BYOC Large Beaver/Big Muff

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:54 am

I've decided to give a Big Muff another go, but instead of buying one i'm thinking of building one of the Build Your Own Clone pedals. Does anyone have experience with this particular kit? My soldering skills are rudamentory, I can solder pickups into guitars, but will this be adequate in order to build a pedal that works without me having to faff around trying to fix things that I did wrong first time round?

Also they do a triangle and a rams head big muff, anyone know the difference? And do their kits sound any good or would buying a muff clone from one of the builders on this forum be a much better idea and less risky with regards to me cocking the building up?

Sorry to ask too many questions but it's friday and i'm bored at work.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:26 pm

I'd probably have to say the big muff isn't the best choice for your first pedal. There's quite a few components and transistors which may be sensitive to heat damage- important if your soldering chops need honing. Not to say it isn't possible, just a bit tricky. I'd definately socket the transistors at first, because this eliminates the dangers of overheating and inserting them the wrong way round.

Edit: didn't see the last bit of your post. Um both Mike and I make Green Russian and Opamp Muffs. I'm not gonna hawk my own wares, so you could always buy one of Mikes

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:40 pm

Thanks for the advice Tim. I like the idea of building my own pedal but in realility my soldering tends to be a bit messy so I can see it all going a bit wrong and then that would be a waste of Â£60. I've been thinking about buying one of yours after I saw an awesome demo and I like the other 2 pedals i've had from you, however i've bought a few pedals recently and need to sell some first before I buy more.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:56 pm

Tim and I do both make reproductions of both the Green and IC Muff versions. The other ones you mentioned also have their own flavours. I think the RAMs Head one is the Gilmour Muff or something.

All of them sound like Muffs, but they have their own signature tonality I think. Tim's Muff is smaller than mine (ooh err) so you have a smaller footprint on the pedalboard, but mine is larger due to me liking to top mount my input/output jacks and DC jacks whenever possible. Plus even my larger case isn't that large.

You'll find neither of us hocking our wares here as we both have too much respect for this place as a community. So if you want to know anything more, come chat in the Whorehouse to either of us. Suffice to say Tim makes excellent pedals and his build quality is second to none. I've played his Green Muff and it was superb.

I would echo Tim's sentiment about the Muff not being the ideal first build. It's not simple and there's a fair few things you could foul up. Boosters are good intro builds.
You'd also be surprised how much capital you have to sink into raw materials just to get going in building your own pedals.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:39 pm

Thanks Mike. Can you explain what an IC Muff is and how the sound differs to the Green Muff. I've seen the term used on this forum but never knew what people were talking about.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:47 pm

It means Integrated Circuit Big Muff. While the other versions are simple component subs in the tone controls, gain stages or clipping stages, the IC Big Muff was a drastic redesign using two op-amp chips. It was used on the Siamese Dream album by Billy Corgan, although I can cop those sounds with a Green Muff also.

Reece made a great demo of Tim's IC Muff:
[youtube][/youtube]

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:54 pm

Thanks Mike.

I'll be in touch with either you or Tim about a Big Muff at some point in the not too distant future, both of your pedals are superb so maybe i'll have to roll a dice to decide who gets the order. I just need to sell some pedals to pay for it first.

somemothersson · Post by **somemothersson** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:23 pm

Just make sure you fully read the directions. I didn't and ended up spending an hour de-soldering.

Post by **Doog** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:37 pm

Johnnyseven dude, aren't you selling a Swollen Pickle in the Classifieds because fuzz didn't fit in with your band? The Pickle is just a mega-tweakable Big Muff. It's nearer to certain models than others though.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:56 pm

Your right in that the Pickle doesn't work with the songs that my band plays at the moment, however more importantly it doesn't like my amp despite being an awesome pedal in it's own right. I'm looking to experiment with a different fuzz and hopefully the amp will like it and then I can start incorporating it into songs, if not i've started playing some bass with another band and i'm sure if I buy a muff it would be sound good for that.

When selling stuff I find it useful to give a reason as to why your selling it otherwise people might think you're getting rid of it because it's a load of crap - I though giving a full explanation might be a bit too much info.

Post by **Doog** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:07 pm

That's cool dude, just thought I'd mention it given it's similarity. What about the Pickle seems to not work with your amp?

I'm SO close to taking you up on your classified advert; it's driving me nuts, trying to justify having another dirt box- every video I've heard has made me want it more, it looks soooo flexible.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:23 pm

I have an Orange Rocker 30 and like to play it on the dirty channel with the the gain turned up just below breakup so that when I stomp on my dirt pedals the boost from the pedal adds a bit off natural overdrive from the amp. However the natural drive from the amp can be a bit dark and if I use the Pickle with it the sound comes out too dark to my ears, no matter what I do to the tone controls on the pedal I can't bring back any trebly bite to the sound. I also have the same problem with my modded Rat, however all my other dirt pedals (Fat Sandwich, Dano CC Drive and Fredric Effects Harmonic & Utility Percolators) sound awesome through it. I read stuff on Orange forums that due to the dark sound of the amp it just doesn't agree with some pedals which is a shame but it's just a matter of finding the right pedals and it is cheaper to buy and sell and try out different pedals with it than buying a new amp, especially when you really like the amp.

I also have a 1969 50 Top and the Rat and Pickle sound awesome through that, but then anything does as it is amazing. However due to it's age I don't like taking it to gigs on the bus as i'm scared it will get damage or broken, therefore I have the Rocker 30.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:25 pm

Doog wrote:I'm SO close to taking you up on your classified advert; it's driving me nuts, trying to justify having another dirt box- every video I've heard has made me want it more, it looks soooo flexible.

BTW I have a dude travelling down from Birmingham on sunday just to buy the pedal off me so i'm afraid your too late this time - unless he changes his mind that is.

Post by **Doog** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:35 pm

No probs, mate- I juuuust about decided against it anyways in a rare moment of sensible adult-style clarity.