Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Drunk Beaver delivers Dual-Voice Vatra Signature High Gain Amp Booster & Overdrive for Vlad Yarun, guitarist for Ukrainian 'Hutsul Metal' band Karna
Key Points
Drunk Beaver's Vatra Signature High Gain Amp Booster & Overdrive is a dual‑voice boost/overdrive built for Vlad Yarun, guitarist for Ukrainian Hutsul Metal band Karna. Toggle selects Upper "Smereka" (classic TS808 Tube Screamer voicing) or Down "BUK" MOSFET clipping mode (grittier, louder, thicker, bassier, punchier).
It uses the classic 3 x screamer controls—Level, Tone, Drive. Typical user settings noted: 'BUK' with Level at Max, Tone at 4 o'clock, Drive ≈12:30; Smereka available for classic TS808 tones.
Available on the Drunk Beaver Rocks Webstore for $150.
What we have here is a Dual-Voice Boost / Overdrive derived from the Ibanez TS808. The toggle switch selects the two voicings - where the Upper ’Smereka’ Mode is a classic TS808 style Tube Screamer. Flip the switch Down to ’BUK’ MOSFET clipping Mode for a grittier, louder, thicker, bassier and punchier voicing.
The classic Smerek voicing is pretty much exactly as you would expect - and you have the classic 3 x screamer controls - Level, Tone, and Drive.
For me the ’Buk’ Mode is a revelation - a really distinct fuller flavour which wholly sounds exceptional. If you already have a favourite Tube Screamer - it’s totally worth it to get this Vatra - just for the ’Buk’ Mode - which is genuinely different.
I tend to live mostly on the 'Buk' mode - with Level @ Max, Tone @ 4 o'c, and Drive at circa 12:30 o'c. I really like the classic TS808 setting too - while the 'Buk' setting is somewhat special!
The Vatra was custom developed for guitarist Vlad Yarun of the Ukrainian 'Hutsul Metal' pioneers Karna. Where Hutsul Metal is a unique genre of Folk / Nomad infused Metal - usually highly melodic.
The Vatra Boost / Overdrive goes for $150 on the Drunk Beaver Rocks Webstore, it's one of my favourite Drunk Beaver Overdrive voicings to date, in fact one of my favourite Overdrives out of all of them - and is well worth your consideration!
I tend to have mine fairly cranked for the most flavour and texture - the 'Buk' voicing really is pretty spectacular!
Demos
![Drunk Beaver releases Pedal Drop #37 - the Bashtanka Muff on Π Pi Day [3.14] - a cool Big Muff 2 OpAmp Fuzz take](https://d6a2e7ghqts3o.cloudfront.net/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/571/2026-GPX-Drunk-Beaver-Bashtanka-BM2-700.jpg "Drunk Beaver releases Pedal Drop #37 - the Bashtanka Muff on Π Pi Day [3.14] - a cool Big Muff 2 OpAmp Fuzz take")
