You have a few good points, and your evidence is compelling. However, the Hizumitas has rabbits with antlers on it, rendering all other points invalid.
Also, all you muff lovers, I highly suggest running your muff into a compressor. It can really boost mids and increase clarity. To me this was counter intuitive, but it sounds sooooooo good. I use a Diamond Comp Jr, which is kind of a transparent compressor. The fact its transparent-ish i think is why it works so well. Its one of my favourite tones.
I would love to see a video purely on the Deluxe Big Muff and how to get the basic settings of other muffs, sort of like what you were doing in this video. See also Kit Rae's Big Muff page and their Deluxe settings page.
I highly recommend you check out the sovtek deluxe big muff at some point. I think it's different enough that owning both makes sense. It would be fun to see some guitar demos with some of the bass versions of different muffs as well.
Thank you for this video series. It convinced me to pick up an EHX Deluxe instead of being distracted by shiny paint jobs and boutique allure. I still want a Priestess at some point, but I'll wait until I find a good deal down the road.
Would love to see you take a look at the recent Sovtek Deluxe civil war reissue in the Deluxe casing. Carries forward the gate and mids controls, instead of attack it has a clean blend which is surprisingly nice.
I really want to try one of these. Sometime in the future when I find a good deal on one I'll buy it. I have the deluxe and I love it, but my favourite reissue is the Green Russian, so I figure the Deluxe Sovtek will be perfect for my ears.
Great video!!! The Deluxe is so good. I just got mine less than a year ago and it hits all the bases. I still use my other older ones to stack sometimes but if I am only using one fuzz the Deluxe is normally the one now.
I love them all but I like my 2000s NYC big box muff the most id say....a few days ago i picked up a current issue nyc muff and they are quite different,i couldn't even get them to sound the same.... anyway great shootout here ,i just wanted to mention my findings on the big box muffs....also after seeing this I now know that i need a deluxe edition in my collection.
Thanks, man! I have heard similar reports of the latest NYCs. They got revisions that seem to have taken them further and further away from their 00's release. You'd have thought EHX would have learned by now! 🤣
Great video man, thanks for that! I was thinking of getting a Hizumitas recently but now I'm thinking the Moon might suits me better. I had never heard of it before, but it seems incredible
Thanks, man! Yeah, I'm really impressed with the Moon. It's got a pushed edge and thickness unlike the Hizu, which is all about the aggression and weight.
Nice work. I just wanted to throw in that I wasn't expecting it but I used a keeley Wolff which is a foxxtone type fuzz and the octave can be turned off, but it has that compressed and boomy character that instantly makes me think of a muff sound, but I can say in loud rehearsal space it definitely has mid presence for standing out in the mix and it doesn't even need much in the tone knob to make that happen. With the octave it's a whole other animal - I can't recommend it enough for a sort of muff strength without the weaknesses. I have tried several muffs and love the sustain but never find the actual tone very inspiring on its own.
Thanks, man! That Keeley Wolff sounds tasty! Sounds similar to the Fjord Fuzz Fenris, which is, again a Superfuzz/Foxxtone type thing. When you take the octave away from those circuits, you're left wondering why there aren't more that let you do it! Nasty Electric Wizard and Monolord style tones without the broken edge and a smooth vintageness in its place. 👌
I have a Ibenez SoundTank FZ5 60's Fuzz (Not to be confused with the Boss FZ-5 Fuzz), that is supposed to be pretty close to an Ibenez OD850 and OD9 and they are supposed to be clones of the Big Muff. Mark Arm uses a re-housed one on his board. It is a great pedal if you ask me.
The big differences between the Moon and the EHX Op Amp are the op amps, and the capacitor choices, goes without saying given that they use different op amps, that the resistors are wildly different as well. The op amp, I believe uses a 741 and a 4558, if memory serves me correctly, while I think the moon is a 074, just like Keeley’s Rotten Apple, I could be wrong about this last point, but if I had to guess, the clipping diodes might be different, I’m thinking it’s a combination of LED and silicon. The deluxe big muff is probably the most versatile muff ever made, should be with that name too. It’s also an op amp big muff, missed marketing opportunity to make that one pumpkin orange too lol
Uh, yes, I definitely heard everything Dr Fuzz described and understand everything he said too. On the first watch. By which I mean I feel like I need to watch this 5 times on slow motion. Anyways thanks for sharing all that passion and knowledge
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Nah, you're just very fluent - able to perceive and articulate, seemingly instantly - how twisting a tone knob, say, changes the overall sound or EQ shape being produced and how that affects the drive and then relate that right away to how that's different or similar to what another pedal does. As opposed to my more primitive "if I twist the tone knob to that position it sounds awesome" or "really aggressive and heavy" or whatever. Even the distinction between "the sound is getting bassier because the bass frequencies are being boosted" versus "the treble is being rolled off" is not usually something I'm sitting around thinking about or hearing. Anyways, I guess that's why you're the doctor. (The Keeley Moon seems like a real intriguing take on a Muff that I'd never heard of, so thanks for that. Also, I've found the Hoof massive and heavy-sounding on my bass and amp setup - capable of almost Sunn O style doom - and very satisfying compared to a number of dirt pedals, including the Deluxe Muff. But I probably need to revisit the Deluxe with more patience for tweaking.)
