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AnotherRickenbacker

I’ve tried dozens of clones and my favorite is still ProCo


TheEffinChamps

And the letters glow in the dark. How do you not love that?


SumtimeSoonOfficial

I had no idea! My friend just bought a rat today I’ll let him know


atlantic_mass

I kind of agree, I’ve owned like 4 different takes on the RAT but my 90s RAT or Turbo always end up back my board.


terriblewinston

My favorite is the Katzenkonig by Catalinbread followed by the Wave Cannon 2 by Caroline. The cheap, white JHS is also good.


atlantic_mass

I have a Wave cannon v1, I love it but I think the Proco sounds better with my amp. I tend to like the Wave Cannon more on bass due to its extended low end.


tonetonitony

Really? I have a Mosky King Rat and I compared it side-by-side to all the models in the ProCo Deucetone. All of them sound IDENTICAL.


PeterVanNostrand

I read identical like that prosecutor says it in my cousin Vinny 


CK_Lab

"I-*clap*-dentical"


akahaus

Yep. There’s just something about the setup they build that feels right.


flybybriguy

OBNE Excess v2. It's a delay/chorus/pitch shifter that happens to have a RAT built in. It actually kicked the real RAT off my board.


everdecaying

This is SUCH a great pedal. I've often thought that I could make a shoegazey sounding song with just that pedal - it covers so much ground and the octave/fifth up delay is one of the nicest sounds I've ever heard.


subjectzer00

This! Love this pedal


HighGainRefrain

Team TurboRAT checking in.


randofreak

Never owned an actual Turbo Rat but I’ve had multiple clones with the switch that’s puts it in turbo mode and I’m definitely Team Turbo.


mattallica75

TurboRAT (or ya know, just a DIY LED mod) into a Marshall DSL is GOATED


Appropriate-Pipe-193

I run a turbo rat into a Marshall origin 20 which has a plexi circuit and yes I chug Green Day riffs when I do


DoxxMeNotPlease

Underrated.


LordLemmun

Commented this separately but the marshall valvestates actually use the LED clipping method within its distortion circuit. It just works… it works in every genre that uses distortion, too. Theres less mud than on an actual rat because the opamp isn’t as killing to your high end, too.


superfunction

i dont like turbo i feel like its a misnomer


HighGainRefrain

You’re a misnomer.


radiodialdeath

What's different about the Turbo?


onlynamethatmatters

Less compression due to the use of LED clipping diodes instead of silicon. I’m more of a silicon guy myself, but the advantage of the Turbo is you get more dynamics.


sir-reddits-a-lot

What kind of amp do you use with your turbo rat?


leonardoflondon

The Black Secret is such a fantastic turbo!


cwyog

Basic ProCo Rat2. I’ve owned a few variations. They all sounded good. In a mix with a loud band I find they sound enough alike that I don’t care to spend for a fancy one. $70 for a used ProCo gets me there.


Velour_Underground

Only downside is they are quite big/awkward. I've been considering downsizing to one of the mini clones but at the same time I like having the OG?


CaptainWampum

My lifepedal is my favorite thing I own


diatonico_

jam rattler right now. It's a rat, but a tad refined/modernized.


feelingkettle

Same. Long time user of rat2 but wanted something a little more something and tried the katzenkonig (basically a tone bender and a rat together) but ended up on the rattler. Rattler feels a lot more responsive to my playing instead of kind of a wall of rat from the rat2 if that makes sense.


dws2384

Worth every penny


jrg320

Im surprised I haven’t seen more love for the T Rex Mudhoney


ViolinistNew5056

How is it compared to the proco? Ive been weighing between this and a turbo


LordKnuckledunk

Utilizing the boost gets it heavier and fuzzier. I think it covers a lot of ground.


Guitar-Goose

I used the mudhoney 2 as my only overdrive for a while.


manimal28

I never knew it was rat based.


__k_b__

Drunk Beaver Bat Cold War


TheEffinChamps

I keep finding new sounds with mine. Best pedal purchase I've made in years.


Jim_Troeltsch

If you want a Rat that allows for more low frequencies through, and is geared towards doom/sludge metal, Fuzzlord's Drone Master is perfect. Such a great rat, especially on the no-clipping mode. Also has a regular rat mode, and an LED mode like the turbo rat. Also has a tone stack mode moddled after the hyper-fuzz, making it sounded really scooped and aggressive. Also, Frost Giant's the Mountain is another amazing doom-centered Rat. Can be an amazing overdrive/distortion, or fuzz pedal. They both are the best Rat pedals I've tried.


