Info about the original:
Jump on Fetto Standard when your guitar and amp can't ride the lightning on reasonable levels, when you need anything between clean to really distorted sounds—to convince your audience, band and girlfriend(s) that the sound isn't the reason why your music is boring.
Perfect string separation, all the way from smooth overdrive to heavy distortion. Never lose the character of your instrument or amplifier. Designed to match the volume control on your guitar perfectly. Most pedals sounds just like a pedal. Not the case with the Fetto's which sound like an extension of your amplifier. Have you heard this before? Well, this time it's true.
10 toggle switches?! Won't even listen to the clip in case I like it! :P
ReplyDelete"to convince your audience, band and girlfriend(s) that the sound isn't the reason why your music is boring" interesting sales technique :D
ReplyDelete^_^ I loved that bit. Passive-aggressive marketing FTW!
Delete
ReplyDeleteStop it, Mark and Miro!
I have ten builds lined up as is, stop reading my wishlist!!!
:)
Now we're ready for the Sansamp classic
ReplyDelete:p
It's on perfboard and not stripboard but maybe you'd be interested?
Deletehttp://juansolo.demon.co.uk/stompage/schematics/Schematic%20Stash/Amp%20Simulators/SansampClassicPerf.gif
Consider 2sk170BL transistors for this too. I built the stripped down version of this couple of years ago from Sabro's site and it was a little smoother sounding with the BLs. Might not make that big a difference with all the switching options though. Really nice sounding od. Been meaning to build the full version for a while - that 10 pole dip switch that I ordered over a year ago has just been sitting on my bench staring at me. Guess now's the time...
ReplyDeleteI assume you would wire the DIP the same way you would wire the individual switches, only on a daughterboard? Maybe figure a way to mount it on the side of the box or have access through a opening.
ReplyDeleteYes the contact is either made or broken so you'd just solder (for instance) the Bass1 Sw1 and Bass1 Sw2 wires to either side of the same switch pole. Maybe mount it on the side of the box with velcro or similar, or even just wedge it in somewhere. I don't think you'd necessarily want to be able to change them all on the fly and adapting for external access may be a pain. Maybe a better idea would be to split it so the most useful controls are on external toggles, then use a smaller DIP switch for the rest.
DeleteI totally agree with tinkercreak, 170BLs are much much smoother with the same amount of gain though. Since I switched from 170GRs to 170BLs this build is my main distortion. As I remember the 117BLs were even heavier and aggressive
ReplyDelete
DeleteLuckily, 170BLs are the only ones I was able to score (for this exact build, bought them probably six months ago :) ). GRs were nowhere to be found...
Still debating whether to do the dipswitch thing or go crazy and put all switches on the outside.
I was crazy even with the dip switch!And I have to say, after a little experimenting with the switches, I found what I like and never switch anything..
DeleteThis reminds me of some sort of crazy Beavis distortion build, with the DIP daughterboard especially.
ReplyDeleteI've been think about building this one for quite awhile now (and already have the 10P dip switch). thanks for posting it Mark.
ReplyDeleteSince I had made this one from sabro, this is my main OD unit, best overdrive circuit I have ever played.
ReplyDeleteAnd so you benefit from the years that the designer has been tweaking this circuit - how does Himmelstrutz benefit from you? Perhaps you could buy one of his pedals as a way of saying thankyou?
DeleteIf anyone builds and boxes this up, please post a link to an image. ...so many toggles...
ReplyDeleteAdding this to my build list. Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any idea how to make this more like the Fetto C-lux.
With the CORE control, which varies the power supply from 6v to 22v ?
I'd guess it's an internal voltage bump to 22V, and a pot in series as a starve control.
DeleteYeah I reckon a voltage tripler like this from RG Keen's site should work for bumping the voltage. http://www.geofex.com/circuits/voltpmp1.gif
DeleteWill UA741 work in this instead of the LM741?
