Strymon Engineering has officially announced the launch of the Olivera Vintage Oil Can Echo, a compact effects pedal promising the most authentic and soulful emulation of the rare, mechanically-driven oil can echo units from the late 1950s. The new pedal, available immediately for $259 US, brings the dark, syrupy warble and thick modulation of a true oil can echo into the modern rig, complete with stereo functionality and full MIDI control.
The Sound of a Bygone Era: Authentic Oil Can Echo
The original oil can echoes, first introduced by Tel-Ray in 1959, used a small rotating can of conductive oil—a novel approach that yielded a distinctly different sound from classic tape delays. The resulting echoes are darker, murkier, and positively oozing with vintage vibe.
Organic, Dark, & Modulated
Strymon’s commitment to hyper-realism led to a ton of research and a brand-new algorithm to capture this “wildly organic” nature. The Olivera excels at delivering everything from “dark and modulated repeats” to “sustaining textures that approach the sound of classic spring reverb tanks.”
“No other type of delay can do what an oil can does, and no other pedal emulation comes close to Olivera,” a Strymon spokesperson stated, emphasizing the pedal’s ability to capture the unique rhythmic and decay characteristics, and the “unreal thick modulation that changes and morphs as the audio does.”
Vintage Vibe, Modern Power: Key Features for Today’s Player
While delivering a nostalgic sound, the Strymon Olivera is packed with powerful, modern features that make it instantly integrable into any professional setup:
- Discrete Stereo Operation: Independent processing for left and right inputs, making it a perfect fit anywhere in a stereo signal chain.
- Full MIDI Implementation: Complete MIDI control over patch recall (300 presets!) and continuous controller data via the EXP/MIDI jack or USB.
- Discrete Class A JFET Input Preamp: Strymon’s “secret weapon” provides exceptional touch sensitivity, ideal frequency response, and ultra-low noise operation.
- New ARM Processor: Utilizing cutting-edge mobile-led technology for more simultaneous processes and significantly less current draw (250mA minimum).
- True Bypass/Buffered Bypass Options: Choose between electromechanical relay-switched true bypass or a premium buffered bypass to preserve signal integrity over long cable runs.
Control and Character: Shaping the Oil Can Sound
The pedal’s controls are designed to deliver deep sound-shaping in an intuitive format:
| Control | Function | Key Feature |
| Time | Adjusts the rotational speed of the oil can for a delay time between approximately 200ms and 800ms. | Speed range is modifiable by the Head selection switch. |
| Heads Control | Selects the playback heads: Short, Long, or Both. | ‘Both’ provides a lopsided, complex echo scenario. |
| Regeneration | Controls the amount of repeats fed back into the can, often labeled “reverb” on vintage units. | Hold footswitch while turning to adjust the tone of the repeats (darker to brighter). |
| Mix | Sets the wet/dry signal blend (50/50 mix at ~3 o’clock). | Standard wet/dry blend. |
| Rate / Intensity | Controls the speed and prominence of the thick, mechanical-style modulation. | Essential for dialing in the signature “syrupy warble.” |
Availability
The Strymon Olivera Vintage Oil Can Echo is available now from Strymon and authorized dealers worldwide.
Available at Sweetwater, priced $259
Available at Thomman, priced €299
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