JHS and Electro-Harmonix Unearth the “Lost” Big Muff 2, With Massive Low End for Bass
Over the years, the Big Muff has stood as one of the most celebrated fuzz pedals available. It’s been reimagined in several different formats, but JHS Pedals and Electro-Harmonix have teamed up to introduce the Big Muff 2, a circuit that had been lost to time until research for a new book on EHX.
“In 2021, while on a research trip that led to the creation of the book Made On Earth For Rising Stars: The Electro-Harmonix Story, we had the privilege of digging through decades of materials, memorabilia, devices, and prototypes in the workshop of Bob Myer, the inventor of the EHX Big Muff,” JHS explains. “It was there we discovered it: a loose sheet of paper with a hand-drawn schematic labeled ‘BIG MUFF USING (2 DUAL OP AMPS)’. This wasn’t just another circuit. It was Bob Myer’s own attempt to reimagine the original transistorized Big Muff circuit using the new cutting-edge Op-Amp technology that had emerged later in the 1970s. For nearly 50 years, this “Lost Big Muff” design sat forgotten in his notebooks — until now. We found it. We built it. And have brought it to life.”
Housed in a red chassis, the pedal has a familiar control set with Volume, Sustain, and Tone knobs. However, the Big Muff 2 sets itself apart from the late 70s Op-Amp Big Muff with a different clipping arrangement, an extra gain stage, and other features. JHS says the new pedal’s dual Op-Amp design has the original’s DNA while having “a sharper edge, more volume, and the. most pronounced low-end and midrange of any EHX Big Muff ever.”
Check out Nate Navarro‘s bass demo of the Big Muff 2:
The EHX by JHS Big Muff 2 is available now for $249. The book Made On Earth For Rising Stars: The Electro-Harmonix Story will be shipping in May. It’s open to preorders via EHXBook.com.
EHX by JHS Big Muff 2 Photos:
EHX by JHS Big Muff 2 Features:
| VOLUME - Controls the output volume. Left is less, right is more. |
| SUSTAIN - Controls the amount of fuzz, which increases the sustain when turned up. Left is less, right is more. |
| TONE - Controls the overall tone. Left is darker, right is brighter. |
| POWER - 9VDC center negative, 18mA |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
A page taken right from the “vintage” car sales book. Tel some geek it vintage, lost, one of, and hook line and sinker. But this was made on the 5th Tuesday of April with yellow paint and purple interior, by a pregnant man who was a lady, and discontinued that year. Oh and did I mention the interior lights and smoking package?
Just like the “lost” back to the future guitar and all the back story 🐂💩Bonomassa puts on guitars. It’s all a ploy to drive the price of old junk up. You can get a new $400 Chinese guitar that will outplay any 50s 60s or 70s Gibson or fender. It’s basic technological advancement.
I’ll be willing to bet in a blind taste test. Nobody will identify it over any other pedal. And when you play live or on a recording. Nobody will hear or care.
Case in point. I have a really cheap acoustic bass I use occasionally. Everyone asks more about it than my $5000 custom built electric bass.