Which Big Muff Pi for me?

[loudriver23]

I've really enjoyed building my first pedal ( a TS clone). So now I'm thinking about exploring the world of fuzz. I've never used fuzz before, but know I would love something more on the really thick, wooly, stoner sounding kind of fuzz.
I was looking at GGG at their BMP build, and they have several different versions of the BMP.
Which one do you think will get me to the fuzzy promised land?

• Triangle Version
• Ram's Head Version
• Violet Ram's Head Version
• Late 70's (3rd) Version
• Green Russian Reissue Version
• Black Russian Reissue Version
• GGG Tuned Version

Or should am I overlooking something, or another kind of fuzz project that would better serve my needs?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

I have a green Russian one , the one built like an old T-34. Its the most convincing Jimmy Hendrix sound when run with a Fuzzface together. Not something I use very often.
I had an old late 70's muff. It was super smooth and creamy, kind of got that early Santana sound when run with a compressor.. didnt really sound very much like the original famous muffs.
I'd just start with a Triangle or Rams head; they are classics, and seems like they've got about the overall best and most versatile tone.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

Thanks MM,
I have been looking at Youtube, and trying to determine which version sounds better to me there. Sadly there are so many variables, amps, guitars, and not the least of which, my crummy PC speakers, that it's difficult to make an educated decision.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

J Mascis' over at the Electroharmonix Museum has a built up version he sells of some of the early muffs that are well regarded . Also, I've heard clips of the BYOC Rams head that sounded very very good before.
Heres a link to the EH Museum, its a great site that goes into detail about the Muffs and other EH pedals;

http://www.ehx.com/blog/j-mascis-muff-museum

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

Thanks for that link MM. I'll be checking it out and hopefully come to some decision. I'll check BYOC's Fuzz options as well.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

Ya' know, if you've never had a fuzz and want introduction to fuzz a muff may not be the way to go. It's not entirely a fuzz. It's like a bastard fuzz distortion pedal. Maybe try a more typical fuzz pedal like a fuzz face or something else.

But if you really want a muff, which totally cool because they're awesome pedals, I like the little bug muff. I'm not too familiar with all of the other classic muffs, but as far as the reissues that are out there you can find a lot of awesome demos, particularly from Gearmandude. He does great demos of a lot of different pedals.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

Thanks thespricket,
I'm really showing my ignorance an all things fuzz here. Actually, I think the best thing I should do is just build one of each. I mean at GGG they are only around $60 per kit.
While I'm at it, I'll probably order a BSIAB kit as well.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

http://www.stompunderfoot.com/MUFFS.html

 

[ricc]

Re: Which Big Muff Pi for me?

i just picked up an DNA Smoky Fuzz and it's a very cool pedal.

http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/DNAAnalogicSF1.html