The Beetronics VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin" is an octave fuzz pedal from Beetronics, a limited-run version of the Vezzpa Octave Stinger. Beetronics describes the circuit as a wasp, "a nasty and aggressive one with an op-amp heart that can produce an extreme high-pitched buzz"1. In practice that means two fuzz voices in one box: a big, gated fuzz and an octave-up fuzz that cuts through a mix.
The Great Pumpkin edition is sold out on Beetronics' own page1, so it now turns up only on the secondhand market. The regular Vezzpa circuit and its other editions are covered below.
An op-amp octave fuzz
The Vezzpa is built around an op-amp fuzz circuit, the same family of clipping-amp design associated with aggressive, high-gain fuzz rather than the warmer germanium or silicon transistor sounds. Beetronics' own framing is the wasp line quoted above, and the two modes split that character in two1.
MusicRadar's review team characterized the Vezzpa Octave Stinger as "combining a most aggro op-amp fuzz sound with an octave-up fuzz that's full of harmonic drama"2. That is a fair summary of what a player gets: a fuzz that is loud and cutting by design, with an octave-up voice on tap for leads and accents.
The controls: FUZZZZ, STINGER and SUSTAIN
The pedal has two modes and one main control, plus the multi-function switch that moves between them345.
| Control or mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| FUZZZZ mode | A big wall of fuzz, which Beetronics suggests for riffs and power chords1 |
| STINGER mode | Brings up the high octave and cuts through the mix1 |
| SUSTAIN control | Turned down it gives a spitty fuzzing tone; turned up it gives a gated super high gain fuzz1 |
| Multi-function switch | Selects between the modes or accesses them momentarily1 |
The SUSTAIN knob is really a character control. Low settings produce a spitting, decaying fuzz; high settings push the circuit into a gated, super high gain fuzz where notes cut off sharply rather than ringing out1. Gated fuzz of this kind suits staccato riffs, since the signal shuts down between notes instead of smearing.
The multi-function switch is the performance feature. Beetronics describes it as allowing you "to select between the modes or access them momentarily giving you multiple options"1. Momentary access means you can hold the switch to jump from the wall of fuzz into the octave-up STINGER voice for a phrase or a single accent, and drop back when you release it, without committing to either mode.
Power and size
The Great Pumpkin requires a 9V DC center-negative power supply and draws 36mA1. There is no battery option and no supply in the box, so it needs a slot on a pedalboard power supply or a separate 9V adapter.
Beetronics states the Vezzpa does not include a power supply67. Plan on a 9V DC center-negative output; at 36mA it is an easy load for any isolated supply.
On size, the maker's own pages give two different figures for the Vezzpa family. The Great Pumpkin page lists the pedal at 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" including knobs and switches, weighing 0.5 lbs, with a package size of 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25" and package weight of 0.75 lbs1. Other Vezzpa edition pages, such as the Redbee and Cream listings, give dimensions of 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"4. Both are maker figures, so the larger one is the safer one for pedalboard planning.
Limited editions and Custom Shop versions
Beetronics has released the Vezzpa in a long string of limited editions, of which the Great Pumpkin is one. Each carries the same FUZZZZ and STINGER circuit, SUSTAIN control, multi-function switch and 9V, 36mA power spec, differing in finish1489. Editions named in Beetronics' own listings include:
- Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin"1
- Limited Edition Redbee4
- BLACK FRIDAY Limited Edition8
- Limited Edition WHITE9
- Limited Edition Cream, Lotus, Majin Bee, "Donatello", "Memorial" and the Reverb edition, among others listed in the maker's Vezzpa collection10113
Alongside the numbered limited editions, Beetronics also builds Custom Shop Vezzpa units with individual unit numbers such as VZ2941, VZ1421 and VZ2533121314. These are one-off finishes rather than different circuits.
The Great Pumpkin finish is not unique to the Vezzpa: Beetronics has applied the same name to other pedals in its range, including the Royal Jelly Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin" and the Swarm "Great Pumpkin".
Availability and returns
The Great Pumpkin is listed as sold out on Beetronics' product page1. Its listed regular price was £154.00 GBP, as stated by the maker1. Beetronics backs its pedals with a 30-Day Hive Happiness Guarantee, shipping not included1. Under the maker's return policy, you email within 30 business days of receiving an order to get an RMA form, with a full refund if the pedal comes back in new condition in its original packaging; wear or missing items can mean a 15% restocking fee or store credit instead, and refunds are processed within 5 business days of the return1.
Questions
Does the Vezzpa come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states the Vezzpa does not include a power supply. It requires a 9V DC center-negative supply, which you need to buy separately. Current draw is 36mA, so a standard 9V output on most pedalboard power supplies will run it.
Can you switch Vezzpa modes momentarily?
Yes. The pedal has a multi-function switch that lets you either select between FUZZZZ and STINGER modes or access them momentarily. That means you can hold the switch to jump into the octave-up STINGER sound for a phrase and return to the fuzz mode when you release it.
How big is the Beetronics Vezzpa?
Beetronics lists the Great Pumpkin edition's pedal size as 5.5 by 3.5 by 2.75 inches, including knobs and switches, weighing 0.5 lbs. The package it ships in measures 6.75 by 5.25 by 3.25 inches and weighs 0.75 lbs. Other Vezzpa pages list a smaller 4.5 by 2.25 by 2.25 inch figure.
What is the difference between the Vezzpa Great Pumpkin and the standard Vezzpa?
The circuit is the same: an op-amp octave fuzz with FUZZZZ and STINGER modes, a SUSTAIN control, and a multi-function switch. The Great Pumpkin is a limited edition, distinguished by its finish rather than its electronics. It also carries a different listed size from some standard Vezzpa pages.
Is the Vezzpa Great Pumpkin still available?
No. Beetronics' product page lists the Great Pumpkin edition as sold out. Like other Vezzpa limited editions, it was a limited run, so it is not expected to return in that finish. The standard Vezzpa Octave Stinger and other editions are covered separately.
Sources (14)
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin", Beetronics
- Beetronics Zzombee Filtremulator Review, MusicRadar, 2023-01-24
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition Majin Bee, Beetronics
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition Redbee, Beetronics
- [Vezzpa Octave Stinger • Limited Edition • SKELETA (BEE STOCK)
- Vezzpa Octave Stinger • Limited Edition • PEEK A BEE (BEE STOCK), Beetronics
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger • Limited Edition • BEE BECK, Beetronics
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger BLACK FRIDAY Limited Edition, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger • Limited Edition • WHITE, Beetronics (beetronicsfx.com)
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition Cream, Beetronics
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Limited Edition Lotus, Beetronics
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger • Custom Shop • VZ2941, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Custom Shop VZ1421, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- VEZZPA Octave Stinger Custom Shop Ouija, Beetronics
