3 Series Oil Can Delay

JHS designed the 3 Series Oil Can Delay to capture the character of Ray Lubow's 1959 electrostatic delay patent—an oil-filled drum with belt mechanisms and rubber wiper heads that wrote and read audio signals. The original hardware was temperamental and rare, making this digital recreation more practical for modern players.

Oil can delays produce warm, slightly modulated echoes with unique character. The mechanical nature of the original design introduced flutter and warble that became part of the sound. Three knobs control time, repeats, and level, while the toggle likely adds extra modulation depth or switches delay modes.

At 75mA draw, it's the hungriest delay in the 3 Series line but still reasonable for digital processing. Built in Kansas City. Vintage oil can character without the maintenance.