EHX Big Muff 2 Announced! The Lost Circuit Returns
Nano-sized Big Muff 2 officially revealed
4,5 / 5,0 | 
The EHX Big Muff 2 has been announced following the limited-run JHS Pedals edition. This standard run model brings the Dual Op Amp Muff to the masses!
Brief Overview
- EHX Big Muff 2 is a standard nano-sized edition of the lost 1970s circuit designed by Bob Myer.
- It follows the limited-run Big Box edition announced earlier this week by JHS Pedals.
Contents – EHX Big Muff 2
EHX Big Muff 2
The Big Muff Pi 2 Dual Op-Amp is a circuit design lost to time for over four decades. The new pedal is the result of a chance discovery that highlights the rich, innovative history between EHX Founder and President Mike Matthews and the original Big Muff inventor, Bob Myer.
Dating back to the late 1970s, the Dual Op-Amp circuit was stashed away in Myer’s files. The circuit remained dormant until two dedicated EHX aficionados—Josh Scott (of JHS Pedals) and artist Daniel Danger—were interviewing Myer in his old workshop.
Big Box Limited Run
Earlier this week, JHS Pedals announced a limited-run, ‘Big Box’ exclusive version of the circuit as a direct offering from their site. Today, EHX has announced the standard run of the same pedal, putting it into everyone’s hands, without the high price tag!
Dual Op Amp
While sharing DNA with the classic Big Muff, the Big Muff Pi 2 offers a unique take on this much-loved distortion/fuzz circuit, with its own voicing. It has the same three main controls as a standard Big Muff, so users will be familiar with how to use it.
The pedal features the familiar Volume, Tone, and Sustain control set, housed in a nano-sized die-cast chassis with custom artwork by Daniel Danger. The Sustain knob ranges from medium grit to “full fuzz fury,” while the Tone control adjusts the voicing from “brash rasp to deep thunder.”
Silent True Bypass
In a significant modern upgrade, the Big Muff Pi 2 introduces a feature never before seen on a Big Muff pedal: silent true bypass footswitching with Latching/Momentary Action. Players can use the standard click for regular latching operation or press and hold the footswitch for a momentary burst of fuzz mayhem. A neat update to the standard Big Muff, which should be helpful when playing live or in the studio.
FAQ
What is the Big Muff Pi 2?
The Big Muff Pi 2 Dual Op-Amp is a newly released fuzz pedal by Electro-Harmonix (EHX) based on a long-lost circuit design created by inventor Bob Myer in the late 1970s.
How was this design discovered?
The design was found, during an interview, as a hand-drawn schematic in Bob Myer’s old workshop files by EHX enthusiasts Josh Scott (JHS Pedals) and Daniel Danger.
Who designed the original circuit?
The circuit was designed by Bob Myer, the serial inventor who also created the original Big Muff Pi, in collaboration with EHX Founder Mike Matthews.
Why was the design forgotten?
In the late 70s, many updated designs were presented to EHX. This specific Dual Op-Amp circuit was ultimately not selected for production at the time and was subsequently stashed away in Myer’s files.
Who is Daniel Danger?
Daniel Danger is an artist and EHX enthusiast who designed the custom artwork for the Big Muff Pi 2 chassis.
Conclusion
This standard run edition of the Big Muff 2 offers something new for Big Muff fans, and the price point is reasonable at $122. I’m also a fan of the switch upgrade, as that makes it more versatile for many players.
It certainly has some useful tones, and I think I’ll be sampling one of these at some point in the future, as I do enjoy a Big Muff-style fuzz/distortion.
The last JHS Pedals/EHX collaboration was the Lizard Queen and its successor, the Lizard King, so it follows in those footsteps, but this time it is a ‘vintage’ never-used circuit rather than imagining what could have been.
Price & Availability
The new EHX Big Muff 2 is available for $117/£106/€119 and can be ordered from Thomann.
More Information
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