The Beetronics Overhive Mid-Gain Overdrive Custom Shop 420 is a Custom Shop edition of the Overhive, Beetronics' mid-gain overdrive pedal. Beetronics describes the Overhive as "a versatile, medium-gain overdrive that enhances your amp's natural character with warmth, clarity, and just the right amount of bite"12. Like other Custom Shop Overhive units, it is a one-off painted version of the same circuit rather than a different pedal.
The Custom Shop 420 was listed by Beetronics at a regular price of £216.002. The Custom Shop editions of the Overhive are sold out on the maker's site as of October 2026134.
A mid-gain overdrive that stacks with other pedals
The Overhive sits in the middle of the gain range: enough drive to push an amp, but not a high-gain distortion. Beetronics positions it as a team player on a pedalboard. Asked whether it works with other drives, the maker's answer is direct351:
"Absolutely. The Overhive stacks beautifully with boosts, fuzzes, and high-gain drives."
Beetronics product page2
That stacking claim appears across the Overhive editions1. For a player, it means the pedal is designed to be used as one link in a chain: feeding it with a boost in front, or pushing a fuzz or high-gain drive with it, rather than being reserved for use on its own. Beetronics also calls it "a highly versatile mid-gain drive that blends naturally with any amp or guitar"1.
The controls: Body and Hive switches, tone and master volume
The control set is small: a tone control, a master volume, and two switches that shape the pedal's character35.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone | Shapes the pedal's frequency balance3 |
| Master volume | Sets the overall output level3 |
| Body switch | Adds a low-end boost2 |
| Hive switch | Changes the pedal's overall feel, from tighter and more focused to bigger and smoother2 |
The two switches are where the Overhive's flexibility lives. The Body switch is a simple low-end boost214. Beetronics frames it practically: it is "great for when you are switching guitars on a set or just feel like adding a low end boost"35. If you move from a bright guitar to a darker one mid-gig, or want a thicker voice for a solo section, the switch gets you there without re-dialing the knobs.
The Hive switch works on the pedal's overall feel rather than one frequency area. Beetronics describes it as moving "from tighter and more focused to bigger and smoother"24, and on other editions puts it more plainly: the switch "can make you sound bigger and fatter, or tighter and thinner"35. The same switch is also described as toggling "between fat and focused tones, great for dialing in any rig"1. In practice it gives you two voicings of the same drive, one tighter for cutting through and one bigger for a rounder, smoother sound.
Custom Shop and limited editions
Beetronics sells the Overhive in a range of one-off and limited finishes. The Custom Shop units are individually numbered: the OV1451 carries serial OV14511, and an 8-Beet Skull Custom Shop edition has also been offered1. Alongside these sit limited editions such as the Babee Blue and Blackbee versions35.
All of these run the same mid-gain overdrive circuit; the differences are in the finish. Beetronics describes the Overhive consistently across editions as "an extremely versatile medium gain overdrive"35.
The Custom Shop and limited editions of the Overhive listed here are shown as sold out on the Beetronics site as of October 20261354. A power supply is not included with these pedals35.
Size, weight and what is in the box
The Custom Shop 420 measures approximately 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" and weighs around 1 lb21. Other editions give a fuller picture of the physical pedal: the enclosure itself is 5.5" x 3.25" x 2", with the full pedal size of 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" including knobs and switches, and a package size of 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"35.
That footprint is comparable to a standard single-effect pedal, so it fits a typical pedalboard without taking up the space of a larger dual-drive unit like Beetronics' own Wannabee Beelateral Buzz. A power supply is not included35.
Questions
What does the Body switch do on the Beetronics Overhive?
The Body switch adds a low-end boost. Beetronics describes it as useful when you are switching guitars during a set, or whenever you just feel like adding more low end to the pedal's voice.
What does the Hive switch change?
The Hive switch changes the pedal's overall feel, from tighter and more focused to bigger and smoother. In Beetronics' words, it can make you sound bigger and fatter, or tighter and thinner, which makes it a quick way to match the pedal to a different amp or guitar.
Does the Beetronics Overhive come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states on its Overhive product pages that a power supply is not included, so you need to supply your own. The Custom Shop 420 page does not list power specifications such as voltage or current draw.
How big is the Beetronics Overhive?
The pedal measures approximately 5.5 by 3.5 by 2.75 inches including knobs and switches, and weighs around 1 lb. The bare enclosure on other editions is listed at 5.5 by 3.25 by 2 inches, with a package size of 6.75 by 5.25 by 3.25 inches.
Is the Overhive Custom Shop still available?
The Custom Shop editions listed by Beetronics, including the OV1451 unit and the 8-Beet Skull edition, are shown as sold out on the maker's site as of October 2026. The Limited Edition Babee Blue and Blackbee Edition versions are also sold out.
Sources (5)
- Overhive Mid-Gain OD Custom Shop OV1451, Beetronics
- Overhive Mid-Gain Overdrive • Custom Shop • 420, Beetronics
- Overhive Mid-Gain Od Limited Edition Babee Blue, Beetronics (beetronicsfx.com)
- Overhive Mid-Gain OD • Custom Shop • 8-Beet Skull, Beetronics
- Overhive Mid-Gain Overdrive The Blackbee Edition, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
