Electro Harmonix Fuzz/Big Muff Shootout + Opinion (Green Russian, Ram's Head, Op Amp, Triangle...)

Featuring (from top left to right bottom) following fuzzes or Big Muffs:
Green Russian, Op Amp, Ram's Head, Triangle, Nano,
Metal Muff Pocket, Flatiron Fuzz, Satisfaction Fuzz, Deluxe Bass Big Muff
Please subscribe to my channel ;-)

[@jordanb9511]

3:38 “yeah nope” pretty much sums up the Satisfaction

[@jamieburns1207]

"im not much of a metal player" proceedes to play some sick ass metal riffs

[@andreaslechner-riedl]

...would call the riffs sick, just nice sounding 😉

[@Midtallica]

What was the Riff was playing?

[@rodavision]

​@@Midtallica​I think it is 'Between Angels and Insects' - Papa Roach. It sounds almost the same but he plays it faster and in a higher different key.

[@joshgulick5006]

Ok, this is definitely the best Fuzz comparison vid I’ve seen by far - even highlighting the most recent Ram’s Head.

[@bleachstain6922]

4:34 "I'm not much a metal player" DUDE, YOU JUST DID A SICKEST RIFF IN MY LIFE!

[@MadebyMiike]

:-)

[@Midtallica]

@@MadebyMiike what’s the riff called or is it just something you made?

[@rodavision]

@@Midtallica ​I think it is 'Between Angels and Insects' - Papa Roach. It sounds almost the same but he plays it faster and in a higher different key.

[@lovroknezevic8555]

*_Nano Big Muff_* 5:37 *_Triangle_* 6:15 *_Ram's Head_* 7:31 *_Op Amp (tone OFF)_* 11:26 *_Op Amp (tone ON)_* 11:35 *_Russian_* 13:24

[@DiosDragon1111]

13:30 13:42 1:40 1:52

[@SergeiVlassov]

I think it is Op Amp OFF ON, not Tone OFF ON

[@Clebardman]

@@SergeiVlassov It's definitely Tone On/Off. Trad Big Muff pedals use diode clipping to produce distortion, while the OpAmp one uses... OpAmps. It sounds more like a distortion and less like a fuzz to my ear.

[@SergeiVlassov]

@@Clebardman "OpAmp" written left to switch is misleading then :)

[@leonruvalcaba1549]

​@@DiosDragon1111 4:20

[@chrisvsmusicny]

Great video! I appreciate the comparison as well as your excellent playing. 2 notes from me: 1. Satisfaction is based off of the Rolling Stones/Keith Richards sound from that song. Just mentioning that since I haven't heard you say it so far. I agree, it really doesn't fit with this line up. Back then, fuzz pedals were marketed to make your guitar sounds like a trumpet 😅 2. The reason the Flat Iron sounds muffled as you turn up the Filter control use because Rats use a low pass filter instead of a typical tone control. This REMOVES high end as your turn it up. If you want greater clarity, you'll actually want to turn that knob down. Great video! This changed my mind from considering purchasing the Green Russian. Now I'm leaning more towards the Op Amp. 🤘

[@dukematthews1125]

its so hard to put into words... from left to right daunty, danky, bright, metallic and dark just the muffs

[@reteodom8454]

Through your rig, the Ram's head and the triangle sounded the best. I own the op amp nano and a NYC. The NYC get lost in the mix even when I stack it with a tube screamer. I think that if I ever bought another one, it would be the Ram's Head. Great video!

[@thegael44]

It's a shame so few views; this is how any good review should be run. He does a great job distinguishing the differences. Highly informative. No doubt which is right for me after this video.

[@PNNYRFACE]

An intelligent and respectful comment. Respect you toober

[@stephenjohnston7545]

Probably Ram's Head for me. Decent balance. I really love that Flatiron vintage tone but you are right, it needs more highs to get over the hump.

[@averyadrian1534]

I have a flatiron it has plenty of highs - very crunchy

[@Mr_Pinball99]

That's because the filter control on the Flatiron works the opposite way to the tone, just like a Rat pedal. He had it maxed out on the bass end on the filter control which cuts most of the highs.

