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My next pedal

Shlogo

Shlogo

Dec 16, 2011
200
0
Chicago, Illinois
#1
Well, I dont have tons of money, but my birthday is coming up and I'm thinking about getting a new pedal.

I currently have a EHX bass big muff and EHX bass balls.

And the only real music I need effects for right now are Metallica (Cliff stuff) and Muse.
I can get close enough to the Muse sound (Hysteria and Time is running out) that, to me, I dont need another thing for that.

How ever, I cant get the whole cliff sound.
I was originally thinking 'Wah! That way I can really do Pulling Teeth. But now I'm thinking against it.
Yes, I'll be able to a few songs, but since Pulling Teeth, Seek and Destroy, and Orion are the only songs I'm doing that need a wah, I feel it will be a dust catcher when I'm done with it.

So I'm thinking an OD. I was able to get close to his sound with my muff (or so I thought), but when I was getting better at it I was like "Nope. That sure as hell aint it".

The Fulltone OCD looks nice. Sounds like it can get closer to the OD I'm looking for. And seems to have more use than a wah currently.
But Not 100% sure yet.

Any Ideas?
 
#5
The used market is your friend. You might be able to obtain a wah on the cheap that way. Check out the used section here and see if there are any wah pedals and auto-wah type stuff for cheap.
 
#6
If you don't think you need the wah, it's likely best not to get it; though it is THE integral part of Cliff's sound, moreso than the fuzz, IMO...

However, I would dump the Bass Big Muff and get yourself a used black Russian. It's the best muff for bass without dropping alot of money and it's sound is pure balls and sustain; the Bass Big Muff sounds like a bad imitator compared to it.
 
#8
ZanaZulu807 said:
though it is THE integral part of Cliff's sound, moreso than the fuzz, IMO...
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with that, its just, me being tight on cash and Pulling Teeth and S&D being the only songs I play that need it, I feel that at the moment I would not be a great investment, unlike an OD.

And I would not know where to get the russian versions.

I feel stupid even mentioning it, but since I'm pretty new to TB, people keep talking about something on here to get used stuff. Where would that be??
 
#9
spaz21387 said:
The green russian big muff is best for bass. Holds the same amount of low end but gets fuzzier than the black. I own a black too It gets more into the distortion category. The green is way better. I will never sell my green russian.
Click to expand...


That may be... But the dude says he doesn't have alot of money. I've seen green Muffs go for over $300 whereas I got one of my black Muffs for as little as $30. It's funny though, I remember back in 2005-2006 I used to see the green Muffs go for about $50 or $60. Then one day out of the blue somebody said "DURR!!! Cliff Burton used the green Big Muff" and now they've become outrageously expensive collector items (when in reality he likely picked up a standard American Muff of his day from a local Guitar Center, lol...).

But yeah, I still root for the black Muff. I've got 6 ranging from the early 90's version (with very similar circuitry to the green) to one of the last ones they churned out before they brought out the Bass Big Muff. And IMO, I hardly notice a difference in sound, but grab what sounds and does best is what I say...
 
#10
He just has to get lucky. I have seen a green muff pop up on craigslist for 40$. I missed that one unfortunately. The blacks in my area go in the $60 to $100 range. I snagged my green muff for $225 at a local music store with the original box. Its so mint see for yourself. Get a green muff if you can well worth it and not the same circuit as the black. The black distorts more. The green can go way fuzzier without distorting.
6779187268_0ac2ca7514.jpg

IMAG0644 by spaz21387, on Flickr
 
#11
Shlogo said:
I would have to agree with that, its just, me being tight on cash and Pulling Teeth and S&D being the only songs I play that need it, I feel that at the moment I would not be a great investment, unlike an OD.

And I would not know where to get the russian versions.

I feel stupid even mentioning it, but since I'm pretty new to TB, people keep talking about something on here to get used stuff. Where would that be??
Click to expand...

Check out the classifieds forums at the bottom of the bass guitar forums. There, you'll find an effects forum that offers gear for sale. Come to think of it, I just saw a black Muff for sale there just a few hours ago...
 
#12
spaz21387 said:
He just has to get lucky. I have seen a green muff pop up on craigslist for 40$. I missed that one unfortunately. The blacks in my area go in the $60 to $100 range. I snagged my green muff for $225 at a local music store with the original box. Its so mint see for yourself. Get a green muff if you can well worth it and not the same circuit as the black. The black distorts more. The green can go way fuzzier without distorting.
IMAG0644 by spaz21387, on Flickr
Click to expand...

I would grab a green one myself being the Muff connoisseur I am, but given the price (see my earlier point about witnessing the price gain some years back) and the option of also checking out some pedal crafters (like SUF) that does an excellent job at replicating vintage Muffs, I don't really have an immediate urge to grab one.

But I agree with you about waiting to find a deal if you really want the original. When I was looking for a vintage Morley PWB I kept running across garbage until I finally went to the small mom and pop shop downtown and spotted a mint used PWB and new PWF (never even opened!) for both $100 each. Since then, I have been grabbing them for nearly or over $200. The deals are out there, you just have to scour the earth to find them.
 
#16
What are you listening through laptop speakers? old Big muffs are something that have to be experienced in person. low quality youtube videos and diy video recorders just cant get that big muff sound to come out in video form they all sound the same. In videos the bass big muff sounds alot like a russian but they arent similar at all. I have owned a 79 big muff, newer nyc big box muff, bass big muff (sold it). black russian(still have it), green russian (love it),and a ggg green russian clone for 65$ you cant beat it if you can solder. and played the civil war and rams head. the best for bass was the green russian. try your local craigslist you can find good deals on discontinued pedals all the time just save your money and wait till something good pops up.
 
#19
GET A JOHNSON DISTORTION EQ ITS MY FAVORITE PEDAL AND ITS UNDER $35 IVE PLAYED ON A LOT OF DISTORTION PEDALS AND NONE HAVE COMPARED the only problem is its a battery hog and will need a adapter and no mainstream music sites carry them you can get one on amazon though
 
#20
spaz21387 said:
the clones of the green muffs go for 200$ I was planning on getting the W&C tallfont. Then we were out delivering newspapers. (we deliver papers in exchange for a free ad in the newspaper) And we go deliver to apple music in portland. Sitting in the case facing the door is that green muff... I had to buy it.
Click to expand...

That's new though, you can find a used one here in the classifieds or elsewhere for much less. I got the very same pedal not long back from a friend here in town (after some negotiation...) for just $120.


JetBlackJazz said:
Cliff Fuzz = Tubescreamer w/ a bass boosted eq behind it
Click to expand...

This. Not only with a Tube Screamer but with any overdrive pushed 100%. IMO, Cliff's tone on the album version of Anesthesia was drenched in fuzz no doubt, but all of his subsequent solos on albums and live were likely done using a combo of the overdrive channel on his amp and the boost on his wah. I can nail his tone perfectly by pushing the hell outta my amp (tubes, not SS) and having the boost on my Morley PWB at about 12 o' clock. Perfect lead bass tones...
 

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