MXR Blow Torch versus EHX Little Big Muff

[sk8]

I've had a Big Muff PI reissue on my board for a few months and as much as i love it high up the fretboard for a bit of for whom the bells tolls i can't get away from the fact it sucks lows bigstyle so i've flogged it. I also have an OD which is in essence a TS808 Tube Screamer which i like but feel neither is giving me the sound i want. I flogged the Big Muff with the intention getting a LBM but then i remebered the Blowtorch and Boos love for it!

I've done alot of searching but wanted to have a direct question, hence the thread.

The Blow torch is double the muffs price but i am after distortion as well as fuzz and and think this will give me tweakable options.

I always have a cliff tone in mind but i don't necessarily want it exactly.

Thanks in advance

[assboglin]

The Blowtorch is a good pedal with huge bottom end, but in my experience with it you mostly get a more synthy fuzz out of it than a big muff. The Little Big Muff has the Big Muff sound with huge bottom end possible. If you have a Cliff tone in mind the Little Big Muff won't get it exactly, but I think it will be a lot closer than the Blowtorch. I've owned two Blowtorches, and they never gave me the impression that they were aggressive enough for that sort of tone.

[Sir Edward V]

blowtorch = buzzsaw + low end

buzzSAW --- SAWtooth wave --- hence the whole synthy-sound thing...

heh (that isn't correct logic I know)

anyways, the blowtorch was too much like a buzzsaw for me to really like it.

[kirkm24]

The blowtorch cuts through a full band mix better. The LBM gets buried.

[assboglin]

Yeah, if you use a Little Big Muff in a band, especially with distorted guitar, you can expect to be buried in the mix.

[Valerus]

I've been interested in a blowtorch...

I'll try it and the LBM out, see which I like more.

[JanusZarate]

I've discussed this before in pieces... never at length. Here goes nothing!

I'll compare the two pedals one issue at a time.

Size: Both pedals are the same size - approximately 3.75" by 4.75", or something like that - but the Blowtorch runs sideways. The Blowtorch does have that Torch switch that sticks out on the right side, though, so make some room for that.

Bypass: Both pedals are true bypass. The Blowtorch also features a dry output, in case you want to bi-amp with one rig being clean, and the other being fuzzed out.

Power: The Little Big Muff can use a Boss-style 9VDC adapter, and has a very low current draw; it'll last a LONG time on a single 9V battery. The Blowtorch is 18VDC, and can use two 9V batteries or an 18VDC adapter. It'll last a long time on batteries, too. But regarding the adapter... be warned - the jack is Boss-style, but don't shove a regular 9VDC adapter in there! The Blowtorch is finicky about power, and will burn itself instantly if powered by a 9VDC adapter. I've never seen a pedal do this with insufficient voltage... but apparently, the Blowtorch is the exception.

Low End Loss: The Little Big Muff has oodles of low end, but if you start cranking up the Tone knob, you'll start losing some. It's not an issue until you get past 12:00, IMO; then, you start getting into those bright, biting Muff tones, and the low end starts to fade. Turning up the Volume knob easily solves the volume loss problem, but the low end decreases as you turn up the Tone knob.

The Blowtorch, on the other hand, never loses low end. With a Bass knob, flexible midrange controls, and a Blend knob, you will have plenty of low end at any setting unless you start cutting bass with the Bass Knob.

Tone Controls: The Little Big Muff has a single control: Tone. Turn it to the left, and it cuts treble while boosting bass; turn it to the right, and you get the opposite effect. It's also known for it's mid-scooping impact; at the 12:00 setting, there is a more noticeable (although not necessarily dramatic) decrease in mids than at other settings. I think it's around the 750Hz frequency, but I'm not 100%.

The Blowtorch uses a 3-band EQ: Bass, Middle, and Treble. The cool thing about the midrange is that there is a Midrange selector switch to change between three different frequency centers: 250Hz, 750Hz, and 2KHz. Each position shifts the center of the Middle knob, allowing you to boost and cut mids in one of three different midrange regions. The effects of such a shift are dramatic. The midrange emphasis is what makes the Blowtorch unique.