[@Thehennyshow]

Dude, the green Russian just does it for me.

[@willreachington1197]

Many thanks for that! It is the best muff review! You've helped me a lot. My choice is Ram's Head : )

[@fabriciocalino8957]

I was looking for a review on fuzz, this is the best. I liked the Green Russian and Ram’s head.

[@MadebyMiike]

UPDATE: I am not happy that I didn't find better descriptions for the sound of the Op-Amp, Ram's Head and Triangle. I am working on a video just focused on them, should be up in a couple of days!

[@photofriend44]

I would like to see you make a video where you do a deeper dive on the 5 on the top row.

[@averyetvspecial1487]

You should be even unhappier that your channel name is stolen from someone with a much better one from years ago.

[@jamiemorgan-theraggedfool5447]

Nano Big Muff (top right) for me - It seems to have the fullest sound and balance between gain, low, mids and highs. The others you point out are awesome too but I can hear more of a bias toward a particular frequency in each and it could turn out that, according to band line up, one of the other pedals could be better suited situationally.. But Nano Muff for me

[@-jank-willson]

just get an EQ pedal...solves all these problems...

[@karlthunderaxe]

​@@-jank-willsoni've said it many times before, any pedal that requires an EQ after it to sound good is not a good pedal

[@-jank-willson]

@@karlthunderaxe yeah but most people have an EQ pedal in their pedalboard anyway, so may as well...

[@matthewwilliams7735]

Great comparsion vid man! I'm a Rams Head guy 1st then Triangle, Green Russian next . I like the satisfaction fuzz too.

[@spacesuitor]

Nobody: One Guy: _collect them all, engage daisy chain, become _*_Actual Big Muff._*

[@IlNeige]

Great demo! I’ve been going back and forth between the Op Amp and Nano for months. This actually convinced me to go for the Triangle instead.

[@stefanoenricosalvadorebesu1445]

For me, it's a very close call between the Ram's Head and the Pumpkin Pi.

[@brendanf8969]

I picked up the metal muff pocket for $30 on market place, and MAN! I’ve been really surprised by it! I also use a bass big muff (regular version) on guitar and think it sounds awesome. Great demo!

[@ralphbe5199]

Russian Big Muff all the way. Besides it's the only muff i found that does clean up using volume pot on your guitar (well at least kind of :) )

[@mikusheep]

You say you aren't a metal player but some of those riffs were pretty sick

[@deckwithmatter]

obviously he plays metal

[@TheTubeDude]

Miike! Great shoot out. This cleared up many questions I had. Thank You.

[@dylanhuber66]

IMO, Green Russian is best suited for rhythm parts and gain stacking, Ram's Head is the most sputtery and sounds great on leads, Triangle sounds the sharpest and isn't as raunchy as the other muffs, and the Op-Amp is almost like a cross between a Rat and an NYC Muff and sounds great for drones. Deluxe Bass seems pretty versatile but I can't speak much on it. The rest are kind of hit or miss.

[@andreaslechner-riedl]

The best is the Russian овердрайв Deluxe ehich is not presented here - checkbit out!

[@edwardgurrola1951]

Bass Deluxe is super fun to mess with. Especially with a blend knob and the filter switch, sounds like a cocked wah when engaged.

[@ilikepotatoes1345]

The whole top row are keepers. If I had to choose only one though, I'd go with the Nano, I think it's smoother than the others which is what I would prefer, the Ram's head and OpAmp are solid too, both have a lot of character to them, the Russian one is pretty wicked aswell, plenty of low end goodness, and the Triangle is just the OG, can't hate on it.

[@kenobiworks]

Really clear to hear the differences... I love the Nano but i think ill get the Rams Head.. its close! Thanks so much for this comparison video. Its so helpful... 👍

[@MadebyMiike]

Thanks mate!

[@esteban_666]

Nice work man! I prefer the Triangle, it sound more raw to me than the others big muff´s

[@mattgilbert7347]

Excellent review. The Opamp & Russian would be my picks.

[@Dantefran]

Metal muff is a son of boss hm2!! Awesome pedal!!

