The Wren and Cuff Caprid Blue-Violet Special is a fuzz pedal that recreates the mid-70s "violet-era" Ram's Head Big Muff, the version many Muff players prize most. Wren and Cuff describes it as a reproduction of that famed violet-era Ram's Head, and Premier Guitar's reviewer called it a high point of the builder's Big Muff work12. It is a big-box pedal: same dimensions as the original, with the on/off switch, the "backwards" tone control and the Arnold Böcklin typeface that marked the EHX original2.
The circuit is the draw. Premier Guitar notes that even the hand-populated board is a near-clone of the original "3003" EHX Big Muff board2, and Wren and Cuff says the Caprid line was built from the best of four different Ram's Head circuits3.
A Ram's Head Big Muff recreation
The Caprid is Wren and Cuff's full-size reproduction of the mid-70s Ram's Head Big Muff5. For the Blue-Violet Special, the builder tuned it to the violet-era run: as Premier Guitar put it, devout Muff-heads insist the very best Big Muffs come from the run that coincided with Electro-Harmonix's use of a blue-violet color scheme2.
The build follows the original closely:
- Hand-populated circuit board that closely copies the original "3003" EHX Big Muff board2
- Original 3003 style PCB4
- All carbon composition 1/2 watt "brown-tone" resistors3
- Super heavy duty folded steel enclosure4
- Same dimensions, on/off switch, "backwards" tone control and Arnold Böcklin typeface as the original2
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the result distinctive among Ram's Head clones, describing "a perceptible mid-scoop that highlights the white-hot-but-smooth top end and gut-walloping bass," with extra airspace even when gain and tone are cranked2.
"The Caprid Blue-Violet Special is an extraordinary, head-of-the-class Muff."
Controls and how it plays
The pedal carries the classic Big Muff control set: volume, tone and sustain. The tone control is "backwards," wired the way the original violet-era Ram's Head was, so it works in the opposite direction to what most players expect2. The tone and sustain controls yield abundant and varied rhythm and lead tones, and the volume control is itself a powerful tone shaper, inducing smooth but pronounced compression at extreme volume settings and more open, detailed tones at lower levels2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | A powerful tone shaper: smooth, pronounced compression at extreme settings; more open, detailed tones at lower levels2 |
| Tone | Wired "backwards" like the original; shapes the top end against the mid-scoop2 |
| Sustain | Sets gain and sustain; with tone, yields varied rhythm and lead tones2 |
The reviewer found it strong for both rhythm and lead work: chunky punk and metal riffs sound huge, with just-right compression on transients that excites fast staccato riffs, and chords and rhythm playing come out wide-open and airy with crazy sustain2. There is a vintage trick in it too: with treble maxed, volume low and sustain around the 2/3 mark, the reviewer found the recipe for spot-on Bosstone and Maestro-style "Satisfaction" buzz2.
The cons the same reviewer noted were practical rather than tonal: it is big if you are space conscious, and it is expensive2.
Versions and the Blue-Violet release
The Caprid has a small family tree. Wren and Cuff's original Caprid OG V1 was a full-size reproduction of the mid-70s Ram's Head5, and the maker later reissued the famous original Caprid3. The Blue-Violet Caprid OG is a special edition of that Caprid OG, and Wren and Cuff notes it was released before the original version1. Compared to the original Caprid OG, the maker says the Blue Violet has a more aggressive overall tone, with more edge on the top end1.
Related pages on this site cover the Wren and Cuff OG Caprid, the Wren and Cuff Original Caprid OG V1, and the smaller Wren and Cuff Blue Violet Caprid Small Foot.
Availability: Wren and Cuff's listings for the Blue-Violet Caprid OG show it sold out, including the B-stock listing34, and the maker is not taking orders on the original Caprid OG V1 at this time5. One B-stock Caprid OG listing noted "Ships next day!" while it lasted3.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Kevin Bryant
Ask the guitar teacher - Dany Oakes
Questions
What is the Wren and Cuff Caprid based on?
The Caprid is a full-size reproduction of the mid-70s Ram's Head Big Muff. Wren and Cuff built it from the best of four different Ram's Head circuits, and the Blue-Violet Special is tuned to the violet-era version, with a hand-populated board that closely copies the original 3003 EHX Big Muff circuit board.
Why is the tone control on the Caprid backwards?
The original violet-era Ram's Head Big Muff it recreates had its tone control wired so it works in the opposite direction to what most players expect. Wren and Cuff kept that backwards tone control, along with the same dimensions, on/off switch and Arnold Böcklin typeface, to stay faithful to the original.
Is the Caprid Blue-Violet Special sold out?
Wren and Cuff's own listings for the Blue-Violet Caprid OG show it sold out, including the B-stock listing, and the maker is not taking orders on the original Caprid OG V1 at this time. Players looking for the circuit may find the Blue Violet Caprid Small Foot as a smaller alternative.
How much does the Caprid Blue-Violet Special cost?
Wren and Cuff lists the Blue-Violet Caprid OG at $324.99 USD on its product page, while Premier Guitar's 2023 review gave the street price as $324.
Sources (5)
- Blue-Violet Caprid OG, Wren and Cuff
- Wren and Cuff Caprid Blue-Violet Special Review, Premier Guitar, 2021-01-28
- Caprid OG B-Stock Summer Sale, Wren and Cuff
- Blue-Violet Caprid OG B-Stock Summer Sale, Wren and Cuff
- Dealer OG Caprid V1 info, Wren and Cuff
