Beetronics revives Whoctahell octave fuzz in smaller Babee format
December 9, 2024 · 2 sources
Beetronics has revived its Whoctahell Low Octave Beeast as the Babee Whoctahell, a smaller version of one of its earliest fuzz pedals, following the same treatment given to the Octahive1. Guitar Pedal X reported the pedal on December 10, 2024, describing it as a revival of "one of the earliest Beetronics fuzzes"1. Gearnews reported the return on December 9, 2024, calling it a "limited re-release of the first bee pedal"2.
The Babee Whoctahell is a monophonic sub-octave fuzz that, according to Guitar Pedal X, "glitches out on Chords and Double-Stops" and produces randomized 8-bit square-wave sounds on the -2 octave setting1. Its three controls are Whocta (-1 Octave), Hell (-2 Octaves) and Honey (Fuzz Level)1. The original Whoctahell had four controls plus a toggle switch to select -1 or -2 octaves, while the Babee version uses only the three main knobs1. Gearnews describes the pedal as combining two lower octaves and, unlike its predecessor, letting players mix both octaves rather than choose between them2. It places the three knobs on the upper housing, which Gearnews says gives a vintage, 60s-style look and helps avoid accidental knob twists when hitting the foot switch2.
"This is a monophonic sub-octave fuzz - which glitches out on Chords and Double-Stops - in various interesting ways."
The two outlets give different prices and availability. Guitar Pedal X reports the Babee Whoctahell at $149 on the Beetronics webstore1. Gearnews lists it at Thomann for $167, and reports a total of 300 units, including 40 custom shop pedals and 20 limited edition units with different artworks2. Guitar Pedal X refers to a limited Royal Black version, of which "only a handful" were available1. Guitar Pedal X also notes that of Beetronics' three original pedals, only the Overhive has yet to be shrunk to Babee format1.