[@zengroove16]

I use Metal Muff on Mya. It's fantastic imo 👍

[@curlracing276]

@4:40 ish “im not much of a metal player” proceeds to play some sick metal riff effortlessly.

[@jamesscott7979]

The rams head and triangle sound the best to me. The pumpkins one is cool too. I really like the fact that it sounds like the flatiron when you hit the switch because the flatiron is a useful pedal. I would use the Russian muff with my bass guitar. I'll have it all if I buy those 4. 😂👍

[@MrFunkyDutch]

I bought the green russian because I wanted a vintage sound, but a bit more versatile. I like a lot of classic psychedelia and garage rock. Your review reassured me that I didn't waste my money.

[@markdouglas8073]

Just what I needed. I will never forget experiencing the original lineup circa 1977. I’m going to go for the orange one, but loved the Triangle (but it is ugly) I’ll and probably end up getting the original one later for my board in the other room!

[@ProCoRat]

When I bought mine, I shot out the Russian and the Op Amp. I came to the conclusion that I could make the Op Amp sound like the RUssian, but couldn't make the Russian sound like the Op Amp. Op Amp has this really bright and full sound, while the Russian has more of that buttery warm tone. I'm not sure I made the right choice... so I guess I should go get the Russian, too lmao.

[@SovietDictator]

I made a Russian clone with Western components and the sound was great. I got some legitimate Soviet transistors and diodes and it only got better than the first build. But you're right, I can't make it sound like the OP Amp.

[@denverjamesmusic]

time stamps for myself: Deluxe Bass Big Muff - 1:08 Flat Iron Fuzz - 3:03 Nano Big Muff - 5:38 Triangle Big Muff - 6:14

[@silviolutti1522]

It also depends on your tools. If you use a Stratocaster on a Fender amp the green russian is your best bet, because it has a smoother tone and has a more pronounced midrange. And it most likely sounds good on its own, without needing to use a boost or overdrive to get out of the mix in a live contest. It is one thing to play them alone, without a rhythmic base, it is different to play them in a live context or with a band. The ram's head and the triangle are too mis scooped and you get lost in a live contest and absolutely need to be pushed by a boost or an overdrive.

[@clinteastwood6875]

I use the Russian with a strat into an orange amp..with a ts9 for a little boost…sounds good! Well to me at least 😅

[@tomz1989]

Op amp muff. After years roaming into fuzz pedals. Update: .....but later this year I came across Hoof by eqd. I'm in love with it. Op amp left my pedalboard but still on my shelf.....

[@dam7ri]

The Pocket Metal Muff sounds really good, but the best one is not in the video, the Double Muff! I have one and it is fantastic. If I need a boost, I use the single mode; but if I am relying on that pedal as my sound, the double mode is skull-crushing.

[@REP300]

I have the Op-Amp and just love it.

[@neopythagorean]

Damn, dude. You just went down the big muff rabbit hole. Don’t get lost in there. Some people never make it out.

[@MadebyMiike]

Who is speaking? Where am I???.... ;-)

[@RasCuban33]

Smoothness/Grittiness of the fuzz differs and Eq frequencies I think are the main differences shown here. Awesome video dude! Had the Russian previously, might have to say it’s the Ram’s head this time for me.

[@stephenkane2464]

great video thank you just got a triangle today. my first new muff since getting a big box NYC muff in like 2007. the nano muff here sounds great

[@shepleonard8695]

The top middle is the Rams Head and it's probably the best of all the MUFF pedals because it's an exact replica of the 73 BIG MUFF.

[@markferguson3745]

The Dry signal on the Bass models has always been the reason to use them on guitar. The Satisfaction had to leave one circuit incomplete to avoid copyright issues.It's actually the best Fuzz here,IMO, if you do the simple mod that brings up the low end.They made it intentionally easy to fix. The Octavix is one of their better circuits, and more like a true square wave Fuzz than a Distortion.

[@leob4403]

Copyright issues for what? The satisfaction is supposed to be a clone of which pedal?

[@markferguson3745]

@@leob4403 It is the Maestro circuit minus one connection, which can easily be located and jumped on the upper right corner of the circuit board.

