Act Entertainment is the pro audio company that owns the venerable RAT Distortion brand, and the Sterling Vermin is their new boutique distortion pedal that reimagines the classic RAT sound with modern refinement and versatility.
The pedal blends vintage-inspired tone with thoughtful enhancements for today’s players, designed by Shawn Wells and Matt Gates and hand-built in small batches at the company’s Jackson, Missouri headquarters.
At its core is the LM741 Op-Amp and a selectable diode switch, offering two clipping modes:
- the classic RAT-style silicon diodes for punchy, mid-heavy distortion,
- BAT41 diodes for a smoother, more balanced tone.
This dual-mode setup allows guitarists to explore a wide tonal palette, from snarling high-gain grit to nuanced overdrive, making it ideal for players seeking a refined yet expressive distortion tool that honors heritage while pushing sonic boundaries.
