Log in
Log in

or
Create an account

or
Add this product to
  • My former gear
  • My current gear
  • My wishlist
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI
Images
1/1091

All user reviews for the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI

Fuzz pedal from Electro-Harmonix belonging to the Big Muff series

4.4/5
(59 reviews)
63 %
(37 reviews)
24 %
(14 reviews)
10 %
(6 reviews)
2 %
(1 review)
Write a user review
Value For Money : Excellent
Users reviews
  • davindiskodavindisko

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 12/04/03 at 14:23
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    3 knobs but not much freedom in sound. In fact, putting all the background was done!
    Big box in Mtal that when we have in hand seems empty ...
    POWER ENTRY amricaine prvoir (mini jack)

    USE

    The configuration is simple since it is very limited ... There just press it with its large pumps.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Its distortion / fuzz excellent, slobbering desire while keeping a lot of precision. Lightweight compression attack. Dcrire very difficult ...

    NOTICE GLOBAL

    My Last pedal to buy any distortion. The sound is nromissime. The only problem is that it is very little paramtrable.
    To get an idea of ​​the sound of this great pedal, listen Hypermusic of "Muse".
    To know that many…
    Read more
    3 knobs but not much freedom in sound. In fact, putting all the background was done!
    Big box in Mtal that when we have in hand seems empty ...
    POWER ENTRY amricaine prvoir (mini jack)

    USE

    The configuration is simple since it is very limited ... There just press it with its large pumps.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Its distortion / fuzz excellent, slobbering desire while keeping a lot of precision. Lightweight compression attack. Dcrire very difficult ...

    NOTICE GLOBAL

    My Last pedal to buy any distortion. The sound is nromissime. The only problem is that it is very little paramtrable.
    To get an idea of ​​the sound of this great pedal, listen Hypermusic of "Muse".
    To know that many are buying this bass pedal.
    See less
  • Anonymous

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 08/22/08 at 05:24
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    See other opinions, I put it 8/10 because of its relatively large size ..

    USE

    Simplest one n'peut, 3 knobs: volume, tone and sustain.

    SOUND QUALITY

    I use it with my Lag Arkane and my ENGL Screamer50 has sent of the little wood !! Here is a video test of this pedal (http://www.guitaretv.com/test-de-l-effet-electro-harmonix-big-muff-pi-video-45.html) has be more informative than the crap. After one likes or does not like, I love

    NOTICE GLOBAL

    I use it for little, and I did not test other pedals of the same type (that's some I put 9), but I am entirely satisfied, again the report quality price seems excellent (new 70) as given the price of the pedals in general ...
    Read more
    See other opinions, I put it 8/10 because of its relatively large size ..

    USE

    Simplest one n'peut, 3 knobs: volume, tone and sustain.

    SOUND QUALITY

    I use it with my Lag Arkane and my ENGL Screamer50 has sent of the little wood !! Here is a video test of this pedal (http://www.guitaretv.com/test-de-l-effet-electro-harmonix-big-muff-pi-video-45.html) has be more informative than the crap. After one likes or does not like, I love

    NOTICE GLOBAL

    I use it for little, and I did not test other pedals of the same type (that's some I put 9), but I am entirely satisfied, again the report quality price seems excellent (new 70) as given the price of the pedals in general ...
    See less
  • shallmarshallmar

    this is the BIG MUFF. and nothing else.

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 10/23/14 at 12:02
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    - See the notice above. Fuzz analog tres, but then very typical. 3 knobs. jack in / out. Warning: the power supply is either by 9V battery or either a minijack connector own headphone guy this pedal, and former US. qu'EHX wonder has not changed ca. But hey, an adapter beast was € 3.50 and AC plugs in all serenity on any garland / PSU type boss. however, for the ridiculous price of the big muff, one can forgive this gap.

    UTILIZATION

    yes, it's simple.

    the manual is simple too.

    OUi and the edition is made simple thanks to the knobs very reactive. we do not care less about you. Or it is the written sustain, and well ... it sustain, your rating last long.

