The Keeley Super Rodent is a Keeley distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Mooer Black Secret Vintage Turbo Distortion and the JAM Pedals Rattler mk.2 Distortion. It pairs well with the PRS MT100 and the Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head.
Keeley Super Rodent
Keeley · pedal
The Keeley Super Rodent is a high-performance modification of the ProCo RAT distortion pedal by Robert Keeley, enhancing the original RAT circuit with premium components, additional clipping options, and refined controls that extend the RAT's tonal range while preserving its essential aggressive distortion character. The Super Rodent is part of Keeley's long tradition of boutique pedal modifications that established the brand's reputation before their transition to original designs.
What stands out
“additional clipping options”
— from the listing
“the keeley super rodent is a high-performance modification of the proco rat distortion pedal by robert keeley”
— from the listing
“s tonal range while preserving its essential aggressive distortion character”
— from the listing
“An ideal upgrade for committed RAT users who want the circuit taken further”
— from the reviews
“The RAT circuit's natural dynamic response and harmonic complexity are preserved and enhanced”
— from the reviews
Trade-offs
“players who love the rat character but want more versatility and component quality than the production unit find the super rodent a compelling upgrade”
— from the community notes
- clipping
- distortion
- aggressive
- rat character
- natural
- dynamic response
- harmonic
- consistent
Amps that pair well with the Keeley Super Rodent
PRS MT100
PRS
20% matchInto a transparent tone, PRS MT100 brings a pull toward medium gain that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
ENGL Special Edition E670
Engl
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
ENGL Special Edition E670 leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Bogner Snorkler 50
Bogner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Bogner Snorkler 50 leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head leans this transparent tone toward low gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the Keeley Super Rodent
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler
Dr Scientist
21% matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler leans this transparent tone toward low gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Nobels ODR-1
Nobels
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Into a transparent tone, Nobels ODR-1 brings a pull toward mid-forward that's missing
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Maestro Arcas Comp
Maestro
17% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Keeley Super Rodent's own aggressive character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler
TC Electronic
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler after Keeley Super Rodent in the signal chain, clear of Keeley Super Rodent's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Strymon BigSky after Keeley Super Rodent in the signal chain, clear of Keeley Super Rodent's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Fender Hammertone Reverb after Keeley Super Rodent in the signal chain, clear of Keeley Super Rodent's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings a pull toward fuzzy that's missing
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Warm Audio Jet Phaser belongs after Keeley Super Rodent, since modulation sits after the gain for a defined swirl
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Mooer Black Secret Vintage Turbo Distortion
Mooer
65% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
JAM Pedals Rattler mk.2 Distortion
Jam Pedals
65% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
JAM Pedals Rattler V2
Jam Pedals
61% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
RHC Audio Ydrat
Rhc Audio
58% similarityShared character: distortion
Keeley Super AT Mod Overdrive Limited Edition
Keeley
57% similarityShared character: wide tonal range, natural
Aria Lil' RAT Distortion
Aria
57% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
RHC Rat Turbo Rat Distortion
Rhc Audio
56% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
IdiotBox Effects Lost Ark
Idiotbox Effects
55% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
Tone City Mickey
Tone City
54% similarityShared character: distortion
MXR M69P Prime Distortion
MXR
51% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
MXR Prime Distortion
MXR
51% similarityShared character: distortion, aggressive playing
Rarebird effects Hatchet Overdrive
Rarebird Effects
50% similarityShared character: circuit, aggressive playing
See all alternatives to the Keeley Super Rodent (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Keeley Super Rodent?+
The closest matches in character are the Mooer Black Secret Vintage Turbo Distortion, the JAM Pedals Rattler mk.2 Distortion, the JAM Pedals Rattler V2.
What pairs well with the Keeley Super Rodent?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS MT100, Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head, ENGL Special Edition E670 — Into a transparent tone, PRS MT100 brings a pull toward medium gain that's missing.
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