Keeley Electronics
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music equipment |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Robert Keeley |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City , United States |
| Products | Guitar effects pedals, effect unit modifications |
Keeley Electronics is a U.S.-based producer of effect units designed for electric guitars. Established in 2001 by Robert Keeley and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the firm initially launched with the Keeley Compressor pedal alongside custom modifications for effects from Boss and Ibanez.
History
Robert Keeley, who graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma, started the enterprise from his residence in Oklahoma City. Although his original intention was to manufacture guitar amplifiers, he redirected his efforts toward effects pedals due to a crowded amplifier marketplace. While serving as an instructor at a technical college and working with top-performing students, Keeley began refurbishing and enhancing effects pedals, starting with a Ross compressor. At that period, the handcrafted effects pedal market had limited competitors, including Mike Piera of Analog Man and Mike Fuller of Fulltone. Keeley's commitment to superior quality earned him clientele such as Brad Paisley. His customized versions of the Ibanez TS9 were adopted by musicians like Peter Frampton, Jon Herington, and Ike Willis. Over time, Keeley developed original pedals, notably a boost pedal and a compressor first released in 2001, which has achieved sales exceeding 27,000 units.
Guitar World has acknowledged Keeley Electronics as "one of the world’s top sellers of guitar effects pedals." The company's approach prioritizes using electronic components with minimal tolerance to ensure consistent product quality. Following a 2009 fire at its initial facility, Keeley expanded operations to a secondary factory producing flight cases and guitar pickups, temporarily transferring effect pedal manufacturing there.
Keeley remains active in providing bespoke effects modifications, including projects such as altering an MXR Phase 90 for Donald Fagen and designing integrated distortion/blues driver/wah pedals for Neil Zaza.
Notable products
- Compressor
- Dark Side, a multi-effect device inspired by the sounds of David Gilmour and Pink Floyd.
- Framptone, an amplifier switcher and talk box created in collaboration with Peter Frampton
- Fuzz Head, a distortion pedal producing fuzz effects
- Katana Clean Boost, Keeley’s inaugural independently designed pedal and pre-amplifier utilized by Billy Gibbons and Dan Spitz
- Loomer, which merges fuzz and reverb effects, drawing influence from shoegaze group My Bloody Valentine (band)
- Luna Overdrive, equipped with a Baxandall tone circuit and JFET architecture "voiced like Fender or Marshall preamplifiers"
- Phaser, a digitally managed six-stage analog phaser effect
Modifications
- Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
- Ibanez Tube Screamer
- Mello Wah, a customized version of the Dunlop Cry Baby