Haha! Thank you! I want to stress, I'm not a real doctor 😜 but I did my degree in audio engineering, so yeah, I've learned to analyse and talk about sound in a certain way. Yeah, the Moon is something else. I was incredibly impressed when I first heard it, and it'll probably be making an appearance on our upcoming EP!
I’ve bought several Deluxe Big Muffs, because they were so cheap used. I always ended up staying with the Pharaoh, because it cut through a mix, and it cleaned up, with my guitar volume knob. The Deluxe just didn’t do that, snd it was a lot of real estate. I also liked the Silicon setting, which had a lot of headroom, even stacked with an always on Overdrive. It also depends on the amp one’s using, and the guitar/pickups, etc. Can’t go wrong with the Deluxe, unless real estate is an issue. I actually love stacking the Black Forest with the Pharaoh. Their Black Forest, can be an OD, or a Fuzz, with a lot of headroom, or none.
Yeah, the amp can matter a lot! I'm mostly using p90s with some sort of Bassman type amp with my Pharaoh, so mid range is really getting pushed out at every stage. That makes all the difference in a band.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Definitely. When I first decided on the Pharaoh, after having various Muffs, since the 90’s, usually to have for certain covers, I hadn’t gigged for years. I went up to Asheville, NC, for one of my closest friend’s wedding, and stayed for a couple weeks. They had a band, that he’d been trying to get me to come joint for a year or so. I didn’t have a lot of money, and just a practice amp, so I got a Fender Stage 100(the original one, without digital effects), which could get plenty of volume. But, it didn’t have any mid push, so it took a bit to figure out what I needed, for their band. I found a few inexpensive pedals, including the Deluxe, which I’d owned before, but it was only good for solos. It was a crowded mix in the band, with three guitars, bass and keys. Someone I met up there mentioned the Pharaoh, and I watched some demos. The cleanup and mid hump were big selling points, as I usually play a Strat, that doesn’t have hot pickups. I ended up using a Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Mk3, to get that crunch of a Marshall, as my always on pedal, then I used a MojoMojo, as just a boost, for the Fuzz Face I was using(2006 Dunlop Silicon Hendrix one), as that was my goto. When I hit that Pharaoh, I found myself using it even for more clean tones. It had such headroom, especially going into that solid state amp, that with a few other pedals, made it easy to cut through the mix, and sculpt my own sound with it, that other Muffs just couldn’t do. And even the big enclosure, was smaller than the Deluxe. The mini pedals hadn’t come out yet, and I didn’t know much about Keeley at the time, other than his mods and compressor. Eventually that Black Forest replaced my Fuzz Face, and between four dirt pedals, I could get any of the sounds I needed for the music they’d written, plus new stuff we were coming up with. I’ve only taken it off my board, when in cover bands, or gigs that I just didn’t need more than a few effects. I got a better amp, etc., but it always returned to my board, and has never needed the input or output soldered, as many pedals I’ve had do, when they get so much use. The switches for the high/lo and diodes/ o diode, as well as the on off switch, all like when I bought it. Only reason I haven’t gotten the smaller enclosure, is just dumb guitarist superstition. 😆 Your video helped me realize, that I need to stop procrastinating, and get the smaller one, as if frees up so much space, for everything it can do. Thanks for reply. I’m so stoked, whenever i her recommended a new channel, that I actually enjoy, and is both informative and entertaining. I even busted out the VFE Pale Horse, that I bought 5 years ago, after your video reminded me of how great the sound of running one before a Muff is. Sorry for the essay. 😄 Can’t wait for more videos.
