Delay Llama mk3

The JAM Pedals Delay Llama mk.3 is an analog Bucket Brigade (BBD) delay pedal. The third evolution of one of the Greek brand's most iconic models, it keeps the sonic DNA that won over guitarists like Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot and Adrian Legg, while adding the features that have become essential on a modern delay: Tap Tempo with subdivisions and a Hold function for self-oscillation. In short, the Llama is back, as warm as ever, but a bit more complete.

On the outside, it's a JAM Pedals through and through: hand-painted finish, so each unit is slightly different from the next. The controls are kept to the essentials: a T (Time) knob for the delay time, an R (Repeats) knob for the number of repeats/feedback, and an L (Level) knob to set the wet signal against the dry. A 3-way toggle switch handles the Tap Tempo subdivisions (8th, quarter, dotted 8th notes), note that these subdivisions apply to the tapped tempo, not to the Time knob setting. On the footswitch side, the left one turns the effect on/off, while the right one handles Tap Tempo (repeated taps) and, in latching mode, Hold for self-oscillation. Bypass can be set to True or Buffered with trails via a small procedure at power-up, handy for letting the repeats fade out naturally even with the pedal switched off. On the inside, you'll find the quality PCB that once again confirms the care our Greek friends put into building these colorful little pedals. The circuit runs on two MN3205 chips, faithful reproductions of the famous Panasonic BBDs, for a maximum delay time of 600ms. Two internal trimmers let you adjust the trails fade-out time and the maximum number of repeats. The whole thing is housed in a compact, sturdy, lightweight enclosure (280g), powered by 9V DC (120mA, standard center-negative polarity).

Plugged into a clean channel, the Delay Llama mk.3 doesn't copy anyone: warm, organic, slightly detuned, you immediately recognize the BBD signature that built the brand's reputation. The repeats degrade and darken naturally over time, far from the cold precision of a digital delay. If you slap this Llama, it slaps right back: the rockabilly slapback is tight and natural, and the Tap Tempo subdivisions let you lock the pedal to the song's tempo in seconds. Pushing the Repeats and switching to Hold mode gives you long, self-oscillating swells, perfect for transitions or more experimental textures. We particularly like the way the delay's "tail" fades away over time, a detail that makes a real difference for connoisseurs. And since the pedal also works great on bass, bassists can use it to thicken their tone without losing definition.

The JAM Pedals Delay Llama mk.3 is aimed at guitarists (and bassists) who want genuine BBD warmth without giving up the features that have become essential on stage. If you're after an organic alternative to the Boss DM-2, MXR Carbon Copy or Way Huge Aqua-Puss, with a hand-painted finish and real Greek craftsmanship on top, this Llama clearly deserves a spot on your pedalboard!