One important note about the Blowtorch: the EQ affects the fuzz only. Your clean signal remains untouched. You can use this to your advantage in deciding not only the amount of blend, but how the fuzz stands alongside your tone, i.e., fuzzing the bottom but letting your clean sound dominate the top, etc., etc.

Range of Gain: If you want a wall of fuzz, the Little Big Muff is the ticket. It can get crazy beyond control by cranking the Sustain knob high enough. It can also do mild fuzz as well - a nice, thick, juicy one at that.

The Blowtorch wouldn't be my choice for a wall of fuzz; that's not what it does. It can get some aggressive, heavier fuzz tones, but it doesn't get too crazy - it stays controlled and never quite reaches chaotic. It also has a nice range of milder fuzz tones that can be made milder with the use of the Blend knob or by turning the Torch switch off.

Noise: The Little Big Muff is hardly noisy on low Sustain settings, but turn it up, and it'll start to get noisy fast. It adds to the chaos. The Blowtorch, however, is practically noiseless; even with the gain at maximum, stop a note, and be amazed at how clean the silence is.

Tone and Versatility: The Little Big Muff is smooth, and can get really thick - even wild and crazy. I wouldn't label this pedal as versatile at all, but I think it has enough tonal space to play with to be more than a one-trick pony. It definitely has a warm vintage vibe, and works great for that Cliff Burton sound with the right wah pedal. If you crank up the Tone, the Muff becomes bright and aggressive. The Big Muff sound is a classic on bass for a reason, and IMO, this is the "bassiest" standard Big Muff pedal out there. However, that mid scoop can work to your disadvantage if you want to stand out in the mix with a low Tone setting; it should be applied selectively to what you play, and I would be careful in pitting it against roaring distorted guitars.

The Blowtorch is very flexible tonally, but there's one thing you'll notice rather quickly - the fuzz tones are often very synth-like, and can be thick or buzz-saw-like as well. It's versatile within its own unique range of sounds; this is both a curse and a blessing. Each midrange center offers something different. The 250Hz setting can be boomy and a bit messy when boosted, but if you cut it instead, you'll find a really nice range of thick fuzz tones that carry enough presence to be heard through the mix. The 750Hz setting allows for a Big-Muff-like tone if you cut a bit of mids, although it's too "modern" to really match it perfectly. It really rocks when you boost the mids. Overall, this setting is more "vintage" to my ears than some of the other settings, and I think it works great for stoner rock and similar genres. The 2KHz setting is distinctly pronounced and is what really separates this fuzz from the rest of the fuzz pedals out there - great for metal when you crank the gain! Unfortunately, it can be unpleasantly buzzy if the Torch switch is off. I'd suggest not cranking the treble on that one.

Now, regarding the use of the Blowtorch for that "Cliff Burton" tone... yep, you can do it, and with better definition, too. But whether or not it delivers enough gain for your tastes is a matter of personal judgment. IMO, the Big Muff does it right, but this can still pull off a similar tone.

So, overall... that covers the gist of it. I think you already know which I prefer, but this should shed some light on why.

Let me know if you have questions.

[Geddyfleaharris]

This is a tough thread to vote on because I like both pedals. So I didn't lol I am using the LBM right now because that was the tone in my head at the time. I was looking for the big, fat fuzz of the Muffs. But I do like the Blowtorch. IMO they have a different enough sound that you could have both on a board if you have the room. I agree with Sir Edward that the Blowtorch has a buzzsaw sound to it. I like that the LBM is pretty simple - 3 knobs. Whereas the Blowtorch needs more fiddling but that adds to its versatility. Yes the LBM gets nosiy but if you don't like the "chaos" as Boo calls it, LOL, then do what I did - add a Boss NS-2 noise gate. Beauty!