    SOUND QUALITY
    Read more
    - See the notice above. Fuzz analog tres, but then very typical. 3 knobs. jack in / out. Warning: the power supply is either by 9V battery or either a minijack connector own headphone guy this pedal, and former US. qu'EHX wonder has not changed ca. But hey, an adapter beast was € 3.50 and AC plugs in all serenity on any garland / PSU type boss. however, for the ridiculous price of the big muff, one can forgive this gap.

    UTILIZATION

    yes, it's simple.

    the manual is simple too.

    OUi and the edition is made simple thanks to the knobs very reactive. we do not care less about you. Or it is the written sustain, and well ... it sustain, your rating last long.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Ah the big muff ... Love it or hate it.

    In my debut guitar, I bought it solely on its reputation, the detour for a bargain anywhere.

    My first impressions? "Caca / yuck / ca is yucky and spin eardrums" I wanted me debarasser.Avant the yield to a low price, I plugged one last time, months after having a row closet.

    But after having wrung a lot of high gain pedal, I glimpse that big muff, she not cheat, she does not try to reconcile the overdrive, the distortion is live dirty, nasty, and what I did not like eventually seduce me. Horribly typed reconaissable, ca amused me a lot to play clean and break ca pressing the knob and swing the power chord has galore.

    it amuses me, am surprised by his grain, or two years ago I would have returned to live mag saying "this is crap"

    She is docile, in its visible appearance of a German tank of WW2. the knobs do what they are asked, always borrowing their dirt. But with other pedals as a compressor and an equalizer, it allows itself to tame, and psychedelic solos pope david gilmour are with a strat.

    reconaissable of 1000, I finally gave me part with it. I not use it all the time, but when you have to send the sauce, she reigns unchallenged in the DB. sharp and yucky it right.

    OVERALL OPINION

    -some months.

    - No.

    - I love his sound, the challenge it poses to the master, its ridiculous price / I do not like his huge size, its special power supply.

    _ QP report ... for a PS3 game, you fumble a legend of sound. this is much cheaper than the competition. but also differ.

    - If I would do this choice? Not at the beginning guitar, I have taken a more mainstream thing kind boss OD1. but according to my tastes, a big muff would inevitably landed on my PB at one time or another, and I regret not already have it, I rediscovered.

    sharp, dirty, huge, boring, it is a challenge that only those who give trouble will appreciate the value.
    See less
  • Kaiser-SoseKaiser-Sose

    Of fat fuzz distortion to

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 08/28/14 at 01:19
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    This is the legendary Big Muff Pi Electro Harmonix home, no need to dwell on a pedal that most of us know, it is only an analog preamp distortion with transistors.

    UTILIZATION

    Usage is could not be more simple, volume, tone and sustain.

    Please note a little flat, the connection to the power that made Jack Mini.

    The manual has remained in its box, as with all pedals like this, it's plug and play!

    Editing sound is simple, the tone lets go of his deep in the low to fuzz sound in the treble.

    SOUND QUALITY

    I use it in my pedalboard second position, just after a boss DS1. I play it mostly with a Mexican Stratocaster and a Fender Pro Junior.

    One can easily find th…
    Read more
    This is the legendary Big Muff Pi Electro Harmonix home, no need to dwell on a pedal that most of us know, it is only an analog preamp distortion with transistors.

    UTILIZATION

    Usage is could not be more simple, volume, tone and sustain.

    Please note a little flat, the connection to the power that made Jack Mini.

    The manual has remained in its box, as with all pedals like this, it's plug and play!

    Editing sound is simple, the tone lets go of his deep in the low to fuzz sound in the treble.

    SOUND QUALITY

    I use it in my pedalboard second position, just after a boss DS1. I play it mostly with a Mexican Stratocaster and a Fender Pro Junior.

    One can easily find the distortion sounds like Gilmour of Pink Floyd, or sounds extremely saturated like to play stoner rock to the Ancestors.

    Note also that if the rendering on my fender is excellent, this is not the case at the marshall of a friend, to his home, the precision is not really to go ...

    OVERALL OPINION

    I use it for 6 months now and this pedal gives me a very good lead in sustain and precise (on the fender) for my solos but also lowering the tone a chance to play as a rhythm guitarist, is So a very good pedal that EHX sells us here, especially with a price / quality ratio like this is hard to beat.

