Electro-Harmonix Nano Big Muff Guitar Distortion Effects Pedal

So this is advertised as a fuzz pedal, but I have to confess, after watching way too many fuzz/overdrive/distortion pedal shootouts on youtube, they all started sounding the same. So unless you're Tony Iommi, it may be that one is as good as another, and you just have to set it to the sound you want.So why did I pick this? Well, already having a pitchfork, and being mightily impressed with it, electro harmonix was always on my list. The big muff has been around a long time, and it seemed to win in versatility reviews. But, I gotta say, I was also taking a chance. Until you plug it in, you could have got it all wrong.Not so this time. It's a nice compact, sturdy pedal, the same size as a pitchfork. It's got a solid click on the pedal, and three simple controls. Volume, well, that does what it says on the tin, so does sustain, and actually, so does tone. Twiddle around and you'll get high pitched Satisfaction, you'll get doomy Sabbath (with a little help from the pitchfork). As with all things, set it to a sound you like, and shred away. There's good control as well. Many years ago I had a distortion pedal that just took over, loads of dirt and feedback. This one gives you much tighter handling, you've got the fuzz/overdrive/reverb/distortion, whatever you want to call it, but you're also in control.It would have been nice if it came with a power supply, as did the pitchfork, but they're easy enough to get hold of.Just for reference, I'm a novice player, just starting out with a Squier and practice amp. This pedal easily does what I want to do. By the time I'm playing onstage as Saxon's third guitarist, will it still work for me? I'd like to think so. Apparently White Stripes used this pedal, and it worked for them.Books you might like to readAn Angel's AlternativeCold Steel on the RocksWe Are Cold Steel

A great sounding fuzz pedal and great value. Crank this thing up and you are in stoner rock/Pumpkins territory. Turn the gain down and you have a very creamy, usuable sustain for single note work. I use it this way and it pairs smoothly with a horn section.The Muff has a very distinct flavour sonically, it bridges the fuzz and distortion worlds really. Less fussy in your chain than a fuzz face but doesn't really clean up like one either.Be warned if using it live, it shelves your upper mid frequencies (and therefore your cutting ability). Live in a fairly big band I use it sparingly and feed it extra mids through a Tubescreamer to account for this.Good looking pedal taking up about two thirds the pedal board real estate it's slightly larger cousin (the Little Big Muff) does. Sound wise, they are very similar, reportedly having identical conponents. This sounds a tad brighter to me.

Having played in bands for over 10 years, fuzz was not an effect I could ever take to. But with my band expanding it's sound, needs must, and I was on the hunt for a decent 'fuzz' tone. After trying a couple from various companies, and reading plenty of reviews, and pedalboard space at a premium, this was the one. It's compact, and it does exactly what it should. It's not too noisey which I was pleased about, and playing solo's through this little pedal really took me by surprise! Well worth the money, and I would highly recommend to anybody!

This is my first fuzz pedal!Delivery was supper fast. I ordered it not long before midnight and it arrived around midday the following day.I’m not gonna lie. At first I wasn’t majorly impressed. I thought it was too muddy sounding. And the notes would choke. And my amp would squeal when ever the pedal was on. And not in a good way. But this was not the pedals fault this was down to both a dodgy power supply and me having it before an overdrive in the pedal chain. Having ditched the power supply and just using the battery (which was already installed so a bonus there) I now appreciate the sonic wall of epic sound it creates. Now yes it is very scooped. But if I have my overdrive before it in the chain you can boost the mid frequencies. I’m still getting used to it. But I love it so far. Great for playing smooth bluesy lead lines. Demonic sabbathy riffs. And muffled grunge power chords.Only downsides are that the foot switch feels a little stiff and not as smooth to press as my old Guvnor. But that may just be because it’s new. And you need to unscrew the base plate to access the battery. But I don’t think that’s gonna be a deal breaker for many. It also does clean up too well with the volume pot on your guitar rolled off. So just keep those points in mind. But for me. So far I love it!!

I don't use fuzz that often, with it not being the type of distorted tone I usually use. But for me it's nice for a change. Gets really good Smashing Pumpkins sounds!

This is the best pedal I've ever bought. If you like fuzz its immediately effective through a clean amp, very intuitive and inspiring to use.I deliberated over which version to get but went for the classic ( albeit smaller) Price is excellent so go on treat yourself!

This sounds like a full size Big Muff, only smaller. Perfectly adjustable, ranges from almost clean, to down right filthy.The size of the pedal is perfect. It isn't too small which was what I worried about. It feels robust and doesn't feel as if it will break mid-gig or mid-tour. I therefore have no doubt that this will be the root of all of my fuzzy licks for years to come! Very good product, and I cannot recommend it enough!

Truly unique fuz sound, its small and fits well on pedalboard, the only issue I found is that if you move power cables close to it it will buzz, other than that lovely unit and amazing value for the price!