Black Emperor - V8 muff / fuzz

Black Emperor, the V8 muff recreated.

I've been sourcing and examining dozens of black muffs for this long-time project to find out there's no precise 'black muff sound' - they do vary a lot, thanks to poor quality of used components with really wide range of out of tolerance values. Comparing two black muffs can lead to an unexpected conclusions (well, the same for green ones, etc.), since they may work like completely different pedals. Eventually I found the unit sounding really good with it's tremendous low-end and extravagantly heavy feel. No surprise, many of it's components appeared to measure up to 40% out of indicated values, what resulted in very distinctive sound. I took it's recipe and added some EQ flavour from another, early 6-screw unit which I'm fond of for it's particularly bold, aggressive attitude... and that's how Black Emperor was born.

Black Emperor is voiced for relatively high gain fuzz feel, with compressed, bursting attack and earth-shaking bass content surpassing even the fattest green muffs I've tried. While it's bass capacity results in sound almost collapsing under it's own power, good amount of treble presence secures fuzz clarity. You won't find many muffs sound like that, but I make sure each of Black Emperors sound like it was the one fuzz device to rule all others.

There is also available mini box version with additional features. This big box version is built in similar way to original V8s in quite an oversized enclosure (it's pretty much the same size!), with oldschool looking printed circuit board. Circuit is executed with many non-standard value parts I individually measure and select for crazy tight tolerance - all of these has been found in actual, 'out of spec' muffs I probed... call that happy accidents standardised and meticulously executed for superior tonal experience.

5 knob version is extended with two extra controls. With MID knob set to minimum and LOW knob maxed there is 'stock' Black Emperor sound. MID increases midrange content and LOW reduces deepest bass without affecting overall fuzz character or tone knob response.

Black Emperor wants you to feed it with a standard (negative center) 9V DC power supply - no battery operation is possible by default, but I can add battery option on request. Current draw is below 5mA.

PS. graphic is black print on black box, so depending on reflected light it will appear in negative or positive.

Finish options vary from batch to batch, but sound is exactly the same in all finish versions.