Review:Electro Harmonix USA Reissue Big Muff Pi

December 26th, 2008 by Andres Gallo

Big Muff
$77

Design

This score scores high in its design with its simplicity, and range of tones. The pedal seems very reliable, and the knobs are very smooth. And while simplicity may sound like a bad thing to some, it does not stop the possibilities with this pedal, and the fact that there is no other pedal like it. This pedal is legendary. Now I am not saying the design is perfect. While it has a lot of control over the tone, all while being simple, the pedal has a huge design turn off. The physical design is huge, and clunky looking, which I honestly think was purposely done to look like the original. Luckily EHX, however, now offers a new Big Muff called “Big Muff with tone wicker,” which supposedly is the same thing in a smaller package with some new stuff for more control. Another aspect I disliked in the design of this amazing pedal is the power input which requires a non-standard plug for the AC adapter; fortunately all the pedalboards I have tried come with a cable to power the big muff, in case you are all wondering.

Sound

Thick, warm fuzz sound. There are many fuzz pedals, however, I think this is the best out of them all, with it’s low tightness thickness. Many of you may be wondering why I like its low-fi thickness. This is not a distortion pedal, but is something much more original, which is what made it so popular. It’s low-fi tightnness prevents the sharp distortion sound, but instead creates the famous smooth creamy buttery fuzz sound this pedal is so famous for. With only three knobs, you get some really cool tones, all which may be completely different. The sustain knob can give it some more sustain and gain, and when raised high, it can give some incredible sustain that sounds absolutely beautiful. The tone knob can make the sound very fuzzy and bright/gritty, and even liquid. The volume knob does its job nicely, and the pedal is very quiet. Another great thing about this pedal, as well all the new Electro Harmonix pedals is their true bypass. This means you won’t lose signal while the pedal is off, which PREVENTS something I find really annoying when there are too many pedals involved. That something is of course…signal loss, and such does not happen here.

Sound

Thick, warm fuzz sound. There are many fuzz pedals, however, I think this is the best out of them all, with it’s low tightness thickness. Many of you may be wondering why I like its low-fi thickness. This is not a distortion pedal, but is something much more original, which is what made it so popular. It’s low-fi tightnness prevents the sharp distortion sound, but instead creates the famous smooth creamy buttery fuzz sound this pedal is so famous for. With only three knobs, you get some really cool tones, all which may be completely different. The sustain knob can give it some more sustain and gain, and when raised high, it can give some incredible sustain that sounds absolutely beautiful. The tone knob can make the sound very fuzzy and bright/gritty, and even liquid. The volume knob does its job nicely, and the pedal is very quiet. Another great thing about this pedal, as well all the new Electro Harmonix pedals is their true bypass. This means you won’t lose signal while the pedal is off, which PREVENTS something I find really annoying when there are too many pedals involved. That something is of course…signal loss, and such does not happen here. Sound wise, I think this is a pedal that should be on everybody’s pedalboard; its that good.

Reliability

The construction is very solidly built. It was built in New York, where manufacturing standards are high. I just wish they could have made the pedal a lot smaller, as it would definitely fit in a smaller enclosure. I have been using this pedal for years and it still works and sound the same it did when I got it.

Customer Support

Some of the best customer support I have dealt with. They are very quick to reply. I never had an Electro Harmonix product break on me, therefore I don’t know how they deal with repairs and such.

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