The name Beavis Audio Research/$uperpuma Trotsky conjures a few very strange images in my head of punky cartoon characters and mustachioed Soviet leaders, but its really just the name of an overdrive pedal that is being re-released.

The Trotsky itself is a boost/light overdrive pedal is fueled by a single Russian-made transistor. It's based on old Electra distortion with the addition of germanium clipping diodes, a bright switch, variable gain and a volume control, and it produces a nice little sparkle with some pretty high-end.

The staff at Beavis Audio Research and $uperpuma demonstrate the sonic abilities of these little red stompboxes. Check it out below.

The controls, from left to right are:

• Bright Switch: Great for brightening up a humbucker sound.
• Gain Knob
• Volume Knob