Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

Kais

New member
Thinking about getting an opamp ic big muff clone. There's a lot of options, but its really hit or miss on some. I'd like one with a more versatility than the original. And for that I was thinking about the Dreamsicle. Looks pretty promising. Any suggestions?
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

I have an Earthquaker Devices Hoof and a Blackout Effectors Musket. Both based on the Russian green muff, but more versatile with the tone control.
The Musket also has a built in clean boost, so you can really tighten up the sound and get into distortion territory if desired.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

I have an Earthquaker Devices Hoof and a Blackout Effectors Musket. Both based on the Russian green muff, but more versatile with the tone control.
The Musket also has a built in clean boost, so you can really tighten up the sound and get into distortion territory if desired.

yes I had the musket fuzz briefly. I didn't like that one too much, tho its versatility is quite amazing. I still recommend it to anyone else.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

What do you not like about the transistorized versions of the muff?
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

I had the Dreamsicle for a while and it was really really cool. I would recommend it highly. I only sold it because my Tri/Ram muff has a mid control which makes it much easier to tune the amount of cut you have in a band mix. They don't really sound similar though, and I would have loved to keep it for those times when I want that tone.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

What do you not like about the transistorized versions of the muff?

It's not that I don't like, I just want some more tone shaping and maybe different flavors, if you know what I mean

I had the Dreamsicle for a while and it was really really cool. I would recommend it highly. I only sold it because my Tri/Ram muff has a mid control which makes it much easier to tune the amount of cut you have in a band mix. They don't really sound similar though, and I would have loved to keep it for those times when I want that tone.

its a bit expensive tho, $170. what do you think is a fair price for one used? It's hard to even find one used it seems like
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

The madebymike clone is pretty popular. And he offers free customization (led light, enclosure). Roughly the same price as the dreamiscle
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh Fuzz looks pretty cool too. Choice between ge /si or no diodes, tone control and headroom control.

 
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Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

It's not that I don't like, I just want some more tone shaping and maybe different flavors, if you know what I mean

In that case, my favourite muffish pedal is Frantone's 'The Sweet'. It's got HUGE amounts of gain but sounds great on lower settings too, Germanium transistors effing rock, the tone control is usable through the whole sweep with a ton of range, it's super touch sensitive, and is really well built. Expensive though.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

Do a lot of these high gain muffs have a loud "POP" when engaged? If so, how do you work around that in the studio?
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

I'm currently using a BMF Aries Fuzz, which I believe is based on a Violet Ram's Head Muff circuit and it has an additional mids control and it's a fantastic pedal. I've been mostly playing my McCarty with WLH set into it and it's great fun. It also works well with my Surfer-loaded G&L Legacy for some 'Gilmour' moments. :)
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

yep the pharaoh is pretty rad. Its not based on the opamp version tho.
There is also the option of building your own clone. Both general guitar gadgets and mammoth electronics offer an opamp muff clone kit.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

I have been playing with the MOOG MF Drive lately. It has two gain stages and a ton of eq and tonal options for a little box. It covers everything from gritty to creamy fairly well. The filter knob can be switched to a notch filter for that Zappa/Brian May cocked wah tone. The nice thing is the Minifoogers are priced competitively, you are not paying MoogerFooger money for the box.

Moog-MF-Minifooger-Drive-Pedal.jpg


 
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Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

The Pharaoh is a good pedal, but that's not what I'm looking for exactly. I'm thinking the dreamsicle might be the best option, it has a tone bypass to restore the mids as well
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

If you want the op amp for Pumkins tone, I recommend the el musico loco Siamese Scream.


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Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

If you want the op amp for Pumkins tone, I recommend the el musico loco Siamese Scream.


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the siamese screamer has the best design out of all the clones I've seen. but I want to be able to restore some of the mids that are lost with the big muff tone. all the clones i've seen are around the same price range new, ~$170. but the feature that the dreamsicle has, is the tone bypass footswitch. I don't care for the orange too much either, but it'll be different than the other pedals I have.

blakemore-dreamsicle-1.jpg
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

How about a Swollen Pickle?

It feels like Urban Dictionary in here. People are throwing around words like Big Muff, Swollen Pickle, Dreamsicle.

Pedals always have the weirdest names.
 
Re: Which Big Muff Clone is for me? FUZZ

That tone bypass definitely gives the dreamsicle the edge when comparing to the other clones. Good choice!


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