1972 TRI-MUFF®

The 1972 Big Muffs are the last year of the “triangle” versions and the first year with some real consistency. Even though there are some component differences between them, the following are very close to each other in sound with very slight differences.

The tone of the 1972 pedals combines a grindy, gritty, wooly fuzz on chords and a sweet, smoothness on leads. The fuzz is also a lot tighter and bassier than the earlier pedals making them a newer sound than their predecessors.

All pedals were compared with the tone control at 12 o'clock. Adjusting the tone control will give you more treble or bass.

1972 V8:  The most open of all the 1972 pedals, the V8 has a lot of grit to it that even cuts through a mix on the higher strings.

All Stomp Under Foot pedals are made by hand, using only quality, through-hole components. 

The 1974 pedals have a very interesting mix of two muff circuits.

The lead tones of the pedals sounds like early 1973 pedals, like the V1 “Brick Muff,” as it has a very smooth, sustaining tone with a lot of harmonic richness. There is so much sustain in the lead tones that you just want to play leads all day.

The lower notes take their sound from the 1969-1970 pedals but add a hint of smoothness that slightly rounds off the rough edges of the notes. When you play power-chords you get a rich, wooly tone mixed with a bit of “Violet” smoothness. To me, this is the most beautiful sound I have heard from these pedals.

All pedals were compared with the tone control at 12 o'clock. Adjusting the tone control will give you more treble or bass.

1974 V12:  Has that growl and pushed, break-up on the low-end and a nice open tone on the high strings.

All Stomp Under Foot pedals are made by hand, using only quality, through-hole components.  

The 1976 pedals have a very big, open tone with more mids than a typical Big Muff. The gain of these versions leans more towards distortion than fuzz with some grit mixed in and a lot of harmonics.

Some of you may be familiar with the sound of the 1976 pedals as one of the most popular guitar players of the 1990’s based his entire sound on his 1976 Big Muff, J. Mascis from Dinosaur Jr.

All pedals were compared with the tone control at 12 o'clock. Adjusting the tone control will give you more treble or bass.

1976 V6 – BC239C:   A lot of gain and a bit more open throughout the tone and a rounder tone on the high strings.

1976 V7 – 2N5088:   Soft attack on the high strings with warm mids and a bit more low-end throughout the tone. Low notes have a softer grit under the fuzz.

1976 V12 – BC239C:  Balanced tone but a bit more open in the gain. Nice, controllable fuzz tone.

1976 V13 – BC239C:  Even tone, full gain, and very open sounding. Sits in a band mix very well.

All Stomp Under Foot pedals are made by hand, using only quality, through-hole components.