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Guitar pedal for bass?

B

BiebuyckKenzo

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May 10, 2014
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#1
Electro harmonix Big Muff USA is the pedal i'm looking for, it's actually a guitar pedal but I've seen many people use it as bass pedal aswell.

My question is when i use this on my bass is there a bigger chance to break it or doesn't this matter? And is there any difference in tone with the Bass version nowadays? links below.

Youtube link of this pedal with a bass guitar:

Link of the pedal: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff PI Distortion / Sustainer Guitar Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend

Link of the bass version: Electro-Harmonix XO Bass Big Muff PI Distortion Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
BiebuyckKenzo said:
Electro harmonix Big Muff USA is the pedal i'm looking for, it's actually a guitar pedal but I've seen many people use it as bass pedal aswell.

My question is when i use this on my bass is there a bigger chance to break it or doesn't this matter? And is there any difference in tone with the Bass version nowadays? links below.

Youtube link of this pedal with a bass guitar:

Link of the pedal: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff PI Distortion / Sustainer Guitar Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend

Link of the bass version: Electro-Harmonix XO Bass Big Muff PI Distortion Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


There are so many different versions that it's tough to answer your question. But the basic answer is that Muffs sound great on bass and guitar because they have that crushing low end. The current crop of muffs from EHX kinda blows balls unfortunately. The last good one they made was probably the black Russian muff. The older USA stuff is amazing, but the new stuff is kinda crap.

But - chin up - there are a ton of people making really killer Muffs these days. Check out Stomp Under Foot or Wren & Cuff or COG Effects for a couple ideas.
 
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#4
Mosfed said:
There are so many different versions that it's tough to answer your question. But the basic answer is that Muffs sound great on bass and guitar because they have that crushing low end. The current crop of muffs from EHX kinda blows balls unfortunately. The last good one they made was probably the black Russian muff. The older USA stuff is amazing, but the new stuff is kinda crap.

But - chin up - there are a ton of people making really killer Muffs these days. Check out Stomp Under Foot or Wren & Cuff or COG Effects for a couple ideas.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks, I really want this pedal (the red one) so i'm not looking for any other muffs, thanks anyways :)
skulletwhip said:
In the video you posted there is a clean tone blended in via a Boss LS2.
Click to expand...

this is the pedal + bass
 
#8
BiebuyckKenzo said:
No i'm just interested in buying it, why is it crappy? and which muff would you recommend?
Click to expand...

EHX has just completely lost the plot with the new crop of Big Muffs. They made the freaking circuit and now have absolutely ruined it.

The early USA models are great all the way through the move to Russia. Then the Russian muffs are great but different. Then when they moved back to the US, the whole thing went to poop. Their Muffs now sound artificial, thin, they lack that crushing low end. The ones with the blend - blend it like oil and water and it almost sounds like 2 different signals, the ones without need a blend to sound natural. They just suck.

And it's a real pity. I don't understand why EHX doesn't put out a line of Vintage Reissues of the classic great muffs of the past. They would make a fortune.

What Muff's do I recommend?

- Stomp Under Foot - amazing Muffs. The Civil Unrest is probably what has my attention the most because of the mids dial (not available on their site anymore but they are on Reverb). The Civil War is supposed to be the gem of the lineup. Stomp Under Foot - Big Muff, Fuzz

- Wren & Cuff - The Tall Font Russian is the one that interests me the most. These guys are absolutely killing it. The Box of War as well. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If those are more than you want to spend, then:

- Vick - Vick's line of Vintage Reissues has a couple of great muffs in there including the Black Russian and a Ram's Head. Fuzz

I hope that helps. It just kills me how lame the current EHX muffs are...
 
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#10
Mosfed said:
EHX has just completely lost the plot with the new crop of Big Muffs. They made the freaking circuit and now have absolutely ruined it.

The early USA models are great all the way through the move to Russia. Then the Russian muffs are great but different. Then when they moved back to the US, the whole thing went to poop. Their Muffs now sound artificial, thin, they lack that crushing low end. The ones with the blend - blend it like oil and water and it almost sounds like 2 different signals, the ones without need a blend to sound natural. They just suck.

And it's a real pity. I don't understand why EHX doesn't put out a line of Vintage Reissues of the classic great muffs of the past. They would make a fortune.

What Muff's do I recommend?

- Stomp Under Foot - amazing Muffs. The Civil Unrest is probably what has my attention the most because of the mids dial (not available on their site anymore but they are on Reverb). The Civil War is supposed to be the gem of the lineup. Stomp Under Foot - Big Muff, Fuzz

- Wren & Cuff - The Tall Font Russian is the one that interests me the most. These guys are absolutely killing it. The Box of War as well. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If those are more than you want to spend, then:

- Vick - Vick's line of Vintage Reissues has a couple of great muffs in there including the Black Russian and a Ram's Head. Fuzz

I hope that helps. It just kills me how lame the current EHX muffs are...
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the information i'll look into that! the red one i'm looking after is a vintage remake of the 1970's big muff or is this still a bad choice?
 
#11
BiebuyckKenzo said:
Thanks for all the information i'll look into that! the red one i'm looking after is a vintage remake of the 1970's big muff or is this still a bad choice?
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They claim it is, but it doesn't sound anything like it. Just the same casing. And I don't get it. It's not like making a good muff costs any more.

The only positive is that them putting that "crappy reissue" out has slaughtered vintage prices for 1970s muffs with the same housing. People think the reissue sounds like crap, so they assume so did the original.

As a result, you can get a V4/V5 Op-Amp Muff for under $200 these days.

(last disclaimer - I have nothing against EHX and am a huge fanboy of the B9/C9 organ pedals. I just don't get why they can't make a decent muff anymore)
 
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#12
Mosfed said:
They claim it is, but it doesn't sound anything like it. Just the same casing. And I don't get it. It's not like making a good muff costs any more.

The only positive is that them putting that "crappy reissue" out has slaughtered vintage prices for 1970s muffs with the same housing. People think the reissue sounds like crap, so they assume so did the original.

As a result, you can get a V4/V5 Op-Amp Muff for under $200 these days.

(last disclaimer - I have nothing against EHX and am a huge fanboy of the B9/C9 organ pedals. I just don't get why they can't make a decent muff anymore)
Click to expand...
Okay fair enough :) good arguments :D thx
 
#13
BiebuyckKenzo said:
Okay fair enough :) good arguments :D thx
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Just so you know I am not spouting something I read on the interwebs....here's my board. There are probably 7 muffs on there in total. I adore a really good muff. The Civil War era ones have more mids so they cut through a bit better.

That's actually one thing to keep in mind about Muffs - they will often sound very different when played alone and in the mix. Getting one with good mids or a mids dial is pretty essential.

PedalboardRug1.jpg
 
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#14
Mosfed said:
Just so you know I am not spouting something I read on the interwebs....here's my board. There are probably 7 muffs on there in total. I adore a really good muff. The Civil War era ones have more mids so they cut through a bit better.

That's actually one thing to keep in mind about Muffs - they will often sound very different when played alone and in the mix. Getting one with good mids or a mids dial is pretty essential.

View attachment 665377
Click to expand...

Well damn :o nice setup, currently i'm just looking after the sound of cliff burton anyways for some solo material live, i saved your picture for later when i need something :)
 
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