Thanks man! I really appreciate a good appreciation story. As much as the Pharaoh gets mentioned in forums, I still think it's underappreciated. And you're really bringing me round to that Black Forest! Gotta check that out. And I love to hear that my videos are hitting the mark. Even if it's just one person that finds something new to enjoy, that makes it all worth it, so thank you for taking the time, man and I hope I can continue to produce good stuff for you!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox The Black Forest is based on the Colorsound Overdrive circuit. It’s just made as an upgrade, with a lot more options for tone control. It can get do a lot of different types of tones. The rotary depth knob, gives six different capacitor options, thst change the voicing and gain structure, which is what really makes it different from the vintage Colorsound, and other versions of that circuit, that I’ve ever seen or tried out. They even make the Coven, which has both in a big enclosure. I got very curious about the Priestess, after seeing it on your board. I hadn’t seen that one yet. Yet, with all its abilities, I feel like I’d only use a couple of them. You will probably change my mind, about that too. 😆 I really dig how you are both critical,of the shortcomings, in each effect, while it’s still obvious how much you love this circuit. I think you’re on your well on your way, and it’s making me feel lazy, that I haven’t finally made my own channel, even if it’s just me playing through my collection of pedals.
That's exactly why it didn't replace the Pharaoh for me. It's awesome and a tweakers Muff, but for what's needed, the Pharaoh already does it! And it's never too late to start, man. I think back and curse myself for not doing this 10 years ago, but better late than never!
Amazing video! Out of those I have the Green Russian (my favorite on Bass), Rams head (favorite on my guitar which a fender J mascis JM) and the hoof (which I feel about the same as you said, it’s not really a muff but a thing on its own) I was thinking about getting either the Pristess or Pharoe, it’s bit hard to decide cause I can’t play them and most videos are just Doom demos (which I like but no the main stuff I play) , i want a very versatile muff but I don’t like more than 4 nobs pedals, the big boxes are too much for me , also just killer arts on both
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Thanks! I think I will go with the Pristess, I don't mind about space (play at home) and it seems different enough to justify itself, the Pharoh thing I can kinda get by either the Hoof for the Germenium influnced "muff" and I can push the Ram's head/Russian with a TS style pedal (I use the Plumes on no clipping mode, works amazing with muff pedals) or push it with a Rat if I really want gnarly disgusting noise. Also it look just so F'in cool
DO The Priestess! She needs it! ...also, check out the LSTR by BAT. I am a big fan of the Pharaoh, LSTR, and Priestess; have all three on my main board and probably use the LSTR the most.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox looking forward to your Priestess demo., haven't seen a really good one yet. Fun pedal! I have a custom Sarcophagus with LSTR on right and Priestess on left. Totally nuts stacking them! : ) P.S. I haven't tried Crown of Horns, if you get one, I'd love to see a demo.!
Hey, thanks for asking! As you might guess, the EQD Afterneath features, but it's slowly brought in through the track, being 100% wet by the end. The main fuzz sound is a Fjord Fenris into the BAT Pharaoh. That's then sent to both my Victory v40 and the Mig-50. You could get a similar vibe with a Behringer SF300 into another Muff that has some mid push.
Yes! The Sovtek is top of my list for part 2. I hear it's the Green Russian circuit so that'll give it quite a different edge. I don't think even the Deluxe could quite get the sound of a green. The saturation is just too different. Watch this space! (Channel!)
Yeah, tough call! But I'd say if you can't decide, then it's Priestess. It can do what the Pharoah does, in part, but not the other way around to such an extent.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Ahh alright! Its a bit confusing that the Priestess has 4 gain stages including the pharaoh and clipping options. I thought, the toggles are selecting between the Gain stages lol. I think, I will go with the priestess. Gain at around 9 o clock should be pharaoh level
Yeah, I got confused I the video, too! Haha! They both have 4 gain stages, as that's the standard Muff thing - a 4 transistor fuzz. Then there are clipping stages. They do result in a bit more Saturation but with both toggles in on the Priestess, and putting all the mids in, you're getting similar to the Pharaoh.
That band so known for using a Rat they have a signature one from EQD!? 😉 I think they might have a Muffin their rigs somewhere though, or at least one in the past. Obviously a different use case. I'm partial to full saturation myself when the style is right. It's glorious!
