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FAQ

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LOCAL PICKUP?

Very sorry, we do not have a retail storefront or any local pickup options. Being a direct-to-consumer operation is what allows us to offer these low prices! Don't worry, most Chicago area orders will get there next-day.
 

DO YOU/CAN YOU BUILD MODELS NOT LISTED? WILL THE MUFFS BE BACK?

Everything we have, is listed, and nope - nothing else secretly hiding in the back. We WILL have some new models in 2022 and also the return of some old favorites. Best place to find updates is to follow us on Instagram!
 

ARE THE 2-IN-1 PEDALS STILL AVAILABLE?

Sadly, no, due to rising tariffs and labor costs, the 2-in-1 double pedals are discontinued. Prices and wait times started to soar, and we are no longer able to offer these at a reasonable price. Currently building standard, single pedals as shown.
 

CAN I GET CUSTOM GRAPHICS?

Also sorry to disappoint on custom work, but, no, we are not able to add custom graphics for any orders less than a 10 piece minimum. It's a change that was forced on us by our powdercoater/printer supplier. 


CAN YOU HELP ME MODIFY MY PEDAL?

We sell finished goods that are intended to last a lifetime, and there are no user serviceable parts inside, With apologies to the modding community, it's just beyond our bandwidth to provide support for mods.


DO YOU BUILD ANY MODELS NOT LISTED / CAN YOU BUILD XXX FOR ME?

Generally, our web store is showing all models we are capable of building, with accurate inventory levels. We're always happy to hear requests, though! We do add new models based on customer feedback whenever possible. Important to note that our philosophy has always been to try to resurrect long out-of-print models that are otherwise unavailable - NOT to make copies of other pedal builders' current models. If you're looking for JHS or Analogman pedals, THEY are the ones to buy them from!
 

SO WHAT'S UP WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT "MUFF" VERSIONS? 

This is going to take a while. If you want to know everything about everything Muff-related, sit down and spend an afternoon with Kit Rae's amazing resource: http://kitrae.net/music/music_big_muff.html

"Ram's Head?" "Triangle?" '680?' Are these all different pedals, or what?
Short answer: There was only one pedal sold as the "Big Muff." They didn't make different "models." However, as guitarists learned, plug into a 1972 Muff and it doesn't sound the same as one produced in '75. Or '74. People noticed distinct (or sometimes subtle) differences in the sound. Once hobbyists started looking closely at the circuit boards, they realized what was happening: during production of these pedals, certain parts became unavailable and parts of slightly different values were substituted. So, even though these were all INTENDED to be the same pedal, once a production run included different parts the sound had changed. Some brighter, some "fatter," some with noticeably more bottom end. Eventually these different production runs were given nicknames and grouped together for reference, so that's how we end up with "Ram" vs. "Triangle": same pedal with different parts, in the tone section.  The differences between these "models" are highly subjective and based on opinion, but this is the quickest rundown we can give you based on our experience. 

Ram's Head: (the nickname came from the logo, which, well, is a Ram's Head):
Basically the original, and oldest. As such, the most raw and primitive sounding, we think. Capable of a really bright top end if you push it too far, but that puts you almost into 60's "Satisfaction" fuzz territory. Can also give you modern high gain (this is what's in our Moose Pie).
Triangle: (The first version to have knobs that were in a "v" formation instead of a straight line, hence: triangle): This came next. Capacitor values allow a lot more bottom end, and the highs are tamed. It has an upper midrange peak by default, which sits in the mix pretty well - that makes this one an easy recommendation if you just want one vintage muff style pedal. This circuit is what's inside our "Pyramid Principle" pedal.
Violet: (guess what color the graphics were printed with, on this model - hint: violet): Instead of a midrange peak, more of a center dip like that smiley face EQ setting - which makes it sound "modern," or at least, more like 80s than 60s. 
"680": Cleverly named after the .00680 capacitors inside. More importantly, the earliest instance of a muff with metal can, electrolytic capacitors - which ironically kind of SOUND metallic. This one "grinds." The original metal cans in here were also white, so you might hear this called "white can" - the actual color of the caps is totally irrelevant. One of our distributors instantly called this a "stoner doom" pedal, so let's go with that: if you downtune or play 7 string, check this one out.
Russian muffs: They really were made in Russia, using transistors that didn't match what was in older muffs - these have a lot less gain and drive, and a lot more bottom end. Which means, bassists love 'em. Beefy. Black Russian version has a little more bottom end, "green" version is a little more guitar-friendly. Not a super huge difference between the two either electronically or audibly, so you can't go wrong either way.
"The Fat Bald Guy": Well, that's the old muff circuit board, but the values of the parts are 100% Stompworks: it's a house blend that we tailored to our liking. And OUR liking, is to blow the doors off and rattle your cabinet in the style of Dino Jr/Pumpkins. It's also used in the gain section of Dave Gregory's "Double Dave" custom pedal we built for him, and he can show you how to make something musical with the gain rolled back!

 

Which one did David Gilmour use, and how can I get his sound?
At various points, he used pretty much every version including the Russians.
But to really, really nail his tone? Practice!

 

POWER SUPPLY/CAN I RUN YOUR PEDALS AT 12 OR 18V? 

9v only, please, including the aforementioned 2-in-1 pedals. Every device we have ever built is intended and rated for 9v only. Those vintage muff style builds love non-alkaline, carbon based 9v batteries (your local dollar store always has these, just don't use them in anything important like a smoke detector). 

For an external dc adapter, you need what's called the "Boss style" center negative, 9v adapter - don't worry, that's the standard pedal adapter that Musician's Friend/etc sells. We DO recommend you spend a couple extra dollars for power supplies that are listed as REGULATED power supplies (the cheaper ones are not). Some nerdly info about the differences in power supplies is listed HERE, but what you need to know: cheap, unregulated power supplies leak a bunch of ac ripple noise into your pedals, which high gain distortion pedals will amplify into an audible background whine, Regulated power supplies do not. Spend the bucks on a really good power supply for ANY pedal, not just ours. Worth it.

 

WARRANTY INFO

Check our "SERVICE" page for all info and automated warranty service


SHIPPING & DELIVERY

Free shipping on all USA orders (shipping options are a dropdown box, choose free ship option)!
Most orders ship $23.99 to Canada.
Due to VAT and tax requirements we cannot currently ship internationally.
Contact us for any special shipping circumstances!

 

RETURNS

14 day returns, Check our "SERVICE" page for all info and automated warranty service

 

TRACKING YOUR ORDER

Tracking information will be a-mailed as soon as available.
Most models are in stock; in some circumstances will will build your pedal to order.

 

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