The Great Wide Open is a distortion pedal from BMF Effects, and it is about as simple as a distortion gets: one knob. That single Volume control is the whole interface, and BMF Effects says the pedal is designed to produce good distortion sounds from virtually any amp1.
The maker describes the sound as open and articulate, and interactive with your guitar's volume knob: it retains string definition and the character of your guitar and amp so your core tone is not lost1. In other words, the intended behavior is the classic cleanup trick, rolling your guitar's volume down to pull back the distortion while the pedal itself stays at one setting.
Controls and design
The single knob is a deliberate choice, not a stripped-down budget version. BMF Effects says it decided to take The Great Wide Open back to its original design, a single knob pedal1. For a player, that means the pedal is set by ear against your amp rather than dialed in with separate gain and tone controls, and your guitar's volume knob does the rest of the shaping work1.
"Open, articulate, and interactive with your guitar's volume knob, The Great Wide Open retains string definition and guitar/amp character so that your core tone is not lost."
Power and switching
The pedal runs on 9V to 18V DC through a DC jack, with a current draw of 4mA1. That draw is low enough that it is easy on most isolated power supplies, and the 9V to 18V range means it can be run at higher voltages if your supply offers them. Switching is true bypass, so the bypassed signal does not pass through the pedal's circuitry1.
There is no battery option: power comes through a DC jack only1.
Size and finish
The enclosure measures 2.9 inches wide by 4.5 inches long (73.7mm by 114.3mm), a standard compact footprint that fits easily on a pedalboard1. BMF Effects notes that the color and graphics are subject to change, so the finish on any given unit may differ from product photos1.
Availability and price
The maker's product page lists The Great Wide Open at £167.00 GBP1. As of 26 October 2026 it is shown as sold out, with a current lead time of 7 to 10 days for orders1.
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Questions
Is The Great Wide Open true bypass?
Yes. BMF Effects states the pedal features true bypass switching, so your signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off. It uses a DC jack for power rather than a battery.
How many knobs does The Great Wide Open have?
One. It is a single knob pedal with a Volume control, which BMF Effects says lets you get distortion sounds from virtually any amp. The design was taken back to its original single-knob format.
What size is the BMF Effects The Great Wide Open?
The enclosure measures 2.9 inches wide by 4.5 inches long, or 73.7mm by 114.3mm. That is a compact standard-size pedalboard footprint.
Is The Great Wide Open still available?
As of late October 2026 the maker's product page lists it as sold out, with a lead time of 7 to 10 days for orders. BMF Effects notes that color and graphics are subject to change.
Sources (1)
- The Great Wide Open Distortion, BMF Effects