The GUP Tech Baby Honker is a Dual-Overdrive-Boost pedal: two circuits in one box, a clean boost and preamp side built on the GrindR, and an overdrive side built on a TS-808-style circuit. GUP Tech describes it as based on its big brother, the Mad Honker, with the same Dual-Overdrive-Boost circuitry in a smaller footprint1. The pedal is made by GUP Tech in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, where the company says all of its pedals are built1.
The two sides
The Baby Honker splits its work between two circuits, each with its own controls12:
| Side | Circuit | Controls and features |
|---|---|---|
| GrindR (left) | Clean boost with preamp | 20db of clean boost, with a bypassable preamp (bass and treble control)1 |
| "Honker" Hot Rod (right) | Classic TS-808 clone | Volume, Gain and Tone control, plus a Hot Rod mod with a Bass/Fat selection toggle1 |
The GrindR side is the boost half of the pedal, and GUP Tech frames it plainly: "Wanna boost ? 20db of clean boost, with a bypassable preamp (bass and treble control)"1. The Hot Rod side is the overdrive half, a TS-808 clone with the usual Volume, Gain and Tone layout, and the Hot Rod mod adds a Bass/Fat selection toggle for shaping the low end1. For more on what a boost does on a board, see Boost Pedals; the standalone version of the left-side circuit is covered on the GUP Tech GrindR page.
How it differs from the Mad Honker
The Baby Honker exists to shrink the Mad Honker onto a smaller board. To fit the 1590BB enclosure, GUP Tech explains: "We've removed the \"33\" EQ portion of the GrindR and the clipping toggle of the Honker Hot Rod to reduce the size"2. The Mad Honker itself has changed over time: as of 2 June 2020, GUP Tech was producing two versions, one with a standard GrindR pushing the 808 and one with a parallel switch and Mix knob to run both circuits in parallel, with the center switch selecting parallel (left) or standard serial mode (right)3.
GUP Tech also built a related Lab Series prototype, the Lab Series #33 Mini Mad Honker, which the maker describes as its mini Mad Honker prototype. It includes the two original circuits of the Mad Honker, the GrindR and the TS-808, and GUP Tech sums it up as "Smaller footprint, same destroying boost power."4
Sizes, colors and availability
The Baby Honker is built in a 1590BB box measuring 4.7 in x 3.7 in x 1.34 in (119 mm x 94 mm x 34 mm)1. The current enclosure design dates from 30 August 2024, when GUP Tech announced a new, more colorful look: "New design! We don't have a laser etching machine anymore (sadly), so here's a more colourful Baby Honker!"1. The pedal comes in three colors1:
- Seafoam
- Light Blue
- Baby Pink
A super limited Neon Douche edition of the Baby Honker was announced on 22 November 20242.
The maker's two product pages list different prices, £109.00 GBP and £99.00 GBP, both dated 26 October 2026. The price is given in British pounds as listed by GUP Tech; the pages disagree on the amount.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Baby Honker and the Mad Honker?
The Baby Honker is based on the Mad Honker, which GUP Tech calls its big brother. It carries the same Dual-Overdrive-Boost circuit but in a smaller footprint: a 1590BB box measuring 4.7 by 3.7 by 1.34 inches. To fit that size, GUP Tech removed the "33" EQ portion of the GrindR and the clipping toggle of the Honker Hot Rod side.
What size is the GUP Tech Baby Honker?
It is built in a 1590BB enclosure measuring 4.7 in x 3.7 in x 1.34 in, or 119 mm x 94 mm x 34 mm. That is smaller than the full-size Mad Honker, which is why GUP Tech trimmed some features from each side of the circuit.
What colors does the Baby Honker come in?
The current design, introduced on 30 August 2024, comes in Seafoam, Light Blue and Baby Pink. GUP Tech also announced a super limited Neon Douche edition on 22 November 2024.
What does the Hot Rod side of the Baby Honker do?
The "Honker" Hot Rod side is a classic TS-808 clone with Volume, Gain and Tone controls, plus a Hot Rod mod that adds a Bass/Fat selection toggle. It is the overdrive half of the pedal, sitting alongside the GrindR boost side.
Where is the Baby Honker made?
GUP Tech states that all of its pedals are made by the company in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, and the Baby Honker is no exception.
Sources (4)
- Baby Honker Dual-Overdrive-Boost, GUP Tech (guptech.ca), 2024-08-30
- Douche Edition, GUP Tech, 2024-11-22
- Mad Honker, GUP Tech (guptech.ca), 2020-06-02
- Lab Series #33, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