    I tested the blackstar pedals lamps that do not believe me at all, I hesitated with that in Hiwatt but the price made me decide, but with experience and more money I would have made the Hiwatt.
    See less
  • Paul IronPaul Iron

    A good first fuzz

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 08/13/14 at 11:56
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    This is an analog fuzz that requires special EHX power supply. For this particularly sucks detail I put only 7.10. Because the rest is solid! It is big and takes a lot of space on the pedalboard. Together with the name "Big Muff Pi" was it really expect anything else?

    UTILIZATION

    It sets the tone with three knobs: Volume, Tone, and Sustain. I read the manual for fun and frankly it serves no purpose. It is well aware that one of the settings are! It's simple but not necessarily ultra clear with the name of the knobs so 8/10 for me.

    SOUND QUALITY

    This is where it all happens is not it? After all if you add pedals at our feet is not for fun! In short, it is a very thick f…
    Read more
    This is an analog fuzz that requires special EHX power supply. For this particularly sucks detail I put only 7.10. Because the rest is solid! It is big and takes a lot of space on the pedalboard. Together with the name "Big Muff Pi" was it really expect anything else?

    UTILIZATION

    It sets the tone with three knobs: Volume, Tone, and Sustain. I read the manual for fun and frankly it serves no purpose. It is well aware that one of the settings are! It's simple but not necessarily ultra clear with the name of the knobs so 8/10 for me.

    SOUND QUALITY

    This is where it all happens is not it? After all if you add pedals at our feet is not for fun! In short, it is a very thick fuzz that will not go anywhere, I'd rather tell you. It is bold, aggressive and synthetic. At the same time it is known for it's Grandma, and in this area it dominates. I put 7/10 because it is in its domain but not mat because if the settings are too extreme it gets boiled sound !!

    OVERALL OPINION

    I for almost 1 year and I must say that since I have tried other fuzz that most caught my eye. Nevertheless, I am glad because this is a good first fuzz that lets you know if you like the effect or not and if so whether you want a little more lace effect or even more fat ! (I'm in the first case) The only real drawbacks are its size because the price is quite modest and unconventional power supply.
    In short, if I had to re-decide for a first fuzz I re-choose the Big Muff Pi again but perhaps nano or as little.
    See less
  • Anonymous

    Back to the source

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 06/04/14 at 05:05
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    A is a boss screen has taken the place of the power supply jack, YEEEEEESSSSSS!
    The rest is standard for this type of pedal.

    UTILIZATION

    Exeptionel nothing in the settings of this fuzz, grip immediate.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Ben the good is happiness. It's creamy, it has a small velcro effect, it sounds as hell ... hendrix the smashing pumpkins through jack white is THE sound alright!

    OVERALL OPINION

    Went through a lot of makes and models, this was my first fuzz, it will be my last. When I play with, I do not know what I can want more as this pedal agree, I love it! And the look of this big box has its chrome, it does really well!
    Read more
    A is a boss screen has taken the place of the power supply jack, YEEEEEESSSSSS!
    The rest is standard for this type of pedal.

    UTILIZATION

    Exeptionel nothing in the settings of this fuzz, grip immediate.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Ben the good is happiness. It's creamy, it has a small velcro effect, it sounds as hell ... hendrix the smashing pumpkins through jack white is THE sound alright!

    OVERALL OPINION

    Went through a lot of makes and models, this was my first fuzz, it will be my last. When I play with, I do not know what I can want more as this pedal agree, I love it! And the look of this big box has its chrome, it does really well!
    See less
  • OgmorOgmor

    Know what you want!

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 02/11/14 at 15:50
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    A modern version of the Big Muff: always the same grain, but after the demos that I could listen, who were ringing big muff vintage sound with much more in the treble, it has more bass.
    For the rest, the same: a knob for volume, a tone, and a sustain (gain).
    Supply: 9v battery or mains plug with a 3.5mm mini jack
    The case is big enough, but the pedal is not heavy.
    Simply, if this effect is cheap, I think it's aprce the construction ets sloppy. So, I came across a new model or switch archait a half, and I changed it against a box ets or incorrectly fitted. Not too embarrassing for the moment, I just hope it does not become a problem over time helping ...

