Big Muff Sustainar
The ELK Big Muff Sustainar is a legendary Japanese fuzz pedal from the early 1970s, manufactured by Elk Gakki Co. Originally designed as a clone of the Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi, it has gained a cult following for its unique sonic characteristics. While it shares the basic three-knob layout—Volume, Tone, and Sustain—the circuit features several revisions, most notably a modified tone stack that shifts high-pass frequencies much higher than the original. This results in a "sizzle" fuzz with a massive low-end and biting high harmonics, offering a grittier, more distortion-like character compared to typical Muffs. The pedal is famously associated with Wata, the guitarist of the band Boris, whose signature sound relies on the ELK's aggressive, thick textures. This specific pedal also served as the inspiration for the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas. Rare and highly collectible, the ELK Big Muff Sustainar remains a staple for stoner rock and doom enthusiasts.