[JanusZarate]

Oh, thought I'd add a little tidbit:

I tried out the Blowtorch with my current band this evening. To say the least, the lead guitarist was not only pleased with how great it sounded in the mix, but he wants to see if we can fit that, along with my GK overdrive channel, in a few more songs. So far it's in just one, but it's there for the bulk of it, and it honestly makes that song from beginning to end (except my solo, where I go clean... might use another pedal there, though...).

We also joked about how my Blowtorch and my OD take care of our "need" for a second guitarist. But I think he was more serious than I was about it... after all, our second guitarist has been a habitual flake (only showed up to 1 of 4 jam sessions so far), and it's only his "honeymoon" period... I don't think we're going to keep him.

So, yeah... the Blowtorch is bassist-tested, guitarist approved.

[vegas532]

Fuzz that's great for the Cliff Burton tone (without going vintage) =
Sanford and Sonny Bluebeard Fuzz

[sk8]

thanks for all the replies and thanks to Boo for his in depth comparison.

[kaputsport]

I have a Big Muff, and I am adding a Green muff to a bass I am building. The pedal is a must have...

However, I just bought an MXR Blowtorch off of MysticBoo's recommendation, and I am in love. The pedal is everything you could ask for and more. You can have a little dirt, to full on Zvex Woolly Mammoth fuzz, and everything in between...

I can describe it as this... It is the CLEANEST FUZZ you will hear.

You can tell what you are playing, without the jumble of other fuzz pedals, and honestly, comes close to the B:ASSMASTER in tone...

I love them both, for what they are.

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by kaputsport

However, I just bought an MXR Blowtorch off of MysticBoo's recommendation, and I am in love. The pedal is everything you could ask for and more. You can have a little dirt, to full on Zvex Woolly Mammoth fuzz, and everything in between...

You're giving me GAS!!

[::Saint::]

Yeah.. tough call - I've got both and I'd have to second Mystic's appraisal. The LBM definitely IS thicker and meatier than the Blowtorch, but does suck more low-end and while I haven't used it with a band yet (unfortunately), I have done some recordings with it and found that it does tend to disappear against distorted guitars, though it holds extremely well when by itself. I could see switching between the Blowtorch, during heavily guitar laden parts, to the LBM, during more quiet segments. You check out a song I recorded with both pedals at http://myspace.com/subsaint .. the LBM is on during verses and the blowtorch is going during chorus (with a secondary LBM track in behind as well).

[sk8]

well i just got a really good price on a LBM so i'm going to try that first as the cheaper option!

[sk8]

well my conscious got the better of me and i've cancelled my LBM. Gonna stick to my Tubescreamer while i save up my pennies

[crapusername]

Just received my new LBM.
side by side with the mxr, the blowtorch is just plainly more versatile. By comparison to the blowtorch, the LBM sounded muddy and indistinct, TBH from the way everyone raves about it, i was expecting more!
obviously IMO - YMMV!

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by crapusername

Just received my new LBM.
side by side with the mxr, the blowtorch is just plainly more versatile. By comparison to the blowtorch, the LBM sounded muddy and indistinct, TBH from the way everyone raves about it, i was expecting more!
obviously IMO - YMMV!

What you don't like about the LBM happens to also be what all the rave is about: deep, thick low end, wall-of-fuzz characteristics, vintage-but-aggressive tone, etc., etc.

But as you've discovered, comparing those two pedals side-by-side is almost like comparing apple juice and hard cider. Sure, the fruit they came from is the same, but...

[crapusername]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

What you don't like about the LBM happens to also be what all the rave is about: deep, thick low end, wall-of-fuzz characteristics, vintage-but-aggressive tone, etc., etc.

But as you've discovered, comparing those two pedals side-by-side is almost like comparing apple juice and hard cider. Sure, the fruit they came from is the same, but...

....or a butter knife and a scalpel!

[bongomania]

Hard cider and a scalpel? That's my kind of party!