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Big Muff!

E

ETEcarmine

Jun 29, 2005
360
0
NYC
www.myspace.com
#1
Finally after months of research I was able to check into the geetar shop. After much anticipation, I finally played the SVT-VR (which is great, but not as good as the real deal), but more importantly went on a fuzz/od/distortion spree!

Here are the pedals I tried:

1. EBS MultiDrive
2. EHX Big Muff
3. EHX Sovtek Big Muff
4. Pro Co Rat
5. Ibanez TS9 Tubescreamer
6. Visual Sound Route 66 American Overdrive

I also wanted to play the Marshall Guv'nor, the Metal Muff, and the Little Big Muff. Of the three, they only had the Metal Muff, but I didn't need to try anything esle once I heard the Big Muff.

Damn, there's not a SINGLE tone on that thing that doesn't sound great, no matter how high or low the tone knob is. It's like a smooth, rich, buttery chainsaw (funny, right?) that translates so well to bass. Even with all the rave on TB, I was skeptical because I heard it on guitar and I didn't like it. I really need to look no further. This is the one.

Comments on other pedals:

1. Pro Co Rat: Breaks up more than it sustains. Great sounding drive, but not so versitile. I can see why this pedal has love/hate reviews.

2. EBS MultiDrive: Somewhere between the Rat and the Muff with breakup/sustain. Pretty versitile with three different settings (standard, flat, tubesim). If I ever felt the need to have 2 ODs, I would strongly consider this one.

3. Sovtek Big Muff: Crap. Sorry, but I got nothing out of it.

4. Ibanez TS9 Tubescreamer: Sounds kind of cool. Thin and trebly with very little low end retained, but I can see someone wanting to use a sound like this, just not very often. Reminded me of Flea's "All Around the World" tone. Not exactly, but pretty damn close.

5. Visual Sound Route 66 American Overdrive: Definitely the most transparent of all the pedals. Great tone and sustain and very tweakable (compression & bass boost). Personally, I think the transparency made this pedal a little too tame, but I can see many people digging it.

Next to the Big Muff, there's no contest. Many came close and many were more tweakable, but why get something that sounds almost as good, and get tons of different "almost as good" tones, when the Big Muff sounds great at every setting with just 3 incredibly useful knobs.
 
#2
Same reason why I love my Little Big Muff. I just needed more board space :D

If you crank up the Sustain too high, though, then it gets a little too crazy. That's where it shines better on guitar, IMO.

However, I'll never need to get THAT MUCH intense distortion out of any pedal.
 
#10
can u post a link to the pedal big muff that u found to be the best, so i know what to look for next time im at samass or guitar center, im in the market for another distortion pedal so im looking for as much info on it as i can, i found this double muff on craigs lsit for $40 and im going to check that out too, but if the big muff u are talking about is better then i think ill spend the extra cash
 
#11
Having played around with a Tubescreamer, Rat, and Big Muff, I'd say your reviews are spot on... there's something about the Muff which just screams classic sound and has a strange versitility in what it does (not that it does it with any subtlety!). I myself am strongly considering a Little Big Muff because the few other OD/fuzzes I've tried just never quite do it for me. Glad you found what works for you.
 
#14
beyondhairy said:
can u post a link to the pedal big muff that u found to be the best, so i know what to look for next time im at samass or guitar center, im in the market for another distortion pedal so im looking for as much info on it as i can, i found this double muff on craigs lsit for $40 and im going to check that out too, but if the big muff u are talking about is better then i think ill spend the extra cash
Click to expand...

www.ehx.com

:D

Just take a gander at the "New Products" and "Distortion" section on their pedals page. You'll easily be able to spot the Little Big Muff, NYC Big Muff, and Russian Big Muff. Look a little further down, and you'll spot the English Muff'n.

They're very distinct pedals - once you've seen them for the first time, you'll never forget them! :smug:
 
#15
MysticBoo said:
www.ehx.com

:D

Just take a gander at the "New Products" and "Distortion" section on their pedals page. You'll easily be able to spot the Little Big Muff, NYC Big Muff, and Russian Big Muff. Look a little further down, and you'll spot the English Muff'n.

They're very distinct pedals - once you've seen them for the first time, you'll never forget them! :smug:
Click to expand...


ooo that looks pretty, i once owned the double muff, it was actually the first pedal i ever owned, but back then i was just looking for an overdrive and nothing to harsh to i took it back. now i wish i had it back. but i might jsut check this one out :) thanks... how much did it go for btw?
 
#16
beyondhairy said:
how much did it go for btw?
Click to expand...

Prices vary depending on the Muff.

The Little Big Muff is usually around $72.00 new. Hard-to-find as a used pedal (because it's still very new), but I've seen one or two used ones on eBay going for around $60.00.

The NYC Big Muff is easy to find used. New, it's around $70.00 to $80.00.

The Russian is usually somewhere between $50 and $60 new. It's also easy to find used.

The Double Muff... I'm not sure.
 
#17
MysticBoo said:
Prices vary depending on the Muff.

The Little Big Muff is usually around $72.00 new. Hard-to-find as a used pedal (because it's still very new), but I've seen one or two used ones on eBay going for around $60.00.

The NYC Big Muff is easy to find used. New, it's around $70.00 to $80.00.

The Russian is usually somewhere between $50 and $60 new. It's also easy to find used.

The Double Muff... I'm not sure.
Click to expand...

lol, funny story, when i went to samass to look for a big muff way back then, the guy that worked there said he didnt have one but he had this double muff and he was all "hmmm u can get this one, its DOUBLE the muff" lol me and my ignorance went with it
 

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