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Green Russian Muff Question

father of fires

father of fires

Commercial User
Nov 29, 2006
5,361
4,758
BALTIMORE CITY
Disclosures
Chief of Medicine at Damnation Audio
#1
I've owned a Bluebeard, a Black Russian, a Deluxe Bass Big Muff, and built at least 2 clones that I can remember.

I have never played an original Green Russian Muff until last night. I didn't end up using it for my session but it was the creamiest, woolliest, and...quietest??? Muff I've ever played.

I always wondered how some people had these creamy Muffs sounds (like the dude from Ben Folds 5) but just assumed it was studio tricks because mine have always been harsh and cutting.

Are these known to be quieter than other Muffs?

I had to boost the volume and sustain to get past unity which was never a problem in my other Muffs.

Now this one was beat all to hell so I can't guarantee it was fully functional. It was on loan so I decided not to open it up and look inside but now...I'm GASing for one and I swore off Muffs a while ago.

Might have to ask to borrow it for cloning trials...:bassist:
 
#2
If the original Green Russian Muffs are known for anything, its inconsistency. They have a typical tone that is just a little different to qualify it as its own sub-set, but from what I've heard from guys that obsess about GRMs its that they are all over the place. The quality control and parts could be a little iffy. That's why clones are so popular. Good GRMs can also get pretty expensive.
 
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#5
StrangeGroove said:
Hello Everyone,

i'm looking for a good green russian clone; The best i've tried is the earthquaker devices Hoof but before to get it i would ask you if, in your opinion, there is something better on the market...any suggestion?

Thanks and happy new year!
Click to expand...

Stomp Under Foot Green Russian if you want a true clone. Hoof is great, but is not a direct clone.
 
#7
StrangeGroove said:
Does it keep all the low freq. we need with the bass? good thing about hoof is that it does...not really important that is a true clone...let's say "inspired by" :)
anyway...can't find any video about stomp under foot with bass but it seems it sound great with guitars
thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes. If anything it will have a better/clearer bottom than the Hoof. Stomp Under Foot us the real deal.
 
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#8
I've been doing a lot of research on Green Russians myself lately. This might help...

EQD Hoof*
Blackout Effectors Musket*
Way Huge Swollen Pickle*
Cog Effects Tarkin and Grand Tarkin*
Arc Effects Big Green* (Tall Font)
DopeFX Earth Dweller*
SUF Green Russian (Bubble Font)
Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian (Tall Font)
Mojo Hand FX BMP-1 (Tall Font)
Frederic Effects Green Russian
Daredevil Effects Black Yorba (Bubble Font)
D-Sound Green Russian
Chicago Stompworks clone (Tall Font)

That's just the Green Russian clones that I know about; there certainly are many more. I put in the versions they're based on as I know them; many of them simply say "Green Russian" without specifying. The ones I asterisked have extra controls for mids, blend, or whatever beyond the basic "three knob" Muff.
 
Last edited:
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#9
NortyFiner a really complete list! Which are the ones that you liked more?

mmbongo i had a look at SUF site and i see that there this "civil war" that should be a green russian with full low end (according to hte description)...did you try also that one?

the bad thing for me is that it's almost impossible to find SUF pedals here in italy so i should buy it without try it before...while earthquaker devices can be easily find (i tried also the new cloven hoof but i prefer the tone of the classic hoof)...so, if i'll go with SUF i will have to follow your suggestions ;) that's why i'm doing lot of questions...thanks again for the support!
 
#10
Strangegroove: Several of the pedals on that list are made somewhere on your side of the Atlantic. Could be worth checking them out to see if they're available in your country, or at least if the shipping would be more reasonable.

From that list, the EQD Hoof, Blackout Effectors Musket, Way Huge Swollen Pickle, Wren & Cuff Tall Font Russian, and SUF Green Russian are the pedals I see most in the PYPB threads here. Listening to clips, I am personally more inclined toward one of the pedals with additional mids or EQ type controls, such as the ones I asterisked. Since it's available to you and meets that criteria, I'd have to recommend the Hoof. Hope that helps.
 
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#11
father of fires said:
I've owned a Bluebeard, a Black Russian, a Deluxe Bass Big Muff, and built at least 2 clones that I can remember.

I have never played an original Green Russian Muff until last night. I didn't end up using it for my session but it was the creamiest, woolliest, and...quietest??? Muff I've ever played.

I always wondered how some people had these creamy Muffs sounds (like the dude from Ben Folds 5) but just assumed it was studio tricks because mine have always been harsh and cutting.

Are these known to be quieter than other Muffs?

I had to boost the volume and sustain to get past unity which was never a problem in my other Muffs.

Now this one was beat all to hell so I can't guarantee it was fully functional. It was on loan so I decided not to open it up and look inside but now...I'm GASing for one and I swore off Muffs a while ago.

Might have to ask to borrow it for cloning trials...:bassist:
Click to expand...

did you ever get to clone that Russian green muff you tried?
 
#14
father of fires said:
Sadly no.

I like the idea of muffs but they never sound as good with me as they do with others.

Been planning another clone soon but no lead time on that yet.
Click to expand...

I have the same... despite hearing them sound good from others my Devi ever type offering, supercollider with mids and aftershock using mids and blend just all sounded wrong... maybe I'm eq then in wrong or something but I find they either have "something missing" or just don't sound right when trying to use mids or blend to get them back in... that said I'm using active bass in a metal setting.

Much more love for mbd1 type sound in my band mix! Even though still open to trying a muff of some kind.
 

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