The Wren and Cuff MINI Tall Font Russian is a fuzz pedal that recreates the Sovtek Tall Font Big Muff, the green Russian-made Muff with screws on the side of the enclosure. Wren and Cuff calls it a part-for-part recreation of one of Matt's favorite Big Muff pedals, a transitional-model "Tall Font" Sovtek-era Muff, and says the circuit was created using actual measured component values from an original rather than relying solely on a schematic1. It is the MINI version of the Wren and Cuff Tall Font Russian, which has been a mainstay in the company's line of Muff recreations since the late 2000s1.
The Tall Font sound, as Wren and Cuff describes it, is a comparatively low-gain grind with a throaty growl and greatly reduced output compared with its American ancestors and even other generations of the Sovtek era, something between a Muff and an overdrive1. The maker also notes that the highs are more present and clear in Tall Fonts than in Civil War Muffs, giving an openness and slight gritty edge2.
What a Tall Font Big Muff is
"Tall Font" refers to a run of Sovtek-era Big Muffs made in Russia, named for the tall lettering on the enclosure. Wren and Cuff's designer notes describe these pedals as oddballs among Muffs: low output, low gain bordering on overdrive, and a less extreme tone range3. Compared with the Civil War Muffs that came around them, the Tall Fonts have more present and clear highs, which the maker says gives them an openness in the highs unique to this version2. The boxy growl of the circuit also makes it particularly great on bass and fantastic for raunchy, less friendly guitar tones2.
Big Muff and Sovtek are registered trademarks of New Sensor Corporation; Electro-Harmonix, New Sensor Corporation, and Sovtek are not affiliated with or endorsed by Wren and Cuff1.
How the MINI differs from the full-size Tall Font Russian
| MINI Tall Font Russian | Tall Font Russian (full size) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 1.6" x 2"1 | 4.8" x 2.6" x 1.6"2 |
| Weight | 6.9 oz1 | 9.5 oz2 |
| Power | 9V DC neg tip adapter, 2.1 mm barrel1 | 9V DC neg tip adapter or 9V battery2 |
| Current draw | 8mA1 | 5mA2 |
| Bypass | True hard-wire bypass1 | True hard-wire bypass1 |
| Status | Current1 | Sold out2 |
The MINI runs on a 9V DC adapter only; the battery option of the full-size pedal is gone in the smaller enclosure. It uses a center-negative 2.1 mm barrel, the typical effects pedal power supply1.
Power and size
The MINI draws 8mA from a 9V DC center-negative 2.1 mm barrel adapter1. At 6.9 oz, it is small enough to sit in a tight pedalboard row, and Wren and Cuff says it is built to the same standards of quality and reliability as every other pedal in the line, with a lifetime warranty1.
On bass
Wren and Cuff says the MINI's tone and response mesh beautifully with the instrument's low frequencies without becoming flabby and smeared1. The same boxy growl that defines the Tall Font circuit is what the maker points to as making these pedals particularly great on bass, alongside raunchy guitar tones2. Players building a bass board can treat it as a fuzz that holds together at low frequencies, according to the maker's own description.
Background and build
The Tall Font Russian was one of Matt's first true replication-based pedal designs at Wren and Cuff1. Pedal of the Day, reviewing another Wren and Cuff pedal, describes Matthew's recreations as meticulously done to give the same sonic intensity as the classics, but with better parts and modern upgrades4. The MINI Tall Font Russian is made in the USA1.
Videos
Iga Massardi
Pedal Empire
NO SHRED ZONE
Questions
What is a Tall Font Big Muff?
A transitional-model Sovtek-era Big Muff, named for the tall lettering on its enclosure. Players know it for a comparatively low-gain grind, a throaty growl, and greatly reduced output compared with the American Big Muffs and even other Sovtek generations. Wren and Cuff describes it as sitting somewhere between a Muff and an overdrive.
How does the MINI differ from the full-size Tall Font Russian?
The MINI keeps the same circuit and tone while shrinking the enclosure from 4.8 by 2.6 by 1.6 inches to 3.7 by 1.6 by 2 inches, and the weight from 9.5 oz to 6.9 oz. The full-size version also runs on a 9V battery; the MINI is adapter power only. The full-size pedal is currently sold out.
Is the Wren and Cuff MINI Tall Font Russian true bypass?
Yes. Wren and Cuff lists true hard-wire bypass for the MINI Tall Font Russian, the same bypass type as the full-size Tall Font Russian.
How much current does it draw?
The MINI draws 8mA, powered by a 9V DC center-negative adapter with a 2.1 mm barrel, the typical effects pedal supply. That is slightly more than the full-size Tall Font Russian's 5mA, but still light enough for most pedalboard power supplies.
Where is it made?
The MINI Tall Font Russian is made in the USA, like the full-size Tall Font Russian, and carries Wren and Cuff's lifetime warranty.
Does it work with bass?
Yes. Wren and Cuff says its tone and response mesh with the instrument's low frequencies without becoming flabby and smeared, and the same boxy growl that suits raunchy guitar tones makes the Tall Font circuit particularly great on bass.
Sources (4)
- MINI Tall Font Russian, Wren and Cuff
- Tall Font Russian, Wren and Cuff
- Fade Font ’94, Wren and Cuff
- Wren and Cuff Elephant Skin Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2016-11-15
