I'm looking for something that will give me that old big muff style creamy tone. I can get great sounds out of the current NYC reissue but I'm hoping for something smaller and if it sounds a little more like the older muffs better.
Skreddy's Muffs are the best (I've got 3!) but basically every builder does a Triangle/Ram's Head and a Russian style Muff. The key is to look for a mids control. The stock tonestack, while signature and awesome, also gives a serious scoop. By adding some mids back in it helps with that creamy tone.
Re: know of a good Siamese Dream Big Muff Style pedal?
Two things you can do to make your exisying muff "creamier" and meatier.
1. Swap the first set of clippers to LED's for less buzz
2. Swap out the 4n cap in the tone section for a 10n to flatten the frequency response. The pic below shows the green line being the stock tone arrangement and the pink line is with the 10n cap. You can use any value in between to fine tune the amount of scoop.
I did these to my homemade russian muff clone because i wanted less buzz and more mids. A friend brought over his original green russian tank muff to hear the difference and he definitely prefered the sound of the modded one. He ended up selling his russian after he realized there is no magical mojo in there, and i sold my pharaoh too because this just sounded better! These are easy and cheap mods you can do with about 50c worth of parts from your local electronics store. Easy and reversible.
Or you could try the EG big muff tone wicker or even the bass muff for a russian style sound, or even try a swollen pickle or pharaoh or you could spend a lot of money on the various boutique muff clones out there until you find the recipe that suits you best. The pedal used by BIlly Corgan is just a pedal, and only part of the equation with your guitar, amp and speakers.
I currently have the DreamsICle, and it is based on the omamp/ic big muff made famous by Siamese Dream. The other pedals listed also do the job, but why pay $200+? The Blakemore can be found used for $150 or less, and it has a footswitchable tone bypass that could be used as a lead boost. Also Made by Mike has the Dream Box, check that as well. Tons of Siamese Dream muffs, I'd say just get the cheapest one
