The Beetronics Overhive Skull Blaze is a medium-gain overdrive pedal from Beetronics, part of the maker's Custom Series of limited finishes. It is a version of the Beetronics Overhive, a circuit Beetronics describes as "an extremely versatile medium gain overdrive" that "achieves the elusive mid-gain overdrive without making you feel a disconnect between you and your amp"1.
Beetronics describes the pedal's character in its own words:
"It's round and warm tone respects your amp, enhancing it's best qualities while dynamically reacting to your playing1."
Beetronics product page1
The Skull Blaze is currently listed as sold out on the maker's own store page1.
A medium-gain overdrive
The Overhive sits in the middle ground between a clean boost and a full distortion. Beetronics positions it as a medium-gain overdrive that keeps the feel of your amp intact rather than replacing it, reacting dynamically to how hard you pick1. For a player comparing drives, that places it alongside other mid-gain pedals rather than high-gain distortion or fuzz boxes.
The Skull Blaze is one of several Custom Series finishes of the same circuit. Others include the Overhive Blood Skull, the Overhive Gamer Skull OV750, the Overhive "Transylvania", the Overhive Icelandic and the Overhive "Batman". Beetronics also makes the Overhive in a standard version, and the related Beetronics Fatbee overdrive.
The controls: Honey, Body and Hive
The pedal has two knobs and two switches. Beetronics describes each control's job on the product page1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Honey (knob) | The gain control. Roll it down for a smooth crunch, roll it up for a smooth and dynamic drive "where your hands dictate the breakup"1 |
| Tone (knob) | Adjusts the tonal balance1 |
| Master volume (knob) | Sets the output level1 |
| Body (switch) | Adds a low-end boost, useful when switching guitars during a set1 |
| Hive (switch) | Makes the sound bigger and fatter, or tighter and thinner1 |
The Hive switch is the character control: one position thickens the sound, the other slims it. The Body switch is aimed at players who move between guitars with different output levels or body types mid-gig, giving a quick low-end lift without bending down to re-dial the pedal1.
Power and size
The Skull Blaze runs on a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, the standard arrangement for most modern pedals. No power supply is included in the box1.
The pedal requires a 9V DC center negative supply and one is not included, so you need your own. A typical isolated or daisy-chain pedalboard supply with the correct polarity will run it.
Physical measurements, all from the maker1:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Enclosure | 5.5" x 3.25" x 2" |
| Pedal size (including knobs and switches) | 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" |
| Pedal weight | 1 lb / 0.5 kg |
| Package size | 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25" |
| Package weight | 1 lb 8 oz / 0.75 kg |
That footprint is close to a standard compact pedal enclosure, so it fits a typical pedalboard without taking an oversized slot.
What is the difference between the Skull Blaze and the Blood Skull?
The Overhive Blood Skull is another Custom Series version of the same Overhive circuit. The two share the same electronics, controls and specs2:
- Same medium-gain overdrive circuit and the same maker's description of it2
- Same control set: Honey, tone, master volume, Body switch and Hive switch2
- Same enclosure size, 5.5" x 3.25" x 2", and the same pedal size including knobs2
- Same power requirement, 9V DC center negative, supply not included2
- Both listed as sold out on the maker's store2
The Blood Skull belongs to Beetronics' Custom Series, a limited edition version of the Overhive2. The Gamer Skull OV750 is another Custom Series version of the same pedal, also sold out3.
Availability and returns
The Skull Blaze is listed as sold out on Beetronics' own product page, as of October 20261. The Blood Skull and Gamer Skull OV750 versions are also sold out23, so the Custom Series skull finishes appear to have run their course. The standard Overhive circuit remains the point of comparison for what this pedal does.
For a pedal bought directly from the maker, Beetronics' return policy applies: a 30-day return window from receiving the order (shipping not included), with the item back to the maker within 7 days of receiving an RMA form, and the refund processed within 5 business days of the returned product arriving. A restocking fee of 15%, or store credit instead of a refund, may apply if a product shows signs of wear or is missing accessories, and Scratch and Dent products are sold as-is and cannot be returned1.
Questions
What power supply does the Overhive Skull Blaze need?
It requires a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, and the power supply is not included with the pedal. This is the same standard arrangement as the rest of the Overhive Custom Series, so a typical 9V pedalboard supply with the correct polarity will run it.
What is the difference between the Skull Blaze and the Blood Skull?
Both are Custom Series versions of the same Beetronics Overhive medium-gain overdrive circuit, with the same controls, enclosure size and power requirements. The difference is the finish: the Skull Blaze and Blood Skull are different limited-edition paint jobs on identical electronics.
How big is the Beetronics Overhive?
The enclosure measures 5.5 by 3.25 by 2 inches, and 5.5 by 3.5 by 2.75 inches including knobs and switches. The pedal weighs about 1 pound, and the boxed package weighs 1 pound 8 ounces.
Is the Overhive Skull Blaze still available?
No. Beetronics lists the Skull Blaze as sold out on its own product page, as of October 2026. The Blood Skull and Gamer Skull OV750 versions of the Overhive are also listed as sold out.
