Side-by-side comparison of the Pro Co RAT2 and the MXR M104+
Today Music Critic will be comparing the Pro Co RAT2 to the MXR M104+. The team take this task very seriously - two products enter, but only one can leave. If you find this article interesting, you might also want to read The Top Distortion Pedal for Heavy Metal & More in 2025
Contestant number one is the Pro Co RAT2.
The challenger is the MXR M104+.
Another reissue of a legendary pedal, the Distortion + is the pedal of choice for that 70s/80s hard rock and metal sound. It achieves this through the use of some fairly hefty distortion, but with soft clipping that helps to ensure that you get a really nice bite, but that everything stays in harmony. It’s a very, very nice sound that you simply can’t find in a lot of distortion pedals, though it won’t be suitable for all genres.
Examining the MXR M104+
It is reasonably versatile too - if you really crank it up, you end up with some real fuzz that sustains well, but on the lower end, it can sound like a quality overdriven tube amp. Just a very nice sound all-round.
HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON | |
|---|---|
Pro Co RAT2 |
MXR M104+ |
| KEY FEATURES | |
+ Legendary distortion pedal |
+ Nails the 80s hard rock tone |
| WHAT OUR TEAM THOUGHT | |
This is a hugely versatile pedal, with truly excellent sound and wonderful build quality. It’s not a super-budget option, but the price is very, very impressive indeed. You’ll struggle to find a better pedal in this price range and overall the bang for your buck might just be unbeatable in the market. |
If you want to sound like your favourite 80s hard rock or heavy metal guitarist, then this is probably the pedal for you. It produces a unique sound thanks to that quiet clipping, and comes in a quality package. The price is in the mid-to-high range, but we think it’s worth it to be able to pretty much guarantee yourself this tone. |
Would you like to know more?
You might also be interested in Music Critic's in-depth article on this topic, The Top Distortion Pedal for Heavy Metal & More in 2025.
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