Home › Forums › Help/Technical Questions › Future purchase: Big Muff Pi / Little Big Muff

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  • March 13, 2009 at 11:58 am #77890
    TomEA
    Member

    Hello there.

    First off, sorry if this question has been asked before, it DOES seem like the type of question that would get asked often.

    I’m soon going to be purchasing a fuzz pedal, and EHX pedals seem to be the best for the money. I’ve narrowed it down to either the Big Muff Pi or the Little Big Muff, so my questions are these:

    1) Apart from the obvious external differences, is there any significant INTERNAL differences between the two? eg, transistors used, other components that may affect the sound produced. If so, what effect does this have on the sound?

    2) What is the typical price difference between the two pedals?

    3) If I were to buy the Big Muff PI, should I be concerned with the fact that they’re not as ‘well-built’ on the outside as the LBM’s are with their cast-casings? [I’ve heard stories of people having to keep them together with electrical tape :S]

    I know that’s a lot of questions but I’d be really grateful for some detailed answers.

    Thanks,

    Tom

    March 13, 2009 at 12:11 pm #94449
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    Firstly I should say I’ve own both and prefer the Big Muff (so my opinion is a little bias)

    Soundwise they are very similar, the differences will depend on your guitar/amp really, but I found the LBM to sound a little tamer, the BM more ‘in your face’ and harsh (which I like!) but they both sound like big muff’s, there isn’t that much in it imo.

    Looks wise the Big Muff wins because it’s a Big Muff, a classic….it’s supposed to be big!!

    Ned Flanders is the guy you want to ask about circuit and component differences, he has a Big Muff thread here:

    https://www.ehx.com/forums/viewthread/222/

    ask him whatever you like about big muffs, he enjoys talking about them!! ;)

    I wouldn’t be concerned about the quality of steel cased Big Muff’s I actually think they feel better made (admittedly it’s kind of a basic contruction) but I’ve never had a problem with any of my EHX falling to bits!!

    The only advantage the LBM has over the big muff is a ‘standard’ 9v input and it’s smaller size, if nither of those bother you I’d go Big Muff every time.

    I wouldn’t rule out the BM/tone wicker either. :)

    March 13, 2009 at 12:20 pm #94450
    TomEA
    Member

    That actually raises another question I forgot, what’s the price difference between a regular Big Muff and the ones with the tone wicker?

    March 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm #94451
    electro-melx
    Moderator

    In the UK average prices are

    Little BM £45
    Big Muff £52
    BM/tone wicker £69

    so the wicker is a bit more, it really depends if you think you will use the extra tones or if you just want a classic Big Muff sound.

    March 13, 2009 at 12:41 pm #94452
    TomEA
    Member

    Yeah, I want to get something that’s gonna last me a fairly long time, and something with a bit of versatility wouldn’t hurt either. I’m Australian so I’m looking at a $200 price tag on a Big Muff.

    March 13, 2009 at 5:36 pm #94463
    julian
    Moderator

    personally, I like the Tone Wicker, Bass, and Little Big Muffs all better than the NYC. I think the NYC is a bit too loose sounding for my taste.

    March 13, 2009 at 7:17 pm #94465
    Ned Flanders
    Moderator

    The NYC and LBM schematics do differ, the LBM is bassier but it sounds similar to the NYC because it is a Big Muff after all.
    I hated the LBM so I modded mine into an NYC muff.
    Get the tone wicker muff, its better than both of these.

    March 13, 2009 at 11:12 pm #94474
    cabomano
    Participant

    Yeah, get the Wicker Muff. It’s awesome, really cuts through without being brash. It’s also very versatile, I love mine to death.

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