Way Huge celebrates 30 years of pedalboard goodness with the WM23 Smalls Red Llama overdrive

Way Huge has brought back its Red Llama overdrive pedal to celebrate its 30th anniversary. A ‘90s classic, the Red Llama was the first pedal to come off the Way Huge production line in 1992. 

The WM23 Smalls Red Llama arrives in a smaller housing, with modern components replicating the original’s CMOS-based circuit, but Way Huge promises all the same great drive tones and touch sensitivity of the original. 

The Red Llama is aptly named. Its sound is warm, textured, a little wooly but also quite feisty too. “It dishes out delicious harmonic overdrive, reminiscent of a crunchy tweed amp, and offers a wide array of tones ranging from soft and cuddly to burly and brutal,” says Way Huge.

This dynamic response, allied to a wide range of gain, makes the Red Llama an appropriate choice for many kinds of musical situations, and all kinds of electric guitars. Little wonder it was so popular. You would have found one on Tom Petty's 'board. 

It's not the first time Way Huge have rolled out an anniversary addition of the Red Llama. In 2017, there was a 25th anniversary release, finished in a smaller silver enclosure with a hi-cut control. Those were limited to 1000 units worldwide.

As for MkIII, the design is even more simple, with just two knobs for Volume and Drive on the front. With top-mounted jacks and a smaller footprint, it won’t bogart space on your pedalboard. It takes a 9V DC pedalboard power supply, costs $149 / £169 street, and is available now. 

Head over to Jim Dunlop for more details.