Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI 2 With Tone Wicker Fuzz Pedal

The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker expands the distinctive dual op-amp Big Muff Pi 2 circuit with two powerful tone-shaping switches. It delivers singing sustain, thick harmonic saturation and a pronounced midrange bark, with additional control over the pedal’s high-frequency response and internal tone circuit.

At its core are the familiar Volume, Tone and Sustain controls, providing everything from rounded, bass-heavy fuzz to aggressive distortion with an articulate upper-end bite. The three-position Wicker switch removes selected high-frequency filters to introduce extra clarity and sizzle, while the Tone switch can bypass the entire tone circuit for a full-range, unfiltered fuzz sound.

A soft-touch footswitch supports both conventional latching operation and momentary effect changes. This makes the Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker equally effective as a core pedalboard fuzz, a sustained lead sound or a creative effect that can be introduced for brief bursts during a performance.

Quick Product Summary

The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker is an analogue fuzz, distortion and sustainer pedal based on a previously unreleased dual op-amp circuit developed during the 1970s.

It retains the mid-forward voice, creamy saturation and long sustain of the standard Big Muff Pi 2, then adds a switchable tone bypass and two stages of extended high-frequency response. These additions make it easy to move between traditional Big Muff warmth, cutting modern fuzz and wide-open full-frequency distortion.

At A Glance

Why Choose the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker?

Long-Lost Dual Op-Amp Circuit

The Big Muff Pi 2 is built around a previously unreleased dual op-amp circuit created during the 1970s by longtime Electro-Harmonix collaborator Bob Myer.

Rather than simply recreating an existing production Big Muff, this design introduces its own tonal personality. It produces the sustain and saturated texture associated with the Big Muff family while adding a particularly strong midrange grind and immediate attack.

This makes the pedal especially effective when a fuzz sound needs to remain audible alongside:

• Distorted rhythm guitars
• Heavy drums
• Layered effects
• Synthesisers
• Dense studio arrangements
• Down-tuned instruments

Thick, Singing Sustain

The Sustain control determines the amount of fuzz, distortion and compression produced by the circuit.

Lower settings provide a more responsive drive with greater definition between notes. Increasing the control creates heavier saturation, thicker harmonics and the extended sustain associated with classic Big Muff sounds.

At higher settings, chords become broad and powerful while single notes develop a smooth, singing quality suitable for lead guitar.

Three-Position Wicker Switch

The Wicker switch changes the pedal’s high-frequency filtering and offers three distinct settings.

Wicker Off

This provides the standard Big Muff Pi 2 response. The sound remains thick, focused and mid-forward, with the familiar balance controlled by the Tone knob.

Wicker Half

The Half position removes part of the high-frequency filtering. It introduces an extra touch of presence without completely transforming the character of the pedal.

This setting can help riffs and lead lines cut through a mix while preserving much of the original Big Muff warmth.

Wicker Full

The Full position opens the high-frequency bandwidth further, allowing more treble clarity and upper-end sizzle to pass through the circuit.

It is particularly effective when using darker Tone settings, helping retain definition without removing the pedal’s bass weight and sustain.

Switchable Tone Circuit

The dedicated Tone switch determines whether the Tone knob and its associated circuitry remain in the signal path.

With the switch set to On, the Tone control operates conventionally and provides the familiar Big Muff balance between bass and treble.

With the switch set to Off, the entire tone circuit is bypassed. This creates a louder-feeling, full-range fuzz response with powerful drive and a more direct, unfiltered character.

The Tone knob has no effect while the circuit is bypassed.

Multiple Distinct Fuzz Voices

Combining the Tone and Wicker switches provides six possible configurations, including the standard Big Muff Pi 2 setting and five additional tonal modes.

These combinations allow the pedal to cover:

• Warm and rounded Big Muff fuzz
• Brighter high-gain distortion
• Mid-forward rhythm sounds
• Open full-frequency saturation
• Cutting lead tones
• Raspy garage-style fuzz
• Dense shoegaze textures
• Sustained psychedelic sounds

This expanded flexibility makes the pedal suitable for players who enjoy the Big Muff sound but need more control over presence, clarity and frequency range.

