Hi folks, this is really driving me crazy, so let me explain…
I have an Electro Harmonix Bass Big Muff that I got specifically for its dry/effect feature. As you all know, it has two outputs, one for the distorted signal and one for the unaffected bass signal.
I actually quote from its instructions page:
[em]”Direct Out Jack – is connected directly to the Input jack to allow access to your original bass signal. You can connect this jack to an amplifier or different effects chain.”[/em]
And that’s exactly what I did!
I kept two separate signal paths, and I joined them back just before the amp, with an EHX Switchblade, with both channels A and B, turned on.
Like in the diagram below.

When I have the Bass Big Muff on, no problem at all. Just a tad of grind below the other effects (I don’t use much distortion).

Bit if I turn the Big Muff [strong]OFF[/strong]… ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!!!!
A wild, howling, strange electronic feedback kicks in!!

Kind of “WEEEEEAAOOOOOOOUUUUUURRRRRR!!!!”

Un-usable, to say the least!

What’s the problem, here?
Is it the Big Muff that has a bug or a defect, or is it a peculiar behavior of its own?
I couldn’t find anyone among my bass-playing friends who could lend me an identical pedal so I could check wether this working condition is just a glitch of my own stompbox or is typical of ALL the Bass Big Muff pedals!

Anyone has any idea…?

Cheers!