The JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion is a JHS Pedals distortion pedal, currently around $249. Close alternatives include the JHS Pedals JHS Kilt V10 and the JAM Pedals Rattler V2. It pairs well with the Laney Ironheart IRT-Studio and the Marshall Bluesbreaker.
JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion
JHS Pedals · pedal
The JHS PackRat is a boutique multi-mode distortion pedal from JHS Pedals based on the ProCo RAT circuit, one of the most influential distortion pedals in rock and alternative music history. The PackRat includes a rotary mode selector that provides access to multiple historically different RAT circuit configurations, including vintage LM308-chip variants, the Turbo RAT, and other notable RAT iterations. Each mode calibrates the clipping character, gain response, and filter behavior according to the specific circuit variant it reproduces. JHS designed the PackRat as a comprehensive RAT-based distortion reference for players who want access to the full range of RAT circuit history in a single pedal. It suits classic rock, alternative, post-punk, grunge, and hard rock where ProCo RAT distortion is central to the sound.
- filter
- dark
- compressed
- classic rock
- distortion
- warm
- bright
- clipping
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Hard Rock
- Grunge
- Punk
Amps that pair well with the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion
Laney Ironheart IRT-Studio
Laney
36% matchThe PackRat's dark, compressed distortion pushes the IRT-Studio's own valve rhythm tone into something grittier and more classic-rock.
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall
35% matchThe Bluesbreaker's natural, round breakup gives the PackRat's dark, filtered Rodent-style distortion a warmer classic blues foundation.
Fender Bassbreaker 007 7-Watt
Fender
35% matchThe PackRat's dark, compressed distortion gives the Bassbreaker's chimey, vintage clean tone a much heavier amp voice to push into.
Park P18H
Park
34% matchThe Park P18H's British, pedal-platform breakup gives the PackRat's dark, compressed distortion a classic blues-rock foundation to stack onto.
Mojotone British 18-Watt Style 1x12 Combo Cabinet
Mojotone
32% matchJHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Mojotone British 18-Watt Style 1x12 Combo Cabinet delivers it
Marshall Baby Stack MR3005 (Jubilee Series)
Marshall
32% matchWhat JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion brings here leans toward dark — that's worth building a pairing around
Laney World Series 100 SC
Laney
31% matchJHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Laney World Series 100 SC delivers it
Vox MSB25 Mini SuperBeetle
Vox
tonal matchVox MSB25 Mini SuperBeetle's glassy balances out the dark tone
See all 26 amps that pair with the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion →
Pedals that stack with the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
25% matchThe PackRat's dark, compressed distortion gives the Rangemaster's germanium treble boost a much heavier front end to push into.
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
25% matchPush the PackRat's dark, compressed distortion with the Galileo's bright boost stacked after it to cut through without losing that grunge-y low end.
Orange King-Comp
Orange
21% matchKing-Comp's bright, chiming compression ahead of the PackRat evens out attack before the pedal's own dark, filtered distortion.
Wampler Latitude Deluxe Tremolo
Wampler
18% matchLatitude Deluxe's modern, bell-like tremolo pulses on top of the PackRat's dark distortion rather than stacking any gain.
Alexander Pedals History Lesson Vol. 2
Alexander Pedals
12% matchPut the History Lesson's warm tape echo after the PackRat's dark, compressed distortion, not before, or the repeats just turn muddy. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Dark Discovery Analog Delay
Suhr
12% matchLet the Dark Discovery's warm, dark repeats trail the PackRat's already-dark, filtered distortion for a moodier finish. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics Whoctahell Custom Caleidoscopio
Beetronics
8% matchJHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion leans toward dark, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Aguilar DB 925
Aguilar
tonal matchAguilar DB 925 leans bright right where the dark tone needs it
Cheaper alternatives
JHS 3 Series Distortion
JHS Pedals
74% similarity“The simplified design limits the extreme gain stages and specialized voicings available on higher-end JHS distortion pedals like the PackRat or Kilt.”
Maxon OD808
Maxon
72% similarityShared character: pedal, dark, hard_rock
Donner Dark Mouse
Donner
71% similarityShared character: warm, dark, filter
Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Boss
71% similarityShared character: three_modes, wide_range, pedal
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
70% similarity“offering nine distinct RAT circuit variants in a single enclosure, spanning the major production eras and revisions of the ProCo RAT”
Fender Angry Fuzz
Fender
70% similarityShared character: pedal, wide_range, hard_rock
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
JHS Pedals JHS Kilt V10
JHS Pedals
75% similarityShared character: three_modes, pedal, players
JAM Pedals Rattler V2
Jam Pedals
73% similarityShared character: wide_range, players, dark
Amptweaker AT Fatrock
Amptweaker
71% similarityShared character: pedal, dark, hard_rock
Sonicake Rude Mouse Distortion
Sonicake
71% similarityShared character: wide_range, pedal, distortion
Menatone None More Black
Menatone
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Universal Audio UAFX Anti 1992 High Gain Amp
Universal Audio
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the JHS Pedals JHS Kilt V10, the JAM Pedals Rattler V2, the Amptweaker AT Fatrock. Budget picks: JHS 3 Series Distortion, Maxon OD808, Donner Dark Mouse.
What pairs well with the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney Ironheart IRT-Studio, Marshall Bluesbreaker, Fender Bassbreaker 007 7-Watt — The PackRat's dark, compressed distortion pushes the IRT-Studio's own valve rhythm tone into something grittier and more classic-rock..
How much does the JHS PackRat 9-Way Rodent Distortion cost?+
Around $249 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).