In a momentous discovery for the world of effects pedals, Electro-Harmonix (EHX) has officially launched the Big Muff Pi 2 Dual Op-Amp, a fuzz circuit design that was conceived in the late 1970s but remained unreleased for nearly five decades. This unexpected addition to the legendary Big Muff family is a testament to the enduring innovation of its original creators.
A Lost Chapter in EHX History
The story of the Big Muff Pi 2 begins with the celebrated partnership between EHX Founder and President, Mike Matthews, and the pedal’s original inventor, Bob Myer. Known for their constant drive to innovate, Myer regularly presented Matthews with updated circuits, adapting to the latest available technology. While some designs, like the iconic Triangle and Ram’s Head Muffs, became legends, others were sidelined.
The Dual Op-Amp design was one such forgotten schematic. Created around the late 1970s, it represented an alternate evolution of the Big Muff circuit, utilizing dual operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) rather than the standard four-transistor layout seen in many early versions. The blueprint for this unique circuit was stashed away in Bob Myer’s files, lost to time.
Earlier this week, we released the JHS Pedals limited-run Big Box version of the design, and now the official EHX model has been launched.
The Discovery and Resurrection
The pedal’s resurrection is credited to two dedicated disciples of the EHX legacy: Josh Scott of JHS Pedals and artist Daniel Danger. While conducting an interview with Bob Myer in his personal workshop, Scott and Danger stumbled upon the hand-drawn schematic tucked away among Myer’s aging notes.
Recognizing the historical significance of the blueprint, Josh Scott painstakingly decoded the original circuit, bringing the Big Muff Pi 2 back to life. The final production unit is now housed in a nano-sized die-cast chassis featuring custom artwork by Daniel Danger, combining vintage authenticity with modern utility.
A Unique Flavor of Muff
While it carries the “Big Muff Pi” name, the BMP2 offers a distinct sonic personality designed to “further fill out your Muff flavor palate.” It remains true to the EHX fuzz legacy with its characteristic singing sustain and immense gain, but introduces several unique tonal characteristics:
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Crispy Top End and Booming Lows: Provides excellent clarity and bottom-end girth.
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Slightly Less Refined Clipping: This characteristic gives the pedal a grittier, more raw and “fuzzy” feel that is slightly more dynamic and responsive than some of its predecessors.
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The Dual Op-Amp Circuit: This novel architecture is the source of its unique edge and response, offering a fresh texture for Big Muff lovers.
Modern Features for a Vintage Circuit
The Big Muff Pi 2 features the intuitive, three-knob control set familiar to all Big Muff users:
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SUSTAIN: Controls the amount of fuzz and distortion, from a medium-gain grit to “full fuzz fury.”
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TONE: Adjusts the frequency contour, rotating from a deep, rumbling thunder to a bright, cutting rasp (increasing treble and decreasing bass).
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VOL (Volume): Sets the overall output level of the pedal.
Crucially, the Big Muff Pi 2 introduces a modern player convenience that is a first for the Big Muff line: silent true bypass footswitching with Latching/Momentary Action. This feature allows players to use the pedal in a standard click-on/click-off mode, or to press and hold the footswitch for a momentary burst of controlled fuzz mayhem, a useful tool for quick accents and fills.
The Big Muff Pi 2 Dual Op-Amp is now available, offering musicians a tangible piece of effects history and a unique new voice in fuzz.
If you are a fan of the Big Muff, check out our History of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and Top 5 Big Muff Clones/Alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I. Discovery and History
| Question | Answer |
| What is the Big Muff Pi 2? | It is a newly released EHX fuzz pedal based on a forgotten Dual Op-Amp circuit design created by Bob Myer in the late 1970s, now resurrected for production. |
| Why was the circuit not released in the ’70s? | The design was one of many that Bob Myer presented to Mike Matthews. It was simply put aside at the time and was not selected for production, remaining stashed in Myer’s files until its recent discovery. |
| Who discovered the schematic? | The hand-drawn schematic was discovered by Josh Scott (JHS Pedals) and artist Daniel Danger while they were interviewing original Big Muff inventor Bob Myer in his old workshop. |
| Who is Daniel Danger? | Daniel Danger is an artist and EHX enthusiast who contributed the custom artwork for the Big Muff Pi 2 chassis. |
II. Tone and Features
| Question | Answer |
| What makes the BMP2 circuit unique? | It is characterized by its 2 Dual Op-Amp (Operational Amplifier) design, which differentiates it from the traditional four-transistor Big Muff circuits. |
| How does the tone differ from other Big Muffs? | The BMP2 offers a unique voice with a crispy top end, booming low-end, and slightly less refined clipping. It is described as having a unique edge, being slightly more dynamic, and slightly more fuzzy than classic models. |
| What are the control knobs? | The pedal uses the standard Big Muff control set: VOL (Volume), TONE, and SUSTAIN. |
| What is the silent true bypass feature? | It’s a modern footswitching system that allows for quiet, pop-free switching between effect on and off. |
| What is Latching/Momentary Action? | This is a unique feature on the BMP2. Latching is the normal click-on/click-off operation. Momentary action is activated by pressing and holding the footswitch, engaging the fuzz only for the duration of the press. |
| What is the physical size of the pedal? | The Big Muff Pi 2 is housed in a compact nano-sized die-cast chassis. |
Price & Availability
The new EHX Big Muff 2 costs $122 and is available now via EXH authorized dealers worldwide.
Available now at Sweetwater, priced $122
More Information
#EHX #Big Muff 2
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