Electro Harmonix Big Muff (Russian)
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The pedal that started it all! The distortion with rich, creamy, violin-like sustain.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $79.50
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User Reviews of the Electro Harmonix Big Muff (Russian)
- Submitted by kk from Annandale On Hudson, NY (104 points) on Sep 4, 2009
- i like this more than the large NYC version, because it's bassier. i loved mine, but i broke it because i tried to modify it by changing its transistors, which was a horrible idea because i broke the pedal in the process. however, it was still bendable, and i made a nice square wave synth out of it. as for the pedal itself, it's fuckin' bassy and heavy stuff. considerably less treble than its NYC counterpart, considerably more bassy than its NYC counterpart.
- Good Points: - bassy, cheap fuzz - it's a muff!!
- Bad Points: - not very much treble - eats a little volume
- Price Paid: US$50.00
- Purchased At: daddy's junky music
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- Submitted by Howard from Brighton, MA (132 points) on Jun 26, 2009
- I mainly use this with a contact mic; sometimes for scraping sounds, sometimes for vocal drones. To me, the distortion sounds more rounded than that of the Little Big Muff. However, when used after an LPB-1 or other boost pedal, it can sound extremely gritty. Even then, there's less crackle than the LBM by itself. This has become my go-to fuzz pedal, but if I'm working with multiple channels of sound, I like using both Muffs because of this variance in texture. As mentioned below, the knobs are extremely easy to move accidentally. Also, mine has been well-used and the pots have become quite scratchy. I can't say whether they all have a sharp volume jump or whether a newer, less abused one would feature a smoother volume adjustment.
- Good Points: Gritty yet inviting Less crisp than the Little Big Muff Easy to find used
- Bad Points: Knobs move too easily Build feels a bit flimsy No AC adapter input Volume jumps unevenly
- Price Paid: US$35.00
- Purchased At: found used
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- Submitted by Hollow from Johannesburg (26 points) on Feb 13, 2008
- I am using this pedal last in the chain after a Digitech Whammy and a BOSS DS-1. I don't know how i was using the DS-1 by itself. The Muff adds a low end fattness and depth that i have been searching for. It sounds best used after the other effects and seems to add a volume boost, and it can be loud LOUD. Watch out for the knobs, they move very easily. I have found myself turning up the volume when kicking the pedal. Not cool. It's a bit flimsy, but i look after my gear so it should be ok. Bit irritated that it doesn't have power supply. But even though there are a few bad points this is still an awesome pedal. It's less harsh and doesn't sound as artificial as a DS-1. Using them together i'm getting a massive sounding tone with the DS-1 adding some definition to the highs. Its my perfect sound. And there is Russian writing on it! :O
- Good Points: Sounds huge. Easy to use. Looks damn cool. Works well with other effects.
- Bad Points: A little flimsy. Feels like I could break it. not as solid as my BOSS pedals. Knobs move very easily.
- Price Paid: US$60.00
- Purchased At: www.guitarfiles.com
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- Submitted by ralph from San Francisco, CA (114 points) on Dec 27, 2007
- INTERESTING DISTORTION, ADDS WEIRD AND FUZZY NOISE TO INPUT, BIGGER THAN GOD
- Good Points: CAN BEAT SOMEONE TO DEATH WITH, ALL KNOBS EFFECT OUTPUT
- Bad Points: BIG AND BULKY
- Price Paid: US$25.00
- Purchased At: EBAY
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- Submitted by Jon from Huntsville, AL (500 points) on Oct 14, 2007
- I just got this thing... So far, I have only tried it in the beginning of a feedback loop with mostly other distortions (3 after it, a bent octaver, and an eq). Holy jesus it sounds cool! I was able to get GOOD use out of all 3 distortions after the Muff, when they normally just sound crappy together... the muff "smooths" out the "sharp" sound of the high gain effects I have and manages to create some crazy, crackly, crunchy freak-outs when I twiddle the "tone" and "sustain" knobs... Recommended!
- Good Points: Though it is kind of weak (build quality-wise), I believe it will hold up to my uses. It improves the sounds of my metal distortions IMMENSELY. Good range/sweep on the knobs. Smooths out other distortions that just make annoying high pitches when activated... creates a lot more tonal possibilities to play with.
