The GUPtech Clowntaur Douche edition is a compact overdrive and boost pedal, described by the maker as "a kind of 2 in one pedal, an OD/Booster"1. It sits between the two camps: with one knob setting it can lift your signal for solos, and with another it can push it into drive. It is built by GUPtech in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, where the maker says all of its pedals are made1.
The controls
The Clowntaur keeps things simple with three knobs, each with a single job1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| OUTPUT | Controls the overall volume of the pedal. |
| GAIN | Adds drive and cuts your dry signal at the same time. |
| TREBLE | Introduces high frequencies as you turn it up. |
The two-in-one character comes from how you set those knobs together. GUPtech's own suggested starting points show the two sides of the pedal1:
- As a boost: set the GAIN very low and turn up the OUTPUT to boost your signal.
- As an overdrive: set the OUTPUT at 9 o'clock and let the GAIN knob drive your signal.
The TREBLE knob then shapes the top end either way, bringing in high frequencies as it is turned up1.
Build and power
The pedal is housed in a powder coated die cast aluminum 1590BB enclosure, a standard mid-sized format that fits most pedalboards1. A 5mm LED shows when it is on1. Power comes from a DC output with negative center, compatible with a standard 9V adaptor, and the pedal draws 22mA1. GUPtech links to a Quick Start Guide PDF from the product page for anyone who wants the maker's own documentation1.
The maker lists the price in British pounds, £153.00 GBP, on its product page1.
Editions and related pedals
The Douche edition is one of several versions and related boosts in the GUPtech range. On 17 February 2025 the maker announced that a "super limited silver sparkle edition" of The Clowntaur was available1. Elsewhere in the lineup, the GUPtech Shark + - Douche carries the same Douche treatment, and the GUPtech FrAG Boost Glow in the Dark Edition is a recent limited edition of the GUPTech FrAG Boost. Players looking at the wider range can also compare the GUPtech Peeps Clean Boost, the GUPtech Slime Mid-Boost and the GUPtech Le Chiou EQ-Boost, or see the broader field on the Boost Pedals and Overdrive Pedals pages.
Questions
How much current does the Clowntaur draw?
GUPtech lists the Clowntaur's power consumption at 22mA. It runs from a DC output with negative center, compatible with a standard 9V adaptor, so it fits a normal pedalboard power supply without special requirements.
Where is the GUPtech Clowntaur made?
GUPtech builds the Clowntaur in Saguenay, Québec, Canada. The maker states that all of its pedals are made by the company there.
Can the Clowntaur be used as a clean boost?
Yes. GUPtech's own suggestion is to set the GAIN knob very low and turn up the OUTPUT, which boosts the signal without adding drive. Turning the OUTPUT down to about 9 o'clock and raising GAIN instead makes the pedal work as an overdrive.
What size enclosure does the Clowntaur use?
The Clowntaur is housed in a powder coated die cast aluminum 1590BB enclosure, a standard mid-sized pedal format.
Is there a manual for the Clowntaur?
Yes. GUPtech links to a Quick Start Guide PDF for the Clowntaur on its product page.
Sources (1)
- The Clowntaur, GUPtech (guptech.ca), 2025-02-17
