Lexx's Big Muff: The Legendary Fuzz Pedal That Has Shaped Decades of Music

Introduction

Lexx's Big Muff, also known simply as the Big Muff, is an iconic fuzz pedal manufactured by Electro-Harmonix. It has been used by countless guitarists over the years, from David Gilmour and Jimi Hendrix to Jack White and Kevin Shields. The Big Muff is known for its thick, saturated distortion, which can range from a subtle overdrive to a full-blown fuzz.

History and Development

The Big Muff was originally designed by Mike Matthews in the early 1970s. Matthews was inspired by the sound of the fuzz pedals used by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Johnson. He set out to create a pedal that would produce a similar sound but with more versatility and control.

The first Big Muff pedals were released in 1973. They quickly became popular among guitarists, and they have remained a staple of the guitar pedalboard ever since. Over the years, Electro-Harmonix has released several different versions of the Big Muff, including the Big Muff Pi, the Big Muff Ram's Head, and the Little Big Muff.

Characteristics of the Lexx's Big Muff

The Big Muff is known for its thick, saturated distortion. The pedal has three controls: volume, tone, and sustain. The volume control adjusts the output level of the pedal, the tone control adjusts the frequency response of the pedal, and the sustain control adjusts the amount of feedback in the pedal.

The Big Muff is a versatile pedal that can be used to create a wide range of sounds. It can be used to create a subtle overdrive, a thick fuzz, or even a gated distortion. The pedal is also very responsive to the player's touch, which makes it a great choice for creating expressive and dynamic guitar solos.

Famous Users of the Lexx's Big Muff

The Big Muff has been used by countless guitarists over the years. Some of the most famous users of the pedal include:

• David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
• Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
• Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs)
• Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
• Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
• Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)
• John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)

Pros and Cons of the Lexx's Big Muff

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Big Muff:

Pros:

• Thick, saturated distortion
• Versatile pedal that can be used to create a wide range of sounds
• Responsive to the player's touch
• Durable and reliable

Cons:

• Can be noisy at high gain settings
• Can be difficult to dial in the perfect sound
• Can be expensive

Alternatives to the Lexx's Big Muff

There are a number of other fuzz pedals on the market that offer a similar sound to the Big Muff. Some of the most popular alternatives include:

• Electro-Harmonix Russian Big Muff
• ProCo Rat
• Fulltone OCD
• MXR Distortion+
• Boss DS-1

Conclusion

The Lexx's Big Muff is an iconic fuzz pedal that has shaped decades of music. It is a versatile pedal that can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from a subtle overdrive to a full-blown fuzz. If you are looking for a fuzz pedal that will give you a thick, saturated distortion, the Big Muff is a great choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between the Big Muff Pi and the Big Muff Ram's Head?

The Big Muff Pi is the original version of the Big Muff. It has a more scooped midrange than the Big Muff Ram's Head, which has a more aggressive and saturated sound.

2. What is the best way to use the Big Muff?

The Big Muff can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used as a stand-alone distortion pedal, or it can be used in conjunction with other pedals to create a more complex sound. The Big Muff is also a great pedal for creating feedback and noise.

3. What are some of the famous songs that feature the Big Muff?

The Big Muff has been used on countless famous songs, including:

• "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple
• "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
• "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
• "Wonderwall" by Oasis
• "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes

Tables

Table 1: Specifications of the Lexx's Big Muff

Table 2: Comparison of the Big Muff Pi and the Big Muff Ram's Head

Table 3: Famous Users of the Lexx's Big Muff

Exploration of a Creative New Word to Discuss New Field of Application

The term "fuzz" is often used to describe the sound of the Big Muff. However, this term is also used to describe a wide range of other sounds, including the sound of a broken speaker or the sound of a distorted guitar amplifier. This can make it difficult to accurately describe the sound of the Big Muff.

To address this issue, I propose a new word to describe the sound of the Big Muff: "muffiness." Muffiness is a term that I coined to describe the thick, saturated distortion that is characteristic of the Big Muff. This term is more specific than "fuzz" and it more accurately describes the sound of the pedal.

Muffiness can be used to describe the sound of the Big Muff in a variety of contexts. For example, you could say that a guitar solo has a "muffy" sound or that a song has a "muffy" atmosphere. Muffiness can also be used to compare the sound of the Big Muff to other fuzz pedals. For example, you could say that the Big Muff has a "muffier" sound than the ProCo Rat.

I believe that the term "muffiness" is a valuable addition to the vocabulary of guitarists. It is a term that accurately describes the sound of the Big Muff and it can be used to compare the sound of the pedal to other fuzz pedals.

Conclusion

The Lexx's Big Muff is an iconic fuzz pedal that has shaped decades of music. It is a versatile pedal that can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from a subtle overdrive to a full-blown fuzz. If you are looking for a fuzz pedal that will give you a thick, saturated distortion, the Big Muff is a great choice.