The GUP Tech Bee Fuzz is a fuzz pedal built by GUP Tech in Saguenay, Québec, Canada. GUP Tech describes it as "a Doom-ish fuzz, a modern silicon fuzz with a lot of controls," aimed at players who want heavy fuzz that stays articulate when tuned down or pushed hard1.
The circuit grew out of GUP Tech's Lab Series #24 Doom Bloom, a lab-series build the maker describes as "a modern silicon fuzz with a lot of controls"; the Bee Fuzz is the production model of that design2. A limited Bee Fuzz Douche Edition in Sparkle Pink shares the same circuit and specifications3.
The controls: Bzzz, Bias and Bass
The Bee Fuzz carries four knobs. The maker describes the Bzzz knob as the heart of the pedal: it increases the fuzz and the definition of the tone, and the way it acts keeps the tone clear even at lower tuning or higher distorted levels1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bzzz | Increases fuzz and definition; keeps the tone clear at lower tuning or higher gain1 |
| Bias | Sets the bias of the fuzz transistors; combined with Bzzz gives what GUP Tech calls the "Fuzzy Velcro Tone"1 |
| Bass | Low EQ control1 |
| High | High EQ control1 |
The overall EQ is handled by the Bass (low) and High knobs, so a player can trim the extremes to suit a dark amp or a bright guitar1. On the Douche Edition the same functions appear under different names: the fuzz-and-definition control is called Doom, the low EQ is called Body, and the volume control is called Head3.
"The Bzzz knob is the magic of this Fuzz, that knob increase fuzz and definition of the tone."
Power and pickups
The Bee Fuzz runs on 9V DC and draws only 1mA, so it is easy on a pedalboard power supply1. The Douche Edition shares the same 9V DC, 1mA spec3.
GUP Tech states that the pedal does not seem to react very well with high output active pickups, and advises lowering the Head knob when using very high output pickups1.
Where it came from and how it differs
The Bee Fuzz is the production version of the Lab Series #24 Doom Bloom, which GUP Tech built in its lab series before pointing customers to the Bee Fuzz as the production model2. The lab build used the same silicon clipping and the same Bias-plus-Doom interaction that produces the "Fuzzy Velcro Tone"2.
The name and concept echo an older design: the Roland Bee Baa, a fuzz with a built-in boost, which Delicious Audio covered in its write-up of the Klinger Fuzz Bee, a modern take on that circuit. On the Klinger, the boost is controlled by the first knob on the left and the fuzz by the other three4. The Bee Fuzz takes a different approach: rather than a separate boost stage, it puts the fuzz character in the Bzzz knob and the tone shaping in the Bass and High EQ controls1.
Versions and colors
The standard Bee Fuzz comes in Pink or Blue1. The Douche Edition is finished in Sparkle Pink and carries the same circuit, controls (under the Doom, Bias, Body, High and Head names) and power specs as the standard pedal3.
Videos
GUPtech
JB Aubry
Guy Incognito
Questions
What does the Bzzz knob do on the GUP Tech Bee Fuzz?
GUP Tech calls the Bzzz knob the magic of the fuzz. Turning it up increases the amount of fuzz and the definition of the tone, and the maker says it keeps the tone clear even at lower tunings or higher distorted levels1.
Does the Bee Fuzz work with active pickups?
Not especially well. GUP Tech states that the pedal does not seem to react very well with high output active pickups, and advises lowering the Head knob when using very high output pickups1.
What colors does the Bee Fuzz come in?
The standard Bee Fuzz is offered in Pink and Blue1. The Douche Edition comes in Sparkle Pink3.
How much current does the Bee Fuzz draw?
The Bee Fuzz draws 1mA at 9V DC, according to GUP Tech's product page1.
Where is the Bee Fuzz made?
GUP Tech builds all of its pedals itself in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, including the Bee Fuzz and its Douche Edition1.
Sources (4)
- Bee Fuzz, guptech.ca
- Lab Series #24, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Bee Fuzz Douche Edition, GUP Tech
- Klinger Fuzz Bee (Roland Bee Baa Clone), Delicious Audio, 2021-01-11
