The BJFe Honeybee Overdrive is a low-gain overdrive pedal designed by Swedish builder Björn Juhl under his BJFe imprint. The original Honeybee was released on December 4, 2002, and its sound was highly inspired by an old Supro amplifier that Björn was extremely fond of. It is arguably his most popular effects pedal.1
For players coming to it fresh, the Honeybee belongs with the overdrive pedals that push an amp rather than reshape the signal, in the same broad family as designs like the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison, though its stated inspiration points at an old Supro amplifier rather than a Tube Screamer circuit.1
Versions and history
The Honeybee did not stay a single fixed design. After the original run of 200 BJFe Honeybees, Björn started to change the original circuit in response to requests from guitarists worldwide, so units from later runs can differ from the first 200.1
Because the circuit was revised after the first run of 200 pedals, not every pedal sold as a BJFe Honeybee is identical. The original December 2002 release is the reference point for the design.1
Videos
theGASstation
gearmanndude
Questions
When was the BJFe Honeybee Overdrive first released?
The original Honeybee was released on December 4, 2002 under Björn Juhl's BJFe imprint. According to Delicious Audio, the design was highly inspired by the sound of an old Supro amplifier that Juhl was extremely fond of, and it became arguably his most popular effects pedal.
Are there different versions of the Honeybee?
Yes. After the original run of 200 BJFe Honeybees, Björn Juhl started to change the original circuit in response to requests from guitarists worldwide, so later units differ from the first 200. One Control has also produced licensed versions, including the Honey Bee OD 4K mini.
Sources (1)
- One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-14