Short answer: if all you want is a clean boost, use something else.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Articles/Compression/

I love my Dlx BMP. I don’t use it nearly enough, but once I get more studio space, I plan to break it out more often.

if youre into it, this thing can turn your guitar into an all out MONSTER.

the complete and utter definition of the ehx WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM sound.

love it love it love it.

Hello:

I have the two versions of the EH Delux Big Muff: The first “Blend On/Off” switch version and the late “Parallel/Series” switch.

The first one is all original and sounds really killer… makes wolves howl (LOL!) and I’m very happy with it.

But the second version (“Parallel/Series”) despite it’s okay too, has a problem:

The issue is that both the fuzz and compressor output volume when pushed at max levels barely reach the unity gain. I think the pedal has gain enough to go over unity gain.

I bought it with a true-bypass mod, the AC cord was removed, and it has an additional switch (and LED) to engage/disengage the compressor apart from the distortion. Now it runs with a typical 9-volt Boss PSA adaptor.

* The “Power On/Off” switch is not active (Due the “mod”, I suppose).

* When i have distortion and compressor engaged, the two LED’s don’t shine with the same intensity (the red LED is for the distortion an original and the green LED was added for the compressor). 9 volts are not enough for the pedal?. Does it need more?. Also, there’s a huge difference in output volume depending you’re in “Parallel” or “Series” – the former sounds a bit (barely) over unity gain and the latter doesn’t reach unity gain (close but not equal).

* Could be a malfunctioning component?.

* Could be a non-proper wiring?

* Which current EH adaptor could I use to run this pedal properly?.

Any ideas and suggestions will be welcome.

NOTE: I didn’t made any mod, I already bought the pedal as I’ve described. The previous owner didn’t mod the pedal too (he received it already modded too).

Thank you everybody.

Nacho

…which is unfortunate, because it sounds awesome.

Did you get the power chord fixed on that other one yet?

Hello again:

Last night, I was tweaking with the “Parallel/Series” EH Deluxe Big Muff.

I managed to get an engaged effect signal slighty over unity gain, but after trying different set-ups, I this was the most effective:

* Mode: Parallel.
* Fuzz Volume: MAX.
* Comp Volume: MAX.
* Threshold: 8 o’clock.
* Tone: Somewhere between 6-8 o’clock.
* Sustain: Any value between 6 o’clock and MAX. It depends how much feedback and compression you want to add to fuzz. I’ve found more balance at lower values to get more dynamics.

CAVEAT: These settings are tested only with my unit, which was heavily modded (not by myself – now I damn the guy who did). In fact, as I have independent switches to engage the fuzz and compressor, that’s another factor to consider. I always have both engaged to get the more output as I can.

Additionally, I think that being run only with 9 volts may not be enough for this “gizmo” and has not much “room”. I’m considering to go back to internal AC-transformer with pronged cord (fitted to European voltage and prong types, of course). If I decide, I’ll head it to my tech and I’ll tell the results once it’s finished.

But the sound still remains intact.

I tried my original “Blend On/Off” EH Deluxe Big Muff and the difference is “like day vs. night”. This original has lots of gain and clearly (noticeable boost) goes over unity gain. It “woofs” like a “LSD-driven wolf” and the compressor makes fuzz “punch harder”.

Regards and thank you for your opinions.

Nacho

Hello again:

Last night I was at rehearsal space with my two Deluxe Big Muff versions (Blend On/Off vs. Paralle/Series).

As I commented on previous posts, the “Parallel/Series” which was modded, for some reason, can’t match the sound and performance of the original “Blend On/Off” version.

Well, after making A/B for some hours and comparing… the differences between them were like night vs. day.

Now, I’m convinced that there’s something “wrong” with the modded one.

As my tech commented to me, the unit splits the incoming voltage into positive and negative. We took readings of the original “Blend On/Off” version and the results were about +18 volts and -18 volts respectively. While the modded Big Muff runs only with 9 volts… so the first thing clear to me is that standard 9 volts are not enough to run this beast and we have to “re-build” the symmetrical voltage split device.

But we’ll have to keep the modded switching system, so there is a switch for distortion/fuzz and another for compressor, each one with their independent status LED. As the chassis has been drilled, we can’t leave a single switch unless I wanted to keep an empty hole (which I don’t want).

Additionally, we’ll check any wiring or component, and replacing the stomp switches for new ones. Also, fixing the power on/off switch.

I wish we could achieve a symmetrical + 20 volts/-20 volts (or closest to this – considering the +18/-18 volts of the original one), if so, I could use a 40 volt/100 mA power supply that would provide enough room to make it sound as it should.

Why a 40 volt?. Well… the EH Frequency Analyzer runs with this kind of voltage and it could serve for the purpose. If this could be possible, we’ll change also the socket to a positive barrel connection so the EH power supply would be compatible.

I hope we’re on the way to resurrect the sleeping beast!

I’ll give more fresh news within next days.

Regards.

Nacho