Older big muff help

dsolse · 11-30-2011, 05:06 PM

Hello all

Picked up a late 70's Big Muff a couple of days ago and have a couple of issues I hope someone can help me with.

Issue #1 is that it is noisy when engaged (super noisy with my strat plugged in.) Any suggestions for quieting it down? I'm handy with a soldering iron.

Issue #2 is that it is a world class tone sucker. It is in the middle of my chain right now after a Bluesdriver I use for a boost, a distortion pedal, and before a Bluetube overdrive. This is not an issue when it's engaged but I do notice a difference with my other overdrives. Will moving it to a different position make a difference?

Also it has a tone bypass switch on it that may have an issue (not sure yet.)
Is it OK to replace the switch and do a true bypass mod on it and not hurt any value it may have?

Thanks in advance for any help!

QuicksilverSS · 11-30-2011, 05:13 PM

Whew...i was scared to open this one....
I'm sorry i can't help but the title intrigued me...

dsolse · 11-30-2011, 05:23 PM

...but not scared enough you little freak!

Beerdog80 · 11-30-2011, 05:31 PM

Value on things like these is very subjective. A collector will want one that is completely original and in the best condition possible.

A player who needs one for stage/studio use and actually uses it will appreciate the true bypass and good working condition so they might not care about 'top value' but you won't be able to command the 'best' price you can because it is not original.

Basically, it's only worth what a buyer will pay for it.

OR, you could put it in its own TB loop and solve that problem right now.

dsolse · 11-30-2011, 05:44 PM

Beerdog this one will be on stage with me so I am guessing mod it right? Whats a TB loop?

snaredrum · 11-30-2011, 06:36 PM

the clones of early muffs i've encountered have always been noisy, unless after-modded.

do an ebay or google search for true bypass looper pedal, and attach the muff to one as beerdog said.

dsolse · 11-30-2011, 09:41 PM

Looks like I found my next project! A True Bypass Looper. Any ideas on an enclosure that would fit 9 or 10? Thanks for the help.

yawny · 11-30-2011, 09:45 PM

9 or 10 bypass loops in a single enclosure??

Jesus, man, that's a serious project

Short of having one fabbed for that, i don't know where you'll find a massive pedal-height enclosure unless you get lucky. Good luck!

huw · 12-01-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsolse

...Issue #2 is that it is a world class tone sucker...

...Will moving it to a different position make a difference?

I doubt it - every Muff I've used has been the same. It's just a by-product of them being unbuffered, but not true bypass.

But you can actually use that to your advantage: stick it in a loop & you get three sounds: clean (muff out of the chain), overdrive (muff in the chain but switched off), and bonkers (muff switched on).

Results vary from pedal to pedal but the Muff I have now (a late 70s version 5 op-amp model) works really well like that - the "secret" overdrive pedal is a great sound, and no-one knows how it's done!

kboman · 12-01-2011, 04:30 AM

Road Rage have quite a lot of alternatives that could suit you if you're looking at TB loopers: True Bypass Loop Pedals :: Compact Systems :: Road Rage Pro Gear :: Hand Built Guitar Systems. And sites like Gilmourish.com have loads of info on Muffs, old or new.

Lysol · 12-01-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsolse

Hello all

Picked up a late 70's Big Muff a couple of days ago and have a couple of issues I hope someone can help me with.

Issue #1 is that it is noisy when engaged (super noisy with my strat plugged in.) Any suggestions for quieting it down? I'm handy with a soldering iron.

It's not the pedal that's noisy, it's the strat with its single coils. The BMP just amplifies what's already there.

Quote:

Issue #2 is that it is a world class tone sucker. It is in the middle of my chain right now after a Bluesdriver I use for a boost, a distortion pedal, and before a Bluetube overdrive. This is not an issue when it's engaged but I do notice a difference with my other overdrives. Will moving it to a different position make a difference?

You need to true bypass it and this will fix the problem 100%. If you need diagrams I have made many. PM if needed.