ReplyDeleteoops. working with the Heliotrope not this one...sorry
ReplyDeleteI got the board built. that only took about 1/2 hour, but making the 10 DIP switch board and wiring it up took about twice that long for me. now I just need to install the harness for the pots and test it. I sure hope that it works with no errors since all that wiring would make it very difficult to troubleshoot. here's a pic of my progress so far:
ReplyDeletehttp://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/Fetto/FettoCircuit-01.jpg
if I have time, i'll try to at least wire the rest of it up and test it later tonight. I have both 170GR's and 170BL's for it. so I can compare them
Very cool build, John. Want just to ask you about soldering DIP Switch. I've never used one 'til now. Did you make solder bridges between cables and dip switch pins ?
Deleteyou can tag this one as verified. everything worked perfect on my first test. DIP Sw Gain2 is VERY subtle but it does work. IMO, it's very a nice sounding pedal
ReplyDeleteI got it mounted I the enclosure, now I just need to label it ;-)
Deletepic:
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/Fetto/Fetto-02.jpg
Amazing looking build as always! Thanks John!
Delete+m
Thanks Miro! IMO, this is a reeeeallly good sounding pedal.
Deletehttp://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Effects/Fuzz-ODs/Fetto/Fetto-01.jpg
Awesome build John, and yes I'm extremely glad that one worked first time because it would have been a nightmare!
Deletethanks Mark. no kidding! i'm also pleased that the controls work in the correct direction the first time out too! ;-)
DeleteBTW, it doesn't make any difference to the circuit, but there's a cut on the lower diagram that doesn't match the upper diagram's cut. it's the one left of the 220p cap. on the lower one it's right next to the 220p cap and on the upper one it's under the 4n7 cap.
ReplyDeleteCheers John, updated.
DeleteThanks John, was just about to post same. I usually flip the image (mirror) and print. Fortunately, no harm, no foul. Stuck now waiting for TR1 and TR2 arrive. Also need to decide on toggles, push button or dip switches. know of any source other than ebay for the 2SK170gr/bl?
ReplyDeletethanks,
I got my GR's off of ebay and my BL's from mouser/
DeleteMust have been awhile back, 3000 piece minimum order on mouser. I will look to ebay, argh.
ReplyDeleteit was about a month ago, but I guess they no longer have small quantities, but there are ton of sellers on ebay that have them.
DeleteTry Polida on ebay Pete , I got my Grs from there sometime ago. Now they have increased the price a lot, though.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, can I use 3 pole, on-on switches instead of the 2 pole? Can't seem to find them anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. You can use anything that gives you an on/off situation. Just use a middle and an outer pole and make sure you orient the switch correctly :)
DeleteCool!! I guess I already knew the answer, just wanted to be sure.
DeleteCheers Goran!
Posting from an iPad on here sux!
ReplyDeleteJust finished my Fetto. Added the 10 DIP switch and Millenium bypass on the board, and put the treb and pres on the outside.
Best OD I've.built so far.
Pic is here>>. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/image_zpsfccfa77a.jpg
Nice job, thanks for the pic
DeleteThanks! I used 170BL's and the tone is very smooth and has an almost "Dumble-ish" vocal quality to it.
DeleteForgot to say that I also put the gain trim on the outside....glad I did, as it is very helpful in getting just the right smoothness.
I also found that I like the stock DIP settings the best (as shown on the backplate instructions on the original Fetto)....gain1, voice, treb cut1, treb cut 2 and mid cut ON, everything else OFF.
Geezer
hi do u think i should get matching sk170gr to sound best? or i could just get any sk170 will do..
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the 170gr's yet, but the unmatched BL's I have really sound great....definitely STILL the best OD I've ever built or used.....even after a several week "honeymoon".
DeleteTalk about transparent....I've built the Timmy, which is supposedly the most transparent OD out there, and this one blows it out of the water. It's the first thing I turn on for OD, and pushes the OD channel of my Dumble-based amp to extra sweetness.
I'm building another one, but it will be simplified (without the DIP switches)....everything just hard wired stock, as mentioned above.
Geezer
Just finished my 2nd Fetto....all DIP switch settings hard-wired to stock settings.
DeleteWow! One Fetto is terrific enough, but 2x of them stacked together is simply out of this world! Add to that a Dumble OD channel and you've got the best overdrive tones ever!
