Help with vintage Russian Big Muff info. Is it worth it?

[Fuzzy Picklez]

SO,
I've been trying to shift my Maxon AD-9 delay FORREEEVVVERR.
I have had some pretty hilariously insulting offers on it too.


HOWEVER,
About a half an hour ago I got an e-mail from some dude offering me a vintage Russian Big Muff Pi.



However, I've got a couple questions and figured this was probably the place to turn to.



He says: "Would you be interested in a rare transitional Sovtek Big Muff for your Maxon AD-9? Here's a photograph of it:

It seems to go for $200 too:"
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Electro-Harmonix-Green-Black-Big-Muff-Russian-/300477721017?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item45f5de29b9#ht_500wt_1029
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=300477721017


Now, I'm neither a doctor OR a scientist, but I see that these are not the same.
I have no idea what it's ACTUALLY worth. I tried doing some research but came up with no much info.
I'm worried the guy is trying to pull a fast one on me.


The closest thing I can find to the image is one of these.

The Big Muff history of all Muffs says this is a first edition black sovtek.
The knobs are different but the boxes are the same.



I'm also worried owning it might be a bit... unnecessary. I currently have a Blackout Effectors Musket which I love, so I don't know what would happen there. Keeping both seems silly.

I'm also not too fond of gigging with a vintage pedal that is worth something. I wear boots most of the time.
I haven't broken anything yet, but I've had a dry spell for gigging lately. I just joined another band so I SHOULD be gigging again soon.


So long story short hahaha...
What do you guys think?
Is it what he says it is?
Is it worth it?
DO I buy it now and sell if for Klon type prices in 2 years?
Is it THAT awesome and should I keep it forever?!?
Let me know!

[devnulljp]

I'd want more pics, insides too, but it could be legit. There were a bunch of transition models, just because EHX/Sovtek are lazy and use whatever's lying around. It could be a 2nd gen green Russian with the black/yellow colour scheme or it could be a 1st gen black Russian in the old style casing. You won't know until you look inside.
Have you trawled kitrae's site yet?

[Fuzzy Picklez]

I'd want more pics, insides too, but it could be legit. There were a bunch of transition models, just because EHX/Sovtek are lazy and use whatever's lying around. It could be a 2nd gen green Russian with the black/yellow colour scheme or it could be a 1st gen black Russian in the old style casing. You won't know until you look inside.
Have you trawled kitrae's site yet?

Yes sir!
I couldn't find EXACT pictures of the models he's offering me, but close ones.
It would appear this is rare.

[Jero]

It all comes down to the guts, as dev said. Green russians are nice, the black ones not so much, IMO.

Both of my Small Stones have been Russian transitionals, one black (larger box, but with newer small font) and one green (big switches & tall/skinny font). Both ended up being the older circuit still, just in the newer enclosure. Makes them somewhat rarer I guess.

[nbabmf]

I'd play it first. Those pinko bastards used whatever they had on hand, and the transistors were never matched for gain so each Muff was different than others even made the same day. I've played black Russians that kicked ass and green Russians that sucked ass. I did some repair work on a Civil War Muff a few months ago, and it was absolutely the wildest, hairiest goddamn thing I've ever heard... but it oscillated like mad when there was no signal hitting it. Go figure.

[Mudfuzz]

It all comes down to the guts, as dev said. Green russians are nice, the black ones not so much, IMO.

It's always a tuff one, I think that the last run of russian muffs were really great but I remember hating every one of the black sovteks I played I still want to get one one of these days though

Both of my Small Stones have been Russian transitionals, one black (larger box, but with newer small font) and one green (big switches & tall/skinny font). Both ended up being the older circuit still, just in the newer enclosure. Makes them somewhat rarer I guess.

I have a a old green one as well and out of all the stones I have tried it is the thickest and loudest of them all.

[Jero]

I'd play it first. Those pinko bastards used whatever they had on hand, and the transistors were never matched for gain so each Muff was different than others even made the same day. I've played green Russians that sucked ass.

Nick brings up a good point.

It's always a tuff one, I think that the last run of russian muffs were really great but I remember hating every one of the black sovteks I played I still want to get one one of these days though

This has been my general consensus as well. I feel like the only reason I'd get another one would be to mod it in some way . My first pedal was actually a black sovtek muff. Sold it for $35. Speaking of muffs...I saw a new york muff in person for the first time the other day (maybe I just never noticed ), they are F-ING HUGE.

I have an old green one as well and out of all the stones I have tried it is the thickest and loudest of them all.

Of the 2, the green is the one I still have. Lurrrve it SStone>Phase90. I may change out the pot to a larger, sturdier, one soon.

[nbabmf]

Unless I found a ridiculously good deal on a vintage Muff and planned to flip it later on, I'd take one of the newer black ones over an old one any day. If I didn't like it, I know how to make it sound like I want to.

[Toonster]

Well I love muffs so I would say take it..

[tuffteef]

It's always a tuff one,

am i affecting your spelling

[Rygot]

I have Jero's black small stone...

I still love it, only phaser I need on the board until I finally give in and get a whetstone one day.

[Jero]

Yeap^ it was a hard choice between the two of them, but I had to pick one...the bigger, heavier, less board friendly one

It's always a tuff one

am i affecting your spelling

Hahaha glad you noticed
I should have put one of these ( ) next to it

[tuffteef]

Yeap^ it was a hard choice between the two of them, but I had to pick one...the bigger, heavier, less board friendly one

It's always a tuff one

am i affecting your spelling

Hahaha glad you noticed
I should have put one of these ( ) next to it

its all apart of my world domination plan

[DESICCATED HUSK]

i was pointed here by a friend...

more than likely it's a legit model and it rests between these 2 versions (both are my own pictures)


this picture is just to show you the newest looking model is in the big case:


however,
the first black ones were made with the left over green russian parts.
which is what really commands the $ since they're slightly cheaper green russians
it's more than likely a new board though(assuming from the newer stompswitch and newer knobs),

also the better transistors are the ones with the white dots on them...
(i know this is an opinion, but if your after the green russian sound then remember this...)

[edkoppel]

For a reference I just sold a Mint one of these in the box for $250. probably could have got more because they are pretty rare.
The one you are being offered is the ones right before the black boxes got smaller. So yeah, as Dev said. I would ask for gut shots as it could either be a Green version inside or the 1st of the small black versions.

they are pretty rare though.