    UTILIZATION

    Pretty…
    Read more
    A modern version of the Big Muff: always the same grain, but after the demos that I could listen, who were ringing big muff vintage sound with much more in the treble, it has more bass.
    For the rest, the same: a knob for volume, a tone, and a sustain (gain).
    Supply: 9v battery or mains plug with a 3.5mm mini jack
    The case is big enough, but the pedal is not heavy.
    Simply, if this effect is cheap, I think it's aprce the construction ets sloppy. So, I came across a new model or switch archait a half, and I changed it against a box ets or incorrectly fitted. Not too embarrassing for the moment, I just hope it does not become a problem over time helping ...

    UTILIZATION

    Pretty simple to use, but better to take the time to see how the buttons interact: eb general, the higher up the sustain, more must rebalance lowering the tone. Then, it is as we like.

    SOUND QUALITY

    The sound is even with the very low sustain, rather fat. It has a grain Fuzzy, but it is not a fuzz: the sound seems full folds. This is not a criterion of quality, just a typed her differently.
    Rather dug in mediums, we get little thanks to the tone knob sound or very deaf, or slender and squeaky, or just very thick and fleshy.
    For my part, I do not push the gain background. Little is even maisser me in his first quarter and has a couple distortion or classic overdrive, and there, his end, and we approach much fuzz (if the other effect is before the chaining).
    I ammuse a couple it with a Big Muff Black russain is quite experimental! It is little ammuser, but I can not see myself playing a whole song with that sound.

    In terms of breath, when you push the sustain, obviously there, but I was expecting worse! It can make larsener, but it is manageable.

    The use that I love, this is by placing a crybaby before: it was a kind of tornado sound, the sound of the lead stands literally rhythmic sound, it is as if it was a 2nd guitar playing solos.

    OVERALL OPINION

    Frankly I love.
    I also have a black russian big muff 2002, very different, but for me, they are complementary. That is more oily, more fuzzy, with a bit more midrange. For those who think that modern versions deprive us of the quality of the former, it is false to me: the sound is different, but to me more suited to what I want to do (stoner) while keeping the same characteristic grain. So I am confused to play oldies without "copy" modern miss: the grain is typed, anchored in time.
    However, for manufacturing quality and strength, then I do not know. We can find with which they will have no pb, but it is haphazard. As it is the switch, that said, it is repaired. Electronic components, I think, are good.
    See less
  • -Livingroom--Livingroom-

    A reference.

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 11/13/13 at 02:27
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    Billed as a fuzz, but I think it's an overdrive pushed beyond its limits. in a jack, a jack out and roll youth, the transistor (silicon memory) will do the job for you! And the big side pedal has a charm (even if the model is little big muff for which I never found its shade with the original).

    UTILIZATION

    Three buttons, tone volume and drive, nothing complex, but still very versatile result.

    Only the switch is hard to operate and brittle over time.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Welcome to the realm of fat, beefy, the dark and heavy. A so use sparingly (unless done in a simple fleshy distortion, it is also very well see black sabbath) before it is a dump.

    This is the queen of so…
    Read more
    Billed as a fuzz, but I think it's an overdrive pushed beyond its limits. in a jack, a jack out and roll youth, the transistor (silicon memory) will do the job for you! And the big side pedal has a charm (even if the model is little big muff for which I never found its shade with the original).

    UTILIZATION

    Three buttons, tone volume and drive, nothing complex, but still very versatile result.

    Only the switch is hard to operate and brittle over time.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Welcome to the realm of fat, beefy, the dark and heavy. A so use sparingly (unless done in a simple fleshy distortion, it is also very well see black sabbath) before it is a dump.

    This is the queen of solo, which add an almost infinite sustain (especially with a Les Paul in the ass), masters of expression, it will help a lot.

    It also works with bass or keyboard (although there is the base model in the big muff, the result is not the same)

    OVERALL OPINION

    I use it for 3 years, my pedalboard is constantly evolving, but it is one of the reliable values ​​of the latter. The value for money is excellent, and the sound also. After she should not everyone, the lady is not clean.