[@leob4403]

@@markferguson3745 do you know anything about the ehx satisfaction plus? It has two more knobs. I'm not good with modding things, thanks

[@markferguson3745]

@@leob4403 Supposedly, they added more controls to add low end, and to change the bias and break up characteristics .In demos, it does sound like a much more useful pedal, capable of a broader range of sounds.I might yet get one to add to a large collection, as it is , as they say, cheap and cheerful.

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

Compliments to the chef who cooked up this smorgasbord of fabulous fuzzy muffs ! Rams Head wins it for my ears, but it's all a about serving up different flavors.

[@wm3274]

I have the Delux Bass Big Muff that I use on guitar and bass. To me it sounds very similar to the Russian Muff. I want the Op Amp. Sounds Beastly

[@proletar-ian]

The Flat Iron and Satisfaction fuzzes are awesome and very underrated, but they aren’t comparable to a big muff. The Flag Iron is similar to a Rat and the Satisfaction is an old Bosstone fuzz.

[@RColbyCheese]

Fantastic review! I was about to purchase the Green Russian until I heard this. For my tone, which is kind of a mid-heavy sound at the moment, the Pumpkins' Muff (no pun intended) seems a little brighter but not too bright where it might be fun to play with...might have just picked up a new pedal. :) Again, great video, and really appreciate the testing you did.

[@iamnoone4046]

Best big muff comparison video.

[@caseyholford]

Thank you for this! Very helpful.

[@CoenBijpost]

The satisfaction fuzz is a really specific clone of a 60s fuzz used by the Stones for the song Satisfaction, not really made for this style of playing 😂

[@davidhovey5152]

I had an original meastro fz-1 once and a very accurate clone now but the "Satisfaction" is really nothing like it nor based on the same circuit at all.. it can do a somewhat "ok?" but Thin simulation of that one riff, but it's a one trick pony otherwise..

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

So very helpful, thank you!

[@pirateradio808]

I liked the Triangle version best here. The Russian was extremely cool with that 150 Hz or so hump; the Op-Amp probably cuts the best in a mix with a live band but was kind of two-dimensional to me); the Ram's Head and Triangle are very, very similar but in this shootout I thought the Triangle sounded livelier and like it was about to blow up (which is a good thing). The Satisfaction pedal is obviously an attempt to replicate the sound of the Maestro fuzz on the Rolling Stones song. It sounded terrible here, but I don't have much confidence you knew what you were doing with it. :-o

[@ryanwedemeyer8301]

Was waiting for someone to point out that it was supposed to sound like the riff from Satisfaction!

[@GuitarsRgood7]

I like the Ram's Head and OP-Amp. If I see a used one of either I'm grabbing it!

[@yobanyhernandez125]

The triangle fuzz and the smashing pumpkins one is my favorite in this comparación

[@jasonwright7513]

Thanks for the great video really useful for people just starting to get into big muffs looking for the one that's right for their style of music. I would really love to have all three: Rams Head, triangle , and nano muff which I guess is the New York style muff pi. If I HAD to choose I would probably go with the rams head for now,and buy the other two later.😉

[@Alfredo78666]

Gimme my russian and my ram's head anyday! PS: Lil' Big Muff sounds rounder than the nano, IMHO

[@AggioSound]

The Russian muff has more of the guitars clarity to it. Gain is gain but if i can’t hear clean notes blender in it’s not for me. If most likely buy the Op amp Fuzz. I own a SD tweak fuzz that is an interesting fuzz pedal but man there’s a lot of options here. Great video! Cheers from Canada!

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

It sounded like the deluxe base was able to cover the bases of every other pedal, my second favorite would be the Russian Style and my third favorite would be that silver muff Pi top row in the middle

[@SovietDictator]

Middle is "Ram's Head" and it's what Gilmour used in the 70s, but he did use a Sovtek in the 90s I hear. I use Russian and like it, but I'm not a pro

[@johndrowe5281]

Nice Muff fuzz vid! (Would like to have heard more actual sustained notes…as in end of solo type sustain). Thank you for your time. I liked the Op-amp and the Ram’s head from what you played. perhaps you could break it in half and play four per video. That way you could spend more time inspecting the town and sustain controls and their sweet spots…

[@doogdoogdoogdoogdoogdoog]

Thanks for the video, it's very useful! What is the riff you're playing at 5:50?

