The Wren and Cuff Box of War OG Reissue is a fuzz pedal that recreates the Sovtek "Civil War" Big Muff Pi, the Russian-made Electro-Harmonix fuzz of the early 1990s. Wren and Cuff calls it "a true recreation of the famous 'Civil War' fuzz pedals from the 90's"1. The original Box of War was released in 2012, and the OG Reissue brings that pedal back1.
The Civil War Big Muff it copies is a specific era of the Sovtek Russian Muff. Kit Rae's Big Muff history notes the version is "commonly referred to as the 'Civil War' Big Muff for the blue and gray US Civil War colors used" on its enclosure2. Ana Sounds' history of the Big Muff traces it back further: Electro-Harmonix released the Red Army Overdrive in 1991, "which became the Civil War version of the Muff a year later"3.
A Civil War Big Muff recreation
Wren and Cuff builds the Box of War around the circuit of the EH "Civil War" Sovtek Big Muff Pi, sometimes called the Russian Muff. The maker describes the pedal as a "true recreation" of that unit1, and Delicious Audio reported the same when covering the original run, adding that Wren and Cuff "spared nothing in researching this rare, much-loved, but cheaply made BM pi"4. The original Civil War Muffs were built cheaply, which is part of why well-preserved examples are sought after and why builders like Wren and Cuff recreate the circuit.
The pedal's graphics follow the original too. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the Box of War "borrow[s] the split, two-tone, Old West-style font" of the Civil War Muff, and that the "made in the UNITED STATES" text on the lower-right corner "is arranged precisely like the 'made in RUSSIA'" marking on the original5.
How a Civil War Muff differs from a Tall Font Muff
The Civil War circuit sits next to the Tall Font Green Russian Muff in the Sovtek family, and the two are close relatives. Wren and Cuff's own description of the lineage1:
"Very closely related to the Tall Font BM's, the Civil War's have a bit darker and a bit fuzzier tone."
The maker adds that Civil Wars have less output and are less fuzzy than most other Muffs, and are cherished for their woody sustain and presence1. For players comparing the two, Wren and Cuff also makes a Tall Font Russian pedal, so both voicings are available from the same builder. The earlier Box of War page covers the original run of this circuit.
Build, power and bypass
The OG Reissue is built in the USA in what the maker calls a "super heavy duty folded steel enclosure"1. The design goal was "to make an enclosure as heavy duty as the old Russians but with a smaller footprint"1, so it is more pedalboard-friendly than the large Soviet-era boxes while keeping the tank-like construction. Wren and Cuff backs it with a lifetime warranty1.
Power comes from a 9V DC adapter with a negative tip and a 2.1mm plug, or from a 9V battery1. At 5mA of current draw1, it places almost no demand on a pedalboard power supply. The bypass is true hard-wire bypass1, so the signal path is direct when the pedal is switched off.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the Box of War and praised its presentation:
"Its combination of vintage flair and smart, compact packaging is one of the nicer bits of stompbox craft we've seen in a [while]."
The same review characterized Wren and Cuff as builders who "are passionate and scientific about all things Big Muff" and who "definitely grasp the visual and sonic essenc[e]" of the original5.
Availability
As of October 2026, the maker's page lists the Box of War OG Reissue as sold out1, and the Small Foot version of the Box of War is also listed as sold out6. This is not a new condition: back in 2017, Delicious Audio reported that "the item is actually sold out and there's no waiting list for it," with used units findable on Reverb4. Players wanting the Civil War voicing may need to watch for restocks or look at the used market.
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Questions
Is the Box of War OG Reissue true bypass?
Yes. Wren and Cuff specifies true hard-wire bypass, so the signal passes through a direct connection when the pedal is off rather than through buffered circuitry. The same bypass design is listed for the Box of War Small Foot version.
How much current does the Box of War OG Reissue draw?
The maker lists a current draw of 5mA. It runs on a 9V DC adapter with a negative tip and a 2.1mm plug, or on a 9V battery, so it is easy to power from a standard pedalboard supply.
How does a Civil War Big Muff differ from a Tall Font Big Muff?
Wren and Cuff describes the two circuits as very closely related. The Civil War version has a slightly darker and slightly fuzzier tone, with less output and less fuzz than most other Big Muffs, and is cherished for its woody sustain and presence.
Is the Box of War OG Reissue made in the USA?
Yes. Wren and Cuff states the pedal is made in the USA, in a folded steel enclosure built to be as heavy duty as the old Russian Big Muff boxes but with a smaller footprint.
Is the Box of War OG Reissue still available?
As of October 2026 the maker's product page lists the Box of War OG Reissue as sold out, and the Small Foot version is also listed as sold out. Earlier, in 2017, Delicious Audio reported the pedal sold out with no waiting list, with used units findable on Reverb.
Sources (6)
- Box of War OG Reissue, Wren and Cuff
- A Fuzz and Muff pedal Timeline, Kit Rae (kitrae.net), 2014-07
- The history of the big muff over time, anasounds.com, 2022-06-08
- Wren And Cuff Box Of War Fuzz Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2017-11-01
- Wren and Cuff Box of War Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-05
- Box of War Small Foot, Wren and Cuff
