The Vezzpa Octave Stinger The Blackbee Edition is a limited-run octave fuzz pedal from Beetronics, finished in the maker's black "Blackbee" paint scheme. Like every Vezzpa Octave Stinger, it is built around an op-amp circuit and offers two modes: FUZZZZ, a thick gated fuzz for riffs and power chords, and STINGER, an aggressive voice that brings up the high octave to cut through a mix12. Beetronics' own description leans into the personality: "It's actually a wasp, a nasty and aggressive one with an op-amp heart that can produce an extreme high-pitched buzz"1.
The Blackbee Edition is sold out on Beetronics' site, listed at a regular price of £131.00 with £154.00 shown alongside1.
Two modes: FUZZZZ and STINGER
The Vezzpa's two voices are its whole reason for existing, and they are very different animals267.
- FUZZZZ gives what Beetronics calls "a big wall of fuzz, great for the coolest riffs and power chords"54. The Sustain control shapes its character across a wide range, from a spitty, sputtering fuzz tone with the knob down to a gated, super high gain fuzz with it up1. Gated fuzz means the signal shuts off abruptly when it decays, which players use for staccato, synth-like textures.
- STINGER is the octave side. Beetronics describes it as the wasp getting aggressive: "bringing up the high octave and cutting through the mix"1. Where FUZZZZ is a wall, STINGER is a spike, adding an upper octave that sits on top of the note.
Guitar World's launch coverage summarized the design the same way: an op-amp-powered pedal packing two operating modes, Fuzzzz and Stinger, with a sustain control for further tonal manipulation8. The maker's phrasing on other editions calls FUZZZZ "a thick, gated fuzz ideal for powerful riffs" and STINGER a voice that "introduces a s" (the page text cuts off, but the high-octave description is consistent across every edition)6.
Controls: one knob and a multi-function switch
The control set is minimal, which is part of the design.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SUSTAIN | Adjusts the fuzz character in FUZZZZ mode: down for a spitty fuzzing tone, up for a gated super high gain fuzz1 |
| Multi-function switch | Selects between FUZZZZ and STINGER, or accesses either mode momentarily910 |
Power and practical details
The Blackbee Edition requires a 9V DC center-negative power supply, which is not included with the pedal, and draws 36mA1. That is a modest draw, well within a single output of a typical pedalboard power supply, and the center-negative polarity matches the Boss-style standard. There is no battery option mentioned.
No power supply comes in the box. Any 9V DC center-negative supply with at least 36mA available will run it34.
Physically it is a compact pedal: 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.75" including knobs and switches, weighing 0.5 lbs (0.25 kilos), with a package weight of 0.75 lbs and package size of 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"1. Guitar World's review lists the pedal's origin as USA11.
The Blackbee and the other Vezzpa editions
Beetronics has released the Vezzpa in a long string of limited editions and Custom Shop units, each the same circuit in a different finish. The Blackbee Edition is one of a family that also includes a Blackbee version of the Swarm Fuzz Harmonizer and the Royal Jelly OD/Fuzz106.
A sample of the Vezzpa editions, all listed on Beetronics' site:
| Edition | Status |
|---|---|
| Redbee | Sold out12 |
| White | Sold out6 |
| Great Pumpkin | Sold out13 |
| Donatello | Sold out14 |
| Majin Bee | Sold out15 |
| Black Friday Limited Edition | Sold out16 |
| Lotus | Sold out17 |
| Reverb Limited Edition | Sold out18 |
| Memorial (Skeletones) | Sold out19 |
| Bee Beck | Sold out9 |
| Grasshopper | Limited edition20 |
| Cream | Sold out21 |
What reviewers said
Questions
What is the difference between Fuzzzz and Stinger mode on the Vezzpa?
FUZZZZ is the classic side: a big wall of fuzz that Beetronics describes as suited to riffs and power chords, with the Sustain knob taking it from a spitty, dying tone up to a gated super high gain fuzz. STINGER is the aggressive side, bringing up the high octave so the note cuts through the mix. The multi-function switch selects between them or accesses either momentarily.
Can the Vezzpa switch modes momentarily?
Yes. The multi-function switch both selects between FUZZZZ and STINGER and accesses them momentarily, so a player can dip into the high-octave Stinger voice for a phrase or a stab and return without changing the pedal's setting.
Is the Vezzpa Octave Stinger made in the USA?
Guitar World's review lists the Vezzpa's origin as USA. Beetronics presents itself as a hands-on builder, and the many Custom Shop units with individual numbers suggest small-batch production, but the USA origin is the reviewer's listing.
Does the Vezzpa come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states plainly on the Blackbee Edition page that a power supply is not included. The pedal requires a 9V DC center-negative supply drawing 36mA, so a standard pedalboard power output works.
Is the Vezzpa Blackbee Edition sold out?
Yes. Beetronics' own product page lists the Blackbee Edition as sold out, with a regular price of £131.00 shown. Most of the other Vezzpa limited editions are also marked sold out on the maker's site.
Sources (21)
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