Big Muff

The Big Muff Pi (π), often known simply as the Big Muff, is a fuzz effects pedal made by New York City-based Electro-Harmonix. Marketed as a "distortion/sustainer" upon its release in 1969, the Big Muff produces a smooth and heavily saturated distortion with long sustain, which has made it widely popular among electric guitarists. Early adopters included Jimi Hendrix, who purchased one of the first units, and Carlos Santana and David Gilmour. The Big Muff went through multiple circuit variations, mostly component value changes, until Electro-Harmonix went bankrupt in 1984 and production ceased. Despite no longer being on the market, the Big Muff remained popular, becoming a key element in the sound of alternative rock and commanding high prices on the emerging vintage market. In 1992, Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews renewed production of the Big Muff through his Russian brand Sovtek, with manufacturing returning to the U.S. in 2000. Electro-Harmonix has since released multiple new versions of the Big Muff, as well as several reissues of popular circuit variations from the original production run.