JHS PackRat

JHS PackRat is a tribute to the Proco Rat and has nine different versions of this black rodent in a compact box. In 1978, one of the most versatile and influential distortion pedals of all time was invented in Kalamazoo, MI. The PackRat is the ultimate tribute to the 40+ years of rodent evolution of the Proco RAT 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.

The PackRat uses the same unique digital runway system as the Muffuletta and the Bonsai 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 (OG V1, White Face V3, Turbo V5, BRAT V6, Dirty V7, LA, Landgraff MO’D, Caroline, JHS Mode), you are playing fully analog circuits that perfectly replicate that mode, even down to the aging components (also known as component drift).

The operation of the PackRat is about as simple as it gets. The Volume control adjusts the overall volume of the pedal. The Distortion control lets you raise and lower the amount of gain or distortion that the circuit produces, and the Filter control allows you to brighten and darken the sound of the overall effect. This is effectively a simple, low-pass filter. The Mode control is a stepped pot that clicks into place as you scroll through the nine legendary versions of this circuit. As you change the mode, the analog circuitry is rewired, resulting in brand new values of resistors, capacitors, diodes and op amps.

JHS Packrat demo video