The GUP Tech Clowntaur is an overdrive and boost pedal in one box. The maker describes it plainly: "This is a kind of 2 in one pedal, an OD/Booster."1 Rather than choosing between pushing an amp with a light drive and lifting a quiet part of your signal, the Clowntaur is set up so one set of knobs covers both jobs, and GUP Tech gives two starting points for the two roles. It is built by the company in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, and carries a maker's list price of £109.00 GBP.1
Controls and the two ways to use it
The Clowntaur has three knobs, and GUP Tech's own descriptions explain how they work together1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Adds drive and cuts your dry signal at the same time1 |
| TREBLE | Introduces high freqs as you turn it up1 |
| OUTPUT | Controls the overall volume of the pedal1 |
The maker's suggested settings show how the pedal splits into its two halves. For the boost side, "Set the GAIN very low and turn up the OUTPUT to boost your signal, or set the OUTPUT at 9 O'Clock and make your signal be driven by the GAIN knob."1 In other words, low Gain with a hot Output gives you a level lift for solos or pushing a front end, while a moderate Output with the Gain doing the work turns the pedal into the overdrive half of the pairing. The Treble knob then sets how much top end comes with either approach.
Power and mounting
The Clowntaur draws 22mA and takes a DC output with a negative center connector, compatible with a standard 9V adaptor.1 That current draw is modest by pedalboard standards, so it should sit comfortably alongside other pedals on a shared supply. There is a 5mm LED indicator on the face of the pedal.1
The enclosure is a powder coated die cast aluminum 1590BB, a standard stompbox format with room to spare for a three-knob layout.1
The Douche edition
The Clowntaur carries a list price of £109.00 GBP.1 The maker describes the GAIN knob as one that "Adds drive and cut your dry signal at the same time," and the pedal carries a 5mm LED indicator.2
The Douche edition is described by the maker as super limited, so availability is not the same as the standard version.2
Where it sits in the GUP Tech range
The Clowntaur is one of several GUP Tech pedals that combine drive with a second function. Others in the maker's lineup include the Donut Douche Edition boost-overdrive, the Baby Honker dual overdrive and boost, and the GrindR boost. For a wider look at the category, see the site's pages on overdrive pedals and boost pedals1.
Videos
The Guitar Shop Canada
Questions
How much current does the GUP Tech Clowntaur draw?
GUP Tech lists the Clowntaur at 22mA power consumption. It runs from a DC output with a negative center connector, compatible with a standard 9V adaptor, so it fits easily on a pedalboard power supply without needing a high-current output.
What size enclosure does the Clowntaur use?
The Clowntaur is housed in a powder coated die cast aluminum 1590BB enclosure, a standard size for pedals with a bit of extra room. GUP Tech builds all of its pedals in Saguenay, Québec, Canada.
Can the Clowntaur be used as a clean boost?
Yes. GUP Tech suggests setting the Gain knob very low and turning up the Output to boost your signal. The alternative is to set the Output around 9 o'clock and let the Gain knob drive the signal instead.
What does the Gain knob do on the Clowntaur?
According to GUP Tech, the Gain knob adds drive and cuts your dry signal at the same time, so it shapes both the amount of overdrive and the character of the clean signal passing through the pedal.
Where is the Clowntaur made?
GUP Tech states that all of its pedals are made by the company in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, and the Clowntaur is no exception.
Sources (2)
- The Clowntaur, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- The Clowntaur, GUPtech (guptech.ca)
