| Big Muff Shootout (long)
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Well sort of. This is a late night Muff review as I decide what to keep and what to put on my first pedalboard bild in years.
In my poseesion now and up for review
EH Bass Big Muff (stock)
Sovtek Black Russian (rehoused and modded by Putnam Guitars)
Blackout Effectors Musket Version 1
Stomp Under Foot Green Russian Muff Clone
Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff Clone
Devi Ever Hyperion (not a muff circuit, more on that later)
Let me start with the Sovtek Black Russian:
This is almost stock tonewise...which is what I wanted. First let me say, Mike at Putnam guitars was great to work with and does incredible work.
What I wanted was my stock Black Sovtek Muff as is with much needed improvements. 9V jack added, true bypass and rehoused in a Hammond Enclosure. Also, I always found the stock pots on the Sovteks to be flimsy and unstable so I had Mike change these to Alpha pots. He also changed one capacitor and I can't comment on what this did. Really nice Blue Led also.
Overall, this was a great idea. I already really liked the pedal as is, but now it is pedalboard ready and built to last a lifetime.
Which brings me to the Stock Bass Big Muff:A lot of love and hate on TB for this pedal and I can understand both. For one, the "normal" setting doesn't capture the magic of a stock Sovtek...which I imagien is the biggest complaint. That said, it is a decent try at it and is certainly useable. The dry and boost settings are something completely different and very useable. It's built very well for a mass produced pedal and I'll probably use the dry out as a tuner out on my board. I really love this pedal for what it does that other Muffs don't but admit its shortcomings as a traditional Muff
So now keeping that theme...The Stomp Under Foot Green Russian Clone:
The first thing to say is the build quality is outstanding and Matt is great to deal with. The sound of this and the Sovtek Black Muff is very similar...as it should be. However the Green Clone has more output to it and a little more grit. Without the mods to the Black Sovtek, this wouldn't even be close. It's an awesome and massive pedal.
Lets stay here and go to the Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff:
Again, Matt was excellent with emails...paid for this on Friday and it arrived today (Monday). Exactly as described.....this has more low end than the Green Russian and is smoother.
This just may be the ultimate Muff for Bass. I was surprised because I thought the difference would be more slight between this and the Sovtek/Green Russian but right now I could see both ending up on my board.
Moving to more more "modern" Muffs. The Blackout Effectors Musket Version 1:Another excellent quality pedal. The key here is to read the manual and understand how this works. It can be dialed in to a very good Sovtekish classic Muff sound and go beyond that.
A very good bass pedal...perhaps too many knobs for a Kiss (Keep It Simple Stupid) guy like myself but the extra range on this makes it a winner. I'm not sure I have a use for it though and it doesn't look like it will make the cut to my board. But if you want a more versaatile Muff that also covers the Classic tone....this will beat out the "normal" Mode of the BBM.
Lastly, the Devi Ever Hyperion:
this is touted as the "Muff Killer"...but to be fair this is not a claim made by Devi Ever. I don't think this is even a Muff circuit. It's also not directly intended for bass and it cuts low end big time. Maybe as a guitar pedal it can hang with a Russian Muff but not for bass. It's fun though but not making it onto the board.
If there is a winner to be named here....it is easily the Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff. Whether you perfer the Green Russian version is a matter of taste. I'm going to keep both unless I change my mind down the road.
Now my advice if you're interested.
If you already have a Black Sovtek Muff...I can't recommend Mike at Putnam Guitars enough. You'll get the same pedal in a smaller better enclosure with true bypass, the 9V jack..the Alpha pots are up to you. This is if you already own and like a Black Sovtek Russian. I don't recommend buying one just to have it modded with what they are selling for since being discontinued. If you're going to buy one just to Mod....
Go with the Stomp Under Foot Green Russian instead. You'll get everything you could want from a Sovtek Muff and more...plus it's less expensive and easier.
Also, don't even think of an actual Sovtek Green Muff unless you're a collector. It's been well documented that you could buy several of these and they would all sound different. Modding one hurts the value and you can get a consistently good one from Matt at Stomp that is built to last, has true bypass, 9V jack and in an MXR sized box. Other than for being a collector, the Stomp Under Foot wins in every way.
And I have to defend the stock EH Bass Big Muff. First of all, they got it right stock....true bypass,9V jack and a reasonable sized enclosure. The dry out can come in handy to biamp or run into a tuner. Does it sound like a Sovtek in "normal" mode? Yes it does but it doesn't capture the massiveness and presence that a Sovtek or good Sovtek Clone does. But hey, it's close and its $80 brand new, can be had used for $50 -$60 all day and offers something new and very cool with the boost and dry modes.
The Hyperion is just not a bass pedal....I don't care for the Devi Ever Bass Fuzz based on clips and videos....but I do want to pick up a Devi Ruiner to try. I can't recommend the Hyperion...especially if you're looking for Muff tones. It's probably killer with a guitar though.
The Musket is a fine choice if you want a Muff that also can be dialed in as a distortion pedal. just take the time to learn its quirks.
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Ampeg Portaflex Club #213
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If it isn't broke, Mod it till it is
Last edited by Volume4 : 08-09-2010 at 11:14 PM.
Reason: Its bedtime
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