Familiar Three-Control Layout

Despite its expanded tonal range, the pedal remains easy to operate.

Volume

Sets the overall output level. It can be used to match the bypassed signal, compensate for different tone-switch settings or create an additional level boost when the effect is engaged.

Tone

Adjusts the frequency balance when the Tone circuit is active. Turning clockwise increases the treble response while reducing bass. Anticlockwise settings create a deeper, darker sound.

Sustain

Controls the amount of fuzz, distortion and note sustain. Lower settings provide a more restrained response, while higher settings create dense compression and long-lasting saturation.

Latching and Momentary Footswitch Operation

The soft-touch footswitch can operate as both a conventional latching switch and a momentary effect control.

A normal press and release toggles the pedal between effect and bypass modes. Holding the footswitch for more than half a second temporarily changes its state, returning to the previous mode when the switch is released.

This allows players to:

• Add brief bursts of fuzz
• Momentarily clean up a sustained section
• Accent individual chords
• Introduce temporary feedback-style textures
• Create rapid changes during experimental performances

Momentary operation can be disabled, and the pedal remembers the selected setting after power is disconnected.

Buffered Bypass

The pedal uses buffered bypass rather than mechanical true bypass.

Its buffer helps maintain signal strength through longer cables and larger pedalboards. This can reduce high-frequency loss when several pedals and cable runs are placed between the instrument and amplifier.

Works with Guitar, Bass and Other Instruments

Although primarily designed as a guitar effect, the Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker can also create powerful sounds with bass guitar, synthesisers, keyboards and compatible electronic instruments.

Its mid-forward voice can help distorted bass remain audible in a mix, while the Wicker settings add definition to darker instruments and lower tunings.

Why Choose a Tone-Wicker Fuzz Pedal?

Traditional Big Muff circuits are known for thick saturation, extended sustain and a distinctive tone network. That internal filtering is an important part of the classic sound, but it can also create a scooped or softened response in certain setups.

The Tone Wicker design allows the player to alter or remove parts of that filtering.

This provides greater control when changing between:

• Different amplifiers
• Single-coil and humbucking pickups
• Standard and lower tunings
• Rhythm and lead playing
• Live and studio environments
• Sparse and heavily layered arrangements

The Wicker switch restores selected upper frequencies, while the Tone bypass removes the full tone network. The result is a wider range of sounds without requiring a separate equaliser or additional drive pedal.

Who Is the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker For?

Alternative and Indie Guitarists

The pedal’s sustained chords, textured harmonics and adjustable high-frequency response make it well suited to alternative rock, indie and layered guitar arrangements.

Shoegaze Players

High Sustain settings create broad walls of sound that interact effectively with reverb, delay, chorus and modulation effects.

The Wicker switch can restore clarity when several effects are used together.

Grunge and Garage Musicians

The strong midrange and raspy Wicker modes can produce aggressive rhythm sounds with more bite than a smoother traditional fuzz.

Lead Guitarists

The compressed sustain helps single notes remain consistent, while the Half and Full Wicker positions provide the presence needed for leads to cut through a band mix.

Stoner and Psychedelic Players

Dark Tone settings produce thick, weighty fuzz, while the Tone bypass creates a wide-open sound that works well for heavy riffs, extended solos and feedback-based textures.

Experimental Musicians

Momentary switching and the six available Tone/Wicker combinations provide useful options for sound design and unconventional performances.

Existing Big Muff Users

Players who already enjoy the Big Muff family but need more midrange, treble definition or tonal flexibility will find the additional switches especially useful.

What’s Included?

• Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker pedal
• 9V battery

Power adapter not included.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every effects pedal supplied by Fair Deal Music is checked by our experienced team before dispatch.

Our assessment includes:

• Enclosure and control inspection
• Input and output socket test
• Volume control operation
• Tone control response
• Sustain range assessment
• Tone bypass switch check
• All three Wicker positions tested
• Latching footswitch operation
• Momentary footswitch operation
• Buffered bypass signal check
• Battery and external power operation
• Final presentation and packing inspection

Technical Specifications

General

Controls

Wicker Modes

Connections

Power Requirements

The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker can be powered by a 9V battery or a compatible regulated pedal power supply.

