The Beetronics Fatbee Overdrive "Escudeiro" is a compact overdrive pedal and the first release in the company's Babee Series. Beetronics describes it as "a fully original overdrive circuit designed in collaboration with the legendary pedal designer Howard Davis," built around a JFET gain stage. In the maker's words, it is "a Jfet drive like no other, breaks up sweet and smooth like a tubee amp," and "the Fatbee can be used to warm up, sting or buzz any instrument you want!"1
The Escudeiro edition is listed as sold out on Beetronics' product page as of October 25, 2026. The Fatbee circuit has appeared in other editions, and Beetronics' Babee Series also includes the Beetronics Nectar Tone Sweetener, a switchable overdrive and fuzz pedal.
Sound and circuit
The Fatbee is a JFET overdrive, a design approach that uses a junction field-effect transistor as the gain stage, which is one way builders chase the soft clipping and touch sensitivity players associate with a tube amp's power section. Beetronics' own description leans into that: the pedal "breaks up sweet and smooth like a tubee amp," with a range the company describes as warming up an instrument at one end and stinging or buzzing at the other1. Because the circuit is fully original and designed with Howard Davis, it is not a version of a classic overdrive layout, which sets it apart from the many pedals that rework familiar circuits such as those compared in Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. For more on the effect type, see Overdrive Pedals.
Power, size and what is in the box
Beetronics lists the following for the Escudeiro edition1:
- Power: requires a 9VDC power supply, center negative
- Current draw: 36mA
- Power supply: not included with the pedal
- Pedal size: 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75", including knobs, switches and hardware
- Pedal weight: 0.5 lbs / 0.25 kilos
- Package size: 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"
- Package weight: 0.75 lbs / 0.5 kilos
At 36mA, the Fatbee is within reach of most isolated pedalboard power supply outputs, but the maker's note that no supply is included means you will need to have a 9VDC center-negative supply on hand1.
Buying and returns
The Escudeiro carried a regular price of £192.00 GBP on Beetronics' product page, listed as sold out as of October 25, 20261. Beetronics backs its pedals with a 14-Day Hive Happiness Guarantee, and describes a 30 business day return window from receiving the order, shipping not included. If a returned product shows wear and tear or is missing accessories, the company says there might be a restocking fee of 15%, or the possibility of receiving store credit instead. Once a return arrives, Beetronics says it processes the refund within 5 business days1.
Questions
Does the Beetronics Fatbee come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics notes on the product page that the pedal does not include a power supply. It requires a 9VDC center-negative supply, which draws 36mA, so a standard pedalboard power supply output will run it, but you will need to provide the supply yourself.
What voltage does the Fatbee Overdrive use?
The Fatbee requires a 9VDC power supply with a center-negative connector, according to Beetronics. The current draw is listed at 36mA. No battery option is mentioned on the maker's product page.
Is the Beetronics Fatbee Escudeiro still available?
As of the maker's product page dated October 25, 2026, the Escudeiro edition is listed as sold out. Beetronics has released the Fatbee circuit in other editions, and the pedal was the first in the company's Babee Series.
Who designed the Beetronics Fatbee?
Beetronics describes the Fatbee as a fully original overdrive circuit designed in collaboration with pedal designer Howard Davis, whom the company calls legendary.
Is the Fatbee Overdrive based on an existing circuit?
No. Beetronics describes it as a fully original JFET overdrive circuit, designed in collaboration with Howard Davis, rather than a take on an existing design.
Sources (1)
- FATBEE Overdrive "Escudeiro" Custom Series, Beetronics
