The GUP Tech Douche Edition Phoque Face Fuzz is a germanium fuzz pedal built on the Fuzz Face design, with two additions players usually have to mod in themselves: an internal and external bias control and a clean blend. GUP Tech describes the tone as "Simple and gritty, exactly how we like them," and calls the pedal "A pure classic fuzz tone."1
The Douche Edition is a limited sparkling-finish run announced on 28 April 2024, and the product page now lists it as sold out. The same circuit is available in the standard GUP Tech Phoque Face Fuzz.1
Circuit and controls
GUP Tech describes the Phoque Face Fuzz as "the GUP Tech modern version of the SunFace/Fuzz Face," the two-transistor germanium fuzz design. This version uses PNP germanium transistors and adds bias adjustment inside and out, so the player can set the transistor operating point from the outside while a trimmer inside sets the range. A clean blend lets unaffected signal sit under the fuzz, which helps germanium fuzzes keep low-end definition.1
It sits in GUP Tech's fuzz range alongside the Bee Fuzz, the Cornichon Douche Edition and the Bloup! Octavia Fuzz Tribute. See the site's Fuzz Pedals page for the wider type.
The PhoqueR variant
On 7 March 2021 GUP Tech began offering the same Phoque Face circuit with a Green Ringer added, sold as the PhoqueR. The Green Ringer is an octave-style circuit placed ahead of the fuzz stage.1
Power requirements
The pedal runs on standard 9V power, and GUP Tech is explicit about the ceiling: "Voltage : 9Vdc center negative maximum. Anything higher will blow some stuff." Current draw is 4mA, low enough for any pedalboard supply.1
What players say
GUP Tech's Benjamin McGillis describes his own use of the pedal:
"I'm using the Phoque face running in to a Tumnus Deluxe (mostly for additional eq and volume control)"
He describes the range as running "from clean up to scratching torn Velcro fuzz and doom-y tones," with the Tumnus Deluxe used for additional EQ and volume control.1
Questions
Is the GUP Tech Phoque Face based on a Fuzz Face?
Yes. GUP Tech describes the Phoque Face Fuzz as its modern version of the SunFace/Fuzz Face circuit, the classic two-transistor fuzz design. The Douche Edition is that same germanium fuzz in a limited sparkling finish, with internal and external bias controls and a clean blend added.
Does the Phoque Face use germanium transistors?
Yes. GUP Tech lists the pedal as PNP germanium, which is the transistor type used in the original Fuzz Face designs. Germanium fuzzes are known for a softer clipping character than silicon, and the Phoque Face adds bias controls so the transistor operating point can be adjusted.
What does the Douche Edition change on the Phoque Face?
The Douche Edition is a limited sparkling-finish version of the Phoque Face Fuzz, announced by GUP Tech on 28 April 2024. The circuit keeps the PNP germanium design with internal and external bias and a clean blend. GUP Tech's Benjamin McGillis describes running it into a Tumnus Deluxe for extra EQ and volume control, from clean up to heavy fuzz tones.
What is the PhoqueR?
The PhoqueR is a variant of the Phoque Face that GUP Tech began offering on 7 March 2021: the same circuit with a Green Ringer added, putting an octave-style ring modulation effect in front of the fuzz.
Is the Phoque Face Douche Edition still available?
No. As of 26 October 2026 the GUP Tech product page lists the Douche Edition Phoque Face as sold out. The standard Phoque Face Fuzz circuit remains part of the maker's range.
What power supply does the Phoque Face Douche Edition need?
A standard 9V DC center negative supply, at a maximum of 9Vdc. GUP Tech warns that anything higher will damage the pedal. Current draw is low at 4mA, so it is easy on a shared supply.
Sources (1)
- Douche Edition Phoque Face Fuzz, GUP Tech (guptech.ca), 2021-03-07
