The GUP Tech VeJ3 is an amp in a box preamp-distortion pedal: a pedal designed to put the feel of a complete amplifier's preamp section on a pedalboard. GUP Tech describes it as bringing "a complete amp feeling to your pedalboard," and positions it in the VeJ series just between the VeJ2 and the VeJ41. Where the VeJ2 is a preamp-overdrive and the VeJ4 is a distortion, the VeJ3 sits in the middle as a preamp-distortion with three dynamic distortion modes aimed at what GUP Tech calls "the more aggressive metal tones"1.
What the VeJ3 does
The VeJ3 is built as a distortion pedal with a full EQ section, which GUP Tech pairs with a very low noise floor. The maker says it "sounds great on clean channel or directly in the FX Loop return of any amp"1. That second placement is the amp in a box idea in practice: plugged into an amp's effects loop return, the pedal replaces the amp's own preamp and becomes the gain and tone shaping in front of the power section.
The three dynamic distortion modes are the core of the pedal. GUP Tech frames them as being for "the more aggressive metal tones," which places the VeJ3 on the high-gain end of the VeJ series rather than in overdrive territory1.
Where the VeJ3 sits in the VeJ series
GUP Tech's VeJ collection runs from lower-gain to higher-gain amp in a box pedals, and the VeJ3 is positioned "just between the VeJ2 and the VeJ4"1. The differences between the three are a matter of effect type and current draw:
| Pedal | Type | Current draw |
|---|---|---|
| VeJ2 | Amp in a box preamp-overdrive | 12mA2 |
| VeJ3 | Amp in a box preamp-distortion | 18mA1 |
| VeJ4 | Amp in a box distortion | 11mA3 |
The VeJ4 is the straight distortion of the family, with three drive modes of its own: a classic blues tone, a distortion mode, and a thick distortion channel3. The VeJ2 is the preamp-overdrive at the gentler end4. The VeJ3's preamp-distortion design with three dynamic distortion modes is the middle ground, leaning toward metal rather than blues.
There is also a variant of the VeJ3 itself: the VeJ3 Eggplant Douche Edition, which carries the same amp in a box preamp-distortion design, the same 18mA draw, and the same 9V DC center negative power requirement5.
Powering the VeJ3
The VeJ3 runs on a 9V DC supply with a center negative plug, the standard arrangement for modern compact pedals1. Its power consumption is listed at 18mA1, a low draw that leaves plenty of headroom on a typical isolated power supply. For comparison, the VeJ4 draws 11mA3 and the VeJ2 draws 12mA2, so all three VeJ pedals are easy on a pedalboard's power budget.
Where it is made and what is available
GUP Tech builds all of its pedals itself in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, including the VeJ31. The standard VeJ3 comes in two colors, Magenta and Army Green1.
The VeJ3's price is listed on GUP Tech's own product page in pounds sterling (£77.00 GBP), not US dollars, so check the maker's current pricing for your region1.
Videos
GUPtech
Evil Wizard Productions
EveryTis and GUPtech
Questions
What power supply does the GUP Tech VeJ3 need?
The VeJ3 runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, the same standard arrangement as most modern effects pedals. GUP Tech lists the voltage as 9Vdc center negative on the product page. A standard 9V pedal power supply with a center negative barrel plug is what the pedal is built for.
How much current does the GUP Tech VeJ3 draw?
GUP Tech lists the VeJ3's power consumption at 18mA. That is a low draw, well within what a single output on a typical isolated pedal power supply delivers, so the VeJ3 can share a modest power budget alongside other pedals on a board without issue.
Can the GUP Tech VeJ3 go in an amp's effects loop?
Yes. GUP Tech says the VeJ3, with its full EQ and very low noise, sounds great on a clean channel or directly in the FX Loop return of any amp. Running it into the effects loop return lets the pedal act as the amp's preamp section.
Where is the GUP Tech VeJ3 made?
The VeJ3 is made in Saguenay, Québec, Canada. GUP Tech states that all of its pedals are made by the company itself in Saguenay, so the VeJ3 is hand-built in house rather than outsourced or produced overseas.
What colors does the GUP Tech VeJ3 come in?
The standard GUP Tech VeJ3 is offered in two color options: Magenta and Army Green. A separate variant, the VeJ3 Eggplant Douche Edition, also exists in the VeJ series with the same amp in a box preamp-distortion design.
Sources (5)
- VeJ3 - Eggplant Distortion, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Vej2 - Douche Edition, GUP Tech
- VeJ4 - Distortion, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Vej2 - Preamp Overdrive, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- VeJ3 - Eggplant Douche Edition, GUP Tech
