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Average Price: $700
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Description
The Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A is a legendary fuzz pedal that has etched its place in the annals of rock history. Rooted in the iconic fuzz circuitry of its predecessors, this pedal delivers a thick, creamy fuzz tone that can effortlessly cut through any mix. Its distinctive blue and white design pays homage to its origins, while the name "Civil War" nods to the era it was born in—the early 1990s. Known for its ability to produce a rich, saturated sound, it’s no wonder that this pedal has been a favorite of influential guitarists like Dan Auerbach, Thurston Moore, and David Gilmour.
The "Civil War" Big Muff's appeal lies in its versatility. Whether you're chasing the soaring solos of classic rock or the gritty undertones of alternative music, this pedal is equipped to deliver. It manages to maintain clarity even at high gain settings, ensuring your riffs remain articulate and powerful.
The pedal's robust build means it's ready to withstand the rigors of both studio sessions and live performances, while its simple control layout makes it accessible for musicians of all skill levels. With a legacy of sound that stands the test of time, the "Civil War" Big Muff is more than just a pedal—it's a piece of musical history.
Key Features:
- Classic fuzz circuitry for rich, creamy tones
- Distinctive blue/white design
- Renowned for clarity at high gain settings
- Favored by artists like Dan Auerbach and David Gilmour
- Durable build for live and studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Electro-Harmonix |
| Model | Big Muff Pi V7 (Civil War) |
| Finish | White / Blue |
| Year | 1991 - 1994 |
| Made In | Russia |
| Categories | Distortion Pedals, Fuzz Pedals and Effects |
| Pedal Format | Standard |
FAQs
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What makes the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A different from other Big Muff versions?
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The "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A is known for its distinctive mid-scooped tone and increased bass response, making it a favorite for achieving a smooth, creamy fuzz sound. It has a unique circuit design that sets it apart from other Big Muff variants.
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Is the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A suitable for both guitar and bass?
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Yes, the "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A is popular among both guitarists and bassists due to its rich, full-bodied fuzz tone that complements a wide range of musical styles.
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What power supply is required for the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A?
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The "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A typically requires a standard 9V battery for operation. Some models may also accommodate a 9V DC power adapter, but it's important to check the specific version for compatibility.
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How does the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A perform in a live setting?
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The "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A is renowned for its ability to cut through a mix with its powerful fuzz tone, making it an excellent choice for live performances where a distinctive and dynamic sound is desired.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A?
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This pedal is known for its smooth and creamy fuzz with a pronounced low-end and slightly scooped mids, delivering a rich and vintage-inspired tone ideal for rock and alternative music styles.
Videos
gearmanndude
Big Muff Shootout Sovtek Green Russian vs Civil War Big Muff Pi comparison
Reviews
PROS
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Offers deep gritty growl to bluesy screams versatility
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Wicker switch enables easy tone transitions
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Capable of both doom and vintage drive sounds
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Superior mids control compared to other Muff fuzzes
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Thick sustain and overtones for a distinct sound
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Versatile for both clean and edge of breakup channels
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Solid build quality
CONS
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Does not come with its own power adapter
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Build quality declined in late 90s models
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Pots can be loose; touchy volume knob
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Not as reliable on pedalboards due to build issues
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
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David Gilmour used the Sovtek Civil War Big Muff in the Pulse Tour in combination with the B.K. Tube Overdrive to créate a new distortion sound that still uses in recent records.
A photo of Thurston Moore's pedalboard shows he uses a Sovtek Civil War Big Muff distortion pedal (this photo's time period is undetermined).
Gerard Way mentions on Instagram that he recently purchased the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A, a pedal he had long desired. He notes its use during the recording of "S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W" on the album "Danger Days" with producer Rob Cavallo's unit.
"John is a Russian Big Muff collector and has used them from time to time.
'That is a Russian, Civil War era Big Muff pedal making that noise in the middle (of Mystic Highway). A lot of people don’t know what I am talking about. I have quite a collection of Russian Big Muffs. They are very unique and I wanted to use that to add to that hippie vibe.' - John Fogerty in 2013"
A desert island backline for me would be a Travis Bean Standard koa model along with a [Sunn] model T full stack. I could even do a half stack for a small club or beach hut. I would also choose a Les Paul with P-90s and go with the model T. I would take a RAT too, but I would need to bring along an EHX Sovtek Civil War Big Muff as well.
At the 48:09 mark in the YouTube video titled "Sunday Live Chat: a look back THE PROCESS! 10/15/23" by SCAREMEISTER, a brief glimpse reveals the Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A pedal in the bottom right of the frame, confirming its use in Skinny Puppy's 1996 setup by cEvin Key.
A Sovtek Civil War Big Muff can be seen on Greg's board in this picture from a Dutch music magazine.
Pedal 89 in Stompbox: 100 Pedals of the World's Greatest Guitarists, as can be seen in the quick browse video at 0:37. It was sold to Blackbook Guitars in 2015, who reached out to Stomp Under Foot for a limited edition clone: the Fuzz Honey. The original seems to have been re-aqcuired by the time Stompbox was being made, however. The Fuzz Honey's product description is archived on Effects Database's page for it.
I am really happy to announce an exclusive pedal for Blackbook Guitars in Portland, Oregon.
The owner of Blackbook, Nate, contacted me about making a copy of Mudhoney’s, Steve Turner’s, original Civil War Big Muff that was used on all the early Mudhoney albums.
Being very familiar with the Civil War, as I have been making them for over six years now, and a fan of Mudhoney, I was very excited about this project.
Steve personally sold the pedal to Blackbook and has even commented on it through his Instagram page.
The pedal is called the Fuzz Honey and, as with all the Stomp Under Foot pedals, these are handmade in the USA.
The Fuzz Honey also uses original, NOS, Russian transistors and the same exact resistors and capacitors like the original.
These are limited to thirty pedals.
Mentioned in this December 10, 2020 Guitar interview and deducible given Nevermind’s 1991 release year.
“And we only used a couple of pedals. Kurt had a Big Muff. And I think I had a Russian Big Muff, which is, you know, very close. And he had a RAT. And then he had a Small Clone, which is sort of the watery effect on Teen Spirit in the verses. Come As You Are as well. But that was it; a pretty simple setup, really.
Album Usage
The Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Electro-Harmonix Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi V7/V7A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
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