Maaan I'll have to dig out my Deluxe from the drawer now..... Lucky to get your video before I order yet another Muff than I don't need haha. Currently playing with the Acapulco gold but I was slowly convincing myself I need a russian big muff.... but I forgot I had a Deluxe hidding somewhere haha
Honestly? If I'm not being democratic, I want to say you should STILL get another Muff! 🤣 But dude, that Deluxe cannot live in a drawer! If anything, it'll at least find you the sound you need and you can then find that in a smaller format for the pedalboard... Like the Green 😜
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Yeah I do love the muff sound but I ran out of space on my board and my band currently does not make use of a muffy sound ( need a new band... ) So I moved it away and the Carcosa took the high gain place, I love the Carcosa, but I love the Muff too..... Im thorn between the two.... I'll probably just build a bigger board
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox You should do a video of how do you use them, I am always looking for new ways to add sounds to my pallet. I've been using the muff with no mid switch and the neck pickup into a heavy delay and phaser + tremolo for some dark atmospheric wall of background noise between songs and sounds really cool, specially merged with the other guitar player's delay oscillation shenanigans. And its fking HARD to find people uploading videos like that, everybody just upload blues licks and pedal comparisons, took me a whole year to find a use for my flanger.... besides the obvious licks
Yeah, I should! I did a Carcosa video but didn't actually show how I normally use it which is actually to stack it. I use "post" gain only and turn any fuzz I push into it into a gnarly, gated lead tone monster! Your atmospheric setup sounds a lot of fun. I do similar stacks, throwing in an Afterneath to really space it out!
I'm new to the channel but have to ask, why no metal muff? Also, the orange Ibanez Overdrive which I got in the 70s but only recently found out its not an Overdrive at all!
Aha! I wondered when this would be asked! Well, for this pair of videos, 10 was a good number. Arguably, I should have included the big box version on the shelf, but 10 seemed right. So, as I say at the end, I'd like to do a part 2. Perhaps that could include the Metal Muff? BUT - I've also heard (yet to confirm) that the Metal Muff is only really a Muff in name and not based on the same circuit. It's a straight-up distortion. So there is a case that it shouldn't really be included at all. I'm not closed off to the idea yet though, so watch this space!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox I had a metal muff briefly and regret selling it. I currently have the deluxe and a Fredric Green Russian which I like a lot. I was considering the Hizumitas, but your review really opened my eyes (ears?) to the sound of the Keeley. My taste is moving more towards the Death by Audio fuzzverse, though, these days
Good questions. Yes (but no.) The main reason being; if i'd have demonstrated each with each type of pickups, that'd be a long ass video and I didn't want to drag it on too much. But also, a bigger reason to not worry about it so much is that I did have a point about pickups in my "Buff Your Big Muff" video that I cut when I played it back. I was under the impression that single coils would change the sound compared to humbuckers and when I played the guitars in the room, I felt they did. However, when I listed back in post to just the SM57, the difference was negligible at best. This was at full sustain and I'm sure the differences would be more apparent at lower gain levels but there's also the fact that the Big Muff isn't as susceptible to input impedance/strength as something like a Fuzz Face is and so it's character doesn't shift as much as you'd think.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Totally understand. I run both my fuzzes at almost no gain. The muff is my bass boost, and my fulltone ultimate octave serves as extra treble. Really enjoying your vids!
I bought a Deluxe a few years ago and I'm surprised by how little presence it has in internet land. It's amazing. Thanks
You have a few good points, and your evidence is compelling. However, the Hizumitas has rabbits with antlers on it, rendering all other points invalid.
I agree. I pussyfooted around this point and I am ashamed.
Also it’s Wata’s signature pedal!
Also, all you muff lovers, I highly suggest running your muff into a compressor. It can really boost mids and increase clarity. To me this was counter intuitive, but it sounds sooooooo good. I use a Diamond Comp Jr, which is kind of a transparent compressor. The fact its transparent-ish i think is why it works so well. Its one of my favourite tones.
I would love to see a video purely on the Deluxe Big Muff and how to get the basic settings of other muffs, sort of like what you were doing in this video. See also Kit Rae's Big Muff page and their Deluxe settings page.
Good idea! I'll add this to my video list. Watch this space!
For the win! Deluxe big muff
I highly recommend you check out the sovtek deluxe big muff at some point. I think it's different enough that owning both makes sense.
It would be fun to see some guitar demos with some of the bass versions of different muffs as well.
Thank you for this video series. It convinced me to pick up an EHX Deluxe instead of being distracted by shiny paint jobs and boutique allure. I still want a Priestess at some point, but I'll wait until I find a good deal down the road.
Awesome, man! Enjoy!
Would love to see you take a look at the recent Sovtek Deluxe civil war reissue in the Deluxe casing. Carries forward the gate and mids controls, instead of attack it has a clean blend which is surprisingly nice.
Rest assured man, it's top of my list! Can't wait to try it on BASS!
I really want to try one of these. Sometime in the future when I find a good deal on one I'll buy it. I have the deluxe and I love it, but my favourite reissue is the Green Russian, so I figure the Deluxe Sovtek will be perfect for my ears.
Great video!!!
The Deluxe is so good. I just got mine less than a year ago and it hits all the bases.
I still use my other older ones to stack sometimes but if I am only using one fuzz the Deluxe is normally the one now.
Thanks, dude!
