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Throwing Muses | Studio-Used 1986 ProCo RAT Distortion Pedal (1992)
Currency:USD
Category:Memorabilia / Music Memorabilia
Start Price:100.00 USD
Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
CURRENT BID
0.00USD
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2026 Jun 06 @ 10:00 (UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST)
A vintage 1986 ProCo RAT distortion pedal (serial #RT-046900) owned and used by Throwing Muses and Dennis Herring, who produced the band's Real Ramona album (1992). The original box bears "THROWING MUSES" written in marker on the face and a "dennis'" label on the bottom. The pedal face bears a white "dennis'" label; the underside bears the original serial label, a "SWEET TEA" studio label (the name of Herring's recording studio in Oxford, Mississippi), and an upside-down "THROWING MUSES" tape label. Includes original box, original insert/flyer, and original warranty card.
Historical Context
Throwing Muses, led by Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, were among the most critically significant bands of the American alternative underground. Signed to the UK's 4AD label in 1986 as the first American act on the roster, they were foundational to the development of the post-punk and alternative rock landscape on both sides of the Atlantic. Their albums Throwing Muses (1986), House Tornado (1988), and The Real Ramona (1992) are among the most important records of the era.
The ProCo RAT is one of the most revered and widely used distortion pedals in rock history, favored across alternative, punk, indie, and noise rock contexts since its introduction in the late 1970s. A 1986 unit — from the classic large black metal "big box" era, featuring the legendary Motorola LM308 op-amp that defines the vintage RAT sound — is particularly sought after by collectors and players. The LM308 chip, present in Rats of this era, is widely regarded as the circuit element most responsible for the pedal's distinctive character; many later reissues and variants use substitute chips, making authentic mid-1980s examples with the original LM308 a specific target for collectors and tone-chasers.
Dennis Herring is a two-time Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, mixer, and musician whose credits include The Hives, Elvis Costello, Counting Crows, Modest Mouse, Camper Van Beethoven, and Jars of Clay. He has owned two successful recording studios: DTLA Recording in Los Angeles and Sweet Tea Recording Studio in Oxford, Mississippi. He produced The Real Ramona (1992), the Throwing Muses album recorded with both Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly in what would be Donelly's final record with the band before founding Belly.
Studio Use
The pedal bears two distinct layers of identification: "THROWING MUSES" on both the box face and a tape label on the underside (applied upside-down), confirming band ownership; and "dennis'" labels on both the pedal face and the box, confirming transfer to Herring. A further "SWEET TEA" label appears on the underside — the name of Herring's recording studio in Oxford, Mississippi (Sweet Tea Recording Studio), confirming the pedal's presence in his studio environment.
Specifications
· Manufacturer: ProCo Sound, Inc. (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
· Model: The Rat (classic large black metal "big box" enclosure — 1980s production era)
· Serial: RT-046900 — 1986 production (RT-prefix sequential series; RT-04xxxx range consistent with mid-to-late 1986)
· Year: 1986
· Made in USA
· Circuit: Motorola LM308 op-amp — the original chip used in 1970s-80s Rats, widely regarded by collectors as defining the vintage RAT tone character
· Controls: Distortion / Filter / Volume (3 black knurled knobs); mechanical stomp footswitch
· I/O: Standard 1/4" input and output; 9V battery compartment accessible from bottom
· Labels (underside): Original ProCo serial label; "SWEET TEA" studio label (Sweet Tea Recording Studio, Oxford, Mississippi); upside-down "THROWING MUSES" tape label
· Labels (face): White "dennis'" label
· Box markings: "THROWING MUSES" in marker on face; "dennis'" label on bottom
Condition
Very Good. The pedal enclosure shows heavy rust and paint loss across the bottom and sides consistent with decades of use and storage, with the face panel retaining its graphics and labels clearly. All controls are functional. The original box shows age-consistent wear and yellowing; the "THROWING MUSES" marker inscription is bold and fully legible. Original insert flyer and warranty card present.
Included Items
Original ProCo RAT box (with "THROWING MUSES" marker inscription and "dennis'" label); original insert/flyer; original warranty card.
Provenance
Acquired via Eclectic Sounds (Portland, OR). Per the original Reverb listing: "It was originally owned by the Throwing Muses and then producer Dennis Herring. Dennis produced Throwing Muses' Real Ramona in 1991 [recorded 1991, released 1992] and probably received it then."
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» Item: 4 x 3.5 x 2.75" · 1.88 lbs.
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| AZ |
8.35% |
Arizona State Tax |
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Infinite |
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