Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff PiFrom real comments

Name: Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi
Rating: 3 (15 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 15 mentions across 8 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%

PROS 54%

CONS 46%

Rank based on 15 mentions across 8 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a thick, creamy vintage fuzz/sustain tone
You plan to stack it with an overdrive for boutique-style crunch
You like raspy 60s-70s psych-rock textures

What users love

Creamy, thick fuzz tone0 mentions

Widely praised

Great with stacked pedals0 mentions

Strongly positive

Classic vintage vibe0 mentions

Widely praised

Versatile tonal range0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're sensitive to background buzz or hum on your board
You want consistent results across different guitars and amps
You dislike gambling on possible QC/defect issues

What users complain about

Buzz and noise issues0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Inconsistent build/QC0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Inconsistent results across guitars/amps0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Narrow tone-knob sweet spot0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate sound

Great with extended-range guitars

Strong overall tone quality

Price concerns

2Premium

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog tone

Long-term reliability and board loyalty

Simple, intuitive controls

High price point

Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable

Distortion at high settings

3Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamics

Long-term favorite / durability of appeal

Sweet, low-gain tone quality

High price versus clones

Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

Best value

4Mid

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatility

Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

5Premium

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb quality

High-quality warm pitch shifting

Strong aspirational appeal

High price

Cheaper alternatives may suffice

Effect can feel like it plays for you

6Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like tone

Excellent low-to-mid gain drive

Underrated favorite among owners

High price point

Limited gain-staging flexibility

No built-in reverb

7Premium

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drum

Warmer, more alive analog character

Cultural and historical influence

Extremely high collector price

Analog noise and static requiring EQ

Reliability concerns of aging hardware

8Premium

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to play

Warm, fat analog tone

Strong DAW/VST editor integration

High price for what it offers

Limited versatility outside bass range

Needs effects/partner gear to shine

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style tone

Convincing demo influenced purchase

Excellent clean boost

Not suited for metal tones

10Mid

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent tone

Versatile across genres

Works well across many guitar types

Two-channel routing complexity

Dry signal bleed-through

Inconsistent demo impressions

You are here

31Budget

Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi

Classic vintage vibeCreamy, thick fuzz toneGreat with stacked pedalsBuzz and noise issuesInconsistent build/QCInconsistent results across guitars/amps

Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi

Classic vintage vibe

Creamy, thick fuzz tone

Great with stacked pedals

Buzz and noise issues

Inconsistent build/QC

Inconsistent results across guitars/amps

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

The Little Big Muff Pi delivers a creamy, versatile fuzz that rewards experimentation. Commenters praise its creamy sustain and call it one of the most versatile pedals on their board, reacting differently depending on what's stacked with it. One user got 'boutique crunch' by running a Boss OD-3 in front with tone and sustain around 1 o'clock. Others recommend keeping the tone knob higher than noon, since it reportedly sounds weak there, and note raspy, vintage psych-rock character in the tone.

Noise and buzz complaints show up repeatedly across owners. Several users report unwanted hum or buzz, including one whose pedal boosts the amp and buzzes even when the fuzz effect is off, making it unusable on a pedalboard. Another describes a supposedly new unit buzzing constantly like an obnoxious inverter. A third struggled with unbearable noise through a specific guitar and amp combo, suggesting the issue isn't isolated to one setup.

Build consistency and pairing results seem to vary from unit to unit. One longtime owner recalls an older unit whose treble switch caused harsh, room-clearing highs. Others mention receiving a defective pedal or needing to rewire one to get better sound. A separate comment found the pedal sounded amazing with one guitar but awful with another through the same amp, indicating tone results depend heavily on the rest of the rig.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqCreamy, thick fuzz tone

2 mentions

Widely praised

Multiple users describe a creamy sustain and raspy, vintage psych-rock character to the tone. One even missed the sound after selling the pedal for a pricier fuzz.

@GuajoloteGonzales

This reminds me to the 60's-70's american heavy psych bands, very raspy and fuzzy tones here!

smart_display

February 20, 2022

@Brayden329

I sold my LBM after buying a more expensive fuzz (EQD Hoof, used). I kinda miss my LBM. It had a creamy sound that I miss. I'm sure it could get lost in a band setting but I play in my basement by myself anyway. Ah well. Maybe I'll get another one some day :) :)

smart_display

May 20, 2020

tuneGreat with stacked pedals

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Running an overdrive like the Boss OD-3 in front of the Little Big Muff with tone and sustain around 1 o'clock reportedly produces boutique-level crunch for far less money. Another user calls it the most versatile pedal on their board, reacting differently depending on what else is chained with it.

