The GUP Tech Torch X - The Bacon Viper Edition is a heavy distortion pedal with a Clean Boost/Overdrive mod, built as a tribute to the classic Boss HM-2 distortion. GUP Tech describes the base circuit as a "Standard straight-forward heavy distortion with gain, low and high knobs," and the mod adds a three-way toggle that changes what the pedal does to your sound1.
The toggle and what it does
The Clean Boost/Overdrive mod puts a toggle switch between the Volume and Distortion knobs, and each of its three positions gives a different voice12:
- Position 2: the authentic HM2 circuit, the stock heavy distortion sound1
- Position 1: bypasses the gain circuit and the clipping diode, giving a clean EQ1
- Center position: an Overdrive-Distortion effect
"Center position is my favorite and convert the pedal into a nice and creamy Overdrive-Distortion effect."
That center position is the mod's main draw for players who find a straight HM-2 too much of one thing: it sits between the full distortion and the clean boost, in overdrive territory. The standard Torch HM-2 clone offers the same three toggle tones on its modded TorchX Modded Black version2.
Power and practical details
The pedal runs on 9Vdc center-negative power and draws 14mA, so any standard center-negative supply handles it1. It is a True-Bypass version, meaning the pedal is removed from the signal path when off1.
Availability
The Bacon Viper Edition was announced on 25 April 2021 through GUP Tech's Custom Shop, with the same circuit as the modded Torch X in a new Bacon look1. The product page now lists it as sold out1. GUP Tech has a habit of limited editions of this kind, including the Donut Douche Edition and the GrindR Douche Edition, so Custom Shop runs come and go.
The Bacon Viper Edition is sold out as of 26 October 2026. It was a Custom Shop limited edition rather than a standard catalog pedal1.
All GUP Tech pedals, the Torch X included, are made by the company in Saguenay, Québec, Canada1.
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Questions
Is the GUP Tech Torch X Bacon Viper Edition true bypass?
Yes. GUP Tech lists the Torch X Bacon Viper Edition as a True-Bypass version, so the pedal takes itself out of the signal path completely when switched off. The same true bypass specification is given for the standard Torch HM-2 clone the Bacon Viper Edition is based on.
What power does the Torch X Bacon Viper Edition need?
GUP Tech specifies 9Vdc center-negative power with a power consumption of 14mA. A standard center-negative 9V supply of the kind most pedalboards already carry will run it.
What does the toggle switch do on the Torch X?
The toggle, part of the Clean Boost/Overdrive mod, sits between the Volume and Distortion knobs and gives three tones. Position 2 is the authentic HM2 circuit. Position 1 bypasses the gain circuit and the clipping diode for a clean EQ. The center position turns the pedal into what GUP Tech's Julian Vargas calls a nice and creamy Overdrive-Distortion effect.
Is the Bacon Viper Edition still available?
The Bacon Viper Edition is listed as sold out on GUP Tech's product page. It was offered through the company's Custom Shop as a limited edition, with the same circuit as the modded Torch X in a new Bacon look.
Where is the GUP Tech Torch X made?
GUP Tech builds the Torch X Bacon Viper Edition in Saguenay, Québec, Canada. The company states that all of its pedals are made by hand in that shop.
Sources (2)
- Torch X - The Bacon Viper Edition, GUP Tech, 2021-04-25
- Torch HM-2 Clone, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