I watched the entire thing. Bravo, sir. You are very thorough and answer these age old questions. You are easy to understand and quite funny.
Thank you! It's a relief to hear someone watched it in full! 😅
I love them all but I like my 2000s NYC big box muff the most id say....a few days ago i picked up a current issue nyc muff and they are quite different,i couldn't even get them to sound the same.... anyway great shootout here ,i just wanted to mention my findings on the big box muffs....also after seeing this I now know that i need a deluxe edition in my collection.
Thanks, man! I have heard similar reports of the latest NYCs. They got revisions that seem to have taken them further and further away from their 00's release. You'd have thought EHX would have learned by now! 🤣
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox no problem,yes it's definitely pretty far away from the earlier release,not nearly as good in my opinion.
Great video man, thanks for that! I was thinking of getting a Hizumitas recently but now I'm thinking the Moon might suits me better. I had never heard of it before, but it seems incredible
Thanks, man! Yeah, I'm really impressed with the Moon. It's got a pushed edge and thickness unlike the Hizu, which is all about the aggression and weight.
New subscriber, loved the CARCOSA video... now I'm checking out you other videos. Good stuff!
Thanks!
I'm keeping the j mascis muff. (maybe). But I am returning the green russian for the deluxe. Just makes more sense. In two days, I'll find out!
Nice work. I just wanted to throw in that I wasn't expecting it but I used a keeley Wolff which is a foxxtone type fuzz and the octave can be turned off, but it has that compressed and boomy character that instantly makes me think of a muff sound, but I can say in loud rehearsal space it definitely has mid presence for standing out in the mix and it doesn't even need much in the tone knob to make that happen. With the octave it's a whole other animal - I can't recommend it enough for a sort of muff strength without the weaknesses. I have tried several muffs and love the sustain but never find the actual tone very inspiring on its own.
Thanks, man! That Keeley Wolff sounds tasty! Sounds similar to the Fjord Fuzz Fenris, which is, again a Superfuzz/Foxxtone type thing. When you take the octave away from those circuits, you're left wondering why there aren't more that let you do it! Nasty Electric Wizard and Monolord style tones without the broken edge and a smooth vintageness in its place. 👌
I have a Ibenez SoundTank FZ5 60's Fuzz (Not to be confused with the Boss FZ-5 Fuzz), that is supposed to be pretty close to an Ibenez OD850 and OD9 and they are supposed to be clones of the Big Muff. Mark Arm uses a re-housed one on his board. It is a great pedal if you ask me.
You should check Deep Trip Muffasaur! I love this one!
The big differences between the Moon and the EHX Op Amp are the op amps, and the capacitor choices, goes without saying given that they use different op amps, that the resistors are wildly different as well. The op amp, I believe uses a 741 and a 4558, if memory serves me correctly, while I think the moon is a 074, just like Keeley’s Rotten Apple, I could be wrong about this last point, but if I had to guess, the clipping diodes might be different, I’m thinking it’s a combination of LED and silicon.
The deluxe big muff is probably the most versatile muff ever made, should be with that name too. It’s also an op amp big muff, missed marketing opportunity to make that one pumpkin orange too lol
Wow man, fountain of Muffy knowledge right there! Thank you! But are you sure the modern Deluxe is an Op-Amp!? 🤔
Uh, yes, I definitely heard everything Dr Fuzz described and understand everything he said too. On the first watch.
By which I mean I feel like I need to watch this 5 times on slow motion.
Anyways thanks for sharing all that passion and knowledge
Haha! Is that becauae of my accent? Does it feel like watching the Osbournes?
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Nah, you're just very fluent - able to perceive and articulate, seemingly instantly - how twisting a tone knob, say, changes the overall sound or EQ shape being produced and how that affects the drive and then relate that right away to how that's different or similar to what another pedal does.
As opposed to my more primitive "if I twist the tone knob to that position it sounds awesome" or "really aggressive and heavy" or whatever. Even the distinction between "the sound is getting bassier because the bass frequencies are being boosted" versus "the treble is being rolled off" is not usually something I'm sitting around thinking about or hearing.
Anyways, I guess that's why you're the doctor.
(The Keeley Moon seems like a real intriguing take on a Muff that I'd never heard of, so thanks for that. Also, I've found the Hoof massive and heavy-sounding on my bass and amp setup - capable of almost Sunn O style doom - and very satisfying compared to a number of dirt pedals, including the Deluxe Muff. But I probably need to revisit the Deluxe with more patience for tweaking.)
Haha! Thank you! I want to stress, I'm not a real doctor 😜 but I did my degree in audio engineering, so yeah, I've learned to analyse and talk about sound in a certain way.
