Big Muff question/problem!

[erik]

Hi all, i'm new here.. been ocassionally checking ILF for a while.
I really would like to get some advises from you Fuzz-Gurus here..coz i have been stuck with this problem for quite a while.

to make it short.
my main fuzz sound is a EHX Big Muff Pi (USA), follow by a DBA fuzzgun ->Line6 DL4 -> Subdecay F-Bomb -> AMP (Marshall JCM2000 DSL)
the problem i have with the Big Muff Pi is when ever i go into the *suppose to be huge FUZZ part, the sound of it goes way too compressed...and often softer.

I believe the hot output from my guitar (my main axe is a Gibson Nighthawk Custom) may be one big reason from causing this problem, if i do back the volume knob off a bit, it always sounds better... but i do love how my overall tone sound Clean with the volume all the way up... this has been a very bad problem to me when i had to be playing gigs with an un-familiar amp...

* the Big Muff actually works ok with my other guitars.. (MIJ 52'Tele and a US Strat)... still this is annoying not being able to control a pedal...

*this has not happneded with my other pedals at all... i do aware a bit of gain on the guitar amp will help the big muff to scream...but this kills my clean reveb sound...

I appreciate any advises. Thanks!

Erik

[ohsojayadeva]

The big muff has a HUGE scoop in the mids. HUGE. I think it's something like 7db if I remember correctly. This is inherent to the way that the tone control was designed, and has become accepted as part of "that sound." Like it or not, the mids are where your guitar lives, so when you turn on the big muff you're turning off the most important part of your sound. This is why all of the sudden you seem quieter instead of louder.

You can mod the tone control to flatten out the mids. I think the newer big muffs even address this with a switch that flattens it for you. Yes, it won't have "that" sound any more, but you also won't get lost in the mix anymore, and that's a pretty good compromise if you ask me.

[jrmy]

The big muff has a HUGE scoop in the mids. HUGE. I think it's something like 7db if I remember correctly. This is inherent to the way that the tone control was designed, and has become accepted as part of "that sound." Like it or not, the mids are where your guitar lives, so when you turn on the big muff you're turning off the most important part of your sound. This is why all of the sudden you seem quieter instead of louder.

You can mod the tone control to flatten out the mids. I think the newer big muffs even address this with a switch that flattens it for you. Yes, it won't have "that" sound any more, but you also won't get lost in the mix anymore, and that's a pretty good compromise if you ask me.

This - I believe the muff in question is the "Big Muff with Tone Wicker" - it's the "wicker" that fixes the mids loss. There are also TONS of muff clones / variants on the market that address this issue as well. The first that comes to mind is the Way Huge Swollen Pickle, but there are plenty out there. I believe that the Dwarfcraft Eau Claire Thunder started out as Aen's take on muff-fuzz, and that one definitely keeps the ol' mids.

[ohsojayadeva]

I have 2 muff clones by Skreddypedals. The Mayo is set up for only flat mids, and sounds awesome. The Zero has a switch to go between "classic" muff w/ scoop and flat mids. Mine was the first Zero with a mid-switch!

[Communarchy]

This - I believe the muff in question is the "Big Muff with Tone Wicker" - it's the "wicker" that fixes the mids loss.

Partially correct. I had The Big Muff with Tone Wicker, and indeed, it has a tone switch that takes the mid scoop tone circuit off. Late 70s and Early 80s (op-amp) Muffs also had this switch. But the wicker switch does something totally different, it adds a top end sizzle that is really great for taking some of the mud out of the far left tone settings. Good muff if the original/NYC tone is your thing. I lean more towards the green/Sovtek style, but it's a great muff indeed.

[Gunner Recall]

I have 2 muff clones by Skreddypedals. The Mayo is set up for only flat mids, and sounds awesome. The Zero has a switch to go between "classic" muff w/ scoop and flat mids. Mine was the first Zero with a mid-switch!

Your zero might be the first and only one with the switch...haven't seen any others.

I strongy suggest you check out the newest builder to join ILF...blackout effectors. In particular the musket. A beefed up muff with all the controls it should have (including a mid control knob).

[Jero]

I strongy suggest you check out the newest builder to join ILF...blackout effectors. In particular the musket. A beefed up muff with all the controls it should have (including a mid control knob).

The Musket kills! (sure, pun intended) Seriously though, been contemplating picking one up lately.

[devnulljp]

Turn the Sustain down a bit too. Sounds to me like you're getting mush from too much gain as well as the scoop.
Are you running all the other stuff at the same time as the muff? If you try to run too many high gain dirt boxes together, instead of huge you get smush.

Also, try a different muff -- the NYRI is ... not the best. The tone wicker kinda sorts the scoop, but it won't help your mush problem if that's what it is. The TW is also ... not the best (IMHumbleO of course). It's alright though, and cheap.

Hoof is good, and the newer one has a mid boost.
I've hear good things about Blackout too, but never played one (meant ot get one when they were only across the water in Vancouver, damn!).

Or get a Buzzaround.
Or a Blender / BeeBaa / FM-2/3 for HUGE!

[Mark]

Or just build a clone of whatever version you want. GGG sells a kit, I believe. It's cheaper and sounds just as good as you want it to!

(Yeah, I know I didn't really help at all, no, I don't work for GGG :P)

[ohsojayadeva]

I'll second building. GGG kits are awesome. Build your own clone rocks as well.

[erik]

Thank you guys for the advices.

i tried to roll the sustain back, the sound is still not as perfect as i want it... i will have to try it with different amps and see what i can figure out...

i have been looking at other pedals that will do the same job.
so i will def spend time to check out the other fuzz pedals you guys mention. (especially blackout, i have heard good things about them)

what i am after is a versatile kind fuzz that will cover the typical grunge kind of sound.
my band plays something in between Alternative/ Post Grunge/ Experimental

Dwarfcraft's ECT has been very appealing to me with the osc mode and crazy stuffs it can do. I am seriously thinking to place an order (like NOW!) but i am a bit unsure how "traditional" it can be, since i have the DBA fuzzgun that cover a bit of the wilder fuzz.
Devi Ever's Hyperion, Torn's Peaker are also very attractive.
anyone played with these pedals? mind to share?

i have not tried to built anything, may look at some DIY kits when i get more time to do so.....

thanks.

erik

[devnulljp]

Or just build a clone of whatever version you want. GGG sells a kit, I believe. It's cheaper and sounds just as good as you want it to!

(Yeah, I know I didn't really help at all, no, I don't work for GGG :P)

Not only that, they'll send you a bible for free too.
How cool is that?


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrvv0HRKgqg[/youtube]

[kosta]

Devi Hyperion is great. Definitely worth a look.

[bobloblah]

i just replaced my big muff with a ECT and it's been nothing but constant erections since i got it. i actually think it sound pretty "traditional". i think of the tone blast and the feedback as icing on the delicious, delicious cake

[devnulljp]

Or try a Buzzaround or a Dizzy Tone. Like a muff, but all growed up.
Best pedal description ever for the Dizzy: sounds like a rusty chainsaw slowly eating away at your face