Elektro Art
Himmelstrutz GEKKO: A One-Off Handmade Echo
A New Kind of Echo Experience
The Himmelstrutz GEKKO differs from common echoes heard nowadays. It is not a “dark” echo, and at the same time, it is not too bright and sterile of a repeat. The GEKKO creates space in which you add a multidimensional touch to your sound. With this original design, you’re not limited to predictable BPM-tempos or repetitive flat echoes; you have the freedom to set unusual tempos without disrupting the flow of your music. This creates an effect of echo that brings life into and adds rich layers to your soundscape.
Inspired by Classic Echo Machines, Not Imitations
While many modern echo pedals are to repeat the original sound/feel/tone, the GEKKO draws inspiration from units like the Echorec and the Binson, those old musical and crazy echoes, taking that timeless quality forward with a modern twist. This pedal isn’t about replication; it’s about augmentation. Each repeat in your signal is tailored for depth and spatial enhancement to give you an organic echo that doesn’t mask or overpower what you’re playing – GEKKO is a bit spasmodic!
It’s about an echo or a reverb effect; the sound & feeling the old man tried to describe was most likely generated by a magnetic drum machine or a tape echo!
No Restrictions on Your Creative Tempo
No longer are you required to stay within the bounds of conventional tempo with the GEKKO. The facility to dial in weird and offbeat tempos gives character and complexity to your performance that not many delay units can pull off. Unlike so many delay units that demand precise BPM matching or breaking up the musical flow when tempos change, the GEKKO keeps the sound consistent and integrated. This new freedom opens the door to truly experimental soundscapes and a more natural feel in each session.
GEKKO ECHO Layout / Controls
| IN / OUT | |
| Input | Input impedance approx. 1 MΩ. |
| Output | Output impedance approx. 10 kΩ. |
| Power | |
| DC Input | 9–12 V DC, 50–100 mA. GEKKO cannot run on a 9 V battery due to space and required power. Optional AC adapter: 9–12 V DC, center-pin negative (BOSS-standard, regulated). |
| Push Switch | |
| GIMME | True bypass switching (push switch / Blue LED). |
| Potentiometers | |
| Mix | Echo level (dry → wet). |
| Delay | Echo time (approx. 40 → 700 ms). |
| Repeat | Echo repetitions (1 → infinite / oscillation). |
| Volume | Output level. |
| Toggle Switches | |
| Glaze | Echo character: LoFi / Normal / Soft (3-way). |
| Wobble | Tape-style repeat variation / flutter responding to playing level and pitch. Also influenced by ambient light via enclosure-mounted light sensor. |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Size | 120.0 × 94.0 × 53.0 mm (L/W/H) — 4.72 × 3.45 × 2.3 in (knobs & switches included). |
| Weight | Approx. 425 g (0.99 lbs). |
| Colour / Finish | |
| May vary depending on season and probably for a reason. From Feb 2010 onward: White with grey / silver print. | |
| Internals * | |
| A few trimmers and a jumper (Factory Default adjustments). * May vary slightly depending on production day, version and serial number. | |
Handmade Quality from Sweden
Like all Himmelstrutz creations, the GEKKO is handmade in Sweden. It’s this commitment to being handmade that can ensure that every unit will exceed the highest standards when it comes to reliability and superior build quality, along with its unique sound profile. You aren’t getting some mass-produced, cookie-cutter pedal. You invest in a distinct piece of gear that can stand with these modern and vintage echo devices.
Engineered for Dimension and Air
What separates the GEKKO is how it sprinkles magic in the air and room of your sound, giving it another dimension or two. Not some soulless, modern repeater that splatters uniform delays about. The GEKKO pushes beyond with added subtlety that enriches your sound and keeps it alive-feeling, dynamic and engagingly unpredictable.
DETAILS
With the DELAY you set the time of the echo. The MIX adjusts the level of the echo and the REPEAT controls the echo repeats/feedback, which in GEKKO is a thing of its own! With 2 toggle switches, GLAZE and WOBBLE you adjust the character of the echo-cho-hoi-oi-i sound, to make it more or less Himmelstrutzilised and with the VOLUME you adjust the level of the mixed echo/dry signal, which means you can boost the output, echo/dry, up to +16 dB. With this kind of Echo and at this sound level, no one can resist you!
GEKKO, JUST AN ECHO EFFECT?
GEKKO isn’t just an echo/delay effect, it’s also a great Boost (=VOLUME control) with or without the delay effect included (=MIX control). But that’s not all! It can also be used as a reverb-kind-of effect How? As GEKKO ain't fussy with delay-tempo vs song-tempo/BPM, it’s rare it will become in the way of your playing (=easy to play). This means it can be adjusted more or less free of choice and it still works well in the tempo/BPM/mix/music.
GEKKO as “Reverb Effect”.
FENDER Princeton Spring Reverb.
DELIVERED WITH THIS PRODUCT
► Sound, wobble and feel you have not experienced before
► 1 x printed Owner’s Manual
► 1 x Warranty: The Himmelstrutz Elektro Art products includes a 1 year limited materials- and factory warranty (from delivery date). The warranty does not include batteries and consumables. Product service is free of charge during the warranty time. The warranty does not include errors due to product modifications, internal adjustments, disassembly, negligence/violence, incorrect power supply usage/incorrect connections or thunder. Shipping costs in non warranty cases is on the product owner
CONCLUSION
If you think delays/echoes these days may be too soft/kind/pristine it’s a good idea to check out GEKKO. Or if you simply dislike any echo sounds but love a fantastic sounding boost – turn down the MIX, turn up the VOLUME and rock it!
If this ain’t enough to solve your dirty sound needs, start all over again by checking out our Drive Pedals.