Why don't people like the NYC Big Muff?

[BadAspen]

I've been doing a bit of research on Fuzz, and from the clips it seems like a BMP might be my next move. Currently there are several out there that can be had new, Russian, Opamp, NYC, Ram, Triangle, Metal Muff, and the list goes on.

I like the looks of the NYC sure, but all the forums on line say it isn't very good. I've tried one in person and it seems like a good pedal, but I don't have any experience with the other varieties to compare it. As far I understand the only difference between the generations is minute details of the capacitors and resistors, so it seems like people might just not like it because it's new? The box definitely looks cool.

 

[solspirit]

No Idea, I've had some pretty good big muff, in NYC.

 

[Hiwatts and Gibsons]

I prefer landing strips and little hearts myself.

 

[Hiwatts and Gibsons]

On a more contextual note I've never been able to get on great with most Muff type fuzz pedals, the one exception being a Black Arts Tone Works LSTR, which is an insanely good Big Muff variant.

If you want a similarly huge sounding fuzz with more range and imo better tome, then maybe give the Keeley Fuzz Bender, Game Changer Audio Plasma Coil, or a Foxx Tone Machine clone a try.

 

[jeremy]

a muff is a muff, but there are definitely differences. there are pedal builders out there that make ten versions, and thats just one builder. if youve never had one, just get the one you like and use it for a while. people are snobs about all sorts of stuff. i do notice the difference, but until i played one for a while i wouldnt have

 

[Chistopher]

Some people prefer a large box, but it's all the same once you get plugged into it.

 

[Chistopher]

Now that we've gotten that out of our system.

I would say the answer to your question is mostly likely at the closest Guitar Center. They usually have quite a few on hand you can try out.

 

[Seashore]

Looking at it now, mine is an "NYC" Big Muff 3003A, which I guess is a true bypass reissue from the early 2000s. I'm going by info on other sites for that since I got it used - gift from a friend. I like it blended or stacked, it's a neat component of a bass tone and can be cool on guitar, but it's too big and weird to be practical on my board and it doesn't sound amazing enough to make it worth the hassle. I also have no use for it on its own, like as a standalone source of dirt without OD beforehand or a blend. I find it really hard to dial in that way.

That's just for me. I'm not a fuzz connoisseur so I haven't tried a bunch of different ones. If the cool factor of having the big box appeals to you and you have a spot where it works in your signal chain, there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[Hiwatts and Gibsons]

Some people prefer a large box, but it's all the same once you get plugged into it.

I don't know about large boxes. Personally I prefer phat ones myself. They seem to have a better grip on what you plug into them, and gush sweet tones all session long.

 

[Hiwatts and Gibsons]

Now that we've gotten that out of our system.

I would say the answer to your question is mostly likely at the closest Guitar Center. They usually have quite a few on hand you can try out.

^ Or so you thought.

 

[trevorus]

I have an opamp clone version, and it does the thing. I like it for round fuzzy leads with huge reverbs. I used to have an NYC version, a Russian version... I always want A variant, but I'm honestly not that picky