EarthQuaker Devices teams up with Wata of Boris for her Signature Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar - based on the legendary Fierce Elk BM Sustainar Triangle Muff Clone with Unique Tone Stack

Lead Guitarist Wata of the Japanese Experimental Heavy Rock Drone group Boris has famously had the Elk Big Muff Sustainar as her key signature tone-machine since the band’s foundation in 1992.

The Big Muff Sustainar by Japanese manufacturer Elk Gakki Co. was a distinct clone of EHX’s Triangle Big Muff Pi - while there were significant circuit differences including a totally unique Tone Stack which delivers a somewhat fiercer and quite a distinctly different flavour of Muff.

The BM Sustainar was variously called the Super Fuzz Sustainar, and Big Mag Sustainar too - while largely the exact same circuit as manufactured throughout the 70’s. Said circuit had a number of different parts and component values to the original Triangle variety - including the use of NEC A733k46 Transistors in place of the classic 2N5133s. These pedals were manufactured from as early as 1973 - just a few year after the release of the original Big Muff Pi (Triangle) in 1969!

The most significantly different part of the circuit is the tone stack which retains more high-end frequencies across the sweep/range, and generally delivers more sizzle, alongside some very formidable low-end frequencies. Notably the tone-control mechanic is typically the reverse of what you would normally expect - where it boosts Bass frequencies clockwise and Highs counterclockwise.

Generally this sounds quite distinct from the original Triangle fuzz, and should be a worthy addition for most Muff fans. EarthQuaker have done a superb job in capturing that distinctly different profile and the resulting Hizumitas really does sound immense in every way. And is tonally slightly more versatile than the Triangle. It’s somewhat amusing that we have a clone of a clone here - but for sure it’s a worthwhile exercise and a really good modern more compact and innovative take on that format.

This is not the first compact clone of the BM Sustainar as Wren and Cuff have had their White Elk Fuzz take on that out for several years now. The White Elk typically retails for $199 and equivalent, while the Hizumitas is being put on the market at the very appealing price of $149/£159 - circa a quarter less!

I have well over 60 Big Muffs in my collection already, possibly over 70 by now even (new inventory needed!) - and I’m very obviously a massive Big Muff fan - where the Triangle variety and derivatives are typically my favourite types. Although I do have a soft spot for Ram’s Heads too. The BM Sustainar / Hizumitas is a distinctly different flavour of Muff which I am for sure adding to my own collection.

There was a Black and Silver limited edition that could be acquired with Boris’ Reincarnation Rose Vinyl and Poster Pack - not sure exactly how many units - but those all went very quickly - in fact well before I had the opportunity to react - just as well then that I like the standard Purple and Silver version of the pedal just as much.

Controls are the classic Muff trio of Volume, Sustain (Gain), and Tone - do note that the Tone Control is quite different here and operates in reverse to the classic Big Muff Tone Stack!

How many of you are tempted by this ’new’ release. For me it hits a real sweet-spot on its pricing - which should see these sell by the bucket-load! Note that although aggressively promoted right now - these don’t seem to be officially released until November 19th! They are though available for pre-order now with all the usual dealers.