Geezer
mine is finished except for the case and graphics. Went with the 10 DIP switch and dremelled a nice little rectangle window in the case. Anyone know what the stock switch settings are....all off?
ReplyDeleteStock settings = gain1, voice, treb cut1, treb cut 2 and mid cut ON, everything else OFF.
DeleteGeezer
For reference, here's a pic of an original Fetto back panel with the stock settings shown.
Deletehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/openbackinstructions_zps6b8e53b3.jpg
Thanks for that
DeleteJust a quick note.....after several monthes with my 2x Fetto builds, they are STILL the best OD pedal(s) I've EVERY encountered!
DeleteAdd one to a clean channel and you've got Dumble tone in spades, plus about any other great tone you can name.....
Add one (or two!) onto a Dumble OD channel and you've got heavenly tone!
Geezer
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DeleteGet over yourself. This is DIY, if you don't like it then don't let the door hit your arse on your way out.
DeleteJames, I bet Himmelstrutz started out cloning other projects, it's a good way to learn. Or did he just start out making original designs? Have you ever made a DIY pedalboard? Have you ever built a computer or changed your own oil? Have you ever taken someone else's technology or process and utilized it yourself?
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DeleteGive it a bloody rest James. The Fetto design itself is probably based on stuff developed by Doug Hammond or Jack Orman or ROG or someone else.
DeleteEven if it is a totally original design, congratulations on totally missing the point of this site and other similar resources like it.
How is it theft? What intellectual property rights does Himmelstrutz have on a cascading gain stage amplification circuit based on textbook designs from 70 years ago?
DeleteRather than it being a case of us being thieves, it is actually a case of you simply not having a clue about the facts behind what you're accusing people of. And then it's all simply down to opinion, and I suspect that no one here could care less about yours.
Oh and incidentally, I would suspect that Himmelstrutz wouldn't thank you very much for what you're doing now, even if you think you're on a morality crusade. At the moment there is only one Himmelstrutz layout on this site, which is incidentally staying on this site. But nothing encourages people to reverse engineer things more than when some self-appointed supercilious internet policeman tells you not to do it. Mike Fuller did that a few times and look how many of his pedals are on here and plastered all over the internet. Just something to consider.
james, i understand what you're trying to say, but you couldn't be more wrong. when you talk about building amps, there are many amps by companies that are still around that have based their designs off other designs from other companies that exist and still make the predecessor amp. case in point, marshall built their company on their attempt to copy a fender bassman, but due to their lack of certain value parts they couldn't make an exact copy, so we ended up with the marshall amps we know today. even better, you're going on about this specific pedal, but i don't see you getting all up in arms about the Big Muff. the number of builders and companies that have built their companies on copying the Big Muff is astounding. the only reason i can see you not angry about that is that EHX is a big conglomerate so they can take the hit. or even better, what about the fuzzface? i know dunlop can afford it too.
Deletewhat about apple? they built their business on tearing apart other companies computers and rebuilding them to sell, and more recently EVERYTHING they propose and get massive credit for was done by someone else. they just give it a stupid "i" name and people go crazy for it and act like its new. case in point look at the new iPad, looks exactly like the windows surface. hell the idea of a tablet was proposed first by windows something like 5-10 years earlier and everyone thought it was stupid.
how about just driving around in a car or motorcycle? the tv, computer, stereo, speakers, guitars...... i think you see where i'm going with all these comparisons.
as far as making comments about intellectual property on circuit designs, there are NO patents for circuit designs, because it's down to the arrangement of components. what IS covered is the artwork, and the PCB.
what am i getting at with all this you may be asking yourself. the first point is know what you're talking about, and the history before you start making comments. two, as mark pointed out, you have no reason or right to start making comments FOR someone or a company that you are not connected to.
side note, don't forget that fuller has actually tried to lay claim to concepts that were designed by people like jack orman, r.g. keen, mark hammer, and aron nelson. he even has attempted to sue other builders for ideas that were not his.
and from me, thanks for that as well. Side note, I am getting a terrific hum/buzz and was wondering if it is my spaghetti wiring, a loose ground, TR settings or maybe inherent with the circuit. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've built this and all controls, including all switches (on a 10 position DIP) work. However, with regard to the trimpots, while TR1 causes considerable changes in gain, I can't seem to get anything from TR2. Additionally, it doesn't sound right to me. Would it be possible for someone with a properly working version to take some voltage readings on the transistors, so that I can compare to mine?