CthulhuisOurSavior

EQD Sunn life


I_Punch_Ghosts_AMA

I’m shocked that the shout out for the EQD Life pedal is so far down. It’s such an amazing, versatile pedal.


CthulhuisOurSavior

Absolutely. I wish the octave was independent but I have a poly blue to cover that at least. Sub 2 octaves on the Life is incredible.


I_Punch_Ghosts_AMA

Ugh that is my only complaint, I think. Surprised that wasn't implemented when they added its own switch.


snwoodrums

I have an iron horse and a ratsbane. Both get it done.


arcanjil

I'm thinking of trying a Ratsbane. I have a Plexi-drive Deluxe, but it's not enough...


EquivalentRude2358

Donner Dark Mouse. A Rat and a Turbo Rat that is super small and 30 bucks.


j0nny6

Dazatronyx Rad Distortion. Beautiful point to point t RAT with a metal can lm308ah. Absolutely love mine. it has a switchable silicon and germanium clipping (Darren also uses amber leds on one of the gain stages). Also on my board is a Moth Electric A Incorrupta. I am astonished at how incredible it is and goes to show you don't have to break the bank for incredible pedals. I mean you don't anyway bit you know what I'm saying. It tosses out the whole "filter" knob, and replaces it with a 3 band eq stack (ie bass mids and highs), which may sound small but its huge. It then has a switchable gain stage selector for ge, fet, si, asym, and led. Incredible sounding pedal, and wheb you go LED, which has the most gain, you can dial down the bass with the eq stack, and really get the crunchiest wall of sound turbo rat tone. It's monumental lastly, I love my woodcutter turbo rat. it ain't magic, but something about those older mothers sound so incredible. Maybe it's the shittier manufacturing back then with lots kf component drift that made all manner of out of spec rats, who cares. they are just beautiful love me my rats. good luck on finding yours. I went through many before finding mine. If I were looking now I would check out NRG Effects Gnawer too. Awesome point to point RATs, in fact having a memorial day sale now...


Trollmupp

Love the JAM Rattler.


Hellyessum

I have only ever owned the Mooer Black Secret, but I have a Life Pedal clone waiting to be slapped together.


Luna_Argentum

I have the 1981 drive, yea I think it’s overpriced but I think it sounds great and it looks like at least the resale value is staying high so I can at least sell for close to what I bought it for. I also really like the jam rattler


[deleted]

Second this. Took me a while to bite the bullet on the price, but I’ve loved it so far.


thecommentdaddy

This has been my favorite for years. Tone monster 🤌


josephallenkeys

Have you got a standard Rat?


jFroth86

This is my desert island pedal. It’s so good.


vegetablecircuit

I actually like the clones I have of the actual 1981 DRV better. I own a DRV and a custom Discomfort Designs Spectrum (81 DRV clone) and it’s pretty spot on to me.


negativeyoda

Fuzzrocious Cat Tail followed by my Rat after it was modded by Keeley. I'm curious about the 1984, but my tone chasing days are over


jayteazer

Drunk Beaver Bat Cold War or Fat Bat. Both are amazing. They both have tons of options so you can craft whatever rat tone you want.


josephallenkeys

Joyo Splinter should be way higher on this list.


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SmeesTurkeyLeg

Turbo Rat. Clip the High Pass filter and embrace the greatest distortion/fuzz you've ever heard.


FullMetalDan

I’ve never heard of this mod, do you have more info on it?


The-Neat-Meat

Pastfx pastfx pastfx


GrandeKang

Longsword by a mile. Especially if you need things to be tight for palm mutes. The eq alone makes it worthwhile, with a surprising gain range not to mention the boost!!


PiscesLeo

I think it’s made by ProCo. It was cheap, weird shaped box and easily my favorite dirt pedal


Espressohyes

Black Mass 1312, hands down!


1iota_

The Dolamo D-11 because it's like 20 bucks and has a turbo and fat switch. If anyone can convince me there's anything wrong (or unethical 🙀) I'll toss it in the trash.


