The Keeley Bassist Compressor is a compressor pedal aimed at bass players, announced by Keeley Electronics on October 17, 2014 and priced at $1991. Keeley pitched it as a studio-grade design in a stomp box: the company said it "delivers studio quality compression for bass players in stomp box format" and that "we feel we have created a top-flight studio grade compressor for bass players"1. Although it is named for bass, Keeley's own description covers both instruments, promising "studio quality compression for bass and guitar players in stomp box format"2.
The circuit is built around a single chip: the THAT Corporation 4320 "Analog Engine" integrated circuit, which Premier Guitar's reviewer called "the Bassist's heart"3. Robert Keeley chose the THAT4320 for the Bassist and for the companion GC-2 Limiting Amplifier pedal released in December 20142. Keeley described the design as dbx-inspired, "using advanced VCAs and True-RMS detection coupled with ultra low noise op-amps," and claimed ultra-low noise and distortion as a result1.
A studio-style compressor for bass
The idea behind the Bassist is to move the behavior of a rack or studio compressor into a pedal. The compression ratio runs from 1:1, which is effectively no compression, all the way to infinity, which is limiting3. Keeley's announcement listed the same range as "1:1 to 1:infinity compression"1. For a bass player, that range means the pedal can do anything from gentle leveling of fingerstyle dynamics to hard limiting that clamps down on spikes from popping or slapping.
The pedal is housed in what Keeley called a "beautifully powder-coated and rugged enclosure," is hand-built in the USA, and carries a 2-year limited lifetime warranty1. THAT Corporation described the pedals as "100% hand-built" with "unique and modern circuits that deliver studio quality compression"2.
The controls
The control set is deliberately small: three knobs and an indicator, plus two LEDs. Premier Guitar's 2023 review walked through what each one does14.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Compression (ratio) | Sets the compression ratio, from 1:1 to infinity3 |
| Threshold | Sets the level above which compression kicks in; a very wide range to help tame volume spikes3 |
| Gain | Regulates volume between the pedal's engaged and off positions3 |
| Threshold indicator | Shows when the signal crosses the threshold4 |
Two LEDs sit around the threshold knob: a green indicator light below it that shows the Bassist is powered up, and a blue LED above it that lights when the pedal is engaged via the true-bypass footswitch3. The pedal includes true bypass switching, so with the footswitch off the signal passes through without the circuit in the path13.
Because the ratio and threshold are separate, the workflow is straightforward: set the ratio for how hard you want to compress, set the threshold for where compression starts, then use the gain control to match the engaged volume to your bypassed level. The wide threshold range is what lets the pedal handle both the hot output of an active bass and the lower output of a passive one without running out of range3.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the Bassist in January 2023 and summarized its verdict in the pros column:
"Super easy to dial in. No noticeable tone coloration or sustain issues."
Premier Guitar review, 20233
The review listed the street price at $199, unchanged from the 2014 launch price321. Earlier, when the pedal was announced, Keeley said testers had "ran it through the paces saying it was a fantastic compressor and fun to play!"1.
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Questions
Does the Keeley Bassist work on guitar?
Yes. Keeley's own announcement describes the Bassist as delivering studio quality compression for bass and guitar players in stomp box format, so it is not limited to bass. The same THAT 4320 circuit also appeared in Keeley's GC-2 Limiting Amplifier, a pedal pitched at guitarists.
Is the Keeley Bassist Compressor true bypass?
Yes. The pedal includes true bypass switching, and Premier Guitar's review confirms the effect is engaged via a true-bypass footswitch. A blue LED above the threshold knob lights up when the pedal is engaged.
Is the Keeley Bassist based on a dbx compressor?
Keeley described the circuit as dbx-inspired. The announcement says the company used dbx-inspired circuitry, with advanced VCAs and True-RMS detection coupled with ultra low noise op-amps, to craft the compressor.
Where is the Keeley Bassist made?
The Bassist Compressor is hand-built in the USA. Keeley's announcement says it is hand-built using what the company calls the finest components and construction techniques, and THAT Corporation described the pedals as 100% hand-built.
What compression ratio does the Keeley Bassist go up to?
The compression control sets a ratio that ranges from 1:1, meaning no compression, up to infinity, which is full limiting. That range matches the studio-style design of the pedal's THAT 4320 based circuit.
Sources (4)
- Keeley Electronics Releases the Bassist Compressor, Premier Guitar, 2014-10-17
- Keeley Selects THAT4320, THAT Corporation, 2014-12-30
- Keeley Bassist Compressor Review, Premier Guitar, 2015-04-07
- Keeley Electronics Launches Bassist Compressor Pedal, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-10-17