ReplyDeleteFor those who are building this (and you should!) I have some advice/opinions on transistors.
ReplyDeleteI have built two of these, and had both 2SK170 BL and GR in each one.
After many months of switching back and forth, I have found the BL (lower gain version) to be the smoothest and most tube-like in response.
Fortunately, the BL's also seem to be the easiest to find and generally are slightly lower cost.
Just my $00.02
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DeleteOr get the self satisfaction of building one themselves for $20. Not everyone is into DIY, but you can probably be pretty safe in assuming that most people here are.
DeleteThis a great sounding OD & an amazing site. Anyway the pedal i built works great but when i switch on treble cut 2 the volume drops to almost nothing. I have went over the build & can't see anything wrong so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteCheck that you're getting 9V on Treble Cut 2 Sw2 and the soldering on the switch is good. Apart from that all I could suggest is swapping the 1n cap, it's a pretty simple affair and so not a lot that can be wrong with it.
DeleteThanks Mark for the speedy reply & congratulations on a truly great site. I only got around to trying the 1n cap & testing for 9v now but unfortunately i found nothing wrong. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to tell anyone who's reading this. This is a great drive pedal. There are many. Don't hesitate to make this one of the many:) thnx everyone!
ReplyDeletehi, when I switch the power on. There is signal but immediately the signal attenuates an becomes barely audible. can anyone suggest what might be the problem? Thanks fore the great site and the knowledge you share.
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, knife the gaps and use a magnifying glass to see for any visible shorts, measure your power supply (even if it is a battery) to see if it's alive and triple check all electrolythics. When all that is ok, then try to probe it to see where the signal dies.
Delete+m
Hi mirosol.thanks a lot. I will do that. I really enjoy this cool place.
DeleteSince reading your comments here I have removed my comments. I have done more research into this issue of publishing ways to copy effects pedals, and i have to say I'm still not completely comfortable with it when the people who design these pedals are small operators whose survival depends on these designs. I have learnt a lot and quite possibly over reacted, and for that I apologise.
ReplyDeleteBUT - Joakim who designed the Himmelstrutz pedals is a friend of mine and is very upset that this information is public. He of course has nothing to hide but times are tough and he is sick from worry that this can affect his business. In hindsight I don't think that sites like this can impact his business as much as he may imagine but he is a lovely bloke and I really feel for him. I am also a huge fan of his work and will never copy his designs for myself. His pedals mean a lot to him, and rightly so.
I am aware of the history of the Mike Fullers of this world. But Joakim is just not like that, in either character or the scale of his business. He is quite the opposite.
I hope you guys will understand when I say I appreciate that (a) you are way cleverer than me, and (b) you appreciate how good Joakim's pedal designs are. I have been playing for thirty years and the Fetto is the sound I have been looking for all that time.
I get why you dissect the pedals - and yes, a modified Tubescreamer for $500 is ridiculous. But there are sometimes situations you don't think about, and maybe there are times when it's not ideal to publish circuits. There are no hard and fast rules when people's health and welfare are concerned. It probably means nothing to you to publish this particular circuit - it's just another overdrive pedal. But it means a hell of a lot to Joakim and me. Maybe sometimes if the designer doesn't wish to share his designs like this - not for wanting to hide anything like Lovepedal or Danelectro or Fulltone when they steal designs - but for the sake of his peace of mind, then we could respect that. And of course you are all free to ignore this.
Hallo IvIark,
ReplyDeletethanks for this wunderfull site. I can built effects, despite the fact that i´m not a engineer but a layer. Thanks!
For the 200 nF can I pick a 220 nF or must it be 2 x 100 nF in parallel?
Just built this with 2sk30, works great.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants to see what a dual channel Fetto with an LPB1 booster and all the switches on the outside looks like, you can check out my build on the Madbean forums...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=31571.0