The GUP Tech Angel Honker Douche Edition is a low-gain overdrive built as a hot-rodded tribute to the old Marshall Blues Breaker. GUP Tech describes it as a really transparent overdrive with not a lot of gain, the kind of pedal that works best pushing an amp that is already breaking up, and that also pairs well with other overdrive and boost pedals for extra crunch1. The maker is blunt about who it is for: "This ain't a beginners Overdrive"1.
What it does to your sound
GUP Tech's own description of the standard Angel Honker applies across the family: "This pedal is a precise tone shaping tool and didn't have a lot of gain. It's a really transparent OD, as the original"2. In practice that means the pedal is meant to shape and push your amp's tone rather than replace it, adding a little extra push on top of a breaking-up amp. The maker also suggests it works alongside other overdrive-boost pedals when you want more crunch2.
The Douche Edition is one of several Angel Honker variants. The Angel Honker Gold Rush Edition carried exactly the same circuit as the original Angel Honker in a unique Gold box, and GUP Tech stated that only one would ever exist; that unit is sold out3. Another variant, the Angel Reaper Douche Edition, is described by the maker as based on the BluesBreaker with a little more volume thanks to the Morning Glory mod4.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume and Gain knobs | GUP Tech recommends starting with volume at max and gain at noon, then moving the gain knob to find where it suits your needs1 |
| Hard and Soft Clip switch | Three positions: center is boost with no clipping, top is LED clipping, bottom is diodes2 |
| Presence trim pot (internal) | For trebly tone if you miss some high end; shipped with Presence at noon1 |
The Hard and Soft Clip switch is the heart of the pedal's flexibility. GUP Tech explains it this way: "In the center position, you get the \"boost\" feature with no clipping. In top position, you get LED clipping, and in bo..."2. The three settings let one pedal move from a clean volume push to two different clipping flavors.
The JHS Morning Glory mod is included on the Angel Honker, adding some volume to the output1. That extra headroom on the output stage is what separates the Angel Honker from a stock Blues Breaker-style circuit, per the maker's description of the family4.
Power and availability
The pedal runs on 9Vdc center negative, and GUP Tech notes that 18Vdc would not hurt. Power consumption is 5mA1, a light draw that suits any standard pedalboard supply.
The Douche Edition page showed only 1 unit left as of the maker's listing1. GUP Tech's Douche editions are typically small runs, as with the one-of-a-kind Gold Rush Edition3.
Where it comes from
GUP Tech builds all of its pedals in Saguenay, Québec, Canada1. The Angel Honker line sits in the maker's range alongside other overdrives such as the PHNX Overdrive and the Horsie Overdrive, and the standard Angel Honker Overdrive is available in Blue and Pink finishes2. For a wider view of where a transparent, low-gain pedal fits on a board, see the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals.
Videos
GUPtech
Questions
Is the GUP Tech Angel Honker based on a Bluesbreaker?
Yes. GUP Tech describes the Angel Honker as a hot-rodded tribute to the old Marshall Blues Breaker, their own take on that circuit. The Douche Edition carries the same approach, and the maker notes it adds a little more volume than the original design thanks to the included JHS Morning Glory mod.
What does the Morning Glory mod do in the Angel Honker?
The JHS Morning Glory mod adds some volume to the output. GUP Tech includes it on the Angel Honker so the pedal can push a bit harder than a stock Blues Breaker-style circuit, which suits its role as a transparent, low-gain overdrive used with an amp that is already breaking up.
What does the Hard and Soft Clip switch do?
It is a three-way switch that changes the clipping. In the center position you get a boost feature with no clipping. In the top position you get LED clipping, and in the bottom position the pedal uses diodes. That gives three distinct gain characters from one pedal.
Where is the Angel Honker Douche Edition made?
GUP Tech builds all of its pedals in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, and the Angel Honker Douche Edition is made there by the company itself.
What is the Presence trim pot on the Angel Honker?
It is an internal trim pot for trebly tone, for players who miss some high-end. The pedal ships with the Presence control set at noon, so it can be left alone or adjusted inside the enclosure to taste.
Sources (4)
- Angel Honker, GUP Tech
- Angel Honker Overdrive (Blues Breaker Tribute), GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Angel Honker, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Angel Reaper, GUPtech