When battery powered, inserting a cable into the Input socket activates the pedal. Disconnect the input cable when the pedal is not in use to preserve battery life.

Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker Compared with Other Big Muff Pedals

Compared with the Standard Big Muff Pi 2

Both models use the same distinctive dual op-amp gain architecture and provide Volume, Tone and Sustain controls.

The Tone Wicker version adds:

• Switchable Tone circuit bypass
• Half Wicker mode
• Full Wicker mode
• Five additional tonal configurations

The standard Big Muff Pi 2 is ideal for players who want the core dual op-amp sound in its simplest form. The Tone Wicker version is better suited to musicians who want greater control over treble response and full-range fuzz.

Compared with the Original Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker

Both pedals provide a Tone bypass and expanded high-frequency response, but they are built around different core gain circuits.

The Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker uses the newly revived dual op-amp design, producing its own mid-forward crunch and bark. It also provides separate Half and Full Wicker positions for two levels of additional high-frequency content.

Compared with the Op-Amp Big Muff Pi

The Op-Amp Big Muff Pi recreates a production circuit associated with late-1970s Big Muff sounds.

The Big Muff Pi 2 is based on a different dual op-amp design that was developed during the same era but did not originally enter production. The Tone Wicker model then expands that rediscovered circuit with additional filtering options.

Compared with the Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2

The Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2 provides a larger set of controls, including an adjustable gate and footswitchable midrange section. It is designed for players who require extensive control and live switching.

The Tone Wicker version is more compact and straightforward while still offering substantially more tonal variety than the standard Big Muff Pi 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same circuit as the standard Big Muff Pi 2?

The core dual op-amp gain circuit is the same, but the Tone Wicker model adds switchable tone bypass and two levels of extended high-frequency response.

What happens when the Tone switch is turned off?

The Tone knob and its associated filtering are removed from the signal path. This produces a full-range fuzz with a more direct and uncoloured response.

Can the Wicker switch be used while the Tone circuit is bypassed?

Yes. The Wicker and Tone switches can be combined, allowing the high-frequency filtering to be adjusted with the Tone circuit either active or bypassed.

Is the pedal suitable for rhythm guitar?

Yes. Lower Sustain settings produce tighter drive sounds, while the mid-forward response helps riffs retain definition. The Wicker switch can add further attack when required.

Does it work well with single-coil pickups?

Yes. Single coils can produce articulate and cutting fuzz sounds, particularly with Wicker engaged. Darker settings can be selected with the Tone control when a rounder response is preferred.

How does it respond to humbuckers?

Humbuckers drive the circuit strongly and can produce thick, sustained distortion. The Half or Full Wicker settings can help maintain clarity with darker or higher-output pickups.

Where should it be placed in a pedal chain?

A common starting position is near the beginning of the signal chain, after tuners and before modulation, delay and reverb.

Different placements can produce creative results, particularly when combining the pedal with octave, filter and pitch effects.

Can the momentary switching function be disabled?

Yes. Momentary operation can be disabled through the pedal’s power-up procedure. The selected setting is retained when the pedal is switched off.

Does it use true bypass?

No. The pedal uses buffered bypass to help maintain signal strength through longer cables and larger pedalboards.

Is it suitable for bass guitar?

Yes. Its mid-forward character and adjustable high-frequency response can produce powerful bass fuzz. Players who require dedicated clean blending or advanced low-frequency control may prefer a bass-specific Big Muff model.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 with Tone Wicker takes an already distinctive fuzz circuit and gives it considerably more tonal flexibility without making it complicated to use.

The standard dual op-amp sound is thick, sustaining and more mid-focused than many traditional Big Muff designs. Engaging the Wicker settings adds definition and bite, while bypassing the Tone circuit unleashes a powerful full-frequency fuzz with impressive weight and immediacy.

For players seeking classic Big Muff sustain with stronger mids, adjustable high-end clarity and performance-friendly momentary switching, this is one of the most versatile compact pedals in the Big Muff Pi 2 range.

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• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
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