Jhs Pedals PACKRAT WHITE - DISTORTION

A Boutique Tribute to One of the Most Iconic Distortions

The JHS PackRat follows in the tradition of distortions inspired by the ProCo RAT, a standard introduced in the late 1970s and essential for its ability to cover a very wide spectrum-from snappy overdrive to compact distortion, with a genuine option to shift into abrasive fuzz. Rather than offering "just another RAT," JHS studied numerous units and condensed historical versions, atypical variants, and modern interpretations into a single pedal, all while maintaining a 100% analog approach.

Who Is the PackRat White For?

The PackRat White targets guitarists (and even bassists) who want a big sound immediately usable, but with enough nuance to adapt to different contexts. It suits intermediate to advanced levels while remaining easy to handle for beginners seeking their first serious distortion. In blues-rock, indie, punk, garage, hard rock, stoner, or alternative metal, it excels equally in rhythmic riffs and sharp leads. In the studio, it offers a palette of "record-ready" textures; live, its pedal format and straightforward controls allow you to switch from dense crunch to wilder saturation instantly.

9 Modes, Simple Ergonomics, Analog Core

At the heart of the PackRat is an intentionally familiar operation: Volume controls output level, Distortion adjusts gain and compression, and Filter acts as a low-pass filter to tame (or conversely let through) harmonics and the aggressiveness of the high end. The real "superpower" is the 9-position rotary selector : when you change modes, the pedal internally reconfigures component values and clipping stages to replicate the response, gain level, and tone of each variant without relying on digital simulations.

• The OG V1 (1979-83) : the spirit of the earliest versions, snappy, direct, very "rock".
• White Face V3 (1984-1986) : a more "traditional" interpretation of the Filter control, very musical.
• Turbo V5 (1989) : higher output and more imposing distortion thanks to LED clipping.
• BRAT V6 (1997) : a rawer variation with a distinct character.
• Dirty V7 (2004) : grittier and grainier for rougher textures.
• LA (1986) : a high-gain oriented variant, incisive and tight.
• Landgraff MO'D (1999) : a premium take on the RAT sound, rich and assertive.
• Caroline Wave Cannon : a modern, expressive, and very lively variation.
• JHS Mode : JHS's vision of the circuit, balanced and tailored for the pedalboard.

Sound Characteristics

The PackRat White stands out with a clear attack and saturation that maintains clarity in the mix. Depending on the mode, you'll move from a compact distortion focused on mids (perfect for making a guitar stand out in a band) to more open, powerful, or abrasive textures. The Filter control is the ideal ally to adapt the pedal to your amp and pickups: soften a bright combo or, conversely, let more air and bite through for cutting riffs. Dynamically, it responds very well to right-hand playing and guitar volume, allowing you to "clean up" certain modes and retain an organic feel. Among artists often associated with the PackRat are Noel Gallagher and Rob Scallon, proving its relevance both in rock contexts and in more demonstrative, modern approaches.

Technical specifications

Effects	Fuzz, Distortion, Overdrive	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	White
EQ	Filter

Effect type	Overdrive / Distortion / Fuzz (depending on the mode and gain setting)	Output	6.35 mm mono jack
Modes	9 selectable modes via a 9-position rotary selector; The OG, White Face, Turbo, BRAT, Dirty, Landgraff MO'D, Caroline Wave Cannon, JHS Mode	Enclosure material	metal
Controls	Volume, Distortion, Filter, mode selector	Dimensions	121 x 66 x 40 mm
Bypass	true bypass	Weight	approximately 300 g to 350 g
Bypass switch	footswitch	Country of manufacture	USA
Status indicator	LED	Power supply	not included
Input	6.35 mm mono jack