The Wren and Cuff Box of War is a fuzz pedal that recreates the Electro-Harmonix Civil War Sovtek Big Muff Pi, the Russian-made Big Muff variant built in the early 1990s. Wren and Cuff describes it as "a true recreation of the famous 'Civil War' fuzz pedals from the 90's"1, and Delicious Audio noted the maker "spared nothing in researching this rare, much-loved, but cheaply made BM pi"2. The pedal won a Premier Gear Award from Premier Guitar in October 20123.
Both current versions, the Box of War OG Reissue and the Small Foot, are sold out at the maker as of October 2026, with no waiting list124.
A Russian Muff recreation in a wedge enclosure
The Box of War's enclosure is a big part of its identity. Premier Guitar's reviewer described it as "a two-piece metal enclosure" that "evokes the original with its painted shell," and noted that "it cleverly borrows the wedge shape of the original Univox Super-Fuzz and shrinks the footprint into a much more compact" size5. The graphics are an homage to the Civil War original, "borrowing the split, two-tone, Old West-style font"5.
Wren and Cuff's own framing for the OG Reissue: "The idea behind this was to make an enclosure as heavy duty as the old Russians but with a smaller footprint"1. The result is a folded steel box built to take stage abuse, with the made in the USA marking placed where the original Sovtek pedals said made in Russia15.
The reviewer found the build held up to inspection: "The Box of War looks clean and built to last," with attention to fit, finish, and detail5.
From the Civil War Big Muff to the Box of War
The circuit the Box of War recreates has its own history. Kit Rae's Big Muff timeline identifies the Sovtek Civil War Big Muff Pi V7 as "commonly referred to as the 'Civil War' Big Muff for the blue and gray US Civil War colors used"6. MusicRadar likewise notes "these Muffs were nicknamed Civil War because of their distinctive blue and grey colour scheme"7.
The timeline of the variant:
- 1991: Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews releases the Red Army Overdrive in Russia8
- 1992: The Red Army Overdrive becomes the Civil War version of the Muff a year later8
- 2012: Wren and Cuff releases the original Box of War1
- October 2012: The Box of War wins a Premier Gear Award from Premier Guitar3
Wren and Cuff places the Civil War circuit in the wider Big Muff family: "Very closely related to the Tall Font BM's, the Civil War's have a bit darker and a bit fuzzier tone," with less output than most other Muffs, and the maker says players cherish them for woody sustain and presence1. The Civil War is one of many Big Muff variants that builders have cloned over the years, alongside circuits like the Black Arts Pharaoh, the Blackout Effectors Musket, and the Mojo Hand Iron Bell9.
For players comparing Wren and Cuff's own range, the company also makes the Tall Font Russian, built on that closely related sibling circuit1.
The two versions: OG Reissue and Small Foot
The Box of War has been offered in two forms, and the difference is physical rather than sonic4.
| Box of War OG Reissue | Box of War Small Foot | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit | Civil War Sovtek Big Muff Pi recreation1 | Same circuit, "a true recreation of the EH 'Civil War' Sov*** Big Muff Pi"4 |
| Sound | Darker, fuzzier than most Muffs1 | "Sonically there is no difference between the two pedals"4 |
| Enclosure | Super heavy duty folded steel, smaller footprint than old Russian boxes1 | Standard 125 size enclosure4 |
| List price | $299.99 (October 2026)1 | $199.99 (October 2026)4 |
| Status | Sold out1 | Sold out4 |
| Warranty | Lifetime1 | Lifetime4 |
The Small Foot is, in the maker's words, "the same pedal as the full size Box of War, originally housed in a large folded steel enclosure, modified to be able to fit" the smaller box4. For a crowded pedalboard, the Small Foot delivers the same circuit in a standard enclosure; for players who want the look and heft of the original Russian boxes, the OG Reissue is the version that carries that build.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review was positive on sound. The reviewer's verdict:
"The Box of War is just about one of the creamiest-sounding Russian Muffs, clone or otherwise, that you can plug into"
The same review flagged the price as the main drawback: "though at 225 bucks, you'll pay a bit for the privilege"5. Delicious Audio's writeup echoed the maker's claim of a thorough recreation, quoting Wren and Cuff's line that "The tone is in the details" and that the company goes "to great lengths to duplicate all aspects" of the vintage units it recreates2.
Finding one today
With both versions sold out at the maker and no waiting list124, the used market is the practical route. Delicious Audio reported in 2017 that the Box of War could be found used on Reverb.com2. Both versions carry a lifetime warranty from Wren and Cuff14, which applies regardless of where the pedal was originally bought.
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Questions
What circuit is the Wren and Cuff Box of War based on?
It is a recreation of the Electro-Harmonix Civil War Sovtek Big Muff Pi, the Russian-made variant produced in the early 1990s and nicknamed for its blue and gray color scheme. Wren and Cuff describes it as a true recreation of that circuit, closely related to the Tall Font Russian Big Muffs but a bit darker and fuzzier in tone.
Is the Box of War still available?
No. Both the Box of War OG Reissue and the Box of War Small Foot are listed as sold out on Wren and Cuff's product pages as of October 2026, and there is no waiting list. The original Box of War was released in 2012, and the OG Reissue brought it back in the same folded steel enclosure style.
Where can I find a used Box of War?
Delicious Audio reported in 2017 that the Box of War could be found used on Reverb.com, and that remains the practical route since both current versions are sold out at the maker. Used listings are the main way to get one, whether the full-size wedge version or the smaller Small Foot.
Where is the Box of War made?
Both the Box of War OG Reissue and the Small Foot are made in the USA, according to Wren and Cuff's product pages. Premier Guitar's review also noted the made in the United States marking on the enclosure, arranged in the same spot as the made in Russia text on the original Sovtek pedals.
What is the difference between the Box of War OG Reissue and the Small Foot?
The circuit is the same. Wren and Cuff says there is no sonic difference between the two. The OG Reissue uses a super heavy duty folded steel enclosure with a smaller footprint than the old Russian boxes, while the Small Foot packs the same circuit into a standard size 125 enclosure for tight pedalboards.
How much did the Box of War cost?
The Box of War OG Reissue listed at $299.99 and the Small Foot at $199.99 on Wren and Cuff's product pages as of October 2026. Premier Guitar's 2021 review put the full-size version at 225 dollars at the time, noting you pay a bit for the build quality.
Sources (9)
- Box of War OG Reissue, Wren and Cuff
- Wren And Cuff Box Of War Fuzz Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2017-11-01
- Wren and Cuff Mercy Phuk Overdrive Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-08-20
- Box of War Small Foot, Wren and Cuff
- Wren and Cuff Box of War Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-05
- A Fuzz and Muff pedal Timeline, Kit Rae (kitrae.net), 2014-07
- Vick Audio's 1861 fuzz pedal revives 'Civil War' Big Muff, MusicRadar, 2016-11-14
- The history of the big muff over time, anasounds.com, 2022-06-08
- Guitar FX Layouts: Mojo Hand Colossus Fuzz, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2015-11-18
