EHX Big Muff

gus1894 · #1 05-05-2009, 07:39 PM

So I've decided to add the EHX Big Muff to my pedal board. So what's the problem, you ask?

Which one do I get that will A: match that "classic" Big Muff" tone? and B: Which one will best translate to bass?

Big Muff Pi
XO Little Big Muff Pi
Bass Big Muff Pi
Big Muff Pi W/ Tone Wicker
USSR Big Muff Pi
Muff
Nano Muff
Double Muff

Are there enough variations already??
thanx

ThunderV · #2 05-05-2009, 07:55 PM

I have the big bass muff and love it. It has three separate modes. 1. Normal mode makes it act like a regular big muff
2. bottom boost which makes it act like a regular big muff without the loss of the low frequency.
3. Dry mode which turns the volume control into more of a blend control. So that you can control the amount of effect with your normal bass signal.

The dry mode is definitely my favorite, I bought it because my sansamp RBI was not dirty enough, but my boss odb-3 was a little too harsh. The dry mode lets me add a tasteful amount of dirt without killing my actual tone. I would recommend that you try them so that you can see which would suit your playing the best.

Jared Lash · #3 05-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Of the versions currently available new, I think the NYC Big Muff is as close to "classic" muff tone as you can get. But while others may disagree (and I didn't have them at the same time to compare) I thought the LBM sounded exactly the same.

Both work fine with bass, though they have a definite midscoop to them.

I haven't tried it, but as expected it seems the bass muff "works" best on bass. From the clips I've heard it has definite muff character but has a bit of its own sound.

UncleFluffy · #4 05-05-2009, 07:58 PM

BBM gets my thumbs up for "best bass tone" (question B).

Can't really make a call on question A.

KevtheRev · #5 05-05-2009, 07:59 PM

+1 for the Bass Big Muff. Really useful having a dry blend control. Really recommend trying it before you pull the trigger.
Good luck!

RCCollins · #6 05-05-2009, 08:00 PM

BASS
BIG
MUFF
Pi

McHaven · #7 05-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Bass Big Muff is going to probably be the most usable and versatile.

Double Muff, Muff Overdrive, Metal Muff are not real muffs.

The Muff with tone wicker is pretty cool since it allows you to bypass the tone stack, which is the source of mids loss.

fitz420 · #8 05-05-2009, 09:57 PM

+1 for bbm. gotta say though, the old all green, big, ugly sovtek russian muffs sound sooo good too.

glamrockin · #9 05-05-2009, 10:25 PM

A) Big Muff Pi
B) Bass Big Muff Pi
FYI Muffs are not similar to Big Muffs

**TheMutt** · #10 05-06-2009, 03:02 AM

Personally I'd say the Big Muff Pi (Current NYC version) is as close as you will get to the classic tone without getting an actual vintage muff or shelling out some money for a clone (BYOC or D*A*M come to mind).
I for one don't think that the BBM is all that hot. I tried one out in a store and was unimpressed with it. I was hoping for a green Sovtek reissue in a smaller package, but it just didn't deliver IMHO. (I have a guitarist friend who has a green Sovtek) That being said, it will definitely work the best with bass as it has three different settings that add some more versatility to it.

As for the question of if there are enough variations, that is definitely an understatement. If you take a look at how many types of Big Muff pedals that EHX alone has released, it's going to make you sick. Add in the fact that it's one of the most commonly cloned pedals on the market today, and there's literlally hundreds - maybe even thousands - of choices out there.

rratajski · #11 05-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Let's put it this way...who's 'classic' tone are you going for?