The Fjord Fuzz Hedda is a two-knob fuzz pedal from Norwegian builder Fjord Fuzz, built on a Fuzz Face-inspired circuit and designed, in the maker's words, "to sound as dynamic as possible"1. Delicious Audio describes it as a "highly interactive, unapologetically vintage fuzz with high dynamic range and chaos oscillation switch"1, and the site's March 2023 roundup of new pedals called it "an unusually dynamic fuzz"2.
Circuit and designer
The Hedda was designed by Daniel Thornhill, Fjord Fuzz's owner and engineer, whom Delicious Audio describes as having been focused for ten years, to that date, on perfecting his vintage fuzz designs1. The circuit uses very low input impedance and very high gain BC848 silicon transistors, along with built-in asymmetrical clipping1. Thornhill explained the transistor choice in his own words:
"I chose the BC848 transistor, the 12th generation of the BC108 family"
The design goal is dynamic response. Thornhill said, "As a guitarist I personally prefer maximum dynamic range from my rig and HEDDA is designed specifically for this purpose," with the pedal controllable from the guitar's onboard controls even during oscillation1.
Controls and the Feedback footswitch
The Hedda keeps its faceplate simple: a big knob for volume and a small one for bias, plus two footswitches1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Master Volume (big knob) | Controls your volume1 |
| Bias (small knob) | Sets the bias, from 70s overbiased, sustainy leads fully counter-clockwise to spitty and gated fuzz at maximum1 |
| Feedback footswitch | Momentary switch that turns on a feedback loop glitch, feeding the output to the circuit's input, creating theremin-like oscillation1 |
| Engage / Bypass footswitch | Turns the effect on and off3 |
Guitar Pedal X summarizes the Bias control's range as "Classic/Fat > Brassy/Thin"3. The Feedback footswitch is the pedal's distinguishing feature: depending on how the Bias is set, it can generate a lot of natural feedback oscillation when the Bias is cranked up3.
The Feedback footswitch is momentary, so the oscillation only lasts while it is held down, which makes it an effect you play rather than set and leave on.
Where it sits in the Fjord Fuzz range
The Hedda is one of several fuzzes in the Fjord Fuzz line, alongside pedals like the Fjord Fuzz Berserk V2, the Fjord Fuzz Thor and the Fjord Fuzz Odin. Its niche within that range is the combination of a vintage-style two-knob Fuzz Face approach with the momentary feedback loop, which few other pedals in the line offer1.
Videos
Fjord Fuzz AS
Sasha Ivantic
David Kox
Questions
How much does the Fjord Fuzz Hedda cost?
Guitar Pedal X's buying guide lists the Fjord Fuzz Hedda Dynamic Bias Fuzz with Feedback Oscillation at $189 USD, as of May 2024. That price comes from the press rather than the maker, so it reflects what the pedal was listed at when the guide was published.
What transistors does the Fjord Fuzz Hedda use?
The Hedda uses BC848 silicon transistors. Fjord Fuzz's Daniel Thornhill described the BC848 as the 12th generation of the BC108 family, the transistor line behind many classic Fuzz Face designs. The circuit runs them at very high gain with a very low input impedance, alongside built-in asymmetrical clipping.
What does the Feedback footswitch do on the Hedda?
The Feedback footswitch is a second, momentary switch that feeds the pedal's output back into its input, creating a feedback loop glitch with theremin-like oscillation. Guitar Pedal X notes that depending on how the Bias control is set, the Feedback footswitch can generate a lot of natural feedback oscillation when the Bias is cranked up.
Who designed the Fjord Fuzz Hedda?
The Hedda was designed by Daniel Thornhill, Fjord Fuzz's company owner and engineer. Delicious Audio's write-up describes him as having spent ten years, to that date, perfecting his vintage fuzz designs, with the Hedda built specifically for maximum dynamic range.
Sources (3)
- Fjord Fuzz Hedda, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-29
- Best New Pedals 2023, Delicious Audio, 2023-04-04
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-09
