J Mascis Is Honored by Electro-Harmonix With Signature Ram's Head Big Muff Pi

To us guitar players, the words ‘rams head big muff’ mean something different.

But to J Mascis, they represent something truly special.

Having amassed an impressive collection, the alt-rock legend is regarded as a connoisseur of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi.

He’s used them in Dinosaur Jr. for years and the thick distortion they yield is as much a part of his signature sound as anything.

Now, the New York effects pedal pioneer has added the J Mascis Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi to their extensive line of Muffs that also includes [deep breath] the Nano Metal Muff, Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi, Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi, Triangle Big Muff Pi, Op Amp Big Muff Pi, Green Russian Big Muff Pi, Nano Bass Big Muff Pi, Deluxe Big Muff Pi, Nano Big Muff Pi, Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi, Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi, Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker, Bass Big Muff Pi, Little Big Muff Pi, Metal Muff with Top Boost and – last but not least – the good ol’ Big Muff Pi.

That’s a lot of Muff.

Priced $131.50, EHX says the new stompbox “pays homage to the sonic center of the alt-rock legend’s iconic tone of equal parts thickness and clarity.”

Recalling the first time he came across a Muff, Mascis says, “I got it pretty soon after I got my guitar. On the first Dino album [1985’s Dinosaur] I have it listed as an instrument – like I played guitar and Big Muff.”

Mascis’s first Muff was one of the larger, Howard Davis-designed Deluxe units that appeared in the late ‘70s.

Next, he acquired a ‘ram’s head’ version. Featuring red, purple, blue or black graphics, the name comes from a so-called ram’s head motif positioned in the bottom-right corner. 

Superseding the ‘triangle’ Muffs that debuted in ’69, the ram's head units appeared in ’73 and were around for a few years before EHX settled on the more common red and black graphics.

“All distorted sounds begin with the Muff,” says Mascis. “The Muff is always on.”

Visit Electro-Harmonix for more information.