    I remake this choice tomorrow if necessary, after there is often better than a lot of the big muff clones, but more expensive, and they have the privilege to have created!
    See less
  • Thierry255Thierry255

    Correct distortion fuzz

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 04/25/13 at 01:06
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    See other opinions.

    UTILIZATION

    I do not even remember if there was a manual.
    At the same time there are 3 knobs: volume, tone and sustain (fuzz volume) so good it's not very complicated ... We seem to find a good sound easily.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Effective effect if one seeks the sound "Big Muff" (normal in this case to buy the pedal ^ ^), we will say scooped a distortion pulling the fuzz and dirty sound. I bought it because I was looking for a fuzz (and I'm pretty germanium but it was one of my first fuzz pedals so I apologize ^ ^). The store clerk had advised me ... Brief.
    I use it with a Tele Deluxe and a Chubster 40.

    OVERALL OPINION

    Used less than 5 hours…
    Read more
    See other opinions.

    UTILIZATION

    I do not even remember if there was a manual.
    At the same time there are 3 knobs: volume, tone and sustain (fuzz volume) so good it's not very complicated ... We seem to find a good sound easily.

    SOUND QUALITY

    Effective effect if one seeks the sound "Big Muff" (normal in this case to buy the pedal ^ ^), we will say scooped a distortion pulling the fuzz and dirty sound. I bought it because I was looking for a fuzz (and I'm pretty germanium but it was one of my first fuzz pedals so I apologize ^ ^). The store clerk had advised me ... Brief.
    I use it with a Tele Deluxe and a Chubster 40.

    OVERALL OPINION

    Used less than 5 hours in all and for all. The sound may appeal, however this is not what I wanted. I should have at the time rather buy secondhand, history test and if you do not like me, to sell it without losing too much. The value for money is pretty good though. Warning pedal can generate breath if we push the maximum sustain. But these budgets (on occasion), hard to do as well. When this is compared to the old Muff, I do not comment because I've never tried it, and anyway it is not in the same budget either!
    With the experience I do not have that choice because it is not a product for me.
    See less
  • MGR/Cain ManMGR/Cain Man

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 04/21/04 at 15:00
    I bought this pedal brand-new for $59 bucks at Sam Ash. Throughout my playing years I've always looked for a distortion pedal that was heavy and thick. I used a Boss Turbo Distortion for many years because that was the closest distortion that fit my criteria. Recently I read a couple of articles in which Big Muff Distortion/Sustainer was mentioned. I decided to buy it, and I'm so glad I did.

    I really love the distortion - period. It's the type of distortion I've been looking for forever. The pedal looks great and is very simple to use. If you like heavy, thick, and warm distortion, this pedal is for you. I still can't believe I found the pedal of my dreams.

    The only thing I don't like ab…
    Read more
    I bought this pedal brand-new for $59 bucks at Sam Ash. Throughout my playing years I've always looked for a distortion pedal that was heavy and thick. I used a Boss Turbo Distortion for many years because that was the closest distortion that fit my criteria. Recently I read a couple of articles in which Big Muff Distortion/Sustainer was mentioned. I decided to buy it, and I'm so glad I did.

    I really love the distortion - period. It's the type of distortion I've been looking for forever. The pedal looks great and is very simple to use. If you like heavy, thick, and warm distortion, this pedal is for you. I still can't believe I found the pedal of my dreams.

    The only thing I don't like about it is that it is powered by battery only. You can't plug an adapter to it - but who cares.

    This pedal is so well constructed that I think it's going to last for many years and still look great. It's very good looking pedal.

    This pedal is the best distortion pedal I have used and, believe me, I've used many different ones.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
    See less
  • MGR/-Minus-Human-MGR/-Minus-Human-

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 04/14/04 at 15:00
    I bought this pedal from shopoftheworld.com (has a good selection and delivers quickly in the UK) for £62.00 [88.10 EURO]. I bought it because I was looking for a good distortion and heard that bassists such as Cliff Burton (Metallica), Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) and others used this pedal.


