The GUP Tech Moth Douche Edition is a treble boost pedal from the Canadian maker GUP Tech, built in Saguenay, Québec. GUP Tech describes it as based on the old Dallas Rangemaster and the Catalinbread Naga Viper, and positions it as "the perfect add-on to give some punch to a clean or distorted tone"1. It is the Douche edition of the Moth, a limited run of the maker's standard Moth circuit.
Controls
The Moth keeps things to three knobs, in the spirit of the simple Rangemaster-style circuit it comes from1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Controls the volume output |
| Heat | The bias drive of the transistor |
| Range | A low frequency cut knob |
The Range control is the treble boost's signature move: cutting low frequencies so the upper part of the signal comes forward. GUP Tech says the pedal is meant to add punch to a clean or distorted tone, the way a Rangemaster-style boost is traditionally used to push an amp harder1.
Circuit and transistor
GUP Tech calls the Moth "our latest revision to our VPR Design," and describes it as a very simple circuit built around an original 2N2222 can transistor1. The 2N2222 is a silicon transistor, not the germanium part used in the original Dallas Rangemaster, so the Moth follows the Rangemaster idea through a different component choice. The same treble boost lineage also shows up in the maker's TATouh! Texas Treble Boost, another GUP Tech take on the boost formula.
Power
The Moth runs on 9Vdc center negative power and draws 1mA1. That is a very small current draw, well within what any standard pedalboard power supply output provides.
Availability
The Douche edition of the Moth is listed as sold out on the maker's product page1. GUP Tech's Douche editions are limited runs of its circuits in special enclosures, alongside other editions such as the Donut Douche Edition and The Rewolwer - Douche Edition. The standard Moth carries the same circuit idea outside the limited run.
Questions
What circuits is the GUP Tech Moth based on?
GUP Tech describes the Moth as based on the old Dallas Rangemaster and the Catalinbread Naga Viper. The Moth is the maker's latest revision to its VPR Design, and the Douche Edition is the version of that circuit sold as a Douche edition of the week.
What does the Heat knob do on the Moth?
Heat is the bias drive of the transistor. Turning it changes how the transistor is driven, which shapes the character of the boost.
What does the Range knob do on the Moth?
Range is a low frequency cut knob. It trims bass from the signal, in the manner of a treble boost, so the boosted upper frequencies come forward in a clean or distorted tone.
What power does the GUP Tech Moth need?
The Moth runs on 9Vdc center negative power and consumes 1mA, a very small draw that any standard pedal power supply can handle.
Does the Moth use a germanium transistor?
No. GUP Tech describes the Moth as a very simple circuit using an original 2N2222 can transistor, which is a silicon part rather than the germanium transistor used in the original Rangemaster.
Is the Moth Douche Edition still available?
The maker's product page lists the Moth Douche Edition as sold out. GUP Tech runs Douche editions as limited runs, so availability changes over time.
Sources (1)
- Moth Douche Edition, GUP Tech