Yeah, the Moon is something else. I was incredibly impressed when I first heard it, and it'll probably be making an appearance on our upcoming EP!
I’ve bought several Deluxe Big Muffs, because they were so cheap used. I always ended up staying with the Pharaoh, because it cut through a mix, and it cleaned up, with my guitar volume knob. The Deluxe just didn’t do that, snd it was a lot of real estate. I also liked the Silicon setting, which had a lot of headroom, even stacked with an always on Overdrive.
It also depends on the amp one’s using, and the guitar/pickups, etc.
Can’t go wrong with the Deluxe, unless real estate is an issue.
I actually love stacking the Black Forest with the Pharaoh. Their Black Forest, can be an OD, or a Fuzz, with a lot of headroom, or none.
Yeah, the amp can matter a lot! I'm mostly using p90s with some sort of Bassman type amp with my Pharaoh, so mid range is really getting pushed out at every stage. That makes all the difference in a band.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox
Definitely. When I first decided on the Pharaoh, after having various Muffs, since the 90’s, usually to have for certain covers, I hadn’t gigged for years. I went up to Asheville, NC, for one of my closest friend’s wedding, and stayed for a couple weeks. They had a band, that he’d been trying to get me to come joint for a year or so. I didn’t have a lot of money, and just a practice amp, so I got a Fender Stage 100(the original one, without digital effects), which could get plenty of volume. But, it didn’t have any mid push, so it took a bit to figure out what I needed, for their band. I found a few inexpensive pedals, including the Deluxe, which I’d owned before, but it was only good for solos. It was a crowded mix in the band, with three guitars, bass and keys.
Someone I met up there mentioned the Pharaoh, and I watched some demos. The cleanup and mid hump were big selling points, as I usually play a Strat, that doesn’t have hot pickups. I ended up using a Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Mk3, to get that crunch of a Marshall, as my always on pedal, then I used a MojoMojo, as just a boost, for the Fuzz Face I was using(2006 Dunlop Silicon Hendrix one), as that was my goto. When I hit that Pharaoh, I found myself using it even for more clean tones. It had such headroom, especially going into that solid state amp, that with a few other pedals, made it easy to cut through the mix, and sculpt my own sound with it, that other Muffs just couldn’t do. And even the big enclosure, was smaller than the Deluxe. The mini pedals hadn’t come out yet, and I didn’t know much about Keeley at the time, other than his mods and compressor. Eventually that Black Forest replaced my Fuzz Face, and between four dirt pedals, I could get any of the sounds I needed for the music they’d written, plus new stuff we were coming up with.
I’ve only taken it off my board, when in cover bands, or gigs that I just didn’t need more than a few effects. I got a better amp, etc., but it always returned to my board, and has never needed the input or output soldered, as many pedals I’ve had do, when they get so much use.
The switches for the high/lo and diodes/ o diode, as well as the on off switch, all like when I bought it. Only reason I haven’t gotten the smaller enclosure, is just dumb guitarist superstition. 😆
Your video helped me realize, that I need to stop procrastinating, and get the smaller one, as if frees up so much space, for everything it can do.
Thanks for reply. I’m so stoked, whenever i her recommended a new channel, that I actually enjoy, and is both informative and entertaining. I even busted out the VFE Pale Horse, that I bought 5 years ago, after your video reminded me of how great the sound of running one before a Muff is.
Sorry for the essay. 😄
Can’t wait for more videos.
Thanks man! I really appreciate a good appreciation story. As much as the Pharaoh gets mentioned in forums, I still think it's underappreciated. And you're really bringing me round to that Black Forest! Gotta check that out. And I love to hear that my videos are hitting the mark. Even if it's just one person that finds something new to enjoy, that makes it all worth it, so thank you for taking the time, man and I hope I can continue to produce good stuff for you!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox
The Black Forest is based on the Colorsound Overdrive circuit.
It’s just made as an upgrade, with a lot more options for tone control. It can get do a lot of different types of tones. The rotary depth knob, gives six different capacitor options, thst change the voicing and gain structure, which is what really makes it different from the vintage Colorsound, and other versions of that circuit, that I’ve ever seen or tried out.
They even make the Coven, which has both in a big enclosure.
I got very curious about the Priestess, after seeing it on your board. I hadn’t seen that one yet. Yet, with all its abilities, I feel like I’d only use a couple of them.
You will probably change my mind, about that too. 😆
I really dig how you are both critical,of the shortcomings, in each effect, while it’s still obvious how much you love this circuit.
I think you’re on your well on your way, and it’s making me feel lazy, that I haven’t finally made my own channel, even if it’s just me playing through my collection of pedals.