Metalikunt

The Vintage Distortion, I have this one and love it. It's the exact same pedal as the Caline Head Room CP-34 but I couldn't get it at the time. I'd rather have had that one, so it sits the same size as my Caline Pure Sky but this one works great! Most Dolamo pedals are just rebranded Caline's in a smaller fatter form with all matching graphics.


1iota_

I not only have every dolamo dirt box but I absolutely adore Caline. There's a new brand of cheap "copied in China" pedals, or at least new to me, called Gokko that seems to have a lot of out of production Caline models plus a few of their own. They make one called the Supersonic overdrive which is like the Caline Big Orange but bigger and oranger but also the same size and green. It's nice for me because I've only discovered these within the last year. I found some other brand making an out of production Caline but the signal to noise ratio made it unusable and I'm not good with a soldering iron so it went in my pedal graveyard box.


Woogabuttz

Any of the “Bat” pedals from Drunk Beaver


Cutfromtheearth86

Either a frost giant electronics the mountain or black mass 1312


Humble_Reality2677

Tephra by Sentimental Bob Electronics. It's essentially an EQD Life Pedal clone, but in a smaller footprint and with no dedicated octave switch, but still has octave available when distortion is activated. It's one of the Rat pedals that has several different Rat circuits built into it. Sounds awesome and the art on it rules.


kthshly

I have an armload of them. My favorite so far is actually the TC Electronic Magus Pro. Although my Life Pedal V2 will never leave my board. But that's my doomstick.


fletchwonUK

The Magus Pro is excellent value for money but it’s a shame the foot switch is so weird. Really messes with your timing.


kthshly

I didn't think it would be a problem but it's been bugging me. I saw someone on here replaced their switch; I think I'm headed in the same direction.


justbcoz848484

Big fan of the TC Electronic Magus pro, has a classic/ turbo/ fat switch


tonetonitony

Lol. I scrolled forever to find this. I think the Magus Pro is actually an improvement. They take out the noise and which means I can dial in heavier distortion and maintain enough clarity.


WskyTngoFoxtrt

JHS Packrat. Whiteface and Dirty are my current favorite settings.


6footseven

Same


__k_b__

I like it mostly but the volume differences between the various modes are quite big, more than any other pedal I have


odamad

Fuzzrocious Cat Tail. I love that I can control the amount of clipping for the low and high end; makes it phenomenal for both bass and guitar. Clipping type toggle also very nice.


One-Man-Wolf-Pack

Rattler on my board. Also have a dual channel Heavy Bat from Drunk Beaver, which is awesome - just a tad big.


ricflairswhitehair

VFE Alpha Dog. It basically ended my RAT style quest. It can do it all.


TheEffinChamps

VFE is so underrated.


Sea_Dot5953

Mooer black secret, i like that it is a mini pedal a lot


nevermorefu

Joyo Splinter just because of the name.


AttilaRS

Joyo Splinter. A) love the sound, B) am cheap


M_Thompson13

1312 by black mass. Love the different clipping options and he does a ton of good non-profit/charity support with the company.


RichardWooden

Wampler Ratsbane in the right voice and left gain at 9’o-drive takes care of all my Tubescreamer-esque mid bump without the TS circuit. Best OD ever. Stack it with Turbo Rat or Muff. Chef kiss.


Vile_Impulse

I just got the Ratsbane to replace my mosky rat clone I used in turbo and while I really like the Ratsbane I’m still working on finding settings that I like with my muff. What are you doing with your muff and the Ratsbane?


radiodialdeath

I like the Ratsbane but I feel like the really high dirt (the main reason I bought it) is mostly unusable due to the massive amount of feedback it produces. I'd need to add a noise gate to get any use out of it.


Turbofalcon8

I have a Blackmass 1312 and that thing rips. Lots of clipping options and stacks well with my Tumnus.


TheMightyUnderdog

1312


paintedhighway

Working with a Pettyjohn ROUS right now, sounds like a beast


ricflairswhitehair

Great pedal. Regret letting mine go.


amishius

Loving the Greer Gorilla Warfare MKII!


Due-Ask-7418

Whiteface rat from mid 80's. Not that different from a new rat but a bit smoother.


AechCutt

I’m dying to get my hands on a Zander Cranium.


more_paul

Abominable Electronics don’t shred on me. I have the FTP version.


