Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head vs EHX Big Muff Pi
Vick Audio's 73 Ram's Head is the finest available recreation of the 1973–1977 Big Muff era — more aggressive and searing with a distinctive mid honk that the modern NYC Muff lacks.
Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head
Boutique recreation of the 1973-1977 Ram's Head Big Muff — the most sought-after vintage Big Muff era, used by David Gilmour on Animals and Wish You Were Here.
Gilmour devotees specifically chasing the Animals/Wish You Were Here era tone — the most historically accurate recreation
EHX Big Muff Pi
The definitive sustain fuzz — four-stage cascaded transistor clipping producing massive, compressed sustain with the characteristic mid-scooped EQ. Used by David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, Billy Corgan, and J Mascis to define grunge, shoegaze and classic rock fuzz.
Grunge, doom, shoegaze, and psychedelic players who want compressed, wall-of-sound fuzz — not for players who need touch-sensitive dynamic response
Tone Character
Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head
- ✓ Faithful 1973 Ram's Head recreation
- ✓ Animals/WYWH Gilmour voicing
- ✓ Boutique hand-built quality
- ✓ Distinctive upper-mid honk
- ✓ More aggressive than NYC Muff
- ✗ Expensive versus standard Big Muff
- ✗ Specific voicing not for all players
- ✗ Ram's Head character can be harsh on some amp/guitar combinations
EHX Big Muff Pi
- ✓ Massive, compressed sustain
- ✓ Iconic mid-scooped fuzz character
- ✓ Original design still in production
- ✓ Multiple versions (Ram's Head, Tone Wicker, etc.) available
- ✗ Mid scoop can disappear in a full band mix
- ✗ Does not clean up with guitar volume like Fuzz Face
- ✗ Relatively large enclosure
When To Choose Each
Gilmour devotees chasing the Animals and Wish You Were Here era tone — the most historically accurate Ram's Head available
Players who want reliable Big Muff character without the boutique cost — the standard modern NYC circuit
Final Verdict — Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head vs EHX Big Muff Pi
Best for beginners
EHX Big Muff Pi
EHX Big Muff Pi scores higher on versatility (45/100) and lower on gain (80/100) — a more forgiving starting point than Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head.
Best for metal tones
Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head
Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head leads on gain (78/100) and bass response (65/100) — the two tonal pillars of metal playing.
Best value
EHX Big Muff Pi
At £79 vs £149, EHX Big Muff Pi delivers 47% cost savings. The tonal trade-off is minor.
Specification Summary
| Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head | EHX Big Muff Pi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 | £79 |
| Category | Fuzz | Fuzz |
| Gain | 78/100 | 80/100 |
| Warmth | 68/100 | 45/100 |
| Treble | 62/100 | 50/100 |
| Bass | 65/100 | 40/100 |
| Versatility | 42/100 | 45/100 |
| Best for | Gilmour devotees specifically chasing the Animals/Wish You Were Here era tone | Grunge, doom, shoegaze, and psychedelic players who want compressed, wall-of-sound fuzz |
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Frequently Asked Questions
1973–1977 production — considered by many the finest sounding Big Muff era, used by David Gilmour extensively.
Different transistors and capacitor values give it a more aggressive, searing quality with a distinctive upper-midrange honk.
EHX makes a Ram's Head reissue — closer to the original than the standard NYC Muff but the Vick Audio has a more boutique, hand-sorted approach.
Vick Audio 73 Ram's Head — it's specifically voiced for this era.