Keeley Electronics Andy Timmons Halo Core

The Keeley Electronics Andy Timmons Halo Core is a compact dual echo delay pedal from Keeley Electronics, a streamlined version of the Keeley Halo Andy Timmons Dual Echo that Keeley built with guitarist Andy Timmons¹. Where the full Halo packs in five rhythm modes, presets and stereo routing, the Core keeps Timmons' signature Halo mode in a smaller, three-knob format aimed at players who want that sound without the full feature set¹².

A dual echo delay built around Andy Timmons' Halo mode

The Halo Core traces back to the Keeley Halo Andy Timmons Dual Echo, a signature delay pedal Keeley released in 2022 in collaboration with Andy Timmons⁵. That pedal works like having two separate delay pedals, with up to 1500 ms of available delay and sides A and B settable to different delay times³⁶. Its Rhythm control selects between five echo types: HALO, Analog, Tape, Quarter and Dotted Eighth⁶.

The Halo preset itself recreates Timmons' modulated dual-echo sound, a tone he spent decades combining and crafting before it was captured in the pedal⁶⁷. On the Core, a three-way Mode Switch selects between Timmons' signature Halo mode and a 1/4 note mode¹.

The Halo Core is a stripped-down version of the dual echo, priced at $249¹. It keeps the FDBK knob, which controls feedback, in other words the number of repeats¹.

The controls and their secondary functions

The Halo Core keeps the control set simple: three knobs, a mode toggle and two footswitches¹.

MusicRadar called the Level knob's secondary function "manna from heaven for tape echo fans," adding the compression and gritty saturation of a mechanical tape echo¹.

The full Halo's control scheme works differently: its Feedback knob pushes and holds to engage the other knobs' alternate functions, which GuitarPlayer listed as time/high pass filter, level/saturation, rate/tone and depth/rhythm⁸. That pedal also offers eight presets, a toggle switch that advances the bank, and tap tempo with multiple rhythmic subdivisions⁸. Set its Time and Feedback controls low and you can open up ambient chorus and flanger effects⁶.

From the Halo to the Halo Core

The Core strips the Halo down to its signature sound. MusicRadar described it as "a stripped-down version of the dual echo," while gearnews called it a stripped-back version delivering "Andy Timmons' legendary tone in a compact and user-friendly package"¹².

What the trim removes:

• The Rhythm selector's five echo types, reduced to Halo and 1/4 note modes on the Core¹⁶
• The eight presets and bank toggle of the full Halo⁸
• The dual A/B delay sides, replaced by a single delay line⁶

What the Core keeps or adds:

• Timmons' signature Halo mode¹
• A dedicated Tap/Hold footswitch with a redesigned Infinite Hold¹
• Top-mounted jacks for easy pedalboard mounting¹

The Halo Core is a streamlined version of the Keeley Halo Andy Timmons signature stereo delay². Where the full Halo carries the controls of the dual echo, the Core keeps the essentials, with the FDBK knob controlling feedback, the number of repeats¹, at a list price of $249¹.

Reviewers on the Halo family

GuitarPlayer's review of the original Halo found that it "packs more features than its small size would suggest, including Andy Timmons' coveted Halo setting"⁸. Pedal of the Day noted the pedal's other rhythmic delays, including quarter note, dotted 8th, a stereo rack mount analog delay and a vintage-style option, and pointed to its true stereo operation when run in stereo⁷.

Andy Timmons himself uses the Halo Core alongside his other signature Keeley pedal, and the Halo line began with his signature Dual Echo in 2022⁹⁵. Another Timmons collaboration with Keeley is the Andy Timmons Full Range Overdrive⁶.

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