The Beetronics OctaHive "American Beeauty" is a Custom Series, dual footswitch version of Beetronics' octave fuzz. Beetronics describes the OctaHive as "super high gain fuzz with a well pronounced high pitch octave," and says the circuit "was based on the 1970's Tycobrahe Octavia," the vintage octave fuzz known for pushing notes an octave up above the fuzz, and that it "can produce classic and modern sounds."1
This pedal is listed as sold out on Beetronics' product page as of 25 October 2026. It is a Custom Series limited edition, so it is not part of the standard lineup the way the regular OctaHive is. The price is given by Beetronics in pounds sterling, £216.00 GBP.
What it does to your sound
The OctaHive has two distinct voices, and the octave toggle switch is what separates them. With the octave engaged, Beetronics says "things can get really nasty, splashy and gated," and that it is "great for high gain leads," especially higher up the neck, with ring modulator style overtones appearing at low gain settings. That is the classic Octavia territory: an upper octave riding on top of the fuzz1.
Flip the toggle and the octave drops out. Beetronics describes this as "a whole different pedal, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone, making it more versatile" and more chord friendly. Players who find upper octave fuzzes hard to sit in a band mix have a conventional, fuller fuzz available at the flick of the switch1.
Controls
The front panel is simple, with two knobs and the octave toggle:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| PRE | Gain control, balanced against Honey to shape the overall sound1 |
| HONEY | Works against PRE; Beetronics says "the balance between PRE and Honey is the key to achieve a variety of sounds," and that "with a little less HONEY you can get that 'purple haze' tone"1 |
| Octave toggle | Turns the octave off, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone1 |
The PRE and HONEY interaction is the main sound-shaping tool here. More HONEY leans toward that "purple haze" character Beetronics names, while the balance between the two opens up the range of tones the pedal covers1.
The dual footswitch and Custom Series format
The "American Beeauty" is a Custom Series release, meaning a limited edition version of the standard pedal, and this one is built in the dual footswitch format, with two footswitches instead of one.1 Beetronics builds many of its pedals in this dual footswitch Custom Series format alongside the standard single-switch versions.
Power, size and weight
The pedal requires a 9VDC power supply with a center negative plug, and no power supply is included in the box.1 That is the standard pedalboard arrangement, so it will run from a typical isolated supply or daisy chain.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Pedal size | 5.5" x 4" x 2.75" (including knobs, switches and etc)1 |
| Pedal weight | 1 lbs / 0.5 kilos1 |
| Enclosure size | 5.5" x 3.25" x 2"1 |
| Package size | 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"1 |
| Package weight | 1lbs 8oz / 0.75 kilos1 |
It runs on a 9VDC power supply with a center negative plug, which is not included with the pedal, so you will need to supply your own1.
Related pedals
Beetronics builds several other takes on octave fuzz. The WhoctaHell covers the low octave side, the Vezzpa Octave Stinger is the company's octave fuzz in its smaller format, and the Royal Jelly blends fuzz with overdrive. For the wider family, see the fuzz pedal and octave and pitch pages.
Questions
What does the dual footswitch do on the American Beeauty OctaHive?
The American Beeauty is a Custom Series version of the OctaHive built with two footswitches rather than one, which is what the Dual Footswitch in its name refers to. Beetronics' product page identifies it as the Custom Series (Dual Footswitch) version of the pedal, but the page does not describe separate functions assigned to each switch, so the switching layout is best confirmed against the pedal itself before relying on it.
Does the American Beeauty OctaHive come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states on the product page that the pedal does not include a power supply. It requires a 9VDC supply with a center negative plug, the standard arrangement for most pedalboard power supplies and daisy chains, so most players will already own something suitable. A supply is only something to arrange separately if you do not yet have one.
Can you turn the octave off on the American Beeauty OctaHive?
Yes. A toggle switch turns the octave off, and Beetronics says this turns the pedal into a warmer and thicker fuzz. With the octave engaged the pedal is described as nasty, splashy and gated, so the toggle effectively gives you two quite different fuzzes in one box, one upper octave lead voice and one fuller chord friendly voice.
Is the American Beeauty OctaHive sold out?
Yes. As of the product page dated 25 October 2026, Beetronics lists the American Beeauty Custom Series Dual Footswitch OctaHive as sold out. As a Custom Series release it is a limited edition rather than a standard catalog pedal, so restocks are not a given. Beetronics' other OctaHive versions may be available separately.
How big and heavy is the American Beeauty OctaHive?
The pedal measures 5.5 by 4 by 2.75 inches including knobs and switches, and weighs 1 pound, or 0.5 kilos. The enclosure itself is 5.5 by 3.25 by 2 inches. The shipping package is 6.75 by 5.25 by 3.25 inches and weighs 1 pound 8 ounces, or 0.75 kilos.
Sources (1)
- Octahive "American Beeauty" Custom Series (Dual Footswitch), Beetronics (beetronicsfx.com)
