The JAM Pedals "Achenbach multi-head" Delay Llama XTREME is a limited artwork version of JAM Pedals' multi-head analog delay pedal, reimagined through the artwork of The Simpsons artist John Achenbach1. Under the paint it is the same three-BBD analog delay as the standard Delay Llama Xtreme: three 3205 BBD (bucket-brigade) chips provide up to 800 ms of delay, paired with presets, expression control and a set of XTREME modulation modes1. JAM Pedals describes it as moving "effortlessly from classic delay sounds to animated pitch, modulation and rhythmic textures while keeping a clear, performance-friendly layout"1.
This version is sold out2. It was a limited artwork pedal, and every limited artwork pedal is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, so the pedal you receive would have differed in detail from the product photographs1. The same circuit is available in other artwork variants, listed below.
What it is and what it does
The Delay Llama XTREME is a delay pedal built around bucket-brigade device chips rather than digital processing. BBD chips pass your signal along a chain of capacitors, which gives analog delay its characteristic darker, warmer repeats as the signal degrades slightly with each pass. Three 3205 BBD chips give this pedal up to 800 ms of delay time, which is long for a BBD design1.
On top of the basic delay, the pedal carries a set of what JAM Pedals calls XTREME modes, which reshape the repeats in different ways. The maker describes the range as covering classic delay sounds through animated pitch, modulation and rhythmic textures1.
The pedal's core feature set covers the essentials a performing player needs:
- Tap tempo with three subdivisions1
- HOLD function for oscillation1
- Kill-dry operation1
- Selectable trails or true bypass1
- Four onboard presets1
Guitarist Bill Frisell is listed by JAM Pedals among players of the pedal1.
The controls
The front panel keeps the main delay sound on three knobs: Time, Repeats and Level. Time sets the delay length, Repeats sets how many echoes feed back on themselves, and Level sets how loud the repeats sit against your dry signal1.
Alongside those, the subdivisions and modes shape the character of the repeats:
| Control or mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time, Repeats, Level | Cover the main delay sound1 |
| Subdivisions | Eighth-note, quarter-note and dotted-eighth1 |
| Vibrato mode | Adds sine-wave modulation with adjustable depth and speed1 |
| Tape-Age mode | Creates random, worn-tape-style pitch variation1 |
| Random mode | Changes delay time at fixed intervals for abrupt pitch and rhythmic shifts1 |
| Pitch-Shift mode | Offers five interval pairs and five playback patterns, including a five-mode sequencer1 |
Footswitches
The pedal uses three footswitches:
- Right footswitch: Tap at least twice to set tempo; hold it for oscillation1.
- Middle footswitch: Cycles between manual mode and four preset slots; a prolonged press turns the selected XTREME mode on or off1.
Presets
The pedal holds four presets plus manual mode. Each preset stores time, repeats, level, subdivision, XTREME mode settings and the XTREME on/off state, so a saved sound recalls the complete delay configuration rather than just the basic three knobs1.
Rear-panel connections
Alongside the standard input and output jacks, the pedal carries several control inputs:
| Jack | What it accepts |
|---|---|
| DT | A passive 10 kΩ expression pedal for delay time, or 0-5V CV when the internal DIP switches are set to CV mode1 |
| TAP | A normally-open TS momentary remote switch1 |
| PS | A TRS preset controller1 |
The DT input is the most flexible of these. With a passive 10 kΩ expression pedal you can sweep delay time with your foot, which is useful for pitch-bend effects and self-oscillation control. Setting the internal DIP switches to CV mode switches the same jack to accepting a 0-5V control voltage, which opens the pedal up to synth-style control from modular gear or other CV sources1.
The TAP jack lets you place a remote momentary switch anywhere on your board, so you can tap tempo from a more convenient spot than the pedal itself. The PS jack accepts a TRS preset controller for switching between the four presets remotely1.
Internal switches
Two internal switches configure how the pedal behaves in your rig:
- TRLS switch: Selects buffered trails or true bypass. With buffered trails, repeats continue to ring out after you disengage the pedal; with true bypass, the signal path is fully disconnected when the pedal is off1.
- KD switch: Activates kill-dry operation, which mutes the dry signal so only the delayed repeats pass through. This is useful in parallel effects loops where you want to blend the wet signal elsewhere1.
Power and specifications
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, and JAM Pedals recommends an isolated power supply. Maximum current draw is 130 mA, which is worth noting if you are budgeting a power brick: this is higher than many simple analog pedals because the digital control side that handles presets, tap tempo and the sequencer needs its own current1.
Input impedance is 1 MΩ, output impedance is under 1 kΩ, and the input and output are in phase1.
The 130 mA current draw and the recommendation of an isolated supply mean this pedal is not a candidate for a battery or a shared daisy-chain output. Plan a dedicated 9V DC output on your power supply.
JAM Pedals offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, with a refund "no questions asked" if you are not satisfied within 30 days of receiving the product1.
Other artwork variants
The Achenbach multi-head version is one of several artwork variants of the same circuit, which JAM Pedals describes as "same sound, different artwork"1. The variants include:
- "Eye in the Sky"1
- "Spirit of the Sword"1
- "Tutti Frutti"1
- "Achenbach monohead" (sold out)1
- "Relic"1
Because each limited artwork pedal is hand-painted as a one-of-a-kind piece, no two examples of any variant look identical1.
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Questions
Is the Delay Llama Xtreme true bypass?
It offers both options. An internal TRLS switch selects either true bypass or buffered trails, so you can choose whether repeats continue to ring out after you disengage the pedal. Kill-dry operation is also switchable via the internal KD switch.
What is the maximum delay time on the Delay Llama Xtreme?
Up to 800 ms, provided by three 3205 BBD (bucket-brigade) chips. That makes it an analog delay with enough range for long, spacious repeats, and the tap tempo function with three subdivisions lets you set the time rhythmically as well.
Can I control the Delay Llama Xtreme with an expression pedal or CV?
Yes. The DT input accepts a passive 10 kOhm expression pedal for delay time, or a 0-5V control voltage when the internal DIP switches are set to CV mode. That opens it up to synth-style control as well as conventional expression pedals.
Does the Delay Llama Xtreme have kill-dry?
Yes. The internal KD switch activates kill-dry operation, which mutes the dry signal so only the delayed repeats pass through. This is useful in parallel effects loops or when blending wet signal elsewhere in your rig.
Is the Achenbach multi-head Delay Llama Xtreme still available?
The Achenbach multi-head version is listed as sold out. It was a limited artwork pedal, each one a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece. The same circuit is available in other artwork variants such as Eye in the Sky, Spirit of the Sword, Tutti Frutti and Relic.
Sources (2)
- “Achenbach multi-head” Delay Llama XTREME, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- Delay Llama Xtreme, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