    Although this is designed to be a guitar pedal, it works GREAT on bass, in fact it keeps some of the lower tones (even on a five string) equal with the rest better than some bass distortions I have tried. This pedal has 3 controls, (Volume,Tone,and Sustain) which can be used to create a great sound that fits perfectly with a guitarist distortion, and is also great for any bassist in a heavy band looki…
    Read more
    I bought this pedal from shopoftheworld.com (has a good selection and delivers quickly in the UK) for £62.00 [88.10 EURO]. I bought it because I was looking for a good distortion and heard that bassists such as Cliff Burton (Metallica), Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) and others used this pedal.


    Although this is designed to be a guitar pedal, it works GREAT on bass, in fact it keeps some of the lower tones (even on a five string) equal with the rest better than some bass distortions I have tried. This pedal has 3 controls, (Volume,Tone,and Sustain) which can be used to create a great sound that fits perfectly with a guitarist distortion, and is also great for any bassist in a heavy band looking to play distorted solos and if can really cut through if the tone is pushed.

    No major complaints, one thing that is a bit of a downside is the fact it is quite load on bass. There is some noticably background noise, but this is to be expected as this pedal does boost volume a lot.

    This, as all EHX pedals is built like a rock. Strong, heavy and theres no chance of the control knobs causing any problems. The wiring on the inside is a bit messy (lots of wires with a lot of slack). But this is obviously not a major flaw as I have played this pedal for about 2 years now and despite quite a lot of abuse, is still working fully. And the only other slight problem is the paint work, the black surround of the footswitch gets scratched easily.

    This is a great pedal for anyone wanting to get a really big sound with themselves and their guitarist but still keeping the low end nice and clear. I would definatly recomend this pedal to all those into bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Muse etc. Bassically any song with bass distortion this thing can emulate quite closely.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
    See less
  • MGR/Rob McCruddenMGR/Rob McCrudden

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 11/22/03 at 15:00
    I bought this unit from Nevada, my local guitar shop in Portsmouth UK. It set me back £89.99. I boughtt it because i was in need of a top quality distortion pedal and i was aware of the big muff's excellent reputation as one of the best that money could buy. It is even featured in album titles (Superfuzz BigMuff by Mudhoney) and T-Shirts (Rock Action T-Shirt by Mogwai) by great bands proving it has a dedicated following!

    There is a few things that i really like about this unit but the main thing is the range of different distortions in relation to how few knobs there are on it. I've tried out quite a few distortion pedals over the past few months and the vast majority of them use four to s…
    Read more
    I bought this unit from Nevada, my local guitar shop in Portsmouth UK. It set me back £89.99. I boughtt it because i was in need of a top quality distortion pedal and i was aware of the big muff's excellent reputation as one of the best that money could buy. It is even featured in album titles (Superfuzz BigMuff by Mudhoney) and T-Shirts (Rock Action T-Shirt by Mogwai) by great bands proving it has a dedicated following!

    There is a few things that i really like about this unit but the main thing is the range of different distortions in relation to how few knobs there are on it. I've tried out quite a few distortion pedals over the past few months and the vast majority of them use four to six smaller, fiddlier knobs and yield a smaller range of sounds. The Big Muff is so simple and classic and really delivers a wide range of distortion sounds. The only other pedal that comes close tho it is the Marshall Shredmaster but i'd still go Big Muff every time

    There's very little that i dislike about this unit. The only thing i can say is that i would have prefered it to have been a pedal rather than a push button as this means that you have to wear shoes to use it or you hurt your foot. It's a little annoying if you're just playing at home or if you like to play bear foot at any point (or is that just me?!). But this really is the only thing i can think of that i didn't like and i'm really just splitting hairs here!

    The construction of the Big Muff is first class. The first thing you'll notice is the sheer size of the pedal. It's huge! I'll bet you it's the biggest pedal you ever seen. But it's not just that its big but flimsy, its made out of metal and the unit is heavy and the dials are big and sturdy giving you confidence to really stamp down on it when you're rocking out. Trust me, you wont break it. And if you do go for the big theatrical stamp when you're playing you wont be let down by a feeble sound coming out of it. It' loud!

