same unique digital runway system to direct the paths of 261 components through 40 individual switches. This means that when you choose one of the nine legendary or rare modes, you are playing fully analog circuits that perfectly replicate that mode, even down to the aging components (also known as component drift). If you purchased these nine hard-to-find pedals on the used market right now, you would pay around $4,000.

MODES:

1. The OG V1 (1979-83) read more
The OG is a perfect recreation of the first production Version 1 Big Box/tone control RATs ever made. This is the model that started it all.

2. White Face V3 (1984-1986)
The "White Face" is the first Small Box RAT and is recognizable for its white filled block logo across the top of the pedal. This model has the more traditional reverse Filter control instead of Tone.

3. Turbo V5 (1989)
The Turbo RAT introduced the world to a different type of distortion by introducing LEDs to the RAT's clipping section to produce a more powerful distortion sound.

4. BRAT V6 (1997)
In the late nineties, Guitar Center launched an exclusive "budget RAT" with big tone and some unique modifications. The BRAT is the most unique RAT variation ever made by ProCo.

5. Dirty V7 (2004)
What happens when you replace the stock silicon diodes with germanium? It gets even dirtier.

6. LA (1986)
Japanese pedal companies loved the RAT circuit and used it throughout the 1980s disguised as their latest and greatest "original" circuit. The LA Metal is one of the most interesting takes on the circuit from this era.

7. Landgraff MO'D (1999)
Swirl paint jobs and point-to-point wiring made Landgraff a father of the nineties boutique era. The MO'D distortion is one of the greatest RAT-style distortions ever made.

8. Caroline Wave Cannon
When JHS started the PackRat, they knew immediately what friend they was going to invite to the party. The Wave Canon is Caroline Guitar Company's stab at making this classic circuit even better.

9. JHS Mode
The JHS Mode is the discontinued JHS "PackRAT" modification from over ten years ago. It takes everything great about this circuit and elevates it!
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
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Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 0.75 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 3 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): PACKRAT

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Email: info@jhspedals.com
Web: https://www.jhspedals.info/general-inquiry

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted December 4, 2023 by a customer from msn.com

"JHS PackRat Distortion"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
If your on the fence for this pedal it’s Rat with 9 different rat voicing’s it’s a Distortion pedal but it’s does Overdrive just as well all of these do sound different and that’s to the good I’ve been using this through a Marshall Plexi SV20H and the SC20H absolutely killer You won’t be disappointed I use a Soul Food in front of it and wow it’s unbelievable get one you’ll see for yourself . I never go by reviews on the internet and YouTube vids because everyone’s gear is different and so is the pickups in your guitars that being all said you have to be the judge but as mentioned above for my taste with my Marshall’s loves this JHS Packrat and I will be keeping an eye out for more of there stuff in the future
Sound
Great Attack exactly what I was looking for really opened the Marshall SV20 plexi head killer in my book
Ease of Use
Easy just any other distortion/ Overdrive Dial in for your taste
Quality
Built like a tank time will tell Thus far very nice
Value
A little more but you get more
Manufacturer Support
Haven’t had to
The Wow Factor
I play 80’s Rock : Ratt , Quiet Riot , Ozzy , Dio, Zepplin..some Jazz, blues
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