Big Muff version question

[caspercody]

I am thinking of building a Big Muff, but what version? I am not a fan of fuzz type distortion, but o heavy high gain distortion.

Thanks
Rob

[jacobyjd]

They're all relatively similar, version-wise. I think people feel the need to nitpick more than is necessary. However, I can suggest something that might be right down your alley: The AMZ Presence Control.

Look it up--it can flatten (or hump) your mids. In mine (a weird mix between the ram's head and the triangle component values), it reduces some of the fizz--it doesn't ever get into the world of overdrive, but it does hit some distortion-y regions of tone.

It made the BM usable for me for more than solos over lots of empty space (i.e. with the mid scoop reduced, it cuts through the mix WAY more).

[John Lyons]

If you don't like fuzz then don't build a Big Muff.
Try a Rat, Dr Boogey, BSIAB2 etc.

John

[caspercody]

I have used the AMZ presence control on another build I made, it works very nice.

I have made the Dr Boogy, and BSIAB2, and thought I would try the BM. I thought I heard a Black Russian sound more distorted than fuzz? So is the BM mostly a fuzz?

[jacobyjd]

It's not really a 'mostly'. It's all fuzz, all the time.

If you're looking for a hi-gain distortion and you haven't built a BSIAB2, do it now. you'll be pleased.

[compuwade]

I have used the AMZ presence control on another build I made, it works very nice.

I have made the Dr Boogy, and BSIAB2, and thought I would try the BM. I thought I heard a Black Russian sound more distorted than fuzz? So is the BM mostly a fuzz?

I built the russian version with the presence control. It sounded very good, but didn't impress me much. So what I did was build a treble booster and popped that in front of the BMP and WOW, what a difference. You still get the wooly big muff sound, but with way more distortion and with the controls you can dial in a large variety of tones. I suggest trying the treble booster in front of all your distortion boxes. Some come alive, and some sound like crap, but all in all you turn most distortion boxes into a whole different beast.

[caspercody]

I built the BSIAB2, and converted it to a Pinnacle. It sounds great. I also made a extra pcb board for the BSIAB2, and converted it to my own using values from Okko Diablo, and a James tonestack with a mid control. I like them a lot, but have read on here from others about how heavy the BM is. Right now I am trying my first project with Eagle and making the Nobels ODR, and I am going to place an order with Mouser and thought I would order up a couple more projects. And thought one more high gain would be fun to make. And I thought of the BM. Any other ideas?

[oldrocker]

Maybe give Howie's Metal Simplex a shot.  I used a green LED and 2n2222 for the trannies for less fizziness.  This little circuit kicks it out for what it is.  I built the Dr. Boogey and BSIAB2 and they're great but much harder to put together.

[caspercody]

Actually I think I found my next project. It is a Metal distortion design from Brian Wampler. I keep forgetting I have his book. It looks interesting, it is a 386 feeding into a 4558. Using the 4558 op amp for the clipping stage. No diodes on the 4558. Have not seen a design like this and I like the 386 pedals I have made (Krank, Purple Plexi, Grace).

Thanks!!!
Rob