View other reviews for this product:
goodbyebluesky
Published on 04/01/08 at 08:46
The Big Muff Pi is a reissue fuzz box/sustainer made in Russia. Its a very different manifestation of the classic in appearance, in a sturdy black metal casing with chicken beak knobs, and comes with a cool wooden storage box. It has 1/4" input and outputs, which are annoyingly on the opposite sides from where you would expect them to be, like other effects boxes.
UTILIZATION
Dialing it in is pretty easy and self-explanatory with just a gain, tone, and volume knob. I never used the manual.
SOUND QUALITY
I have to admit, I don't understand what the fuss is all about with the Big Muff, or fuzz pedals in general. Its thin, hissy, buzzy, fuzzy. It is not thick, pleasing, or even musical sounding to my ears. I played with it for a while, using my Les Paul style guitar through a small tube combo, and found no usable sounds. I don't think theres anything wrong with mine, I just think the overall tone of it makes me cringe.
I will stick with my TS9 Tube Screamer for creamier sweet sustain, and other pedals for more heavy distortion. This Big Muff just does nothing for me.
OVERALL OPINION
Even if I liked the sound, the fact that they switched the input and output to the opposite sides from where they should be is annoying, and the lack of ac adapter capability means you will forever burn out 9v batteries in this thing. I also notice a drop in tone when switched off, so I guess it does not have true bypass. Why did they even bother making this thing???
I sold mine and had a hard time getting 30 bucks for it. They sell for 60 new. I have heard Fuzz Faces before, and ol' Jimi used one so I would probably use that before a Big Muff, though fuzz doesn't appeal to me much and now I know it for sure.
I would never buy one, even for five bucks. This one was inherited.
UTILIZATION
Dialing it in is pretty easy and self-explanatory with just a gain, tone, and volume knob. I never used the manual.
SOUND QUALITY
I have to admit, I don't understand what the fuss is all about with the Big Muff, or fuzz pedals in general. Its thin, hissy, buzzy, fuzzy. It is not thick, pleasing, or even musical sounding to my ears. I played with it for a while, using my Les Paul style guitar through a small tube combo, and found no usable sounds. I don't think theres anything wrong with mine, I just think the overall tone of it makes me cringe.
I will stick with my TS9 Tube Screamer for creamier sweet sustain, and other pedals for more heavy distortion. This Big Muff just does nothing for me.
OVERALL OPINION
Even if I liked the sound, the fact that they switched the input and output to the opposite sides from where they should be is annoying, and the lack of ac adapter capability means you will forever burn out 9v batteries in this thing. I also notice a drop in tone when switched off, so I guess it does not have true bypass. Why did they even bother making this thing???
I sold mine and had a hard time getting 30 bucks for it. They sell for 60 new. I have heard Fuzz Faces before, and ol' Jimi used one so I would probably use that before a Big Muff, though fuzz doesn't appeal to me much and now I know it for sure.
I would never buy one, even for five bucks. This one was inherited.