Electro-harmonix Big Muff Pi

Category: Distortion/Fuzz Pedal

- By Chris Gill

THE INTRODUCTION OF the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi in 1969 marked a significant turning point in the evolution of the fuzz pedal. Offering bigger, smoother sound and better note to-note definition when playing chords than previous fuzz circuits with their characteristic “bees in a bottle” buzz and raspy treble, the Big Muff spearheaded the transition of fuzz toward modern distortion effects. Initial versions featured a circuit with silicon transistors, soft-clipping diodes and strategically placed capacitors to tame high harmonics that made most previous fuzz pedals sound so harsh. An ingenious tone control that combined high-pass and low-pass filters boosted bass frequencies and sculpted a distinctive scooped midrange EQ curve.