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Weird Gear: Gibson GA-4RE Oil Can Delay
By Jay - 3/27/2006

This is the first of our "Weird Gear" series where we'll be writing about some of the more interesting and unusual equipment we employ.

"The GA-4RE records music with an electric pen. The recode is made on a film of oil which also serves to lubricate the revolving disc which is the platter for the film. The film is constantly replaced and can never wear out like magnetic tape. Following the electric pen are two sensors which reproduce the pattern of electrons for the amplifier. The effect is a multiple choice of echo and reverberant sound with a quality never before achieved."

-- Gibson Reverb-Echo GA-4RE Instructions

The GA-4RE is a staple sound of The Mesmers. It's haunting, warbly echos have made it's way into numerous songs including "The Model", "Neptune City", "Race The Days" and most notably "Sandy Strange". It was manufactured by Tel-Ray, a California electronics company which eventually become Morley, as a licensed/re-branded version of it's "Adineko Memory System". It was available during the 60's as an alternative to high maintenance tape delays and can be found in many standalone and integrated effects under the brands Fender, Gibson, Rickenbaker, Acoustic, Univox, Vox, and Standelle.

Weird Gear: Gibson GA-4RE Oil Can Delay Pictures
Oil Can Delay	Oil Can Delay Controls	Interior of Oil Can	Oil Can Delay Controls 2

Sounds

The delays from the oil can have reduced high and low frequency content. There is also an audible chorus effect due to the non-linearities of the oil passing the rotating platters. These non-linearities are impossible to capture using convolution based methods, so you'll just have to break down and buy one.

Recommendations

The Mesmers, Sandy Strange | Buy CD | Buy on iTunes
Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club - Buy at Amazon

Technical

Inputs

Input 1 is for electric guitar.
Input 2 is for high z inputs like a tape deck or mixer foldback.

Controls

Loudness: this is an input attenuator for input 2 to accommodate a variety of high level signals.
Direct: this is a volume control for the input (non-echo) signal.
Reverb: this is a volume control for the echo signal.
Mode: this controls the echo rate and feedback via 3 presets.
1. Position 1: soft delay with quick repeats and short delay time... as close as this thing gets to reverb.
2. Position 2: delay with long delay time, great for dub.
3. Position 3: delay with short delay time, this is the rockabilly position.
Power: this, um... turns it on/off.

In addition to the inputs and controls listed above, the GA-4RE also has a fuse, output jack and footswitch which enables/disables the echo effect. This unit is all tube and has one 12AU7 possibly used as a phase inverter and 2 6EU7's for amplification.