Fetto Versions
Fetto was developed by Joakim Hedeby, Sweden in 1988. After this the constuction fell asleep for 16.6 years.
Even if 'Fetto' was asleep for many years it was never dead! In 2004 the first 'commercial' Fetto was made and since then it's been made in quite a few versions. This page is to try to explain the differences between the versions and its causes.
Even if 'Fetto' was asleep for many years it was never dead! In 2004 the first 'commercial' Fetto was made and since then it's been made in quite a few versions. This page is to try to explain the differences between the versions and its causes.
Fetto 9.0 (Mar 2004-Mar 2005)
The first 'commercial' Fetto was named Fetto 9.0. It may seem strange to name it 9.0 instead of 1.0. The reason for this was quite a few prototypes were made (1.0 - 8.0) and Fetto 9.0 was the first release. Smart, indeed!
A few different 9.0's were made out of wishes from guys who wanted personalized layouts (the look/prints). Even if they looked quite different they all had the same inner content (electronics) and sounded identical.
In the very beginning 9.0 had small, screw mounted hard plastic knobs on potentiometers with a 4 mm shaft. Though this knob tended to crack by time, they were later changed to the ones still used today—rubber knobs mounted on potentiometers with 6 mm split shaft, loved by everyone.
Most of the 9.0's had a 'screen print' made on a laser printed film. This was later changed to real screen print with great help from LJ Screen, Sweden.
An unique option in Fetto, except for its sound, has always been the inner tweakability. This to make it possible to match different guitars, amps and tastes. Inside 9.0 we could find five jumpers*, four DIP-switches and one trimmer (picture below).
In 2004 we thought Fetto had what's called "True Bypass". But we were soon told this our definition was incorrect! Thanks goes to Andreas Möller at Stinkfoot Electronics for his educational true bypass information.
Even if Fetto 9.0 didn't have 'true' bypass (and was not possible to modify) it soon became what we can call 'pretty popular'.
* small switch, often used in computers etc.
A few different 9.0's were made out of wishes from guys who wanted personalized layouts (the look/prints). Even if they looked quite different they all had the same inner content (electronics) and sounded identical.
In the very beginning 9.0 had small, screw mounted hard plastic knobs on potentiometers with a 4 mm shaft. Though this knob tended to crack by time, they were later changed to the ones still used today—rubber knobs mounted on potentiometers with 6 mm split shaft, loved by everyone.
Most of the 9.0's had a 'screen print' made on a laser printed film. This was later changed to real screen print with great help from LJ Screen, Sweden.
An unique option in Fetto, except for its sound, has always been the inner tweakability. This to make it possible to match different guitars, amps and tastes. Inside 9.0 we could find five jumpers*, four DIP-switches and one trimmer (picture below).
In 2004 we thought Fetto had what's called "True Bypass". But we were soon told this our definition was incorrect! Thanks goes to Andreas Möller at Stinkfoot Electronics for his educational true bypass information.
Even if Fetto 9.0 didn't have 'true' bypass (and was not possible to modify) it soon became what we can call 'pretty popular'.
* small switch, often used in computers etc.
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| 9.0 first layout | 9.0 PCB |
Fetto 10.0 (Apr. 2005-May 2006)
Because of the embarrassing mistake with the bypass in 9.0, it was soon updated to 10.0. With True Bypass and the same sound engine as 9.0 one "Mid Cut/Boost" jumper and one "Input Level" trimmer was added. This trimmer was soon cancelled because it was actually never needed, just more confusing. So the difference between 9.0 and most of the 10.0's is the Mid jumper and the bypass circuitry.
10.0 was equipped with 6 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 1-2 trimmers (below)
10.0 was equipped with 6 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 1-2 trimmers (below)
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| 10.0 | 10.0 PCB |
Fetto 11.0 (May 2006-Jun 2006)
Wishes about the tone control came in—"the tone control in Fetto 9-10 does too much, please make it do less!"
As musicians have sensitive senses—ears, fingers & eyes—we now came to learn the tone control needed an update, yeah! A few additional updates were performed as well.
11.0 had more bass than earlier versions. So one "Low End" jumper was replaced with a "Character" jumper, the "Output Level/Treble Cut" jumper was replaced with an output stage buffer. All this together made a big difference sound wise, mostly because of the new 'less is better' tone control.
The screen print also changed: The picture of the fat evil woman and the poor little kind man in Mickey Mouse underwear was replaced with a very stupid ostrich.
The tone control was renamed to "Cut" and the AC adapter print changed to 5-18V instead of 5-24V. This is a better span for all Fetto's even if they all *can handle up to 24 volts.
11.0 was equipped with 5 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 1 trimmer (below)
* A Fetto will never sound good at 24 volts.
As musicians have sensitive senses—ears, fingers & eyes—we now came to learn the tone control needed an update, yeah! A few additional updates were performed as well.
11.0 had more bass than earlier versions. So one "Low End" jumper was replaced with a "Character" jumper, the "Output Level/Treble Cut" jumper was replaced with an output stage buffer. All this together made a big difference sound wise, mostly because of the new 'less is better' tone control.
The screen print also changed: The picture of the fat evil woman and the poor little kind man in Mickey Mouse underwear was replaced with a very stupid ostrich.
The tone control was renamed to "Cut" and the AC adapter print changed to 5-18V instead of 5-24V. This is a better span for all Fetto's even if they all *can handle up to 24 volts.
11.0 was equipped with 5 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 1 trimmer (below)
* A Fetto will never sound good at 24 volts.
