help me pick some kind of muff.

[dan_abnormal]

My two cents:
- Blackout Effectors Musket v. 2 "Blunderbuss" (to my ears it sounds like a cross between a BM and a RAT)
- Earthquaker Devices Hoof (inspired by the Green Russian Muff)
- Stomp Under Foot Violet Ram's Head

[Gunner Recall]

Everyone is just going to suggest their favorite muff

Errm...you might dig a blunderbuss musket, it's like a musket (favorite of many doomy/stoner/sludgey types) but it has a bit more of a raw/slightly clearer sound (for a muff that is...it's still a muff ).

Both muskets are ultra flexible with the addition of pre/focus/mids so you can easily flip between doom/shoegazer or just make some doomgaze.

[jrmy]

...just make some doomgaze.

Quoted merely for awesomeness.

[dubkitty]

How has there not been a vagina joke yet?

too easy. it'd be like fishing with dynamite.

[modernage]

How has there not been a vagina joke yet?

too easy. it'd be like fishing with dynamite.

Yeah, plus fuzz is SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!!

[Officer Bukowski]

Check out the cats under those cars.

[CaptainWampum]

Stay away from the metal muffs, they all suck balls! The top boost is a nightmare for your ears!
Get the cheapest reissue nyc muff you can find and give it a try, also get a boost pedal.

Metal Muff is awesome but definitely not a "Big Muff" by any stretch of the imagination. Go NYC Reissue.

[J-Fuzz]

Go NYC Reissue.

might as well. honestly, i've played and/or owned some older muffs (rams head, green sovtek, ic muff) and quite a few recreations and I really just do not understand why there are so many haters with the nyc reissue. i've got a couple of them. one sounds slightly beefier while the other seems to be just a pinch more trebly. Of course consistency in fuzz pedals seems to be a problem with many mass produced fuzz boxes, but who the fuck cares that much. just go to a store, play about 3 or 4 big muffs, and buy the one that sounds best to you at the time. hell, for the price buy two. this is just my take though.

[benjuro]

NYC reissue probably makes the most sense at this point...personally, I love the russian muffs and own several, but they are not reliable or worth the money they're commanding these days (especially if you go green). The later black ones are pretty easy to find but all seem to sound a little different, with plastic parts and shitty wiring/components aplenty. Some do sound good though.
The Metal Muff is freaking awful...just a horrible sounding pedal. Avoid.
I also own a Hoof and a Supercollider, both are awesome sounding muff-type pedals with more modern options, but (intentionally) don't get quite as fuzzy as a muff. This is actually a good thing if you have any intention of of playing in a band context...but if you WANT that woof, muff may still be the way for you to go.
Plus, the boxes are huge and look super cool
To me, part of the attractiveness of a muff is the cost relative to the boutique boxes...I've bought 4 russian muffs for what those other pedals cost me each. If you've got the $2 bills to drop though, there's a massive array of options, from the straight clones (SUF) to the inspired platforms (Hoof and Musket) in addition to a whole array of ILF brethren willing to give you their input...
And if you haven't been there yet...anyone considering a muff purchase MUST review Kit's site.

http://www.kitrae.net/music/music_big_muff.html

[snipelfritz]

I happened to pick up a mint Russian(Black) for $60 last fall that sounds absolutely dandy. I get some great sludge along with creamy J. Mascisisity.

They've often been compared to a Bass Muff, so if you haven't tried that(even w/ a guit-box) give it a thought.