Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi Distortion and Overdrive Pedal

The Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi combines four classic germanium transistors to give you a modern overdrive and distortion pedal with vintage analogue heritage.

Dual Vintage Distortion and Overdrive Pedal

This highly versatile overdrive and distortion pedal perfectly captures the warm and unique character from 1960s germanium transistors.

Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi Key Features:

• Individual Overdrive and Distortion
• Ability to Stack Overdrive and Distortion Together
• Each Mode Uses Its Own 2 Germanium Stack
• Bias and Tone Control Define Overdrive Tonality
• Volts and Bias Define How the Distortion Reacts

Two Pedals In One

The Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi features two independent circuits; one for distortion and the other for overdrive.

Each of these circuits can be activated with their own ON/OFF bypass footswitch and each features completely independent controls so you can get the exact sounds you want out of them.

Furthermore, you can use these two circuits separately or together.

The Distortion Side

You can use the Distortion side of the Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi independently or in conjunction with the Overdrive side.

The Distortion side utilises two germanium transistors allowing you to go from clean to gritty overdrive to full-on distortion.

Using the Gain Control you can adjust the amount of preamp gain in the Distortion side of the pedal. The further clockwise you turn the Gain knob, the more the volume and distortion will increase.

With the Bias Control you can adjust the character of the distortion, changing the bias of the signal before it is distorted by the germanium transistors.

Turn the Bias knob anti-clockwise for a softer, compressed tone. Turn it clockwise and you'll get an edgier, more aggressive tone.

You can further shape the sound with the Volts Control which adjusts the voltage supplied to the Distortion side.

Turn the Volts knob fully clockwise and the circuit will receive the full voltage. Turn it anti-clockwise to simulate a dying battery.

As you lower the voltage, your signal will become more compressed and begin clipping. This gives you a wide range of textures to add to your sound.

Lastly there's a Volume Control you can use to adjust the output level of the Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi pedal's Distortion side.

The Overdrive Side

Just like the Distortion side, you can use the Overdrive side independently or together with the Distortion side. With both sides on, the Overdrive side follows the Distortion side in the signal chain.

Utilising two germanium transistors, the Overdrive side gives you everything from a nice, fattening boost to warm overdrive.

Making things a little more interesting, the overdrive reacts differently to different input levels. If you use hotter pickups or have the Distortion side on, you'll get a whole variety of tonal options to play with.

Using the Gain Control, you can adjust the amount of gain in the two germanium transistor preamp gain stage for the Overdrive side.

Using the Bias Control you can adjust the character of the distortion by changing the bias of the signal in the preamp section of the overdrive circuit.

Set the Bias knob to 12 o'clock and you get the clearest, most dynamic sound. Turn it fully-clockwise and you will get a more compressed sound. When you have the Bias control turned fully-anti-clockwise, your sound starts to clip, giving authentic vintage grit in your overdrive.

There's also a Tone Control over Overdrive side which allows you to adjust the low end and high end emphasis in your sound while a Volume Control sets the output level of the Overdrive side.

Stick Together

Not only is this two pedals in one, but you can stack them together to create awesome sounds of your own using up to four transistors at once.

Buy the Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi distortion and overdrive pedal from PMT Online now for classic germanium powered, '60s inspired sound with modern versatility.