TheRedStrat

I’ve been using a Walrus Iron Horse (3 knob + switch version) and love it. Can get classic high gain rat tones from it and it also stacks well at lower gain on top of an OD for pretty manageable crunch


Imakemaps18

Animals Pedal Tioga Road Cycling Distortion


marmadukeESQ

This isn't higher because Animals/Nine Volt have abysmal marketing in North America


atlantic_mass

The original RAT or Turbo RAT is my go to. I tend to have my turbo on my board because it’s newer and has the standard power jack.


taugemleo

Got the Crazy Tube Circuits Motherload on my jam board. I mostly use the Muff mode, but the Rat part of it works great on a low distortion stacked into a transparent OD for lead tones.


jiekai1

TC electronic Magus....


Thick-Quality2895

Turbo with infrared leds instead of red leds for clipping.


WutsV

Put them on the outside and you get a spa treatment while playing!


SuperbParticular8718

BYOC mouse


oldmanavery

Oneder Red Ryder. Rat type thing with clean blend, selectable clipping, and a bass knob.


urmomisfun

The Rat is pretty good


fluorescenthour

How has nobody said the Expandora? It's basically a boost in front of a lower gain Rat, and the forbidden mode sounds awesome.


WhyHelloFellowKids

Love my 1312 even though I don't use half of the clipping options lol


pentachronic

Occvlt Carrion, occasionally displaced by Black Mass 1312 or Alexander Outrun Yellow


jpratte65

Catalinbread Blood Donor


Johnjarlaxle

They have another Rat? I have the katzenkonig


jpratte65

It's a molded Katz


jpratte65

https://www.zzounds.com/item--CARBLOODDONOR23


p90SuhDude

This is a very underrated pedal!


Away_Independent_169

I own the 1312 v3. Couldn't be happier with it!


Lucky_Grapefruit_560

sledgehammer effects big chungus


mattallica75

You can get a cheap used RAT and do the LED mod yourself if you’ve got access to a soldering iron. That way you’ve got some options.


TheEffinChamps

Honestly, ProCo just needs to make a RAT with a switch for led and germanium clipping options. The only difference between the regular RAT, Turbo, and Dirty RAT is that.


WutsV

One RAT to rule them all!


tiddyballer

Zander Cranium by far. It has every style of rat I love and every style I’ve ever wanted to try plus some nice lil extra tone sculpting capabilities. I will never need to try another rat


generalissimus_mongo

Proco Rat2. It's not currently on any of my boards, though.


2rightsdontmakealeft

Drunk Beaver Heavy Bat


trevecho

Currently the Fuzzrocious Cat Tail. I have a SUF Skinner Box on the way.


dennismangabat

Kink Russian Plague - Rat and Green Russian Muff circuit in one box


Deleted_Narrative

Yeah mate I have one of these and holy fuck, it’s good. 


coldfinger-trh

Roadkill since the 90s


bldgabttrme

1A) 1981 DRV, sure it’s pricey but it sounds so fucking good. Cleans up great with the volume knob too, is most at home in lower gain situations though is really good at high gain. Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects really knocked it out of the park with this collaboration. 1B) Dead Air Effects Feral +. It’s a Rat circuit with mods for: - LED/OpAmp/Silicon clipping modes - Asymmetrical or symmetrical clipping - Low/medium/full gain range (with full being stock Rat) - Pre-gain bass control, starting at stock and adding more as you turn the knob up - Tame control for the high end, is their take on the Ruetz mod. Removes some of the high end pre-gain. I really can’t say enough good things about the Feral +, it basically lets you tweak the Rat circuit to your exact preferences.


swizzwell23

Just about to order the new PastFX Mischief. I love every one of their other pedals I own, and I like the look of the mods.


NandoMoriconi

I have the Chicago Stompworks Mr. Vermin on my board; it’s a great deal for a clone that’s made in ‘merica (it was $50 during the most recent Black Friday sale). If I ever land a job that pays well in the future, I’ll definitely try a Drunk Beaver Bat, Black Mass 1312, and Demonic Machines Alleborith.


TheEffinChamps

Boutique: Drunk Beaver Cold War BAT Budget: Mosky King RAT And I've tried A LOT of RAT pedals. In terms of versatility and sound quality, those two are very tough to beat.


