Big Muff power jack

[WholeLottaDimitri]

I'm just going to ask this question that I think I already know the answer too, Can I replace the weird power jack on the Big Muff with a regular DC power jack? I looked inside the Muff and it has the same 3 lugs: 9v to the circuit, Ground, and to the batterie.

I got a Big muff for christmas and I'm learning everything I can about it to mod it to my liking. I personally enjoy the current sound of it, but with all the stuff on the internent it's really tempting to test out everything I learned on this site. I'm going to start with changing that power jack! I'm really excited for this new year of modding!

[petey twofinger]

long answer , yes .

[JohnForeman]

i got one for xmas also and luckily my one spot had an adapter that fit it.  I'm loving the sound of it also.  my only problem is it's BIG.  I've been checking out the nano big muff on some youtubes and i think i may have to get one of those.  the nano will live better on the pedal board..

[Mark Hammer]

For a long time, I used those 1/8" mini phone jacks for my external power input, mostly because a) they were small enough that I could easily stick them on the rear skirt of the pedal (where they, ahem, belong), b) they were cheap (cheaper than the 2.1mm jacks at that time), c) didn't need any sort of fancy machining, and d) had been used by many manufacturers.

A few things have changed since those days.  First, 2.1mm jacks have come way down in price, often cheaper than mini phone jacks.  Second, there are "innie" and "outie" versions of them.  The "innie" is relatively flush with the outside of the chassis, when installed, but has a larger footprint inside the box, and is secured by a nut that must be installed from the inside, which can require some planning in order to be easily tightened.  The "outie" has the brunt of its body sticking outside of the chassis, such that the inside bits can more easily nestle into an otherwise cluttered or tight-fit pedal.  In this instance, the securing nut is tightened from outside the box.  Because more of that version sticks out, the power plug also sticks out more, so one would either need right-angle plugs, or enough space between pedals to accommodate it.  There is probably enough room on the threaded collet, however, that a person could use one nut on the inside, and another on the outside, and be able to adjust how much of the jack you can keep inside the box, in order to keep the outer portion as stubby as possible.  The "innie" will virtually always be more flush with the outside of the chassis, and look nicer too, but the "outie" affords a little bit of flexibility.

The other thing that has changed is that 2.1mm jacks and their corresponding power supplies have become more standard across the industry than they were 30 years ago.  So, we see more  examples like the OP's cropping up.

In November, I attended a local gear show, and sold a couple of pedals.  I ended up having to convert the lot of them from mini phone jacks to 2.1mm jacks for the purchasers.

[WholeLottaDimitri]

For a long time, I used those 1/8" mini phone jacks for my external power input, mostly because a) they were small enough that I could easily stick them on the rear skirt of the pedal (where they, ahem, belong), b) they were cheap (cheaper than the 2.1mm jacks at that time), c) didn't need any sort of fancy machining, and d) had been used by many manufacturers.

A few things have changed since those days.  First, 2.1mm jacks have come way down in price, often cheaper than mini phone jacks.  Second, there are "innie" and "outie" versions of them.  The "innie" is relatively flush with the outside of the chassis, when installed, but has a larger footprint inside the box, and is secured by a nut that must be installed from the inside, which can require some planning in order to be easily tightened.  The "outie" has the brunt of its body sticking outside of the chassis, such that the inside bits can more easily nestle into an otherwise cluttered or tight-fit pedal.  In this instance, the securing nut is tightened from outside the box.  Because more of that version sticks out, the power plug also sticks out more, so one would either need right-angle plugs, or enough space between pedals to accommodate it.  There is probably enough room on the threaded collet, however, that a person could use one nut on the inside, and another on the outside, and be able to adjust how much of the jack you can keep inside the box, in order to keep the outer portion as stubby as possible.  The "innie" will virtually always be more flush with the outside of the chassis, and look nicer too, but the "outie" affords a little bit of flexibility.

The other thing that has changed is that 2.1mm jacks and their corresponding power supplies have become more standard across the industry than they were 30 years ago.  So, we see more  examples like the OP's cropping up.

In November, I attended a local gear show, and sold a couple of pedals.  I ended up having to convert the lot of them from mini phone jacks to 2.1mm jacks for the purchasers.

Wow! you really know your stuff, thanks Mark for the input on power jacks!
Do you have any suggestions for modding the Big Muff?

[Mark Hammer]

Do you have any suggestions for modding the Big Muff?

Just one.  Don't drive yourself nuts trying to chase after this issue or that one.  It's a fuzz, for crying out loud.  Just play with it, and try out some of the things you find here and other places.  All of that will be instructive.

[WholeLottaDimitri]

Thanks Mark! I keep that in mind