    The bottom line is that the Big Muff is a quality unit. There are other pedals out there that you can get pretty decent sounds out of but they're all too small with fiddly buttons and you have to mess around with them for ages to get a decent sound. If you want a great distortion sound with top quality construction (and dont mind paying for it) the Big Muff is your only option.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
    See less
  • MGR/JeffMGR/Jeff

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 12/01/02 at 15:00
    I got this thing off eBay in basically mint condition and even still in the nice classy wooden box it got shipped in for 40 bucks or so. I wanted it because I love the sound of the Smashing Pumpkins' distortion, and this is what they use (sort of, see below).

    Gorgeous fuzz. Beautifully solid sound when a mid or high single note is played, gotta hear it to know what I mean, and you want to, trust me. The tone control is really really good at changing the sound of the effect. It can pump out warm, thick overdrive or a crispy, nasty higher-end fuzz. Sustain control isn't as versitile, but still can do a LOT to the Tone-controlled sound, giving your guitar better range of possible sounds …
    Read more
    I got this thing off eBay in basically mint condition and even still in the nice classy wooden box it got shipped in for 40 bucks or so. I wanted it because I love the sound of the Smashing Pumpkins' distortion, and this is what they use (sort of, see below).

    Gorgeous fuzz. Beautifully solid sound when a mid or high single note is played, gotta hear it to know what I mean, and you want to, trust me. The tone control is really really good at changing the sound of the effect. It can pump out warm, thick overdrive or a crispy, nasty higher-end fuzz. Sustain control isn't as versitile, but still can do a LOT to the Tone-controlled sound, giving your guitar better range of possible sounds with just one pedal than I thought possible. So it was pretty good at imitating the Pumpkins' sound.

    Wasn't nearly as heavy as the Pumpkins' distortion. It lacks the sheer punch that the Pumpkins' distortion dished out. The Sustain isn't nearly as high on this thing as I thought it would be, kinda disappointed with that. Kinda lousy at artificial/pinch harmonics, because (and a bad thing by itself) the gain is pretty low. I've got a DOD Death Metal pedal, so relative to that, it's lousy for loong sustain or huge gain, but I could just have my universe warped by that DOD pedal.

    It looks tough. It looks like a little tank that could roll around and launch some missles out of the INPUT and OUTPUT jacks (which by the way are left and right respectively, backwards from any other pedal I've used, which makes things a little annoying, but oh well). So anyway, I dropped a speaker on it one day, and now the case is dented, so the metal isn't that strong, it's no tank. And the Sustain control also broke. It got twisted around too far, so now I can move it from minimum to maximum in a 10-degree turn, instead of 350-degree, so that's no good. Everything else is holding up well though. I don't stomp on my pedals though, so I'm not sure how well of a description this is for those of you that do mistreat your pedals.

    It's really good.
    BEST THING ABOUT IT: is it's easy to modify. I haven't done so yet, but everyone on DIY pages have modified their Big Muff into something slightly different. You can't make it a delay or anything, but you can change the sound texture or something like that. Speaking of which, I found out after I got it that the Pumpkins used a Big Muff modified by the little company Sustain Punch, which simply boost (aLOT) the sustain and the punch, appropriately enough, of the pedal. All in all, excellent excellent purchase, especially if you can/want to modify it, you can get exactly what you want out of this baby. Get it, it's worth it if you need a fuzz pedal, even if you don't like the Smashing Pumpkins, but I don't know why you wouldn't like them.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
    See less
  • MGR/JimMGR/Jim

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 06/26/02 at 15:00
    I wanted a well rounded, raw yet creamy distortion in my rig. I read up on a lot of pedals, and I knew that Electro Harmonix was a great company to buy from. I decided to get the Big Muff Pi (which is the U.S.A. version). I bought it at a Guitar Center new for about $85.00.

    I really liked how strong and sturdy it was. With a lot of other pedals I have they tend to break sometimes, or have their dials come off. The Big Muff never broke or had any chips in it. It was made w/ a die-hard heavy metal casing. I also loved the creamy overdrive that I could get out of it.