[@justineslick6463]

I like the top 5. I love the green russian. Sounds mean.

[@deanshake5975]

I think the Ram's Head sounds great and so do the Op Amp, the Triangle and the Nano. Definitely everything on top more than the bottom.

[@arbous65]

Thanks for the comparison. I think Ram’s head has more of 70’s tone character like David Gilmour. It sounds more aggressive than Green Russian. Hearing smooth distortion of Green Russian is very satisfying however it has a more generic tone which is good for covering different tone styles however if you already have other dirt pedals and you just one that gives you THAT old big muff tone, I think Ram’s head is the one. I would use a pedal upstream of it to reduce the input volume to the muff (like a compressor in low compression or eq with added 400 hz frequency and reduced overall output) and dialing back the tone and volume on the guitar a bit, and adding delay and modulation to downstream and then you get a nice combination of big muff character and smoothness.

[@BlueBarrier782]

Have you tried the JHS Muffuleta? Its nice to have 6 big muffs in one box.

[@zengroove16]

I use the Deluxe Bass Big Muff also... it's fuccing awesome! 😊🌞

[@Bob.Silverstein]

To my ears, the Nano and the Triangle were "the best" and quite comparable, with the Ram's Head very close. Makes me feel good about the JHS Muffaletta I just ordered, since it'll get at least 2 of those sounds :)

[@danielbarbieri8199]

Highs and lows seems to be more or less the same, but you got a lot of different flavors in the mids according to each pedal. Clipping diodes tend to produce the same clipping and compression, this evens out sound. They seems to be very the same with subtle differencies. Big muffs share the same 4 transistors and diode clipping basis diagram.

[@r_dreamer5462]

I really like your playing in this video

[@matthewbarger4592]

I'd have to say the bass appears to be able to cover all the others with some tweaking.

[@peterdvideos]

The Rolling Stone’s 1960s song “Satisfaction” featured the most famous use of fuzz to date. That’s the sound the pedal is going for. The pedal is not for huge drop D gnarly tones.

[@destroso]

The deluxe bass was my favorite

[@davidj.steiger3178]

The Satisfaction really isn’t fir for comparison in this vid. I have it, it’s a sort of one trick pony, but it it does that very well, and stacks nicely.

[@troystacey6731]

Great comparison as I was just thinking of getting the Big Muff Nano. I think it’s still my pick of the bunch.

[@DannyCruzCreations]

I immediately see a problem. At 2:00 ish, you were surprised by the sound of the Satisfaction. I'm not sure what kinda of circuit that is, but the Bas Big Muff is buffered. It was a mistake putting that one first as it would buffer everything after it... which is probably why the Satisfaction sounded weird.

[@DannyCruzCreations]

That said, most Muff style pedals don't mind being buffered. But maybe the Satisfaction isn't based on a 4 transistor fuzz?

[@clarenzlarka]

A fun and excellent demo. . .I WANT THEM ALL. Actually I like the Nano best because of it's clean smooth tone. Triangle also. They would contrast nicely with my Black Russian muff.

[@しゅうへいチャンネル-y8k]

great demo!

[@ololococo]

Merci pour la démo, Ça m'a beaucoup aidé à choisir. À écouter comme ça, j'opterai plus pour la nano, mais je pense qu'elle a un son plus sourd, et j'ai peur qu'elle ne ressorte pas trop du mix lorsqu'on joue en groupe. La russian est chouette, mais trop de basses, en groupe, j'ai peur qu'elle vienne bouffer les fréquences de la basse... La opamp, sympa, mais un poil trop violente et avec plein d'aigus qui finissent par sonner un peu trop distorsion à mon goût... En gros, pour moi, celles qui ont le bon équilibre basses/aigus pour bien ressortir du mix et avoir bien le son caractéristique "Big muff" c'est la triangle et l'autre sur la gauche. Perso, j'opte pour la triangle.

[@andreaslechner-riedl]

The Russian овердрайв deluxe which is not here included is clearly my personal winner 🤤🤤🤤

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Ram's head seems to have mids focus. Triangle seems to have highs focus. Nano seems to have a almost flat focus.

