bass big muff pi vs. russian big muff pi

snakesandarrows · #1 01-08-2010, 10:55 PM

I've been planning on getting one of the new bass big muff pi's for a while now, but i recently found a good deal on a used Russian one online. I'm going for a Muse bass sound, (i.e. Starlight, M.K. Ultra, United States of Eurasia, Unnatural Selection) more distortion, less fuzz i guess would be a good way to describe it. I know a lot of people prefer the Russian one... Does anyone prefer one to another? suggestions? Thanks.

bass_lord_mutha · #2 01-08-2010, 11:04 PM

I haven't played the Russian model, but I have played the newer Bass Muff (about to get one myself), and I was damned pleased with it. Pretty much nailed the bass tone to Hysteria (speaking of Muse). I have, however, played a Russian-model Bass Balls and the newer Bass Balls Nano, and it's pretty much apples to apples between those two, so I'd imagine it being relatively the same with the Bass Muffs. You can't go wrong either way. Electro-Harmonix is just a great company. So really, the only question is which costs less? If the Russian model is priced lower than the new models, I'd definitely get it 1) Because of their reputation with the Russian-made pedals, 2) It's cheaper, duh!!

JonPol · #3 01-08-2010, 11:14 PM

i think the BBM would be much closer to the sound, chris uses two amps for his distortion, one wet and one dry. i think the BBM would be better for that.

snakesandarrows · #4 01-09-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonPol

i think the BBM would be much closer to the sound, chris uses two amps for his distortion, one wet and one dry. i think the BBM would be better for that.

Yeah, I know he uses the multi amp configuration to retain low end since he uses the Russian big muff. (along with a few more guitar distortion pedals that aren't directly made for bass) But for the stuff I'm doing, I personally find that i can crank enough Bass out of my SVT even when using my guitarists' distortion pedals...

RCCollins · #5 01-09-2010, 08:16 AM

BBM is powerable with an adapter if that makes any difference to you

MrTAteMyBalls · #6 01-09-2010, 10:39 AM

anyone else notice that the "dry" out on the BBM sounds different when the pedal is engaged??? I've only used it with a 9v battery, so maybe a proper power supply would help. The tone is noticeably darker and quieter on the dry out.

Pruitt · #7 01-09-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTAteMyBalls

anyone else notice that the "dry" out on the BBM sounds different when the pedal is engaged??? I've only used it with a 9v battery, so maybe a proper power supply would help. The tone is noticeably darker and quieter on the dry out.

The "Dry Out" is not a Dry signal when the pedal is engaged. It just applies the fuzz differently than the other two settings.

I actually use the "Dry" setting moire than any other setting on my BBM at this time. It gives me just the amount of fuzz I wanted for a few songs we do. For the money, I think the BBM is a tough pedal to beat for what it does. In my opinion, of course. heh heh...

**grygrx** · #8 01-09-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pruitt

The "Dry Out" is not a Dry signal when the pedal is engaged. It just applies the fuzz differently than the other two settings.

I actually use the "Dry" setting moire than any other setting on my BBM at this time. It gives me just the amount of fuzz I wanted for a few songs we do. For the money, I think the BBM is a tough pedal to beat for what it does. In my opinion, of course. heh heh...

Careful.. there is a 'Dry' switch setting
and there is a 'Dry' out

they are not the same thing, and are connected in any real way.

Bootzilla · #9 01-09-2010, 11:28 AM

He doesn't mean the dry setting but the dry output jack which should put out an unaffected signal even when the effect is turned on.

Edit: I'm too slow

Pruitt · #10 01-09-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

Careful.. there is a 'Dry' switch setting
and there is a 'Dry' out

they are not the same thing, and are connected in any real way.

My apologies for the misunderstanding I forgot about the Dry Out, as I have no use for it at this time and totally forgot about it's existence. Thanks for setting me straight.

billphreets · #11 01-09-2010, 03:10 PM

i always use the dry `switch` setting, can easily dial up a decent fuzz sound.. for the money i think these pedals are great!!

billphreets · #12 01-09-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billphreets

i always use the dry `switch` setting, can easily dial up a decent fuzz sound.. for the money i think these pedals are great!!

and i meant to add : i had a green russian big muff back in the early 90s and ended up giving it to my guitarist!! (impetuous maybe but damn did he nail that isleys solo sound with it!!) i find the new BBM more useable to be honest..

MrTAteMyBalls · #13 01-09-2010, 03:34 PM

i'm loving the fuzz sounds, but i was hoping to track 2 inputs to my DAW, one fuzzed and one dry to mix later. the dry out just sounds dark and lifeless, when the bass direct in sounds fine....oh well, i'll experiment with a power supply/freshbattery when i get a chance and see if that fixes the issue.

BTW this pedal also sounds great with an electric guitar. I have a muff clone that I built myself, and this sounds just a good on guitar, and even better for bass.

Mudfuzz · #14 01-09-2010, 03:40 PM

If you want a clean blend get the BBM.
If you have a blender or don't want clean blended in and want the better sounding of the two and the one that has more lows get the Russian.

snakesandarrows · #15 01-09-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

BBM is powerable with an adapter if that makes any difference to you

Are you saying that the russian can't be powered via "one-spot" or by my pedalboard? is it just a battery??

Bish42 · #16 01-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakesandarrows

Are you saying that the russian can't be powered via "one-spot" or by my pedalboard? is it just a battery??

It is only battery. Though it's fairly easy to mod.

Mudfuzz · #17 01-09-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakesandarrows

Are you saying that the russian can't be powered via "one-spot" or by my pedalboard? is it just a battery??

Onespot makes a 9v adapter clip so yes you can power it with a Onespot.

RCCollins · #18 01-09-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

If you want the one that has more gain available (with corresponding loss of low end) get the Russian.

fixed this. get the bbm for pure tone and practical gain adjustment. never mind the (halfass) blend

Mudfuzz · #19 01-09-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

fixed this. get the bbm for pure tone and practical gain adjustment.

you know not how use knobs? You turn them one way or the other....

I have no low loss on either of the russian/sovtek muffs I have at max gain.

RCCollins · #20 01-09-2010, 05:51 PM

the gain range on the BBM is less extreme, so you can dial it more precisely

I'm just trying to steer a first-time fuzzer away from a gigantic box that needs an adaptor or a mod to power by anything besides 9V, doesn't have a decent bypass or switch(!) that he MAY end up preferring to the current version, which is very popular, if less hipsterrific