That's exactly why it didn't replace the Pharaoh for me. It's awesome and a tweakers Muff, but for what's needed, the Pharaoh already does it! And it's never too late to start, man. I think back and curse myself for not doing this 10 years ago, but better late than never!
Amazing video!
Out of those I have the Green Russian (my favorite on Bass), Rams head (favorite on my guitar which a fender J mascis JM) and the hoof (which I feel about the same as you said, it’s not really a muff but a thing on its own)
I was thinking about getting either the Pristess or Pharoe, it’s bit hard to decide cause I can’t play them and most videos are just Doom demos (which I like but no the main stuff I play) , i want a very versatile muff but I don’t like more than 4 nobs pedals, the big boxes are too much for me , also just killer arts on both
Thanks man! I normally say if you're unsure: Priestess. But if you want a smaller option, grab a Son of Pharoah (same pedal, but smaller.)
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox
Thanks! I think I will go with the Pristess, I don't mind about space (play at home) and it seems different enough to justify itself, the Pharoh thing I can kinda get by either the Hoof for the Germenium influnced "muff" and I can push the Ram's head/Russian with a TS style pedal (I use the Plumes on no clipping mode, works amazing with muff pedals) or push it with a Rat if I really want gnarly disgusting noise.
Also it look just so F'in cool
Did you try the Basic Audio Foxey Lady? My all time favourite Big Muff!!
You 💯 need to do a video on the BAT Priestess. Ive been auper curious about this pedal as I LOVE BAT pedals.
Yeah man, I will do! She's awesome!
DO The Priestess! She needs it!
...also, check out the LSTR by BAT.
I am a big fan of the Pharaoh, LSTR, and Priestess; have all three on my main board and probably use the LSTR the most.
Yeah, man, I love BAT and won't to get the LSTR and the Crown of Horns to complete their Muff set!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox looking forward to your Priestess demo., haven't seen a really good one yet. Fun pedal! I have a custom Sarcophagus with LSTR on right and Priestess on left. Totally nuts stacking them! : ) P.S. I haven't tried Crown of Horns, if you get one, I'd love to see a demo.!
@The72birdman Woh, that sounds like a brutal combo!
Frank(Dennis Hopper's character) from the Movie "Blue Velvet", "Big Muff? F- that s-, Dallas-Arbitor FuzzFace!!", LOL!! love the Big Muff!!
hi on your song afterneath wich pedals-setup you used? thanks
Hey, thanks for asking! As you might guess, the EQD Afterneath features, but it's slowly brought in through the track, being 100% wet by the end. The main fuzz sound is a Fjord Fenris into the BAT Pharaoh. That's then sent to both my Victory v40 and the Mig-50. You could get a similar vibe with a Behringer SF300 into another Muff that has some mid push.
Try the Ibanez Overdrive, which is obviously not an overdrive but a kind of op amp big muff. It’s cheap and it’s a beast !
Yeah man. I've heard thats a Big Muff in disguise! 🤘
Awesome content!
How about a deluxe vs sovtek vs bass deluxe? ;)
Just to ruin your evening. 😅
Dude, you've made my evening. I just need an excuse to get a Sovtek!
If you're buying these yourself it would be pricey, but it would be cool to hear your thoughts on the Death By Audio Fuzz War.
It'll be a slow road to part 2, I expect, but the Fuzz War will definitely be on there! 🤘
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Thank you so much for the response, super cool of you! Defintitely looking forward to it, worth the wait, thanks again!
Have you tried the thorpy fallout cloud? Based on the triangle muff, it’s the best muff I’ve ever owned
No! I'll definitely put that on the "part 2" list. I watched That Pedal Show talk about it years ago. About time I got in gear!
Black arts tone works " Rabid mammal "
I’d love to hear your opinion on the Deluxe shown here and the Sovtek Deluxe.
Yes! The Sovtek is top of my list for part 2. I hear it's the Green Russian circuit so that'll give it quite a different edge. I don't think even the Deluxe could quite get the sound of a green. The saturation is just too different. Watch this space! (Channel!)
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Can't wait to see that one!
I just cant decide between the Pharaoh and the Priestess...
Yeah, tough call! But I'd say if you can't decide, then it's Priestess. It can do what the Pharoah does, in part, but not the other way around to such an extent.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox I see. The Priestess has more gain right?
