The ThorpyFX Greater Kudu is a multi-clipping overdrive designed for boosting and stacking. Guitar Pedal X describes it as "a smart multi-clipping tone-enhancer" built with Dan, and finds it works both as a push into other pedals and on its own1.
Controls and clipping modes
The Kudu carries 12 diodes onboard, six of which handle power management, leaving six for the clipping stages1. A three-way Clip selector switches between them:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output volume |
| Bite | Tone control combining Tone, Sparkle and Sizzle1 |
| Drive | Amount of drive |
| Clip | Soft (2 x 2N4148 silicon diodes), Hard (2 x red LEDs), or Soft+ (combined modes)1 |
The soft clipping mode uses 2 x 2N4148 silicon diodes, the hard clipping mode 2 x red LEDs, and the Soft+ setting combines them1.
Stacking and how it compares to the Heavy Water
ThorpyFX also makes the Heavy Water, a dual booster in a compact enclosure3. The Kudu sits in similar territory: Karlsson writes that "much like my favourite Thorpy Heavy Water 3-in-1 Boost - the Kudu is seemingly a multi purpose animal too," useful for boosting and stacking upstream and downstream of other pedals1. The Heavy Water's origin story involves two Germanium diodes added to its boost clipping circuit for a different clipping character4.
On stacking, Karlsson reports that Thorpy and Coggins ran the pedal into a wide range of pedals and amps, and that "the pedal never fails to improve the texture and tonality of the device it pushes"1. Thorpy himself is described as swearing there is nothing else quite like it into the front of his favorite amp, making it something of an all-rounder1.
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Questions
How much does the ThorpyFX Greater Kudu cost?
The Greater Kudu lists at £209 GBP and equivalent, according to Guitar Pedal X's review at its May 2026 release. It was available from the ThorpyFX webstore at launch, with international dealers to follow shortly after.
What is the difference between the Greater Kudu and the Heavy Water?
The Heavy Water is a dual booster, while the Greater Kudu is a multi-clipping overdrive. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer compares the two as multi-purpose pedals for boosting and stacking upstream and downstream, and notes the Kudu also works well on its own. The Heavy Water uses Germanium diodes in its boost clipping circuit, where the Kudu offers switchable silicon, LED and combined modes.
Who designed the ThorpyFX Greater Kudu?
The circuit was developed by Dan Coggins for ThorpyFX, the Northamptonshire stompbox maker run by Adrian 'Thorpy' Thorpe.
What does the Bite knob do on the Greater Kudu?
Bite is the Greater Kudu's tone control. Guitar Pedal X describes it as combining Tone, Sparkle and Sizzle in a single knob, shaping the top end of the drive alongside the Level and Drive controls and the three-way Clip selector.
Sources (4)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-05-05
- ThorpyFX ER-2 review: is this the ultimate modern Uni-Vibe?, Guitar.com, 2023-09-04
- Review: ThorpyFX Heavy Water, guitar.com, 2019-10-21
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-04-08