[@jaseyn]

FlatIron is a Pro Co Rat type pedal. And in those kind of pedals Hi -cut is part of history sound becose old IC chips couldnt do very fatt operations.

[@MichaelMoore-od4jz]

really liked your video really like fuzz a lot thanks

[@MadebyMiike]

Thanks Michael!

[@johnclarke5711]

Great vid!

[@Jaysteenn]

Cool demo! You always have cool pedal videos! I have all the big muffs but I need the triangle nano plus I have the tone wicker version of the pie, I'm ok with that tho it just has a wicker switch for more mid frequency if you want it. My two favorites I have are Rams head and Green Russian muffs. I thought about buying the JHS Muffuletta instead of the Triangle but I heard they are a little different. What is your favorite muff or 2 favorites if it's hard to choose? The satisfaction is based on an old fuzz you are right and it sounds super thin.

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇺🇲❤DOUBLE MUFF ......BEST IN THE BUSINESS (EHX - UNSUNG HERO)......outta this lot👍FLATIRON👍METAL MUFF.....are the best😁 the OP AMP (treble toggle set on off & distortion full & volume lowest at 8 : 30 a.m & not higher than 12 o'clock ) put a SCREAMING BIRD treble booster In front (knob at 11 o'clock) & set the Presence on amp at zero & if you have preamp distortion set at 1 & crank the volume👍use your volume control on the guitar ( 1-full )cleaner to dirtiest (old school style)......tone controls on effect pedals 2me suck, it interferes with the natural sound & feel, much better when its internally inside the design of the pedal. I do like the options with the small toggle switches exh is famous 4.....cheers😁

[@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes]

Awesome , I love ehx, I steady have the pocket mm, I’m planning to buy the green Russian, and the new pocket mm

[@WW-1995]

Preferred the Green russian muff. The 3rd one (top row, left to right) is my second favorite.

[@jeffc4862]

Ram’s Head, and Triangle had clearer note distinction when playing the higher strings - The Russian, and Op Amp have beastly low end sizzle, but sound like you’d lose some note distinction in a mix.

[@mattgilbert7347]

They cut through surprisingly well. Green Russian if your amp is "Fendery", Opamp if it's "Marshally". Both sound surprisingly good through a VOX/"Voxy" amp. I'm generalising, but that's been my experience. I do love my Violet RH clone into a British-voiced Marshall/Laney/Vox amp, but depending on the amp, sometimes you have to roll the tone way down and use an EQ or booster to shape the mids - otherwise it's too harsh.

[@NnTFBA]

I actually think that the bass muff sounds really good.

[@SergeiVlassov]

I liked Flatiron and Nano Big Muff most.

[@marlonharvey278]

THE NANO BIG MUFF SOUNDS BEST TO ME IT`S SMOOTHER THAN THE REST AND GOT THAT GILMORE SOUND AND THEN THE DELUXE BASS MUFF COMES SECOND HANDS DOWN.

[@Deatg-ek8rf]

Deluxe Bass Big Muff is criminally underrated because the bass guys are cult like about the new Russian for good reason but they overlook the DBBF.

[@stevo946]

Metal Muff for me 💯

[@nickobrien1710]

You should review some pedals by Made By Mike (with one i).

[@Owen_plays_music1049]

OP Amp and Ram's Head sounds the best to me

[@williamdesilva67]

I liked the rams head

[@gobeco]

If I have to pick two: Triangle and Green russian If I have to pick one: Ram's Head

[@gvgvhk.jg.4579]

You should compare the top five muffs with Deluxe Big Muff, the red one, not green deluxe bass - you can probably dial in there most of the sounds the top five guys can do, maybe except for the op amp, but it would be a very interesting video

[@mattgilbert7347]

It does the Opamp as well - both V4 & V5. Kit Rae has all the settings for the (regular) Deluxe Big Muff. It's a little big, and you have to be able to remember (or write down) the settings, but it's the one EHX Big Muff to rule them all :)

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

"Listen....Do you smell something?"

[@zachary963]

*Plays Satisfaction *Just laughs Yep