The Buffalo FX M-1 Ram's Head Fuzz is a fuzz pedal built on the Big Muff Pi "Ram's Head" fuzz circuit, a design Pedal of the Day describes as one of the most well-known, coveted and revered sounds in the history of guitar effects pedals1. It sits in the fuzz family alongside other fuzz pedals, and Buffalo FX's own range includes circuits like the Germanium Fuzz, the Tonebender Mkii and the Patriot MkII, another Muff-based design.
The controls: Sustain, Bass, Treble and Level
The M-1's control set is where it departs from the pedal it is based on. As Pedal of the Day put it, "One difference you'll notice right away from the original Muff to the M-1 is the separation of the Tone knob into two controls," Bass and Treble, forming an active EQ1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Brings the sonic qualities of the Muff, but with a slightly less harsh, rounder tone and more midrange1 |
| Bass | Half of the active EQ that replaces the single Tone knob1 |
| Treble | The other half of the active EQ, for shaping the top end1 |
| Level | Sets the output volume1 |
The active Bass and Treble arrangement is the M-1's main practical difference from a standard Big Muff, which uses a single Tone knob. Splitting it into two gives you independent control over the low and high ends of the fuzz, which is what makes the different voicings below reachable1.
How it sounds and how reviewers heard it
Buffalo FX's take on the Ram's Head circuit earned a strong verdict from Pedal of the Day's 2017 review1:
"The M-1 is one of the best examples we've come across, and really gets into the nitty-gritty of how a Ram's Head fuzz should truly sound."
The reviewer also found there is no volume drop when the M-1 is engaged, so the pedal holds its level against your clean tone when switched on1.
Starting settings
Pedal of the Day offered three starting points on the controls1:
- All controls around noon: the boosted Ram's Head tone.
- More treble added: a tone more similar to a traditional Ram's Head.
- Bass on zero, treble to taste: a soaring lead tone that cuts through any mix.
The PastFX M-1-A Stacked Sheep's Head Fuzz
The M-1's circuit has since been picked up by PastFX. The PastFX M-1-A Stacked Sheep's Head Fuzz is, in PastFX's words, "a pedalboard-friendly recreation and expansion of the Buffalo FX M-1 Stacked Ram's Head"3. It drives a classic Ram's Head Muff inspired circuit into a Power Booster circuit, and PastFX describes the result as a slightly mids-boosted fuzz that delivers scorching sustain and distinct shades of gritty character, with the ability to clean up with volume knob adjustment3. Like the M-1, it uses separate, active Bass and Treble controls for optimal EQ control3.
The M-1-A is a PastFX pedal inspired by the Buffalo FX M-1, not a Buffalo FX product. The two are separate pedals from separate makers.
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Questions
What is a Ram's Head Big Muff?
The Ram's Head is a version of the Big Muff Pi fuzz circuit, and according to Pedal of the Day it is one of the most well-known, coveted and revered sounds in the history of guitar effects pedals. The Buffalo FX M-1 is built on that Ram's Head Big Muff Pi circuit, and its reviewer called it one of the best examples of a Ram's Head reproduction he had come across.
How is the M-1 different from a standard Big Muff tone control?
A standard Big Muff has a single Tone knob. The M-1 separates that Tone control into two knobs, Bass and Treble, forming an active EQ. That gives you much more control over the EQ balance of the fuzz, letting you dial in a boosted Ram's Head tone, a more traditional Ram's Head voicing, or a lead tone that cuts through a mix.
Does the M-1 lose volume when engaged?
No. Pedal of the Day's review found there is no volume drop when the M-1 is engaged, so the pedal holds its level against your clean signal when you switch it on.
What is the PastFX Stacked Sheep's Head Fuzz?
The PastFX M-1-A Stacked Sheep's Head is a pedalboard-friendly recreation and expansion of the Buffalo FX M-1 Stacked Ram's Head. It drives a classic Ram's Head Muff inspired circuit into a Power Booster circuit, and PastFX describes the result as a slightly mids-boosted fuzz with scorching sustain and gritty character.
What are good starting settings for the M-1?
Pedal of the Day suggests starting with all controls around noon for the boosted Ram's Head tone. Adding more treble moves toward a tone more similar to a traditional Ram's Head, while setting the bass on zero and treble to taste produces a soaring lead tone that cuts through any mix.
Sources (3)
- Buffalo FX M-1 Ram's Head Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2017-11-25
- Carrera Overdrive by Buffalo FX, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- M-1-A Stacked Sheep's Head Fuzz, pastfx.com, 2026