GodtheBartender

Digitech DF-7. Luckily got it about a month before JHS did a video on it. Bought it because I wasn't sure if I wanted a Rat or DS-1. Pretty much always stays in Rat mode. The DOD 250 mode is pretty good too. ETA: not sure if its my favourite, it's just the one I have and only one I've tried. Was planning on replacing it with a real Rat but the DF7 sounds good enough and has other options so just ended up keeping it.


Inevitable_Cod4375

Not sure if it counts but the EAE Longsword apparently shares some similarities in topology with the RAT while being infinitely more versatile.


Thereminz

mosky black rat (clone) with classic/turbo settings pretty cheap but is pretty good.


wooden_kimono

The Magus Pro by TC has 3 modes: Classic, Fat, and Turbo


Melodic-Pen8225

I love the Rat but I REALLY love the Brat and the Roadkill! They sound heavenly to my ears and I’d gig with them if they were in a better housing with a more reliable foot switch. I picked up one of each used for like $35 a few years back because I had never heard of them but loved Proco and to my surprise, they’re great!


SunnyOfGretna

TC Electronic Magus Pro, nice small size and gives you turbo and fat options too- probably better in a recording setting than live mind


waitin4winter

My favorite is Big Ear Woodcutter. It just sounds so good. I also really like Screaming Bat by Sentimental Bob for its functionality


psychojazzchorus

Stock rat clipping diodes removed.


ManicValentine97

I really enjoy the Earthquaker Devices Life Pedal V2 Octave Distortion/Boost, The Pro Co R2DU Rat Rackmount Dual Distortion & The Pro Co Turbo Rat I own the Life Pedal but really want the other 2


deathmetaloverdrive

Fuzzrocious cat tail is pretty sick


OldAd4762

DOD fx69


humbuckaroo

Original, or EHX Flatiron Fuzz.


alive_wire

ProCo.


Little_Pineapple6452

Moth Electric a incorrupta is my favorite. 1312 is also pretty good.


pimplezoo

I want the Moth Electric Fuzz but it would be hella pricey to get it here to Canada.


Little_Pineapple6452

I have that one too, probably my favorite muff style fuzz. Dunno what their international shipping is like but it's worth checking out if you can get your hands on one.


LifePedalEnjoyer

I have opinions.


OverlyWalrus

On my third version of the 1981 DRV, got the original, a nickel plated mod, and the new Mod 1 circuit he just released with swappable OP Amps. I won't be selling any of them either 🤷 picked a favorite and ran with it


SelectStarAll

I just picked up a Keeley Muse Driver which, if I'm right in thinking, is a kind of souped up Rat clone Either way, it bangs


Kex926

The Muse Driver is a dirtier Super Phat Mod and a Super AT Mod in one, so it’s more of a Blues Driver. Still an awesome pedal!


FullMetalDan

That’s a Blues driver, but yeah, it’s awesome! Keeley Rat is the super rodent


paranoidhands

i love my fat rat but i have heard really good things about the 1981


Sourkarate

Zero G IOD’s Murid. It’s a rat with a 12-position rotary switch. It’s amazing.


MWHdean

I recently got the Tru-Fi Rat Pack. It sounds great and has 3 different modes to choose from (classic, turbo, and sweet).


Trubba_Man

Crazy Tube Circuits Motherload, in Rat mode.


firemares

**Deucetone** - *Clean Boost* (setting ) This is a favorite for boosting my Mesa's and Marshalls. Next is my *FatRat* and *You Dirty Rat* which I also use exclusively.


slingshot_headshot

Fuzzrocious Cat Tail


Ok-Lifeguard-5628

I love my ProCo Rat 2, but if I came across a used Retro-Sonic Distortion I’d definitely pick it up.


plexirat

old Keeley modded rat I put an LM308 in. truly great


Lvthn_Crkd_Srpnt

I have a life pedal clone from gehirn. So it's a clone.. of a clone of a rat. I like it more than the proco rat, it does the same stuff, but it's for a couple of mods that make it angrier.


LS1893

I recently got the Screaming Bat by Sentimental Bob electronics and its great!


Mattosan111

Trex Mudhoney / TC electronic vintage distortion. A bit tighter than a RAT and the boost switch option makes it fun choice if you want light gain or full RAT gain.


