Help me pick a muff

[Rock-Bassman]

I've been gassin for a distortion/fuzz to use in my stoner rock group but im pretty cash strapped right now I think I narrowed it down to an standard usa big muff or a bass big muff.. What are your thoughts on both of these? And which do you think sounds better?

[moose23]

The standard usa big muff sucks for bass so out of those two go with the bass big muff.

[fitz420]

alright, i've had experience with just about every muff. that being said, if its between the 2, the BBM wins all around easily. the NYC muff looses too much low end and is too harsh. just doesn't work well without being modded on bass. the bass big muff, when in bass boost (or whatever its called) works very well. great low end response. the blended mode is nice but its a set 50/50 mix. i'd also look into getting a used black russian muff. they also work well with bass and have a bit more mids to my ears. sometimes i see them on craigslist for under 70 usd.

[grimniggzy]

Russian or bust but that's just me and they're discontinued.
I believe the general consensus is EVERYTHING > USA Muff.
So out of those two I'd say Bass Big Muff.
But many people say the Little Big Muff is they're favorite that is currently in production. It's somewhere in between a USA and a Russian Muff.

[Rock-Bassman]

Originally Posted by grimniggzy

Russian or bust but that's just me and they're discontinued.
I believe the general consensus is EVERYTHING > USA Muff.
So out of those two I'd say Bass Big Muff.
But many people say the Little Big Muff is they're favorite that is currently in production. It's somewhere in between a USA and a Russian Muff.

Care to explain the difference between lil big muff and the usa muff? other than size/name obviously lol

[McSpunckle]

Most muffs would work better modded for bass. Of course, the BBM has good lows, but everything I've heard made it sound pretty bland.

I'd say find a used Russian on eBay. They're not built that great, but they have a bit less gain, which helps.

With any muff, if you simply clip the first pair of clipping diodes, and you'll get more bass, but a smoother tone.

The Little Big Muff is a bit closer to a normal Big Muff than the USA. It got a lot of love here before the BBM came out.

Fair warning: Most of my experience comes from a few days of breadboarding different versions of muffs and common mods.

[MonkeyBass]

If you can get your hands on a green Russian Muff or the Civil War Muff that's the way to go.

Hard to find though.

The BBM is the closest to those that are still being made.

[Rock-Bassman]

Thanks, that was what I was looking to find out. Hijackin my own thread here, but any other good fuzz/distortion boxes for around 120 or under?

[fitz420]

musket.....used around $120. my favorite muff.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by grimniggzy

Russian or bust but that's just me and they're discontinued.
I believe the general consensus is EVERYTHING > USA Muff.
So out of those two I'd say Bass Big Muff.
But many people say the Little Big Muff is they're favorite that is currently in production. It's somewhere in between a USA and a Russian Muff.

The little big muff is an NYC muff in a smaller enclosure

[grimniggzy]

tell that to these people

http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/show...hp/product/876

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...g+Muff+Pi/10/1

[Bassmike62]

Bass Big muff works for me. But before my next dirt purchase, I'll give a go to the EHX Bass Blogger, just in case that could work too.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by grimniggzy

tell that to these people

http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/show...hp/product/876

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...g+Muff+Pi/10/1

the ones who cite the documentation that confirms my claim?

[fitz420]

if the LMB isn't an NYC it sure is close. i hated them both on bass.

[skulletwhip]

green. or a clone. I made a clone. Absolutely love it.

[gbazinet]

The muffs are great for bass, just don't bother with the reissues. An original USA will do the trick (you can tell it is an original if it does NOT have a red signal light. Also it will have a "tone bypass or "on off" switch). The russian models are great too, just get an early model like the green or light blue, not black. Russian models tend to be a little less reliable due to the fact that the input jacks are plastic and connected to the board. No nuts and washers to keep things in check. The early giant russian switches are also prone to problems... Great sound though.

[Volume4]

I have the Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff and recommend it highly. Best honest low end retention of any Muff or clone I've tried...... meaning a straight 3 knob Muff. The BBM will have more low in Boost and Dry Mode but can't get as dirty as a Civil War, Green/Black or any good Sovtek clone Muff


http://www.stompunderfoot.com/

I also really like the Bass Big Muff

I don't recommend the regular USA Big Muff although as mentioned, some bassists do like them

[PostApocalypso]

Thing with the BBM, unlike any of the other workable options given, is that you can walk down to just about any halfway decent music store, plunk down $80 and walk away with a pocket full of fuzz (under warrantee). It won't knock your socks off, but its rediculously usable and there are loads of good settings to be found across the dials and switch.

Low risk, safe pick. You can try before you buy, get a warrantee, find plenty of good sounds, and only lay out $80.

[fitz420]

+1 to stomp under foot. real high quality builds.

[MohawkHarry]

At $120 your very close to one of these and I would say you would be getting a much better pedal than most clones.

Fuzzrocious is back in business!!!