Morley Pedals

Morley Pedals
Company type	Private
Industry	Musical instrument accessories
Founded	1960s; 65 years ago
Founder	Raymond Lubow, Marvin Lubow
Headquarters	Carpentersville, United States
Products	Guitar effects pedals (wah-wah, volume, delay, chorus, phaser)
Parent	Sound Enhancement Products, Inc.
Website	www.morleyproducts.com

Morley Pedals specializes in producing guitar effects pedals, particularly wah-wah and other treadle-style effects that utilize electro-optical technology rather than traditional potentiometers. This approach employs a shutter mechanism paired with a photoresistor to modulate the effect, effectively preventing the noise caused by wear that is typical in conventional pedals. The company's offerings extend to include volume, delay, chorus, and phaser pedals.

History

Established in the 1960s in Los Angeles by siblings Raymond and Marvin Lubow, Morley initially focused on pioneering electro-mechanical devices such as the "oil can delay," which allowed musicians to achieve live echo effects without relying on tape or echo chambers. Originally operating under the name Tel-Ray Electronics, the company manufactured echo units for prominent brands like Fender and Gibson and developed a Leslie speaker simulator. The brand name "Morley" was creatively devised by the founders as a wordplay.

Transitioning from original equipment manufacturing, Tel-Ray began promoting their own Morley-branded pedals distinguished by their large chrome-plated enclosures and rubber-covered treadles. During the 1970s, their product range grew to incorporate distortion, flangers, phasers, and multifunction units like the PFV "Phaser Volume" and ECV "Echo Chorus Vibrato." Morley earned a reputation for durable construction and unique AC-powered circuitry, making vintage models sought-after collectibles. Notably, Hank Marvin of The Shadows utilized Morley echo units, shaping his characteristic sound.

In the 1980s, Morley updated its designs by reducing pedal dimensions, adopting black chassis finishes, and transitioning to 9V battery power with optional AC adapters to remain competitive against compact pedals from Boss, Ibanez, and DOD. The company also introduced smaller non-treadle effects during this period.

In 1989, Chicago-based Sound Enhancements, Inc. acquired Morley and continues to use the Lubow brothers' electro-optical concept with modern enhancements such as LED lighting replacing traditional bulbs. Although no longer connected to the original Tel-Ray entity, Morley still supports legacy products by offering manuals and replacement parts via their website.

Sound Enhancement Products

The Reverb line traces its origins to the Hammond Organ Company, where it was first integrated into organs before being marketed to amplifier manufacturers. In 1962, Leo Fender, founder of Fender, incorporated the "Hammond Reverb" into the now-legendary "Twin Reverb" amplifier, setting reverb as a standard guitar amp feature. By 1971, production of Reverb units was transferred to Hammond's Accutronics division located in Geneva, IL; subsequently, the product was rebranded as "Accutronics Reverb."

Accutronics became part of the Marmon Group in 1977. By 1982, all operations were consolidated at Cary, IL. Following its acquisition of OC Electronics in 1986, Accutronics became the sole U.S. manufacturer of reverb devices. In 1989, it purchased the "Morley" brand from Tel-Ray Electronics. By 1990, Accutronics had separated its Reverb and Morley divisions into a dedicated facility in Cary.

In May 1991, these divisions were combined under Sound Enhancements, Inc., which later merged with Stainless Industrial Company in 1999. The acquisition of Ebtech in 2001 broadened its range of audio products. Renamed Sound Enhancement Products, Inc. (SEPI) in 2005, it currently operates as an independent entity.

SEPI produces OEM electro-mechanical spring reverb units under the "Accutronics" brand mainly for guitar amplifier manufacturers; these devices deliver authentic-sounding electronic reverberation inside amplifiers. Additionally, SEPI manufactures foot-controlled pedals, effect processors, and footswitches under the "Morley" name to enhance electric guitar tones. Since 2001, SEPI has incorporated audio equipment under the "Ebtech" brand and has distributed Pedal Pad products for MKS Professional Stage Products since 2007.

Endorsements

Morley remains at the forefront of innovation by introducing new pedal designs that receive backing from renowned musicians. Distinguished industry figures and artists who utilize Morley equipment include Steve Vai, known for his signature "Bad Horsie" pedal; Adam Darski (Nergal) from Behemoth; and Mark Tremonti, who endorses a custom wah-wah pedal. The original Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was known to use a Tel-Ray 'chrome' Morley Wah Boost paired with an Ibanez Tube Screamer, a setup comparable to the modern Morley Power Wah model.