- Bad Points: Somewhat iffy-to-poor construction (mine is used and pretty beat-- but still works great). NO AC INPUT!!! (using a 1spot for that). Slightly large footprint. Reversed input/output locations may make setting up a chain a little bit difficult.
- Price Paid: US$0.00
- Purchased At: Gear trade
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- Submitted by Aphadaphaler from Portland, OR (158 points) on Jun 28, 2006
- I like this pedal, its my third distortion the others being a FabMetal and a Zoom5000 this kiks more ass. the sound is not as destructive as a metal distortion, but the tone and sustain nobs bring out the frequency of my noise. Great for adding bass to the hell. Smooth warm hell. I guess thats what a fuzz is as apposed to harsher distortions. Great before a filter for adding harmonics.
- Good Points: sounds swell, the sarilik letters look cool.
- Bad Points: batery only.
- Price Paid: US$35.00
- Purchased At: pawn shop
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- Submitted by amphibious from Boston, MA (30 points) on May 20, 2006
- I was given an old version of this pedal for buying a Roland Juno 106 synthesizer. The version I had is unlike any version I've ever seen. It was army green with dovetail knobs (which is pretty standard) but the top was some sort of waxed/laminated canvas and the stomp button was big and round. In any case, this pedal is a legend, and for good reason. I've compared my version to a lot of the newer models and mine seems brighter, louder, and more responsive. In any case, most any version of this pedal will be a useful addition to any setup.
- Good Points: Fattens any chain.
- Bad Points: Mine is battery only (easily fixable with a Godlyke PA-9) Weird canvas top doesn't seem durable.
- Price Paid: US$0.00
- Purchased At: Gift
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- Submitted by Nick from La Crescenta, CA (18 points) on Dec 27, 2005
- This thing is a complete beast in an effects loop. It doesn't have enough boost on it but it really doesn't matter if you follow it up with a volume pedal or another distortion pedal. The way it looks fits the way it sounds. It makes tones that are downright dark and foreboding. The knobs and body feel cheaply made but I trust that it'll not break. There is no adapter for a power supply which pisses me off, but this thing sounds so good you won't care. Throw it in a loop, its sound is instantly noticeable
- Good Points: Looks nice Dark tones Good in a loop simple
- Bad Points: no power jack feels cheaply made not enough boost but that is easily fixed
- Price Paid: US$54.00
- Purchased At: Guitar Center
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- Submitted by Marco from Brescia (138 points) on Jul 14, 2005
- This black box is less fuzzy than the USA version. It's harsh and very compressed, but it doesn't have the boost of the USA one. Great feedback generator, the tone knob can change dramatically the sound. Sometimes, the sound is similar to a Boss FZ-2 (more warm and natural)
- Good Points: -cheap -lot of feedback -dark sound in every setting
- Bad Points: -no jack for ac adaptor -as all EH, big...
- Price Paid: US$49.00
- Purchased At: boxguitar
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- Submitted by fran from Nottingham (68 points) on Mar 11, 2005
- I got my ehx russian big muff brand new for less than any Boss pedal. I already own a 1970's Deluxe big muff so i was'nt expecting this modern cheaper one to be amazing. The build is cheaper, the controls are less responsive and interactive and its battery only.However this is well worth double what i paid, its got a modern edge to the sound but can still get dirty, the distortion is rich with overtones and in my opinion wipes the floor with any boss distortion. If you see one, try one, its a lot of sound for the money.
- Good Points: Cheap even new, classic tones, more modern sounding, easy battery access, easier to use.
- Bad Points: Plastic jack inputs, cheap feel, less responsive & interactive than older models, no adaptor option.
- Price Paid: US$0.00
- Purchased At: ebay/music store
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- Submitted by h from Norman, OK (22 points) on Dec 17, 2004
- I found out that this pedal didnt have a 9v power jack on the way home from guitar center, and the next week rigged up a power supply by splicing the 9v clip from another pedal that i never use. it works, but it hums. I like this pedal because of its complete tactlessness. This is the one out of my collection that ill forget to adjust and it will scare the ass off of me next time i use it. In a loop, it acts as a distortion plus a tone generator (possibly because of the power supply's awful 60hz hum) and each of the knobs changes the pitch of the tone. Very interactive and unpredictable, at least for what i expected from a 50 dollar "standard" distortion. Go Russia.
