Electro-Harmonix Op-amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal

Name: Electro-Harmonix Op-amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal
Brand: Electro-Harmonix
Rating: 4.5 (66 reviews)

Op-amp Fuzz Pedal with True Bypass Switching and Tone Bypass Toggle

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Item ID: OpAmpBigMuff

Electro-Harmonix Op-amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal

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Electro-Harmonix Op-amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal

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Billy's Famed Muff Fuzz Tone in a Compact Pedal

Billy Corgan and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) built an empire on Siamese Dream's distinct brand of psychedelia-meets-rock-alternative. A key ingredient to this record's iconic sound, as guitarists today know, is Billy's famed late-'70s V4 IC Big Muff. Now, Corgan and EHX have carefully bottled the tone and response of the original in the Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi. This pedal faithfully captures the fuzz-laden and explosive textures of Billy's op-amp equipped '70s Muff. Controls for Volume, Tone, and Sustain (gain) make it quick to dial in the textures your music demands. Meanwhile, a tone bypass toggle temporarily bypasses the pedal's tone circuit for maximum output and aggression. The new compact size and die-cast durability preserve the Siamese Dream tone for a new generation of fuzz fans.

Based on the late-'70s op-amp Muff

Earlier transistor-loaded Muffs are regarded for their smoother bite and more controlled sustain. Yet a key ingredient in Corgan's Siamese Dream tone was the op-amp-loaded, late-'70s Big Muff Pi. The EHX Op-Amp Muff captures the grit and gain of Corgan's classic in a compact new pedalboard-friendly footprint.

Plenty of sweet spots in these pots

Corgan's Siamese Dream tone was rarely a single full-range performance, but more commonly, the stacking of 5, 10, or 20 guitar parts at varying stages of gain and contour. The EHX Op-Amp Big Muff Pi affords limitless options for tone stacking, from hot snarling leads to plaintive, lingering pedal-point drones. A feature that Sweetwater reviewers particularly enjoyed was the tone bypass switch, which temporarily bypasses your settings for bursts of raw power.

Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz Pedal Features:

Captures Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)'s iconic fuzz sound
Based on the late-'70s op-amp equipped V4 IC Big Muff Pi
Easier-traveling compact size
Durable die-cast construction
True bypass switching preserves tone between uses
Independent Volume, Tone, and Sustain (gain) controls
Tone bypass switch temporarily toggles the tone circuit for added power
Powered by a 9-volt battery (included) or standard 9-volt adapter (sold separately)

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Tech Specs

Pedal Type: Fuzz
Analog/Digital: Analog
Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching: True Bypass
Power Source: 9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
Power Usage: 5mA
Batteries: 1 x 9V (included)
Height: 2.1"
Width: 2.75"
Depth: 4.5"
Manufacturer Part Number: OPAMPBM

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Reviews

4.7

Customer Photos & Videos

If you're looking for that Siamese Dream sound, this is the pedal for you. It even has some of the lyrics to Rocket on the PCB! I have no complaints about this pedal at all!

If you're looking for that big deep Smashing Pumpkins tone, look no further. Now... keep in mind Billy Corgan famously layered multiple guitar tracks together to get his sound, so no one pedal is going to replicate that 100%. But as long as you manage your expectations you'll find that this pedal gets you very close to that big Siamese Dream tone. Honestly it took very little tweaking for this thing to put a smile on my face. There's a sweet spot in the tone sweep right around 1:00. For me that's a good mix of top end bite without losing the big bottom end. Corgan ran his Op-Amp Muff into a JCM 800, so I thought I'd get something good out of my Marshall Bluesbreaker. But that's a bit of different beast than a JCM. I actually get a much better tone running it into my Mesa F50. Even though that's a more Fendery kind of amp, it has a big clean tone that the Op-Amp seems to like. Instant Cherub Rock!

Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream in a box. Many years ago I think I originally bought like 3 pedals to get that cherub rock tone because guitar world magazine told me I needed 3 boss pedals. Never occurred to me that maybe there's a sponsorship going on

This pedal is amazing! Comparable to a standard big muff but in my opinion, the op amp allows for so much more control and clarity. I highly recommend!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan. Like many others, I have been chasing that Siamese Dream tone. However, I've also been looking for a Fuzz that will work for my original music/recordings or even live.

Aside from being able to get close to the Siamese Dream tone, the main thing I have been looking for in a fuzz is a great dirty, fuzzy attack that doesn't sacrifice all of the bottom end in my tone.

Like many others, I like owning multiple pedals and don't expect that there's one fuzz that will do exactly what I want, but the main reason I felt that most other fuzz pedals I've owned couldn't really get the sound I wanted was because of the lack of bottom end. The one that does have a nice thick low end is the swollen pickle. It's a great fuzz but I wasn't getting the 'Siamese' sustain out of it. I've tried many different Fuzz pedals from various Muffs to Fuzzrocious customs and even Helix patches. The op amp big muff is the one that is closest to the tone I'm looking for.

This pedal really does want I wanted it to do. I'm not suggesting that this $80 stomp box is going to replicate the layers and layers of tracks, the pickups, the amps and the mix you hear on a record. But it does indeed have the characteristics I've been looking for as far as a blend of attack, sustain and tone without sacrificing mid and low end frequencies.

This pedal is made well. The sound quality is fanatic. It's even encased in a small box that won't take up much space on your pedalboard at all. The volume, tone and sustain knobs will give you a pretty wide range of frequencies. The tone switch is cool and provides even more tonal options. And while In most cases I'm not a fan of using fuzz live, it records well and that's exactly what I wanted.

If you're looking to get closer to the Siamese Dream sound, or just the sound of a '78 op amp muff in general, or if you're in the market for a quality fuzz to add to your rig, I highly recommend this pedal. I'm surprised this pedal doesn't cost more than it does. It's a no brainer at this price point.

Thanks to sweet water and Ian for shipping my orders quickly and getting them to me safe and sound as always!