Bixonic and The Rat

[jrfox92]

The Expandora is only really comparable to a Rat in that there's an LM308 in there.
Depending on your budget and skills, I'd suggest either cloning it or getting someone else to clone it since it's such a unique circuit.

[Christophe]

Midrange content is important to make it full without being muddy.

I agree, it's definitely more on the midrange side than on the heavy clipping side. I guess humbuckers play a major role in achieving that sound (more midrange and natural compression).

The Expandora is only really comparable to a Rat in that there's an LM308 in there.
Depending on your budget and skills, I'd suggest either cloning it or getting someone else to clone it since it's such a unique circuit.

Yeah, that's probably the way to go. Well if anyone is willing to part with a 2000R model, let me know...

[omarwhite]

i always just assumed they ran the guitar direct on Bodysnatchers. shows what I know

[goroth]

I've played a Rat but I still don't sound like Billy Gibbons.
I'm thinking this:

The Expandora is only really comparable to a Rat in that there's an LM308 in there.
Depending on your budget and skills, I'd suggest either cloning it or getting someone else to clone it since it's such a unique circuit.

[BetterOffShred]

I've played a Rat but I still don't sound like Billy Gibbons.
I'm thinking this:

The Expandora is only really comparable to a Rat in that there's an LM308 in there.
Depending on your budget and skills, I'd suggest either cloning it or getting someone else to clone it since it's such a unique circuit.

I know guys are making them still with rare unobtanium 308s they found in a shoebox in an abandoned farmhouse in upstate New York or something equally mystical, but apparently the OP07 sounds the same. It's on my list to build one of each, but since I don't have either original my reference point doesn't really exist.

Anything Billy used/uses though is of interest.

[Gone Fission]

LM-301 is also supposed to be pretty close to a 308 in a Rat, so worth a try since they are cheap and plentiful.

[infamousalien]

I hesitate to even mention this...but the JHS Kilt is a clone I believe. Maybe you could find a used one cheap. Or at least try one in a store and see if you like it before you spend a lot on a used Expandora or have a clone commissioned. As others have said the tone machine isn't close but the tone machine is my favorite fuzz ever.

[Christophe]

I didn't know about the Kilt... that sounds great.

[BetterOffShred]

LM-301 is also supposed to be pretty close to a 308 in a Rat, so worth a try since they are cheap and plentiful.

Yeah, there's a list of stuff including the NE5534, LM301, CA31030, TL070, OP07, apparently the "slew rate" or how fast the opamp can change it's output is identical on the OP07/LM308.. I want to try them all of course. I need someone to let me play a real Rat

[dubkitty]

well, apparently my current main problem with the Expandora (which BTW is the 3-switch version) is that the switch is fucked up...it started out clicking and going to ON with no actual effect, and now is stuck in ON mode with no effect no matter how many times you actuate the switch. could someone possibly take a look at and see if it's fixable? i don't have the expertise.

[BetterOffShred]

well, apparently my current main problem with the Expandora (which BTW is the 3-switch version) is that the switch is fucked up...it started out clicking and going to ON with no actual effect, and now is stuck in ON mode with no effect no matter how many times you actuate the switch. could someone possibly take a look at and see if it's fixable? i don't have the expertise.

Take some pictures with the back off. I've fixed a few switches

Edit: I'm assuming you're referring to the 3pdt stomp switch? If it's soldered to the main board that's shitty, but still doable. I know these have some dip switches inside for the modes..

[dubkitty]

yes, the stomp switch. i'll do pictures in the next day or 2...i'm driving up to DC tomorrow to see gybe!, so i may not get to it till Sunday.

[rustywire]

Good one.
Rat+Vox AC30 symbioses produced another one of my fav 90s return-of-the-riff jams/tones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttzjq29EgwU

[ts50b]

The LP version always sounded like they blended in some direct console boosting signal (a beautiful breakup), but also not quite the Expandora classic "forbidden" setting (too much I know, but the oscillating edge feels closer).

This vid recommended (at the 3:00 mark) the much maligned JHS Colour Box re: the studio recording:

I think the Hudson Broadcast could nail the LP version as well, and then you don't need to buy from JHS

[codetocontra]

Good one.
Rat+Vox AC30 symbioses produced another one of my fav 90s return-of-the-riff jams/tones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttzjq29EgwU

IIRC, this song was recorded with one of those super mini Marshalls with the volume cranked. I got similar tones with a Fender one that ran on batteries. But the rest of the album was supposed to be Rat.