The Keeley Electronics 1962x is a limited-run British overdrive pedal. Pedal of the Day describes it as "a British overdrive pedal that gives you some classic Bluesbreaker-type tones," placing it in the same family as the Marshall Blues Breaker-style drives covered in our overdrive type guide.1
It is a two-mode design: a small toggle switch selects between KT66, the standard overdrive sound, and KT88, a high headroom boost mode. The circuit is built on Keeley's own Katana Boost, which the review says creates "preamp and output tube distortion characteristics."1
Controls and the two modes
The control layout is deliberately simple. Pedal of the Day notes that "Gain, Treble and Boost make up the simple control section on the 1962x."1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of drive |
| Treble | Shapes the top end |
| Boost | Boost stage control, working with the KT88 mode1 |
The KT66/KT88 toggle is what separates the 1962x from a single-mode drive:
- KT66: the standard overdrive sound1
- KT88: a high headroom boost mode. The review explains that "The KT88 mode inserts a MOSFET transistor into the clipping stage, making an already powerful drive tone beefed up."1
Circuit origins
The 1962x is not a from-scratch design. Pedal of the Day reports that "The circuit has been wrapped in Keeley's own Katana Boost, creating preamp and output tube distortion characteristics," tying the pedal to a circuit Keeley already had in its lineup.1
The 1962x was a limited edition release, so availability may be limited compared with Keeley's standard range, which includes the Keeley Super Phat Mod, Keeley Red Dirt Overdrive and Keeley D&M Drive.1
Is it a Bluesbreaker-style pedal?
Yes, by the accounts of both sources. Pedal of the Day describes its tones as "classic Bluesbreaker-type," and That Pedal Show included the Keeley 1962x in its December 2018 episode demonstrating Marshall Blues Breaker-style overdrive pedals, with Mick and Dan showing it among the current favorites in that category.12
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's 2019 review was positive on both sound and build. On the sound, the reviewer called it "this absolute beast of a drive," and noted the pedal carries "a killer graphic to emulate some vintage amps to add to the nostalgia and force." On construction, the reviewer found it "crafted using precision components and only the finest workmanship, as you'd of course expect from Robert and his team."1
"a killer graphic to emulate some vintage amps to add to the nostalgia and force of this absolute beast of a drive"
Videos
Keeley Electronics
Nils Bryant
Sean Gibson
Questions
What is the difference between the KT88 and KT66 modes on the Keeley 1962x?
The KT66 setting is the standard overdrive sound, the mode most players will use for classic British drive. The KT88 setting switches the pedal into a high headroom boost mode. Pedal of the Day explains that KT88 mode inserts a MOSFET transistor into the clipping stage, which beefs up an already powerful drive tone. A small toggle switch on the pedal selects between the two.
What circuit is the Keeley 1962x based on?
According to Pedal of the Day, the 1962x circuit is wrapped in Keeley's own Katana Boost, creating preamp and output tube distortion characteristics. That gives the pedal its British overdrive character rather than it being a straight copy of another maker's design.
What does the Boost knob do on the 1962x?
The Boost knob is one of three controls on the 1962x, alongside Gain and Treble, which Pedal of the Day describes as the pedal's simple control section. It works with the KT88 toggle mode, which turns the pedal into a high headroom boost.
Is the 1962x a Bluesbreaker-style pedal?
Yes. Pedal of the Day calls the 1962x a British overdrive pedal that gives you classic Bluesbreaker-type tones, and it was among the Marshall Blues Breaker-style pedals demonstrated on That Pedal Show's roundup of current favorites in the category.
Sources (2)
- Keeley Electronics 1962x Limited British Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2019-07-21
- Marshall Blues Breaker Style Overdrive Pedals: The Current Faves, That Pedal Show, 2018-12-07
