Review
Ok here is my attempt at a review. First, caveats. Someone who is a better player than I currently am could review this pedal better. I still do not know how to use distortion that effectively rhythm playing. I prefer to use it when lead playing, when I want an edge on the tone to cut through. I do not control my strings well enough with palm and other muting techniques to use this pedal to its potential yet in rhythm playing. (I am writing all this because I am going to post some clips later in this thread. 
) Ok, enough of that.
That said, this pedal DVM made me seems very diverse, and could be used in about a hundred ways or more. First, the clips. I recorded both my guitars, the Vik and the Strat, playing open E chords, followed by a little lick. I did this first with my Boss DS-1 for comparison, then on each "mutation" setting available. 3 distortion, 3 overdrive, as described by DVM above. I set the DS-1 as I typically do, with tone at 10, level straight up, and distortion at 2. I set the Rodent with Volume straight up, Filter at neutral, (which happens to be at 3 the way the pot is laid out), and Distortion at about 1:30 or 2. I turned down the recording level on both Red LED mutations because both those settings are louder and were maxing out the recording levels too much. I did not record the Reutz mod settings, as I have not used those much yet. DVM did record those settings above.
http://www.box.net/shared/5cyypgufu1 - Strat clips
http://www.box.net/shared/yhznmtllfk - Vik clips
Ok, review.
1. Fit, finish, etc. Excellent. Came well boxed, beautiful paint, knobs all work well, etc. I know nothing of pedal building and soldering etc., but the pics DVM posted above tell the story. Excellent all the way through, as you would expect from DVM.
2. How does it work? Well, let your ears be the guide but I think exceptionally well, and I have only scratched the surface. I would love to hear Spud or someone really rip it up with one.
I recorded the DS-1 to show you why I was interested in a new distortion pedal. When you listen, you might think "Yeah, that sounds pretty good" but I think it lacks depth and texture. It is like a hoppy ale that is so hoppy, you cannot get any depth or texture out of the flavors. All heat and no warmth, if that makes sense. Too thin and hissy, and not enough mid range might be another way of saying it.
Ok, now listen to the Rodent clips. The first three are the distortion settings in order. I like all three, but have been in love with the second, red LED one. It is so fat and warm. As I recorded this, I realized I had been overlooking the third setting as well and wish to explore that one. It seems to have some great sounds, and I really liked all the texture in the E chord with that setting.
The overdrive settings are fun as well. Set up just like this, they act more like distortion settings to my ear, but if you roll back the distortion to say 9 or 10, you get a sweet overdrive that is much more transparent and less warm and mid-rangey as compared to my bad monkey. A little more heat and a little less mid range I would say. A useful new sound for my arsenal.
I plan on using the distortion settings when rocking out or punking out, and also as a good lead boost with some great hair to cut through a loud mix, or when I just need to add some oomph. (EDIT)Anything from Social Distortion and Weezer or Offspring to Santana and Allman Brothers and Petty, and everything in between. I think you could dial in a reasonable Abbey Road - I Want You sound too by cleaning it up a touch. (end EDIT)
The overdrives I think I will use with the distortion dialed back as I said for a different overdrive sound.
In anycase, I think all of the six settings give me more interesting sounds than my un-modded DS-1. I may mod my DS-1 to give it more oomph. There are lots of mods out there, but it would not have the versatility of this pedal, and I may leave the DS-1 stock and use it with my chorus for some Nirvana sounds. It does that well. For everything else, I think the Rodent has it covered. Please feel free to comment, and DVM, please add anything you think I left out. I really like this pedal. Two thumbs up, 
: : , I would highly recommend it.
Blazes, hope that answers your questions, and if I can answer any others, please ask and I will do my best to answer them.
Last edited by sunvalleylaw; November 17th, 2008 at 12:04 AM.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson
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Originally Posted by just strum