Quote:

Also it has a tone bypass switch on it that may have an issue (not sure yet.)
Is it OK to replace the switch and do a true bypass mod on it and not hurt any value it may have?

Any mods are going to change the value of it but you don't buy vintage BMPs for their value, you buy them for their sound! I own 13 BMPs.

Late 70's BMPs, the IC version, is only worth around $100 anyways. Some thieves sell them for much more since they found out Billy Corgan used the IC model and they take advantage of uneducated BMP users but if you keep an eye out you can and will get one for $100. I did.

BTW, to true bypass the thing will cost you about $10 or less.

retrobob · 12-04-2011, 07:44 AM

I have an old Big Muff. Its noisy, but sounds great. I went through and tightened up the grounds. It seemed to help.
Keep in mind, most distortion pedals will inject noise into the signal, but when playing isnt very noticeable. Single coil pickups... well you know. The loop bypass is a great idea. I should get one.
Best of luck with your muff, they are great!

11-30-2011, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
dsolse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Older big muff help Hello all Picked up a late 70's Big Muff a couple of days ago and have a couple of issues I hope someone can help me with. Issue #1 is that it is noisy when engaged (super noisy with my strat plugged in.) Any suggestions for quieting it down? I'm handy with a soldering iron. Issue #2 is that it is a world class tone sucker. It is in the middle of my chain right now after a Bluesdriver I use for a boost, a distortion pedal, and before a Bluetube overdrive. This is not an issue when it's engaged but I do notice a difference with my other overdrives. Will moving it to a different position make a difference? Also it has a tone bypass switch on it that may have an issue (not sure yet.) Is it OK to replace the switch and do a true bypass mod on it and not hurt any value it may have? Thanks in advance for any help!

11-30-2011, 05:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
QuicksilverSS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Zebulon,N.C Posts: 9,272 Thanks: 652 Thanked 622 Times in 177 Posts	Re: Older big muff help Whew...i was scared to open this one.... I'm sorry i can't help but the title intrigued me... __________________

11-30-2011, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
dsolse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Older big muff help ...but not scared enough you little freak! QuicksilverSS likes this.

11-30-2011, 05:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Beerdog80 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 58 Thanked 73 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Older big muff help Value on things like these is very subjective. A collector will want one that is completely original and in the best condition possible. A player who needs one for stage/studio use and actually uses it will appreciate the true bypass and good working condition so they might not care about 'top value' but you won't be able to command the 'best' price you can because it is not original. Basically, it's only worth what a buyer will pay for it. OR, you could put it in its own TB loop and solve that problem right now. __________________ Disclaimer: All of the above statements may/may not be based on true events. Your comprehension will vary, based upon literacy, basic understanding of the English language, and most recent bowel movement (or lack thereof). No resemblance to any persons living, dead, undead or co-existing in a parallel universe is intended.

11-30-2011, 05:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
dsolse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Older big muff help Beerdog this one will be on stage with me so I am guessing mod it right? Whats a TB loop?

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11-30-2011, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
snaredrum V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 16,154 Thanks: 153 Thanked 141 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Older big muff help the clones of early muffs i've encountered have always been noisy, unless after-modded. do an ebay or google search for true bypass looper pedal, and attach the muff to one as beerdog said. __________________ www.facebook.com/themadelinerust

11-30-2011, 09:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
dsolse Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Older big muff help Looks like I found my next project! A True Bypass Looper. Any ideas on an enclosure that would fit 9 or 10? Thanks for the help.

12-04-2011, 07:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
retrobob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: steel city Posts: 630 Thanks: 13 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Older big muff help I have an old Big Muff. Its noisy, but sounds great. I went through and tightened up the grounds. It seemed to help. Keep in mind, most distortion pedals will inject noise into the signal, but when playing isnt very noticeable. Single coil pickups... well you know. The loop bypass is a great idea. I should get one. Best of luck with your muff, they are great!

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