Honey Beest Unleashed

[rockeroo]

My Beest just made it safely back to my hive. I cannot wait to plug it in tonight and put it through its paces.

Cheers and many thanks, Donner and researchers!!

[rockeroo]

Well... the newest BEEST is just about everything I hoped it to be. It has fantastic gain on tap and the nature is very usable. In comparison to the previous BEEST attempts, this one has the gain and bee-like character that it was meant to have.

The only thing I wish I could get out of the pedal to this point is an increase to the lower drive spectrum and width of the nature knob. To have a little less gain and a little more tonal range would make this incredibly versatile. I am sure there are limitations to these wishes in terms of design, and they might even hinder the BEEST from being what it is.

In a nutshell, this BEEST is very dynamic, very bee-like in saggyness and character and very gained out. Thanks for putting in the work Donner and other researchers.

Now, I am excited to see one of those splatty, flubby BEEST fuzz mix-ups soon. The sound the "broken" BEEST created was saawweeeeettt.

Cheers.

[rockeroo]

I was asked to compare the BEEST to the Model G.

Here are those thoughts...

The Model G is the epitomy of Bjorn's brilliance. The drive is warm, sparkly and very rich -- harmonic overtones for days. The mids and upper mids on the G can be shaped to fit an amp and speaker set-up perfectly. The G can be used as an always on foundational tone at low drive or an overdriven addition to one's sound. Everytime I plug the G in to an amp, I feel like it sounds good and has the ability to sound better. I currently run an AC30 and 70s BF DRR.

The BEEST is a slightly different animal. Donner has successfully (to my ears) made a HBOD with more highs available and much more gain. If you have played a HBOD, you are sure to recognize the sag and dynamic feel it offers. The BEEST has a very HBOD-like EQ, only having more range on the CW side of the nature. As for gain, the minimum gain setting on the BEEST is darn close to 3:00+ on the HBOD. From there, the gain increases and slightly compresses to achieve a more saturated tone.

To my recollection, the BEEST has more gain available than the MG does. With that said, the BEEST is a bee, and the MG is a chameleon. If you want a gained out HBOD, Donner has done a fine job with the BEEST, though getting lower gain stuff is only accessible through a reduction in the guitar's volume pot. The MG has more richness, clarity and wider functionality as an OD.

Important to consider is the $$$ tag. BEESTs are readily available for ~$250. Who knows how much a MG will cost. Some have gotten lucky to grab one at a 'reasonable' price (whatever that means), but many have paid well over $1000 for one. If you are looking for a G-like dirt box, I may be able to think of alternatives, but the BEEST is damn good at what it does.

Any further clarifications or changes to this description?

Cheers.

[jonnyrocket]

Received the Beest two days ago and finally got to use it for about 30 minutes. So far it is everything I expected and agree with the descriptions above. A gainier bee!

I have never used the Bearfoot HBOD, but do have a BJFE version. Overall the Beest is a tad brighter and I think it complements the BJFE very well. I have also stacked it and works really well. So far with the BJFE HBOD, DRD and EDGM. Another good combination that I found is to run the Beest into the Wampler Black ’65. The ’65 has a lot of headroom so the character of the Beest is very present.

Donner, thanks for making this happen. Now I can enjoy the HBOD better with my start.

[coldfingaz]

I was asked to compare the BEEST to the Model G.

Here are those thoughts...

The Model G is the epitomy of Bjorn's brilliance. The drive is warm, sparkly and very rich -- harmonic overtones for days. The mids and upper mids on the G can be shaped to fit an amp and speaker set-up perfectly. The G can be used as an always on foundational tone at low drive or an overdriven addition to one's sound. Everytime I plug the G in to an amp, I feel like it sounds good and has the ability to sound better. I currently run an AC30 and 70s BF DRR.

The BEEST is a slightly different animal. Donner has successfully (to my ears) made a HBOD with more highs available and much more gain. If you have played a HBOD, you are sure to recognize the sag and dynamic feel it offers. The BEEST has a very HBOD-like EQ, only having more range on the CW side of the nature. As for gain, the minimum gain setting on the BEEST is darn close to 3:00+ on the HBOD. From there, the gain increases and slightly compresses to achieve a more saturated tone.

To my recollection, the BEEST has more gain available than the MG does. With that said, the BEEST is a bee, and the MG is a chameleon. If you want a gained out HBOD, Donner has done a fine job with the BEEST, though getting lower gain stuff is only accessible through a reduction in the guitar's volume pot. The MG has more richness, clarity and wider functionality as an OD.

Important to consider is the $$$ tag. BEESTs are readily available for ~$250. Who knows how much a MG will cost. Some have gotten lucky to grab one at a 'reasonable' price (whatever that means), but many have paid well over $1000 for one. If you are looking for a G-like dirt box, I may be able to think of alternatives, but the BEEST is damn good at what it does.

Any further clarifications or changes to this description?

Cheers.

Though, I didn't request it, this is exactly the sort of review I was looking for. Thank you very much!

Guess I'll stick with my standard HBOD & still keep my fingers crossed that the MG makes it into wider production some day. That's the one I've always wanted (along with maybe a v1 Model H) to try & it sounds exceptional based on your description, many others I've read & my general love for older small Gibson amps.

The BEEST does sound really cool, but I love the HBOD's diversity as a low gain OD. It's a great stacker & it personally suits me & my playing style as an always-on type of OD grind... even though I play pretty much single coils exclusively.

[rockeroo]

You are very welcome. Enjoy the HBOD! I know I love mine.

Cheers!

[rockeroo]

I was also recently asked to offer thoughts on whether or not the Beest could readily provide the lower gain tones of the HBOD... I thought this might be helpful info to someone.

"I pulled out my Honey Beest to test what you asked. At its lowest drive setting, you are hearing minimal break-up -- if you really dig in. If you back off on picking, you get a cleaned up tone. Turning the drive about 1/3 of the way up gives you a significant increase in gain (perhaps to the point the HBOD maxes out). At the same time, you can always play softer or roll back the guitar's volume to reduce your gain level.

If you are trying to completely eliminate the need for your HBOD and its lower drive tones, you can probably do so with the Beest. With that said, you might have to adjust both you guitar settings and those of the Beest to achieve all of the low gain tones you prefer on the HBOD.

I think the Beest still acts and feels like a HBOD, so it is safe to say you could only have just one on your board and be satisfied.

I hope this helps."

Cheers!

[thiscalltoarms]

So I was wondering if any of our Beest owners would care to discuss the newest Beest's stacking. Anyone try it with a LGW specifically?