The Keeley Luna Overdrive is an overdrive pedal built by Robert Keeley that combines an overdrive circuit with a hi-fi style EQ. MusicRadar describes it as the fruition of his desire to combine an overdrive pedal with a hi-fi EQ, and Keeley himself has called it "the sum of my ideas and thoughts on overdrive and distortion," aiming to offer endless tonal possibilities1. MusicRadar's review found the dual EQ offers huge potential for tonal shaping, with gain ranging from softer and smoother to edgy distortion with an almost fuzzy quality at times1.
How it works and what it does
The Luna's signal path runs through an op-amp-driven input stage, the kind found on early Tube Screamers, into a discrete FET output stage. Between the two sits a modified Baxandall tone circuit, the EQ topology more often associated with hi-fi equipment than guitar pedals1.
That tone circuit is what sets the Luna apart from a conventional overdrive. Instead of a single tone knob, you get separate bass and treble pots, and their position not only has a huge effect on the perceived midrange response but also on the character and level of the drive itself1. A mini toggle switch selects "lo" and "hi" modes, and the pedal carries two different drive stages with highly responsive Hi and Lo tone controls12.
MusicRadar compared it against a Keeley "Mod Plus" TS-808 and found the Luna can approximate those mid-rich TS-type tones, but with so much more on offer, including immense level that can force an amp's input stage into submission1. If you want a sense of how it sits against the classic Tube Screamer formula, see our Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's reviewer put the Luna to work adding a little vintage Marshall-type grit to a predominantly Fender-type setup, and suggested Hendrix, Eric Johnson and Michael Landau material as a natural fit, noting it also works well with an SG1.
The overall verdict was positive across the board:
- Superb distortion, drive and tonal shaping1
- Top-notch construction1
- Particularly suited to the rock-inclined1
- Reasonably priced given the quality1
Asked for reasons to avoid it, the reviewer's answer was a single word: "Nothing."1
Origins and development
Robert Keeley, the former electronics teacher who came to prominence in the early 2000s through his tone-improving modifications of other builders' pedals, began developing the Luna in 2008 and spent three years getting it off the ground. In March 2021 the Luna became available to the public21.
The Arlon Prince custom finish
Keeley also offered the Luna with a hand-made custom finish by Arlon Prince. The finish was available for C4 Compressors and Luna Overdrives at the time of the June 2023 announcement, and Keeley noted the finishes would also be available for 4 Knob Compressors and Katanas34. The Luna version was listed at $269 USD, alongside the C4 Compressor at $2993.
Because the Arlon Prince finishes are completely hand made, Keeley states there will be some minor chips and scratches on some of the enclosures3.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Keeley Luna Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's review notes that the Luna uses true-bypass switching, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through it without any active circuitry in the way. That matters on a pedalboard where several pedals sit between guitar and amp, since it helps keep the clean tone intact when the Luna is not engaged.
Who designed the Keeley Luna Overdrive?
The Luna was designed by Robert Keeley, the former electronics teacher who came to prominence in the early 2000s through his tone-improving modifications of other builders' pedals. He has described the Luna as the sum of his ideas and thoughts on overdrive and distortion.
What is the Arlon Prince custom finish on the Luna?
The Arlon Prince custom finish is a hand-made finish applied to the pedal's enclosure by Arlon Prince. Keeley offered it on the Luna Overdrive, the C4 Compressor and other models. Because the finishes are completely hand made, Keeley notes that some units carry minor chips and scratches.
How much is the Keeley Luna Overdrive with the Arlon Prince finish?
Keeley listed the Luna Overdrive with the Arlon Prince custom finish at $269 USD as of June 2023, alongside the C4 Compressor version at $299.
What kind of tone circuit does the Luna use?
The Luna uses a modified Baxandall tone circuit with separate bass and treble pots, sitting between an op-amp-driven input stage of the kind found on early Tube Screamers and a discrete FET output stage. The position of the bass and treble controls also affects perceived midrange and the character and level of the drive.
How long did Robert Keeley spend developing the Luna?
Robert Keeley began developing the Luna in 2008 and spent three years getting it off the ground, according to a Premier Guitar interview. The pedal became available to the public in March 2021.
Sources (4)
- Keeley Luna Overdrive review, MusicRadar, 2014-08-05
- Builder Profile: Keeley Electronics' Robert Keeley, Premier Guitar, 2011-10-18
- ALL NEW Arlon Prince Custom Finishes Now In Stock, robertkeeley.com (Keeley Electronics Guitar Effects Pedals), 2012-11-21
- Killer New Arlon Prince Custom Finishes Now Available, Keeley Electronics Guitar Effects Pedals, 2012-02-22