    I expected more from the Muff. It is a great pedal, but the Pi is more of a fuzz pedal, not a distortion. I use it now for a …
    Read more
    I wanted a well rounded, raw yet creamy distortion in my rig. I read up on a lot of pedals, and I knew that Electro Harmonix was a great company to buy from. I decided to get the Big Muff Pi (which is the U.S.A. version). I bought it at a Guitar Center new for about $85.00.

    I really liked how strong and sturdy it was. With a lot of other pedals I have they tend to break sometimes, or have their dials come off. The Big Muff never broke or had any chips in it. It was made w/ a die-hard heavy metal casing. I also loved the creamy overdrive that I could get out of it.

    I expected more from the Muff. It is a great pedal, but the Pi is more of a fuzz pedal, not a distortion. I use it now for a little mix into my amp distortion, but its not a "stand alone" effect that I use much.

    Like I had said before, this is a rugged unit. It is pretty light I guess for a pedal and how it looks. It also comes in a wooden box, the same ones that all Electro Harmonix pedals come in.

    The bottom line is if you want a really, really great fuzz effect, there is no doubt that you should go w/ this pedal. If you want raw, heavy distortion, the Big Muff is NOT the answer.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
    See less
  • Fireguy8402Fireguy8402

    Sounds..... Muffy!

    Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PIPublished on 12/23/11 at 08:06
    The Big Muff Pi is a fuzz effect from Electro-Harmonix. It’s one and a half pounds of fuzz in a box measuring 2.95" x 6.875" x 5.5". It has three basic controls: Volume (for overall volume) Tone (for EQ adjustments) and Sustain (which in this case is a gain or fuzz control) and one big bypass switch in the middle. The pedal can be powered by a 9 volt battery or by a 9 volt power supply.

    UTILIZATION

    Electro-Harmonix doesn’t give you much to work with on this one. Basically you just set your volume and amount of fuzz and you can tweak a little bit on the tone and you’re set. The pedal is built well in an all metal housing with a sturdy switch, but it seems a little large for suc…
    Read more
    The Big Muff Pi is a fuzz effect from Electro-Harmonix. It’s one and a half pounds of fuzz in a box measuring 2.95" x 6.875" x 5.5". It has three basic controls: Volume (for overall volume) Tone (for EQ adjustments) and Sustain (which in this case is a gain or fuzz control) and one big bypass switch in the middle. The pedal can be powered by a 9 volt battery or by a 9 volt power supply.

    UTILIZATION

    Electro-Harmonix doesn’t give you much to work with on this one. Basically you just set your volume and amount of fuzz and you can tweak a little bit on the tone and you’re set. The pedal is built well in an all metal housing with a sturdy switch, but it seems a little large for such a basic effect. I haven’t ripped this one apart yet, but I’m sure they could cut back on some of the housing and save you some pedal board room, but I think that’s why they came out with the Nano line of effects. I never run my pedals off batteries (though a dying 9 volt can sound wicked in a fuzz), so in order to use with a One Spot or similar power supply you will need an adapter, as this pedal does not have your usual “Boss” style barrel plug. Not a deal breaker, but a slight pain if unexpected.

    SOUND QUALITY

    This pedal is pretty much a one trick pony, but nothing sounds like it. You can always tell when someone is playing a Big Muff, because it just has that tone that is nasty, fuzzy, and.. well Muffy. This is the USA NYC version and I hear the Russian model has a slight variation in tone, but I have no experience there to suggest an opinion between the two. The Sustain knob has plenty of harmonic distortion on hand, but I wouldn’t call it an over the top fuzz. Though I have heard some fuzz pedals that could peel the paint off the walls (this can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the circumstances), this pedal stays fairly smooth and musical through all its settings. I would call it dirty for sure, but not exactly raunchy. There is plenty of low end available and classic fuzz tones are easily coughed up.

    OVERALL OPINION

    Overall this pedal does what it does and that’s about it. It’s a fuzz pedal and it’s gets that classic Muff sound. They always say “classic sounds of Hendrix to Santana” on their ads, but I hear more Santana than Jimi for sure. It doesn’t get as raw as Jimi’s classic tone, but it’ll get you in the ball park. Overall for 80US dollars it’s a well made pedal that is capable of a few good tones. It’s nothing spectacular if you ask me, but used sparingly, unique and signature for sure.
    See less