- Good Points: The word muff. huge distortion. every knob is extremely versatile. cyrillic text. feels sturdy. acts crazy in loops.
- Bad Points: no power jack on mine. input and output are switched. Switch sometimes doesn't turn on LED.
- Price Paid: US$55.00
- Purchased At: guitar center
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- Submitted by Beavis from Afghanistan (258 points) on Dec 29, 2003
- Ok i'll start by saying i have not the one pictured, but the 1st edition big green one. I love the sound of it! it is very messy and sludgy and all the controls do there job nicely.
- Good Points: The knobs, the loudness
- Bad Points: Apparently they break easy? Had mine years.....
- Price Paid: US$25.00
- Purchased At: Seattle GC
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- Submitted by Dave from Camp Lejeune, NC (24 points) on Sep 13, 2003
- I've owned both the one pictured (my current use) and the OD green one. Powerfull. I've blown no less than two heads with this pedal, awesome sounding, really over the top overdrive and just gives everything a punch!
- Good Points: Awesome overdrive, sturdy construction, you can jump up and down on this pedal.
- Bad Points: Backwards wiring, you can drain your batteries when you leave it plugged in
- Price Paid: US$30.00
- Purchased At: Ebay
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- Submitted by d. l. from Wakefield, MA (204 points) on Jul 26, 2003
- I have the original military green Russian Big Muff Pi by Sovtek (circa '78?), which isn't a bitch if you have to change the battery. Also, my jacks have the normal placement (output on the left using the above pic as a guide). The tone is generally ominous and dark, though it can get kinda ratty-sounding. Naturally, it sounds vintage. The fuzz seems to "switch on" at about 7:30 (adds to the charm of the pedal I guess) but I rarely turn down the gain anyway.
- Good Points: solid heavy metal construction (even the footswitch which isn't like the reissue MXR-kind), strangely powerful tone control has a very wide evenly distributed frequency range, low-noise design, military green for a cool industrial-rivethead look
- Bad Points: the unusual size, no ac adaptor jack (not a problem for me but maybe for someone who'd like this as their main distortion device)
- Price Paid: US$55.00
- Purchased At: daddy's junky music
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- Submitted by Tim from Austin, TX (28 points) on Nov 29, 2002
- I actually have a rare transitional model. It is the black casing with the parts of the early green Sovtek Big Muff pedal. Very cool... very rich.. Can get fuzzy and distorted. Tones sound anywhere from a Rat to a Fuzz Face.
- Good Points: Tone knob DRAMATICALLY alters the sound. Mind you this isn't the same for the newere versions. The newere versions have a very lame tone control.
- Bad Points: Bad points. I've heard the switches go out very easily. Mine has random trouble every now and then.
- Price Paid: US$20.00
- Purchased At: Bought used
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- Submitted by Rob from London (362 points) on Mar 23, 2002
- Fantastic pedal for noise, it's a classic fuzz pedal. It sounds less fuzzy and more evil sounding than the USA reissue and so it's much better for noise IMO. It's very unreliable though, the circuit board kind of floats inside attached only by the in/out jacks. Breaks very easily.
- Good Points: Sounds great, expecially for noise playing.
- Bad Points: Falls to bits in no time :( Very large so it takes up lots of space. The in/out jacks are the wrong way round: in is on the left???!!
- Price Paid: US$50.00
- Purchased At: Shop
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- Submitted by Seth from Sydney (40 points) on Sep 23, 2001
- I have had one of the reissues for years. It is the green one though, not the one pictured. It does one thing and one thing one - FUZZ. It is does it damn well.
- Good Points: Its tone control has a massive sweep. from bottom-heavy mush to eardrum piercing highs. Huge volume boost and great fuzz sound. One of the orignals and still one of the best. Good bang for buck.
- Bad Points: It noisy - thumps when turned on/off. The fuzz control is limited - fuzz or more fuzz. The contruction leaves something to be desired. Background noise (though that's the nature of gain units).
- Price Paid: US$75.00
- Purchased At: Venue Music
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