Need a replacement for my Black Russian

[Nv_D_SlapnPop]

so far i haven't had enough time with either of my new pedals but the wooly mammoth clone seems to be ahead in the russian muff/gnome/mammoth clone shootout.
the gnome can definately do the black russian muff buzz saw with a blend but the WM clone is just what i was looking for. simple 4 knobs, synthy, gated and bottom end is ridiculous. the only down side is i can definately tell my active basses (even switched to passive) sound different than my passive bass.passive basses sound best with the mammoth which is well known and whats kept me from it so long.

[Inconnu]

Originally Posted by Godbody

To my ears, the new Bass Big Muff is perhaps in the same category (not quite fuzz, not quite distortion), but it still sounds like a part of the NYC Muff family. It can't replicate the tone, and doesn't produce the same feel as the black Russian for me. I've seen reviews that say as much, so I know I'm not alone.

A fine pedal in and of itself, but no substitute for a black Russian.

That's odd... I actually A/B'd both when I picked up the Bass Big Muff, and I could get pretty much the same tone out of both, with the Bass BM in normal mode, but with the knobs at a different setting... but, if it doesn't work for you... gear's a personal thing...

[Godbody]

Originally Posted by Inconnu

That's odd... I actually A/B'd both when I picked up the Bass Big Muff, and I could get pretty much the same tone out of both, with the Bass BM in normal mode, but with the knobs at a different setting... but, if it doesn't work for you... gear's a personal thing...

Aside from tone, the Bass Big Muff didn't have the same responsiveness as my Russian. Not to imply it was better or worse, but decidedly different.

Believe me, I wish it fit the bill all around!

[Laurent]

Originally Posted by Godbody

They all look like great pedals, and some day I'd love to have tried them all. But in your experience, which best emulates a black Russian manufactured circa 2008?

EH Bass Muff is what you are looking for.

[Laurent]

Originally Posted by Flymo Wang

laurent,

would be interested in your thoughts on the grey stache and the TFR - I have a grey stache (and a mammoth clone), and wonder if you think the TFR is different enough to warrant getting? does it cop any tones you can't get out of the stache??

I might answer your question by asking what's your level of obscession?! If it's medium or high I would say yes you might need both.

To my ears the Grey Stache and the TFR are different enough to own both. If I had to only own one, I would lean toward the Grey Stache because it's more flexible than the TFR. The TFR really excels at dark doomy stoner tones.

When evaluating pedals, I look at the primary voice of the pedal with the tone corrections at noon. In this position, the Grey Stache excels in the mids and in cut through. In the same position the TFR is very dark and retains a huge amount of bass. It's the most "bassy" of the fuzz I own. It was not really obvious until I tested the pedal with a full range 15" speaker. With the Ampag VR 210 (not a cab that goes super low) it was less obvious.

The Grey Stache is higher gain and more aggressive sounding. I'll try them side by side to see if I am able to make each pedal sound like the other. I often use this technique to A/B pedals and find it very revealing.

As I have said many time before, both pedals are of the highest quality and are amongst the two or three best muffs I have ever tested.

[rratajski]

Originally Posted by Laurent

I might answer your question by asking what's your level of obscession?! If it's medium or high I would say yes you might need both.

To my ears the Grey Stache and the TFR are different enough to own both. If I had to only own one, I would lean toward the Grey Stache because it's more flexible than the TFR. The TFR really excels at dark doomy stoner tones.

When evaluating pedals, I look at the primary voice of the pedal with the tone corrections at noon. In this position, the Grey Stache excels in the mids and in cut through. In the same position the TFR is very dark and retains a huge amount of bass. It's the most "bassy" of the fuzz I own. It was not really obvious until I tested the pedal with a full range 15" speaker. With the Ampag VR 210 (not a cab that goes super low) it was less obvious.

The Grey Stache is higher gain and more aggressive sounding. I'll try them side by side to see if I am able to make each pedal sound like the other. I often use this technique to A/B pedals and find it very revealing.

As I have said many time before, both pedals are of the highest quality and are amongst the two or three best muffs I have ever tested.

When comparing the GS, also try turning the mids knob way down, so you can compare a "stock" big muff sound as well as with a toggle on the silicon side. Just for kicks!

[jaglove2011]

Oxide - Iron Ether

[nillawaffa]

Originally Posted by jaglove2011

Oxide - Iron Ether

Probably not for a big muff clone. I love the oxide, and have one myself, but I don't think it is a muff clone. It can get some great tones though! It has to be one of the most versatile fuzz pedals I've played with.

+1 for the TFR. that seems like what you're going for. But listen to the sound clips on all the wren & cuff fuzzes. Everything they make sounds cool to me. Can't speak for the stache, but I've heard great things. That's next on my fuzz list

[Von Felgenhauer]

Ill be the first to say, Sanford and Sonny Bluebeard Fuzz

[taurus1]

I think the original sheet metal muffs are the ones that are flimsy and unreliable. the russian models, black and green have never given me problems.

[Godbody]

I still haven't gotten a replacement (due to financial reasons), but I can finally afford to start shopping.

So, has there been any new developments in the last eleven months?

And please, could everybody stop suggesting the EHX Bass Muff? It is NOT like my black Russian.

[alec]

I've never used a Black Russian but if I didn't have my Tall Font Russian I'd chase down a Mojo Hand Colossus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux2K-8yYBRs

[Laurent]

Yep, look at the Stomp Under Foot Dirty Rooster.
It does not beat my EH Bubble Font but it's a very good second.

[alec]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Yep, look at the Stomp Under Foot Dirty Rooster.
It does not beat my EH Bubble Font but it's a very good second.

How do the Bubble Font and EH Tall Font compare?
I used a Bubble Font in the studio recently which was pretty similar to my TFR but a bit crunchier.

[Laurent]

I've not had the pleasure of doing that side by side. Good examples of these pedals are expensive so it's hard to have a complete set at one time.
I tried a Tall Font from Wren and Cuff and the Bubble Font was better under every aspect. The big differences were more gain (a lot more gain!) and more bass on the bubble Font.
On the negtative side the Sovtek Bubble font is 10 times the size of the W&C Tall Font. All this said the Tall Font from W&C is a great souding pedal for that doom and gloom dark fuzz.

One should also factor in that not all Sovtek Bubble Font sound the same; they are actually all a bit different if you audition them long and loud enough!

I believe that on paper the TFR and Civil War have the same values and same circuit but that, again on paper, have more bass than the Bubble Font.

Some Muff expert might want to chime in on this one.

[Josh Pelican]

If Ryan has the time, a Mail Order Muff would be by suggestion. One of the only muff tones I like.

[rr5025]

Originally Posted by Godbody

Built like a tank? Mine has plastic jacks, a thin sheetsteel case that's starting to rust, and pots that move if stared at too intently, just like every black Russian I've ever seen.

Mine has plastic jacks but everything else you've said certainly doesn't describe mine...