The JAM Pedals "Monterey" Delay Llama mk.3 is a custom artwork version of the Delay Llama mk.3, the Greek builder's all-analog bucket-brigade (BBD) delay pedal. JAM Pedals describes the artwork versions as "same sound, different artwork": inside the hand-painted enclosure is the identical circuit to the standard mk.3, an analog delay with tap tempo, rhythmic subdivisions and a 600 ms maximum delay time1.
The Monterey is one of several one-of-a-kind hand-painted finishes JAM Pedals offers on the mk.3, alongside "Lechuk's Chest", "Why?", "Achenbach", "Craboid" and "Relic"1. Every custom artwork pedal is a unique piece, so the pedal you receive will differ in detail from the photos shown1.
An analog BBD delay with tap tempo
The Delay Llama mk.3 is an all-analog BBD delay. BBD stands for bucket-brigade device, the chip family that passes your signal along a chain of capacitors to create the delay; it is the technology behind most vintage analog delays, and it colors the repeats as they decay in a way digital delays usually try to emulate. The mk.3 uses BBD chips modeled after the Panasonic MN3205, which JAM Pedals says "produce warm repeats that blend naturally with the dry signal"1.
JAM Pedals says the pedal "adds warm, organic repeats without obscuring the sound and touch of your instrument," with a tape-like character suited to subtle depth, classic slapback and spacious rhythmic echoes4. Maximum delay time is 600 ms1, a figure confirmed by Premier Guitar's review5 and MusicRadar's launch coverage2.
What sets the mk.3 apart from earlier Delay Llamas is the tap-tempo footswitch. Tap the right footswitch at least twice to set tempo, and keep it pressed to engage HOLD/self-oscillation for as long as you hold it down1. A subdivision toggle selects eighth notes, quarter notes or dotted eighth notes, so tapped repeats can lock to a rhythm rather than following the knob position1. Guitar.com's launch coverage noted the mk.3 added this secondary tap-tempo footswitch and subdivision toggle to the vintage-voiced bucket-brigade delay6.
The mk.3 was announced in January 2022 as a new version of what MusicRadar called JAM Pedals' "cult classic analogue delay pedal"2. Premier Guitar's review noted that it "brought much of the essential bonus functionality of 2020's Delay Llama Xtreme to a more compact pedal"5. Delicious Audio called it "the latest evolution of the BBD-based pedal that started it all"3.
The controls
The front panel keeps the three-knob layout of the original Delay Llama, plus the toggle and second footswitch:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets delay time |
| Repeats | Controls feedback |
| Level | Sets the repeats above the dry signal |
| Subdivision toggle | Selects eighth notes, quarter notes or dotted eighth notes |
| Right footswitch (TAP) | Tap at least twice to set tempo; keep pressed for HOLD/self-oscillation |
| Left footswitch | Engages and bypasses the effect |
Inside the pedal, an internal trimmer sets the trails fade-out time in buffered-bypass mode, so you can adjust how quickly repeats die away when you switch the effect off with trails enabled7.
Power and bypass: 9V, 120 mA, true or buffered trails
The Monterey runs on 9V DC, center-negative, with a current draw of 120 mA1. That draw is high enough that a standard 9V battery is not part of the design; plan on a pedalboard power supply.
The bypass is selectable between true bypass and buffered trails. The pedal ships in true-bypass mode. To switch to buffered trails bypass, where repeats continue to fade after you disengage the pedal458:
- Disconnect power419.
- Hold the TAP footswitch419.
- Reconnect power419.
- Release after three LED blinks419.
Repeat the process to return to true bypass; two blinks confirm the change498. Premier Guitar's reviewer called this "a nifty trick" that changes the pedal from its factory true-bypass mode to a buffered mode that enables trails5.
The custom artwork versions
The Monterey belongs to JAM Pedals' limited artwork range for the Delay Llama mk.3, which also includes "Lechuk's Chest", "Why?", "Achenbach", "Craboid" and "Relic"110. Each is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, and the pedal received will differ in detail from the photos shown1.
Because every artwork pedal is hand-painted individually, no two Monterey pedals look alike. The circuit, controls and sound are identical to the standard Delay Llama mk.3; only the finish differs10711.
On price, the artwork versions carry a premium over the standard pedal. JAM Pedals lists the Monterey at a regular price of £334.00, tax included, shipped DDP with 20% UK VAT and all duties included and free UK shipping1. The standard Delay Llama mk.3 lists at a regular price of £259.004. At launch in January 2022, the standard version was priced at £18926.
What reviewers said
Questions
What is the maximum delay time on the Delay Llama mk.3?
The maximum delay time is 600 ms, which JAM Pedals says suits subtle depth, classic slapback and spacious rhythmic echoes. The Time knob sets delay time manually, and the right footswitch can be tapped at least twice to set tempo instead.
Does the Monterey Delay Llama sound different from the standard mk.3?
No. JAM Pedals describes the custom artwork versions, including Monterey, as the same sound with different artwork. Every artwork pedal is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, so the paintwork differs from pedal to pedal, but the circuit is identical to the standard Delay Llama mk.3.
How do I switch the Delay Llama mk.3 to trails mode?
The pedal ships in true-bypass mode. To select buffered trails bypass, disconnect power, hold the TAP footswitch, reconnect power and release after three LED blinks. Repeat the process to return to true bypass; two blinks confirm the change.
What BBD chip does the Delay Llama mk.3 use?
It is an all-analog delay built on BBD chips modelled after the Panasonic MN3205, the classic bucket-brigade device. JAM Pedals says these produce warm repeats that blend naturally with the dry signal.
How much does the Monterey Delay Llama mk.3 cost?
JAM Pedals lists the Monterey custom artwork version at a regular price of £334.00, tax included, with free UK shipping. The standard Delay Llama mk.3 carries a regular price of £259.00, so the hand-painted artwork carries a premium.
Sources (11)
- "Monterey" Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (www.jampedals.com)
- Jam Pedals adds tap tempo plus subdivisions to its refreshed and upgraded Delay Llama mk.3, MusicRadar, 2022-01-25
- Jam Pedals Delay Llama Mk3, Delicious Audio, 2022-11-25
- Delay Llama, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- Jam Pedals Delay Llama Mk3 Review, Premier Guitar, 2023-09-06
- Jam Pedals’ Delay Llama Mk3 adds a tap-tempo footswitch and a subdivision toggle, Guitar.com, 2022-01-25
- "Lechuk's Chest" Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- "Why?" Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (www.jampedals.com)
- “Achenbach” Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (www.jampedals.com)
- “Craboid” Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (www.jampedals.com)
- “Relic” Delay Llama mk.3, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