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| 11.0 | 11.0 PCB |
Fetto 11.1 (Jun. 2006-Oct 2007)
Fetto 11.1 (9.0 and 10.0 inseminated) equipped with a few extra facilities. The "classic" tone control was back, as it was a stupid mistake to modify it in 11.0, which by accident actually was more optimized for bass than for guitars. So if you're bass player and need a musical sounding overdrive/distortion pedal, keep your eyes open for a used Fetto 11.0. La-la-la...
The "Output Buffer"—not to be mixed up with bypass buffers—from 11.0 was replaced with the old "Output Level/Treble Cut" function—this time with a trimmer instead of this jumper. This way it was possible to fine tweak the output impedance/response of Fetto. The "Character" jumper from 11.0 was still there (named Voice) and the screen print was almost identical with 11.0, but on most copies of 11.1 the tone control was named "Presence".
11.1 came with 6 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 2 trimmers (below)
The "Output Buffer"—not to be mixed up with bypass buffers—from 11.0 was replaced with the old "Output Level/Treble Cut" function—this time with a trimmer instead of this jumper. This way it was possible to fine tweak the output impedance/response of Fetto. The "Character" jumper from 11.0 was still there (named Voice) and the screen print was almost identical with 11.0, but on most copies of 11.1 the tone control was named "Presence".
11.1 came with 6 jumpers, 4 DIP switches and 2 trimmers (below)
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| 11.1 | 11.1 PCB |
Fetto Standard, 12.0 (Oct. 2007-Apr 2009)
When Fetto Deluxe was released (Apr. 2007) the original Fetto got jealous and also wanted a family name! Therefore it was hereby baptised to Fetto Standard. Any earlier Fetto was just named Fetto plus a version number: example "Fetto 11.1".
All earlier versions of Fetto had single layered PCB's (printed circuit boards). Fetto Standard (12.0) came with a multi layer board—just like all current products—with through holes and well designed ground plane(s) to make it even more durable and to eliminate the risk of interferences. Why do single sided PCB's even exist then? Well, single sided boards without through holes are less expensive and the service is a lot easier. Catch 22? No, multi layer boards with through holes will not need much service—the through holes makes the soldering points very durable.
Internal adjustments:
To make it easier for the user, the internal jumpers and switches were replaced by 4 trimmers, to still be able to tweak the sound if needed. You could still do about the same, but in an easier way. The trimmers was to adjust:
Lowdrive/Bass (bass/drive)
Gain (global gain)
Mid (mid freqencies)
Treble Cut* (if the amp is too bright)
From serial #1287 (March 2009) the type of serial numbers changed, (to #087) and the Treble Cut* trimmer was cancelled by obvious reasons.
A few units had an external toggle switch added to adjust gain levels/characters. Switches etc. can still be added on some units/models, by random because it's fun and important for the development (Oct 2011).
User layout:
The In/Out jacks were moved downwards, closer to the true bypass switch, and the AC-adapter was moved upwards. This layout makes the routing for the AC adapter more appropriate—as the power supply, in a perfect world, comes routed from the north. This way Fetto's internal signal path will be even more optimal than before.
Finish:
Fetto Standard 12.0 was mostly powder coated in silver, just like Fetto Deluxe and Miss Nutcracker (Dec. 2007). It may come in different colors in the future, so you better ask about the current finish if you care about things like that.
From January 2009 most Himmelstrtutz pedals have been powder coated in "Stockholm White" with a grey silk screen and, good enough, no one knows what the future may bring!
All earlier versions of Fetto had single layered PCB's (printed circuit boards). Fetto Standard (12.0) came with a multi layer board—just like all current products—with through holes and well designed ground plane(s) to make it even more durable and to eliminate the risk of interferences. Why do single sided PCB's even exist then? Well, single sided boards without through holes are less expensive and the service is a lot easier. Catch 22? No, multi layer boards with through holes will not need much service—the through holes makes the soldering points very durable.
Internal adjustments:
To make it easier for the user, the internal jumpers and switches were replaced by 4 trimmers, to still be able to tweak the sound if needed. You could still do about the same, but in an easier way. The trimmers was to adjust:
Lowdrive/Bass (bass/drive)
Gain (global gain)
Mid (mid freqencies)
Treble Cut* (if the amp is too bright)
From serial #1287 (March 2009) the type of serial numbers changed, (to #087) and the Treble Cut* trimmer was cancelled by obvious reasons.
A few units had an external toggle switch added to adjust gain levels/characters. Switches etc. can still be added on some units/models, by random because it's fun and important for the development (Oct 2011).
User layout:
The In/Out jacks were moved downwards, closer to the true bypass switch, and the AC-adapter was moved upwards. This layout makes the routing for the AC adapter more appropriate—as the power supply, in a perfect world, comes routed from the north. This way Fetto's internal signal path will be even more optimal than before.
Finish:
Fetto Standard 12.0 was mostly powder coated in silver, just like Fetto Deluxe and Miss Nutcracker (Dec. 2007). It may come in different colors in the future, so you better ask about the current finish if you care about things like that.
From January 2009 most Himmelstrtutz pedals have been powder coated in "Stockholm White" with a grey silk screen and, good enough, no one knows what the future may bring!
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| 12.0 | 12.0 PCB |
Fetto Standard, 13.0 (Apr. 2009-)
Since here a few more models have been developed and made (Oct. 2011 still 100% handmade by one guy in Sweden). Information about this to be continued...
