Ugly Guitar Truth: EHX Op-Amp Big Muff Reissue

Here we are, just weeks away from NAMM 2018. EHX decided to beat the rush and unveil another Big Muff Reissue, just in time for the holidays. (Well, probably not really in time for the holidays. You might be able to pre-order them for your loved ones.) Seem to be a theme emerging. Hot on the heels of the Green Russian reissue, this pedal seems strangely fitting. Why? Let's look.

The Market


Vintage versions on the Big Muff Pi have always been sought after. It's almost as if once a particular version goes out of production, then it become much more sought after. A quick search for "OP Amp Big Muff" will yield tons of results for vintage pedals going somewhere north of $300. Clones sell for over $100. So, an $80 EHX reissue is probably a welcome sight for all those that can't pony up big bills for vintage gear.


Dizzying Variants


If you happen to be like me, you might be a little confused by all the variations of the Muff. While I'm aware of most of them, I'll admit that I never really viewed the Op-Amp version to be very sought after. However, as I look around, I find that they are favored by many. Overlooking the Op-Amp isn't hard to do. There are 9 version of the circuit out there and the lion share are based on four transistors instead of the three Op-Amps in the V4/V5 Muffs. For those that speak Muff, Russian, Triangle, Civil War, Ram's Head all have very specific meanings. But to the uninformed it can be dizzying.


Fatigue


Can you keep all the Big Muff Straight. I mean all the big muffs. There are tons of these things. Most fans of the Muff are familiar with a handful, but there are still many in production that may fly under many's radar. The Little Big Muff, Tone Wicker, Deluxe and Germanium versions are rarely mentioned in the same breath with the vintage ones. They all have at least one thing in common though. They all wear the Big Muff Pi badge. They range from overdrives, to metal distortion, to fuzz, but they are all Big Muffs. Electro Harmonix gets a lot of mileage out of their Muff. Honestly, it could be the worst thing to say about this pedal. It's just another is a long line of others.


Conclusion


I had to read a little bit about this particular pedal before I really excited about it. I didn't know much about the Op-Amp Big Muffs. Now, knowing slightly more, I see that it's release make a lot of sense. Although, it may be a black sheep in the Muff family, it's sound is unique and distinct. A nasty, gungy pedal that has spawned many clones, finally has a well deserved reissue.