The Beetronics Overhive "Blue Blocks" is a limited Custom Series finish of the Beetronics Overhive, a medium-gain overdrive pedal. Beetronics describes the Overhive as "an extremely versatile medium gain overdrive," and the Blue Blocks version carries the same circuit in a custom-painted enclosure1.
The maker's own description of the sound is that "it's round and warm tone respects your amp, enhancing it's best qualities while dynamically reacting to your playing"1. In other words, this is an overdrive built to stack with a driven amp rather than replace it, responding to how hard you pick.
The Overhive "Blue Blocks" is sold out at the maker's store and was a Custom Series limited edition, so it may not return. The same Overhive circuit has appeared in other limited runs, including the Overhive Mid-Gain Overdrive Limited Edition Babee Blue2.
A medium-gain overdrive that works with your amp
Beetronics positions the Overhive as a medium-gain overdrive, which puts it in the territory between a clean boost and a full distortion: enough drive for crunch and singing sustain, but voiced to sit on top of your amp's own character rather than bury it. The maker's description of the sound, in its own words12:
"It's round and warm tone respects your amp, enhancing it's best qualities while dynamically reacting to your playing."
The same page also describes the result as "punchy and direct with warm musical break up and singing sustain"2. For a player, that points at a pedal intended for edge-of-breakup playing, where rolling back the guitar's volume or picking more softly cleans the sound up.
The Overhive family has been one of Beetronics' recurring platforms, with many limited finishes over the years, including the Overhive "Transylvania", the Overhive Icelandic, and the Overhive "Batman". The Blue Blocks is one of these Custom Series runs1.
Honey, tone, volume and the two switches
The control set is small: three knobs and two toggle switches.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Honey | The drive control. Beetronics says it "just adds the sugar": roll it down for a smooth crunch, roll it up for a smooth and dynamic drive1 |
| Tone | Shapes the high end of the drive1 |
| Volume | Master volume for the pedal's output level1 |
| Hive switch | Voicing switch. Beetronics says it "can make you sound bigger and fatter, or tighter and thinner"1 |
| Body switch | Adds a low end boost. Beetronics calls it "great for when you are switching guitars on a set or just feel like adding a low end boost"1 |
The two switches are where the Overhive differs from a basic three-knob overdrive. Hive gives you two overall voicings of the drive, while Body lets you compensate on the fly, for example when you swap from a humbucker guitar to a single-coil one mid-set and the second instrument sounds thinner through the same settings12.
Power and physical details
The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, and Beetronics states clearly that the supply is not included1. That is the standard used by most modern pedals and multi-output pedalboard supplies, so no special adapter is needed, but you do need to bring your own.
Physical specifications from the maker1:
- Pedal size: 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" including knobs and switches
- Enclosure size: 5.5" x 3.25" x 2"
- Pedal weight: 1 lb / 0.5 kg
- Package weight: 1 lb 8 oz / 0.75 kg
- Package size: 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"
The regular price on the maker's page was £216.00 GBP1.
Questions
What does the Hive switch do on the Beetronics Overhive?
The Hive switch changes the character of the drive. Beetronics says it can make you sound bigger and fatter, or tighter and thinner, depending on which position you choose. It is a two-way voicing switch rather than a gain control, so you set your gain on the Honey knob first and then use Hive to shape the overall size of the sound.
What does the Body switch do on the Overhive?
The Body switch adds a low end boost. Beetronics describes it as great for when you are switching guitars on a set, fattening up a thinner instrument, or for moments when you just feel like adding more low end to the drive. Like the Hive switch, it is a toggle rather than a knob.
Does the Beetronics Overhive come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states that the Overhive Blue Blocks does not include a power supply. You need to supply your own 9V DC adapter with a center negative plug, the same standard type used by most modern effects pedals.
What power does the Beetronics Overhive use?
The Overhive Blue Blocks requires a 9V DC power supply with a center negative connector, and the supply is not included in the box. This is the common standard among pedalboard power supplies, so most multi-output units will run it without an adapter.
Is the Overhive Blue Blocks still available?
No. As of late October 2026 the maker's product page lists the Overhive Blue Blocks as sold out. It was a Custom Series limited edition, so a restock is not guaranteed. The standard Beetronics Overhive circuit has also appeared in other limited finishes.
Sources (2)
- Overhive "Blue Blocks" Custom Series, Beetronics
- Overhive Mid-Gain Od Limited Edition Babee Blue, Beetronics (beetronicsfx.com)
