Ibanez Tube Screamer vs ProCo RAT
Tube Screamer wins for amp-enhancing overdrive that works with the amp character — soft clipping, mid-push, and dynamic response make it ideal for players who want warm natural saturation that responds to picking dynamics. ProCo RAT wins for standalone distortion character that works independently of the amp — its wide gain range and backward Filter control produce a distinctive, aggressive character unlike any other pedal.
Ibanez Tube Screamer
The most influential overdrive ever made. Mid-push, natural compression, and the ability to make any amp come alive.
Blues, rock, country — especially as a clean boost into a tube amp
ProCo RAT
Harder-clipping distortion with a unique Filter control that runs backwards (clockwise = darker). Warmer and more compressed than the DS-1, with more amp-like harmonic content across a wider gain range.
Blues rock, alternative, post-punk, hard rock — harmonically rich distortion with more low-gain versatility
Tone Character
Ibanez Tube Screamer
- ✓ Works with any amp
- ✓ Natural compression
- ✓ Mid-frequency boost cuts through mix
- ✓ Affordable
- ✗ Limited low-end
- ✗ Can sound thin into clean amps
- ✗ Doesn't excel as standalone distortion
ProCo RAT
- ✓ Versatile Filter control
- ✓ Warmer character than DS-1
- ✓ Works as overdrive at low gain
- ✓ Classic studio pedal on thousands of records
- ✗ Filter control is counter-intuitive (inverted)
- ✗ Doesn't clean up with guitar volume
- ✗ Noisy at maximum gain
When To Choose Each
Blues, rock, country — light-to-medium overdrive that responds to playing dynamics and works with tube amp character rather than dominating it.
Alternative, indie, experimental, rock — wider gain range from overdrive to distortion to fuzz-like saturation with a distinctive character independent of the amp.
Final Verdict — Ibanez Tube Screamer vs ProCo RAT
Best for beginners
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez Tube Screamer scores higher on versatility (65/100) and lower on gain (42/100) — a more forgiving starting point than ProCo RAT.
Best for metal tones
ProCo RAT
ProCo RAT leads on gain (68/100) and bass response (45/100) — the two tonal pillars of metal playing.
Best value
ProCo RAT
At £79 vs £89, ProCo RAT delivers 11% cost savings. The tonal trade-off is minor.
Specification Summary
| Ibanez Tube Screamer | ProCo RAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £89 | £79 |
| Category | Overdrive | Distortion |
| Gain | 42/100 | 68/100 |
| Warmth | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| Treble | 55/100 | 52/100 |
| Bass | 38/100 | 45/100 |
| Versatility | 65/100 | 62/100 |
| Best for | Blues, rock, country | Blues rock, alternative, post-punk, hard rock |
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