The GUP Tech A(((ole))) is a fuzz, octave and clean boost pedal in one box, made by GUP Tech of Saguenay, Quebec, Canada. GUP Tech describes it as a "feature-rich fuzz-octa-boost pedal engineered for guitarists and bassists," combining what the maker calls "cutting-edge distortion, bold octave effects, and a clean boost in one rugged, oversized enclosure"1. In practice that means three circuits you can use alone or stacked: a RAT-style distortion, an analog octave in the Green Ringer tradition, and a clean level boost.
A fuzz, octave and clean boost in one pedal
The A(((ole))) puts three effects under three independent footswitches: RAT distortion, octave, and clean boost, each activated on demand1. That layout lets a player run the distortion by itself for a straight fuzz voice, add the octave on top for upper-register doubling, and kick in the boost for solos, in any combination.
The maker's own framing of the pedal is direct:
"It's like having a RAT, a Green Ringer, and a boost in the same enclosure."2
A dedicated blend knob lets bassists and guitarists mix dry and wet signals from 0 to 100 percent1. On the RAT and octave side of the circuit, that means blending from fully clean to fully distorted tone, an approach GUP Tech positions as the bass player version of the pedal, since dry signal keeps the low end intact under fuzz and octave2.
The RAT and Green Ringer lineage
The A(((ole))) is built around what GUP Tech calls an advanced RAT circuit and a Green Ringer-inspired analog octave1. Both are established circuits in the pedal world: the RAT is a classic distortion design, and the Green Ringer is the vintage analog octave-up box whose logic GUP Tech has used elsewhere, in pedals like the GUP Tech PhoqueR and the GUP Tech Bouh-Nana Octave Machine. For a player, the lineage tells you what to expect: RAT-style clipping and gain structure on the distortion side, and an analog octave that tracks best on single notes played above the middle of the neck, the usual behavior of Green Ringer-type circuits.
The three clipping modes shape the distortion side of the pedal1:
| Clipping mode | Switch position | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Op Amp | Center | Massive volume boost1 |
| Classic symmetric diodes | Top | More gain2 |
| Germanium | Bottom | Third clipping character2 |
The center Op Amp position is the one GUP Tech flags for its output: "Center position is Op Amp, so you'll get a massive volume boost"1. Players switching between modes should expect that level jump.
Limited edition designs
GUP Tech builds the A(((ole))) in an oversized enclosure with custom graphics, available in two colors, and offers exclusive and reedited visual designs and variants for collectors and enthusiasts1. The editions the maker has published include:
- Douche Edition: a reedition of the A(((ole))) described as a "Hot Rodded RAT Disto-Octa-Boost with 3 clipping modes," adding the blend knob on the RAT and octave side2
- Gold Rush Edition: the same circuit as the original A(((ole))) in a unique gold box, of which the maker states "Only one will ever exist"3
The Gold Rush Edition is sold out, and GUP Tech states only one unit was ever made3. The standard A(((ole))) features exclusive and reedited visual design and variants for collectors and enthusiasts1.
The Gold Rush Edition carries exactly the same circuit as the original, so the differences between editions are visual rather than tonal3.
What players say
GUP Tech's product page carries player feedback, including a reviewer identified as Steve W, who reports playing a Telecaster through a Fender Pro Reverb and says "the pedal works amazingly well"1. The page also shows a rating based on 17 reviews1.
Power and practical details
The A(((ole))) runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug and draws 7mA1, a light enough draw that it shares comfortably with other pedals on a typical isolated power supply. The Douche Edition shares the same power requirement, 9V DC center negative2.
For players comparing options, the A(((ole))) sits in GUP Tech's broader range of RAT-based and octave-based fuzzes, alongside pedals like the GUP Tech Phoque Face Fuzz and its Douche Edition, and the wider world of fuzz pedals, octave and pitch pedals and boost pedals.
Videos
GUPtech
THE RIFF MOUNTAIN HMD
Questions
What clipping modes does the GUP Tech A(((ole))) have?
Three clipping modes, selected by a switch. The center position is Op Amp, which GUP Tech says gives a massive volume boost. The top position is classic symmetric diodes for more gain, and the bottom position is germanium. The center Op Amp position is the one to watch, since the volume jump is large.
Can the three effects be switched on separately?
Yes. The A(((ole))) has three independent footswitches, so the RAT distortion, the octave and the clean boost can each be activated on demand. You can run the distortion alone, stack the octave on top of it, or add the clean boost wherever you want more level.
Is the A(((ole))) made for bass as well as guitar?
Yes. GUP Tech describes it as a fuzz-octa-boost pedal engineered for guitarists and bassists, and the blend knob is aimed at both. It lets you mix dry and wet signals from 0 to 100 percent, which keeps low end in the mix when the fuzz and octave are engaged.
What power does the A(((ole))) need?
It runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, and draws only 7mA, so it is easy on a pedalboard power supply.
What does the Blend knob do?
It sits on the RAT and octave side of the pedal and blends from 0 to 100 percent between your clean tone and the distorted tone. GUP Tech positions it for bass players in particular, since mixing in dry signal preserves the low end under fuzz and octave.
Sources (3)
- A(((ole))), GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- A(((Ole))), GUPtech (guptech.ca)
- A(((ole))), GUPtech (guptech.ca)