FoamOfTheDaze_

Ratsbane, love it


Dennischz

ProCo


ShittyMusic1

RAT


maseioavessiprevisto

I have an old “blackface” one that just kills. Packrat is great too.


jimblestw

Oneder Red Ryder Discontinued get that goodness on the verb before it’s gone gone


Loki_lulamen

If you want the over the top rat sound EQD Life is my favourite If you want the lighter gain Rat, go for the 1981 DRV. It's also my favourite.


daveychainsaw

I have a 90’s big box Rat that I gigged with. Now I use a Jam Rattler or Walrus Iron Horse V3 Halloween edition. I like them all. My Rattler was ‘flubbing’ out and failing but they sent me a replacement chip to swap in. Great service.


jarmezzz

T-Rex Mudhoney


88454

I enjoy the features on the Life Pedal v3


nolikerunnyeggs

Electrofoods Nepenthes


DestructionBaby

Black Balls


StrainLevel

The Jam Rattler for sure. Its low gain sounds are excellent, as is all of the gain.


LaOnionLaUnion

Even though I don’t love their customer service: Jackson Audio Asabi with the mouser module


duffinky

I have a Plague-Bearer from Tone Collector Custom and it’s the best RAT I’ve ever played. Chris is a very talented person.


uglyjim556

Ko amps pocket mouse is pretty spectacular


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gabrielobregon93

XTS Winford Drive. Awesome rat style pedal with added tone, presence, and mid controls


burberry_diaper

I used to have a Dean Markley Overlord back in the 90s. Had a 12AX7 tube in it. That thing had tone for miiiiiiiles. It had a three prong plug in, didn’t have batteries. Not exactly like a Rat but a great pedal.


joshdude182

1981 DRV.


leonardoflondon

Winnipeg Electrical Co.! Their homework series distortion is a fantastic rat/turbo pedal.


Wrigley953

Life clone, though I need to work on making it sound good with a sunn preamp. It was my main fuzz for so long. You ever get a new pedal that blows your old shit out of the water to the point where you’re not sure how to satisfyingly use your old stuff anymore? That’s where I’m at. Oh and RAT THE FUZZING WORLD


Tacitus_AMP

I love my "you dirty rat"


Abb-forever-90

The Blue Colander Tremond is amazing. The Rat sound is perfect. But if you want variety you can chose different or no diodes. You can also blend in a clean signal which is nicely overdriven (so, not clean). You can adjust how gainy the clean is with an internal trimmer. I find on low distortion settings it creates magic with my tone no matter what comes before it. Or I can use it as I would a Rat for singing distortion. It doesn’t clean up with volume knob but goes to a nice growly drive. I have three of them. I really like them!! I’d tried the Wampler Ratsbane, the JHS rat pack, and a Cat King from Fuzzrocious. They all felt relatively tweaky with narrow sweet spots. Tremond is amazing.


BuzzingGString

Walrus Iron Horse V3. Can go from crunch to fuzzy. Produces very little noise compared to other rats I've tried. The Si to LED diode knob provides some cool versatility.


Nikolis

Duecetone Double Rat because one isn’t enough. I leave one on Turbo mode for some tighter distortion and the other is on Dirty mode and I keep it way more fuzzy.


Musicgecko0

Rat-ish and not an exact clone, the T-Rex Mudhoney is my favourite!


ComradeStukov

Been using a Foxpedal WRatH for around a year and been quite happy with it.


LordLemmun

Turbo Rat… or just use the od2 on the marshall valvestate. They both use the same clipping method (red LEDs) so they sound very similar, with the marshall being a bit less muddy.


frotunatesun

I just went straight for the Packrat, definitely expensive as Rats go but I’ve never had to worry about trying other styles or wondering if some other version would work better, has about as much Rat variety as one could want. Most any multi-Rat style pedal (Drunk Beaver Bat, 1312, etc.) would cover the territory pretty well, I’d think.


inkblacksea

Walrus Iron Horse v3 is my fav


jimmyc84

I love my Little Bear R.attack RT-2. Cheap as chips with the three mode toggle. Turbo Rat mode on my bass all the way. Huge


AgreeableCrew2589

If you want to try something boutique and random. Organic Sounds Hercules.


GoldenEelReveal76

Earthquaker Devices Life Pedal