Just found an opamp big muff cheap!

analogsystem · Post by **analogsystem** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:41 pm

I am happy to report that I just found an 1980 big muff for $85. Its in the mail so I am hoping I get it before xmas as I have a few days off!

Its the V5 that has both the opamp and the tone bypass.

I've always loved my green big muff (staple in my rig) but recently decided to put together a "B" pedalboard that's smaller and can be used at home, or one-off gigs, etc when the big board is overkill. It'll just be an overdrive, fuzz, and delay.

I somehow got the bug to see if I could get a vintage big muff (or clone) for relatively cheap....saw this one and have always wanted to hear the opamp versions (like Corgan used on Siamese Dream).

Anybody have any experiences with these ones?

Post by **Mike** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:43 pm

Benecol has one and loves it. I plan to start building them after I get back from Xmas and market it as Siamese Dream in a Box and become insanely rich. They are more "Distortiony" and "refined" than some of the rougher Muff versions, definitely a unique and popular sound.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:47 pm

Yup, got the same one (I think - tone bypass on a 3003 board), formerly belonging to Justin J and Inscho of this parish. It's amazing, got a bit of a grind to it not present in other muffs.

analogsystem · Post by **analogsystem** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:50 pm

Yeah its funny, I didn't really buy it with the intention of coping the Siamese Dream sound, but I do LOVE that record.

Until recently I always thought Corgan used the green muff, which has always gotten me close enough for my purposes anyways....I was suprised to learn that he did use one of these opamp ones.

Either way, I know I could never afford a real vintage muff so this is pretty cool and exciting for me!

Maybe I'll do my first youtube when I get it....I could borrow a camera and A/B with my green muff just for fun.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:43 pm

I didn't know this was the 'Siamese Dream' muff. Been building one for ages actually- designed the layout and etched the board months ago, but I keep getting distracted when it comes to populating the thing.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:25 pm

Oh yeah, just finished the board. There's some funny parts values which is why it must've taken so long.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:04 pm

Made it. Sonds kool. Mike, if you use an TL072 for the dual opamp it sounds more distortiony. With a 4558 it's more muff-like.

The pedal does normal muff sounds, but is harsher with the treble knob up high than the Green Russian muff. I like it, would build again.

Post by **Mike** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:13 pm

Yeah way to steal my Muff building ideas - AGAIN.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:20 pm

LOL. Tim and Vince L arks me about building one in like July (n/b that layout is now VERIFIED in case you wanna build that shit)
MUFFOLA

Post by **Mike** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:21 pm

Wow your custom shop has a beasting lead time, eh? 5 months... NUTSO.

I use veroboard so I'll do my own layout and take over the world in 2010. I'll make Benecol do Siamese Dream/Smashing Pumpkins ripoff graphics and he'll HATE IT

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:54 pm

Ha they didn't order a pedal, merely made a tentative enquiry on the boards that suggested there may be interest if I ever got round to making one.

In glorious color. It's a tiny bit smaller than the normal muff board (below)

Post by **Mike** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:57 pm

Funkyfresh. I love those seethrough boards.

analogsystem · Post by **analogsystem** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:48 am

Well the pedal sounded amazing at home so I took it to a rehearsal and it sounded killer when switched on, but when in bypass mode the signal was all overdriven and messed up.....

Could the effect somehow be leaking into the bypass?

Should I just true-bypass this thing and you think that'd solve my trouble?

I TB'd my old Green Muff and it was totally worth it so I think I'll do it to this one too....right now its unusable and I'd sure like to try it properly.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:13 am

A 3pdt switch should work just fine. Without an led it should just be a few wires and done. However I'd wait on Tim/mike to verify this as I'm no expert.

riotshield · Post by **riotshield** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:54 am

I true-bypassed a 90's version with a 3dpt and it was just fine. I dont think I have the schematics anymore though, maybe someone can help

Post by **Mike** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:30 pm

Yeah true bypass that sucker, it should be a completely arbitrary fix if you have done a Green one.

Some photos would help if you need help.

I think the Muffs use some shitty output only switching where you switch the output between the FX output and the input jack, but the input is always connected to the FX input, getting loaded down and in your case - messed up. The second half of the DPDT is used to flip the LED on and off...

You want to use a classic 3PDT true bypass scheme instead to disconnect the input from the circuit when not in use.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:16 pm

yeah, the bypass on mine was wank. i used a DPDT to true bypass it.

analogsystem · Post by **analogsystem** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:41 pm

Yeah,
I think I'll just do the very simple true bypass asap and then if I feel like digging in more, I'll add the LED. Anybody got a cheap (preferable fast shipping to the US) link for the switch? They are always like $15 here locally which is crazy.
Thanks!

Post by **Mike** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:00 am

That's mental - use smallbear, pedalpartsplus or effects connection.

You should be able to get a 3PDT + shipping for like $8

JSutter · Post by **JSutter** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:42 pm

Are you running batteries or a good power supply?

All the non TB EH pedals I have used are noisy in bypass mode. They have been TBing their pedals for quite some time now. Maybe they figured out the noise issue or saw everyone TB their fx.