@twowheels808

Probably the most versatile pedal in my board. It truly reacts so different depending what else I’m throwing on top.

smart_display

October 17, 2021

@Content_to_suffer

if you run a boss overdrive (mine is an OD-3) in front of the lil big muff pi and turn the tone and sustain to 1 o’clock you get $350 boutique crunch for less than $150

smart_display

January 2, 2019

historyClassic vintage vibe

2 mentions

Widely praised

Listeners connect its sound to 60s-70s American heavy psych bands, and one owner of the USA classic version simply calls it cool.

@GuajoloteGonzales

This reminds me to the 60's-70's american heavy psych bands, very raspy and fuzzy tones here!

smart_display

February 20, 2022

@zurdokmexico

oh yeah, really cool , I have the big muff pi USA, classic,

smart_display

August 25, 2009

equalizerVersatile tonal range

1 mentions

Widely praised

One commenter highlights that it has notably more gain and a more scooped-mids sound compared to the double muff variant, suggesting a distinct and adaptable voicing.

@pheonix320

@LitoSantos1987 It's got a lot more gain than a double muff to my ears and has more of a scooped mids sound.

smart_display

January 31, 2011

volume_offBuzz and noise issues

3 mentions

Strongly criticized

Several users report troubling noise: one pedal buzzes even with the fuzz disengaged, boosting the amp and ruining the tone on a pedalboard, while another describes a supposedly new unit buzzing obnoxiously even when idle. A third struggled with unbearable noise that a noise suppressor couldn't fix.

@yoBradyO11

Pretty sure I just got a brand new defective one. Thing sounds like a piece of crap. I was really looking forward to it. Even just sitting idle not playing anything it buzzes Iike 50 megawatt solar field inverter. Its beyond obnoxious.

smart_display

December 19, 2020

@PlaneCrashClub

i have a question. i own this exact pedal. it works fine but when the fuzz isnt engaged the pedal boosts the amp and makes a buzz sound in the tone that makes the pedal unuseable in a pedalboard becasue it ruins the whole tone.

smart_display

June 29, 2012

@pkatsiv

What is the problem with the sound? my earphones' problem or it does have toooo much tremble?\n\nAnyway. the question is:\nI have (almost) the same gear. gibson SG (standard), little big muff and fender solid state amp. the sound of the pedal is very cool, but the noise is UNBEARABLE!!! my noise supressor won't cut it probably because the noise is mistaken for a proper guitar-tone!!\n\nwhat can i do???

smart_display

February 3, 2010

warningInconsistent build/QC

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user suspects they received a defective unit, another had to rewire theirs to get it sounding better than stock, and a longtime owner recalls a treble switch that produced unbearably harsh sound.

@yoBradyO11

smart_display

December 19, 2020

@offspringj1

i have one of those, it was fucked when i got it but a bit of re-wiring and it sounds much better than this one

smart_display

December 10, 2011

@guitarran

I used to have one, used it for years and 1983 ended up tossing it in the dumpster lol\nYeah, every time I flicked the treble switch it caused an immediate clearing of the room. If I knew what it would sale for now I would have looked into holding on to it -- hear that kiddies? Try to hang on to your toys.

smart_display

April 26, 2011

compare_arrowsInconsistent results across guitars/amps

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user found the pedal sounded amazing with one guitar through an amp but awful with another guitar through the same amp, suggesting tone results depend heavily on gear pairing.

@Fullofpies

I got one of these and it sounds absolutely awful with a Gretsch G2622 With its fidelisonic P90s. Through the same amp (orange micro dark) it sounds amazing with my old 80s Yamaha Rgx112.

smart_display

October 23, 2021

tuneNarrow tone-knob sweet spot

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter complains that demos setting the tone knob at noon sound awful, preferring settings closer to 1-2 o'clock, implying the control isn't forgiving at default-seeming positions.

@THEOTHAWEEGIE

Why does every Big Muffin demo end up with the Tone knob being set at noon? They sound awful at noon. 1-2 o’clock is the best.

smart_display

December 28, 2024

Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff Pichat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff PiFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression