The Delay Llama Xtreme "May the 4th" B-Stock is a limited-artwork version of JAM Pedals' Delay Llama Xtreme, an analog delay pedal built on bucket-brigade device (BBD) chips. Three 3205 BBD chips provide up to 800 ms of delay, and the pedal adds presets, tap tempo and four "XTREME" modulation modes that act on the delay trails1.
This particular unit is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece in the "May the 4th" artwork, sold as B-stock: JAM Pedals says these are pedals that didn't make its cosmetic quality check but are otherwise brand new and in 100% working order, with original packaging and a life-time warranty1.
What it does: BBD analog delay, 800 ms
The core of the pedal is an analog delay: the signal is passed through three 3205 BBD chips, the classic bucket-brigade technology behind vintage delay sounds, which sample and hand off the signal in discrete steps rather than converting it to digital. Three chips in series is what allows the long 800 ms maximum delay time, since a single BBD chip alone runs far shorter1. GuitarPlayer's reviewer notes the same design: "Xtreme uses three 3205 BBD chips, for a maximum of 800ms delay time"2.
On top of the repeats, the pedal carries four XTREME modes that modify the delay trails. GuitarPlayer explains the underlying principle: "The four Xtreme modes work by shifting the delay time in a controlled manner"2. Delicious Audio describes them as "Four 'Xtreme Modes' consisting of different extra effects (Vibrato, Tape-age, Random and Pitch-Shift) affecting the trails"3.
The controls, switches and four XTREME modes
Time, Repeats and Level cover the main delay sound, with eighth-note, quarter-note and dotted-eighth subdivisions available for tap tempo1. Two internal trimmers shape the extremes: a multi-turn trimmer sets the maximum repeat count, and a second sets the maximum trails decay in buffered bypass1.
The four XTREME modes each treat the delay time differently1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vibrato | Adds sine-wave modulation with adjustable depth and speed1 |
| Tape-Age | Creates random, worn-tape-style pitch variation1 |
| Random | Changes delay time at fixed intervals for abrupt pitch and rhythmic shifts1 |
| Pitch-Shift | Five interval pairs and five playback patterns, including a five-mode sequencer1 |
Two internal switches handle bypass routing and dry signal: the TRLS switch selects buffered trails or true bypass, and KD activates kill-dry operation, useful if you run the pedal in a parallel effects loop and want only the wet signal at the output1.
Footswitches, presets and remote jacks
The pedal has three footswitches. The middle footswitch cycles between manual mode and four preset slots; a prolonged press on it turns the selected XTREME mode on or off1. The right footswitch is the tap switch: tap it at least twice to set the tempo, or hold it for oscillation1. Presets store time, repeats, level, subdivision, XTREME mode settings and the XTREME on/off state, with factory examples included for all four XTREME mode preset slots4.
For remote control, the pedal has two side jacks1:
- TAP accepts a normally-open TS momentary remote switch for remote tap tempo.
- PS accepts a TRS preset controller for remote preset selection.
A third jack, DT, handles expression and control voltage: it accepts a passive 10 kΩ expression pedal for delay time, or 0-5V CV when the internal DIP switches are set to CV mode1. Pedal of the Day lists it as a "delay time expression pedal / CV input"5.
Power and connections
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center-negative, with an isolated supply recommended, and draws a maximum of 130 mA1. That current draw is worth noting next to simpler analog pedals: the digital control layer for presets, tap tempo and the XTREME modes takes more current than a basic BBD delay, so it belongs on a supply with headroom rather than a shared daisy chain.
Other measured specs from the maker1:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ1 |
| Output impedance | <1 kΩ1 |
| CV range | 0-5V1 |
| Dimensions (with jacks and controls) | 14.9 x 12.4 x 5.6 cm / 5.8 x 4.8 x 2.2 in1 |
| Weight | 620 g / 1.35 lb1 |
Input and output are in phase1.
The "May the 4th" hand-painted edition
JAM Pedals paints its limited artwork pedals by hand, so each one is unique: "Every limited artwork pedal is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece"1. The "May the 4th" is one of several custom artwork versions of the same circuit, which JAM Pedals sums up as "Same sound, different artwork"1. The other artwork versions include the "Eye in the Sky", "Spirit of the Sword", "Tutti Frutti", "Achenbach monohead", "Achenbach multihead" (sold out) and "Relic" editions1.
What B-stock means here
JAM Pedals describes its B-stock pedals plainly:
"These are pedals that didn't make our cosmetic quality check. Otherwise Brand New and in 100% working order with original packaging and life-time warranty1."
JAM Pedals product page1
So the "May the 4th" unit carries the same circuit, warranty and packaging as a regular unit, with a cosmetic finish that fell short of the maker's quality check. It is listed on sale, at a regular price of £399.00 and a sale price of £439.00 as stated on the maker's page1, shipped DDP with 20% UK VAT and all duties included, and covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee with a no-questions-asked refund1.
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Questions
How many BBD chips are in the Delay Llama Xtreme?
Three MN3205 bucket-brigade device (BBD) chips. Together they give the pedal its analog delay character and up to 800 ms of delay time, which is long for a BBD design, since single-chip analog delays typically run much shorter.
Does the Delay Llama Xtreme have tap tempo?
Yes. Tap the right footswitch at least twice to set the tempo, with eighth-note, quarter-note and dotted-eighth subdivisions available. Holding the same footswitch sends the effect into oscillation, and a TAP jack accepts a normally-open TS momentary remote switch.
Can the Delay Llama Xtreme take CV?
Yes. The DT jack accepts a passive 10 kΩ expression pedal for delay time, or 0-5V control voltage when the internal DIP switches are set to CV mode. Pedal of the Day describes it as a delay time expression pedal / CV input.
What does B-stock mean for a JAM pedal?
JAM Pedals says B-stock units are pedals that didn't make its cosmetic quality check, but are otherwise brand new and in 100% working order, with original packaging and the life-time warranty. The
Is the Delay Llama Xtreme true bypass?
It is selectable. The internal TRLS switch chooses between true bypass and buffered trails, so you can keep delay tails ringing after bypassing or run a fully passive signal path. A second switch, KD, activates kill-dry operation.
Sources (5)
- Delay Llama Xtreme "May the 4th" B-Stock, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- JAM Pedals Delay Llama Xtreme Review, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2020-06-25
- JAM Delay Llama Xtreme, Delicious Audio, 2023-07-13
- “Achenbach monohead” Delay Llama XTREME, JAM pedals (jampedals.com)
- JAM Pedals Delay Llama XTREME, Pedal of the Day, 2021-06-02