I think they're pretty even on that
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Ahh alright! Its a bit confusing that the Priestess has 4 gain stages including the pharaoh and clipping options. I thought, the toggles are selecting between the Gain stages lol. I think, I will go with the priestess. Gain at around 9 o clock should be pharaoh level
Yeah, I got confused I the video, too! Haha! They both have 4 gain stages, as that's the standard Muff thing - a 4 transistor fuzz. Then there are clipping stages. They do result in a bit more Saturation but with both toggles in on the Priestess, and putting all the mids in, you're getting similar to the Pharaoh.
4:13 Sunn O))): "Hold my beer"
That band so known for using a Rat they have a signature one from EQD!? 😉 I think they might have a Muffin their rigs somewhere though, or at least one in the past. Obviously a different use case. I'm partial to full saturation myself when the style is right. It's glorious!
Have you tried the Sovtek Deluxe muff?
No! It'll be my next buy. Seeing how it's the Green with some Deluxe features and a few of it's know, it's gotta be killer!
Maaan I'll have to dig out my Deluxe from the drawer now..... Lucky to get your video before I order yet another Muff than I don't need haha.
Currently playing with the Acapulco gold but I was slowly convincing myself I need a russian big muff.... but I forgot I had a Deluxe hidding somewhere haha
Honestly? If I'm not being democratic, I want to say you should STILL get another Muff! 🤣 But dude, that Deluxe cannot live in a drawer! If anything, it'll at least find you the sound you need and you can then find that in a smaller format for the pedalboard... Like the Green 😜
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox Yeah I do love the muff sound but I ran out of space on my board and my band currently does not make use of a muffy sound ( need a new band... ) So I moved it away and the Carcosa took the high gain place, I love the Carcosa, but I love the Muff too..... Im thorn between the two.... I'll probably just build a bigger board
Oh man, the Carcosa is so good. I have that, the Pharaoh and the Voodoo Lab Superfuzz on my board. Can't have enough fuzz!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox You should do a video of how do you use them, I am always looking for new ways to add sounds to my pallet.
I've been using the muff with no mid switch and the neck pickup into a heavy delay and phaser + tremolo for some dark atmospheric wall of background noise between songs and sounds really cool, specially merged with the other guitar player's delay oscillation shenanigans.
And its fking HARD to find people uploading videos like that, everybody just upload blues licks and pedal comparisons, took me a whole year to find a use for my flanger.... besides the obvious licks
Yeah, I should! I did a Carcosa video but didn't actually show how I normally use it which is actually to stack it. I use "post" gain only and turn any fuzz I push into it into a gnarly, gated lead tone monster!
Your atmospheric setup sounds a lot of fun. I do similar stacks, throwing in an Afterneath to really space it out!
I'm new to the channel but have to ask, why no metal muff? Also, the orange Ibanez Overdrive which I got in the 70s but only recently found out its not an Overdrive at all!
Aha! I wondered when this would be asked! Well, for this pair of videos, 10 was a good number. Arguably, I should have included the big box version on the shelf, but 10 seemed right. So, as I say at the end, I'd like to do a part 2. Perhaps that could include the Metal Muff? BUT - I've also heard (yet to confirm) that the Metal Muff is only really a Muff in name and not based on the same circuit. It's a straight-up distortion. So there is a case that it shouldn't really be included at all. I'm not closed off to the idea yet though, so watch this space!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox I had a metal muff briefly and regret selling it. I currently have the deluxe and a Fredric Green Russian which I like a lot. I was considering the Hizumitas, but your review really opened my eyes (ears?) to the sound of the Keeley. My taste is moving more towards the Death by Audio fuzzverse, though, these days
Man, I'd love to get my hands on some DBA!
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox i have the waveformer destroyer, 1 knob and 4 footswitches, and the absolute destruction, which are great
The Metal Muff is basically a metal zone circuit, sounds really good but yeah its connection to the big muff is tenuous
Perhaps I'd missed it, but any particular reason you're only demoing these with just single coils?
Good questions. Yes (but no.) The main reason being; if i'd have demonstrated each with each type of pickups, that'd be a long ass video and I didn't want to drag it on too much.
But also, a bigger reason to not worry about it so much is that I did have a point about pickups in my "Buff Your Big Muff" video that I cut when I played it back. I was under the impression that single coils would change the sound compared to humbuckers and when I played the guitars in the room, I felt they did. However, when I listed back in post to just the SM57, the difference was negligible at best. This was at full sustain and I'm sure the differences would be more apparent at lower gain levels but there's also the fact that the Big Muff isn't as susceptible to input impedance/strength as something like a Fuzz Face is and so it's character doesn't shift as much as you'd think.
@@doctorfuzzzdirtbox
Totally understand. I run both my fuzzes at almost no gain. The muff is my bass boost, and my fulltone ultimate octave serves as extra treble. Really enjoying your vids!
Thanks man!