EHX Big Muff

Known for its thunderous bass-heavy tone, the EHX Big Muff is one of the most celebrated guitar pedals of all time. Played by anyone and everyone over the last 50 years, the Big Muff always sounds contemporary and relevant.

The Electro Harmonix Big Muff was designed by Mike Matthews in the late 1960s and was the first pedal marketed as a ‘distortion’ pedal. Since then it has had several iterations, all with slight nuances and famous players. The most sought after Big Muff is the ‘Ram’s Head’ Big Muff Pi of the early 1970s which was famously used by David Gilmour on Comfortably Numb.

In the late 1970s, Electro Harmonix started using op-amps rather than transistors. These weren’t particularly desirable at the time but was used extensively by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.

Electro Harmonix briefly relocated to Russia in the early 90s and operated under the name Sovtek. Sovtek Big Muffs (or Green Russians) were used by Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth and J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.

Eventually the brand returned to New York, where the modern day Big Muff is made. These new pedals are most famously used by Jack White on all the White Stripes records.

What Makes the EHX Big Muff Different?