The Green Vodka Muff is a boutique fuzz pedal from McCaffrey Audio, announced on April 20, 2015 as the company's first boutique fuzz1. Its circuit is based on the 90's Sovtek Russian Muff, the green Russian member of the Big Muff family, and it is an all-analog, transistor-based design with symmetrical clipping12. On top of the classic three-knob Muff layout it adds two switches, Beef and Pass, that shape midrange and low end in ways the original Muffs never offered.
What it is and what it does
McCaffrey Audio describes the Green Vodka Muff as "This all-analog, transistor-based, fuzz circuit with features that are uniquely modern, and elementally useful"1. The heart of the circuit "hearkens back to the 90's Sovtek Russian Muff, delivering that much sought af"1 sound, while the controls extend it well past a straight clone. Premier Guitar's announcement says the pedal "hosts a range of near overdrive tones with the Sustain at its lowest level to full-on, amp-like chu"1 when Sustain is at its max, so the same box can cover low-gain drive and heavy fuzz territory.
Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, framed it as a Muff with the old platform's problems fixed: "with the Green Vodka, all those problems are solved, with pl"2 enty of output on tap to slice through mixes, addressing the lack of volume and stage presence he attributed to old Muff pedals.
The controls: Sustain, Tone, Volume, Beef and Pass
The pedal carries three knobs and two switches.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Increases or decreases the amount of fuzz, drive and gain. McCaffrey suggests trying it in different positions for everything from classic green muff sounds to modern chunk1 |
| Tone | Controls the highs and lows of the pedal, with a very wide sweep that works in conjunction with the Volume control1 |
| Volume | Sets the output level2 |
| Beef switch | Two-way switch on the top left. Right is stock mode; left lets the pedal cut through the mids even more1 |
| Pass switch | Three-way low end toggle: middle is stock with no lows added, left adds some lows, right adds the most lows and bass response1 |
The Sustain knob is where the pedal earns its keep beyond a stock Muff. Pedal of the Day found that "Sustain adds a whole new dynamic to the Muff sound as well, with a vast array of sounds available"2, spanning grunge to classic rock to fuzzed-out sounds. The Tone knob likewise "offers a great range of high-end/low-end balance"2.
The two switches are the modern additions. Pedal of the Day called the Beef control "kind of a bright switch of sorts; when switched on (to the left), it gives a new sense of purpose to this pe"2, giving the pedal raw energy and presence. The Pass switch came directly from McCaffrey's mod work: it "was conceived with the many mods that I used to do on Big Muffs that"1 customers sent in looking for a high/low pass filter mod, so the three positions of none, some and most low end are effectively that mod built into the pedal.
Origins and versions
The Green Vodka Muff traces back to an earlier pedal, the RJM Effects Green Vodka Fuzz. Pedal of the Day covered that version in June 2014, describing it as "a Muff variant with some amazing mods added"3 and noting its sound was "Very like the 90's era Sovtek Muffs. So thick and Hairy."3
The designer, Ryan, developed the circuit through a long build process: "Ryan built over 40 prototypes of the Green Vodka before he found the one that satisfied his ear"2. The pedal that McCaffrey Audio announced in April 2015 was the company's first boutique fuzz1, and by the time of Pedal of the Day's October 2015 review the current version "improves on Version 1 of this pedal"2 both internally and graphically. Pedal of the Day also placed the circuit in its family context, noting the Russian Green Muff "was made from 1994-2000 or so"2 and calling the Green Vodka Muff "one of many highly collectable and sought-after versions of this incredible fuzz"2.
Videos
Guitar World
gearmanndude
Iga Massardi
Questions
What is the McCaffrey Green Vodka Muff based on?
Its circuit hearkens back to the 90's Sovtek Russian Muff, the green Russian version of the Big Muff family made roughly from 1994 to 2000. McCaffrey Audio built it as an all-analog, transistor-based fuzz with symmetrical clipping, adding modern switching features on top of the classic circuit.
What does the Beef switch do?
Beef is a two-way switch on the top left of the pedal. Right is the stock mode; left lets the pedal cut through the mids even more. Pedal of the Day's reviewer described it as a bright switch of sorts that gives the pedal raw energy and presence when switched to the left.
What does the Pass switch do on the Green Vodka Muff?
Pass is a three-way low end toggle giving you options of none, some and most low end response. Middle is stock with no lows added, left adds some lows, and right adds the most lows and bass response. It was conceived from the high/low pass filter mods McCaffrey used to do on Big Muffs.
What power supply does the Green Vodka Muff use?
It runs on a standard 9V power supply with a negative center 2.1mm connector, the same arrangement as most modern pedals. That means it works with typical pedalboard power supplies wired center negative.
Is the Green Vodka Muff analog?
Yes. Premier Guitar's announcement describes it as an all-analog, transistor-based fuzz circuit with symmetrical clipping, paired with switching features the maker calls uniquely modern and elementally useful.
Sources (3)
- McCaffrey Audio Unveils the Green Vodka Muff, Premier Guitar, 2015-04-20
- McCaffrey Audio Green Vodka Muff Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2015-10-19
- RJM Effects Green Vodka Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2014-06-27
