80s/90s Style LM308N RAT Op-Amp Chip
Arguably, this is the most debated Rat chip ever. Conversations have dragged on for years about the quintessential "Rat" sound and what components comprise its ubiquitous distorted characteristics. One thing is certain: The LM308 is always in the conversation. The LM308 chip is the same style used in the late 80s/early 90s. It was phased out during the mid-90s and has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years.
This particular chip leads to a pedal that never gets fizzy, has a strong mid-focus around 1kHz and gets thicker and darker the more distortion is added. The OpAmp collapsing under duress leads to filthy, spitting tones which may be exactly what you need if you want to get nasty.
If you want something a bit smoother however, setting the RAT to moderate distortion and feeding it with a compressor results in a smooth, saturated response, which makes neck humbucker lead lines sing. This is a Rat-lover's Rat chip.
