Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi vs Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31
The Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi and the Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31 are both pedals sharing saturated. The Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi leans sustaining and smooth. The Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31 leans crunchy and high gain. Current prices: $84.35 vs $88.80.
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Blended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.34% — somewhat different
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- saturated
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$84.35via Reverb
$88.80via Reverb
The Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff reissues the original early-1970s V1 Muff, named for its triangular knob layout, delivering the thick, creamy fuzz that defined late-1960s and early-1970s rock with massive sustain and rich harmonics. Compared to other Muffs it is toppier, often raspier and more slicing, with a very scooped midrange and typically more sustain and brightness, which helps it cut through a band mix and stay articulate for leads while giving a nice crunch to power chords and palm muting. It nails the creamy, violin-like sustain and stringed-instrument bloom associated with soloists like David Gilmour and Carlos Santana. A thick, smooth fuzz-distortion hybrid that stays musical even at extreme gain, with Volume, Tone, and Sustain controls, it suits psychedelic, classic rock, and lead playing.
The Tone City TC-T31 Model B is a budget US-style high-gain distortion inspired by a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier, the hottest-voiced pedal in Tone City's range. A Vintage/Modern mode switch changes its character substantially: Vintage gives a crispy, tight crunch building into the saturated high gain of the 1980s and early '90s, while Modern scoops the mids further and lets the low end bloom for the thick, chunky rhythm tone heard on countless '90s and 2000s metal records. A three-band EQ gives real control over the voicing, and a boost switch adds volume and saturation for lead work. It spans tasteful crunch to fully saturated modern metal, though reviewers note it does not fully match a real valve preamp. True bypass, 40mA draw, requires a 9V DC supply and will not run on a battery.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Rock
- Classic Rock
- Experimental
- Blues Rock
- Metal
- sustaining
- smooth
- full
- scooped
- dark
- fuzzy
- crunchy
- high gain
- mid-forward
- tight
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Occasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.- Busking
- Live