The Keeley Monterey Rotary Fuzz Vibe is a two-channel stompbox that puts independent fuzz and modulation sections in a single pedal. The fuzz side is a silicon transistor-based circuit with octave up and down circuitry, while the modulation side offers a choice of rotary, vibe or wah, selected by a small three-way switch12. Two independent footswitches, one for the fuzz and one for the modulation, let you use either side on its own or both together1.
The pedal is named after the 1967 Monterey Pop festival in California, and Keeley released it almost 50 years after that event1. It is part of Keeley's Workstation series1, and the first batch of 125 pedals sold out, with pre-orders open for the next batch as of March 20163.
What it does: fuzz plus rotary, vibe and wah in one pedal
The Monterey produces rotary-speaker tones but also has fuzz and octave up/down circuitry, so it is considerably more than a rotary-speaker emulator4. Its two channels can be configured to give five different sounds2.
The silicon transistor-based fuzz section has Level and Fuzz knobs1. At its heart are vintage Fairchild Semiconductor transistors, moderate gain devices rather than a germanium fuzz circuit2. Guitar Interactive Magazine described the design goal:
"The fuzz channel has been designed to give you a rich, full, classic two-transistor fuzz sound that is accurate yet has a touch of smoothness added"
The fuzz also carries an Octave control. With the Depth knob turned right down, you can use the Octave effect on its own or together with the fuzz1.
An internal switch sets the effect order, so you can run the modulation before or after the fuzz1. That is a real advantage over chaining separate pedals, since the order of fuzz and modulation changes the character of both.
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen summed up the pedal's appeal as "Large sound variation in a compact pedal; Hendrix-esque tones; independent switching for fuzz and modulation"1.
The modulation modes: rotary, vibe and wah
A small three-way switch selects between the three modulation effects: rotary, vibe or wah1. Gearnews described the same switch as choosing between Vibe, Leslie and Wah3.
Rotary. The Rotary setting gives what the MusicRadar reviewer called "a tasty approximation of a rotary speaker," with Depth and Rate knobs setting the basic effect1. At minimum depth you get a cab with no rotation, so you can use the facility as a footswitchable tonal shift1.
Vibe. The Vibe effect may not use the optical circuitry of an original Uni-Vibe, but the MusicRadar reviewer found it gives a really accurate reproduction of the Uni-Vibe sound, with an expression pedal controlling speed vintage-style1.
Wah. With the Depth control turned all the way down you are in Wah Mode, where the Rate control adjusts the boosted frequency2. Nudge the Depth knob up and you get an auto wah effect that responds dynamically to pick attack1. Past the 12 o'clock point on the Depth knob you get what Keeley calls "Harmonic Wah," which the MusicRadar reviewer found is more tremolo than wah, close to vintage Fender 'brownface' harmonic tremolo1.
| Mode | What it does | Key controls |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary | Rotary speaker approximation; at minimum depth, a static cab usable as a tonal shift1 | Depth, Rate1 |
| Vibe | Uni-Vibe style effect without the original optical circuitry1 | Depth, Rate, expression pedal for speed1 |
| Wah | Fixed frequency boost; auto wah with pick attack response; Harmonic Wah tremolo past 12 o'clock12 | Rate sets frequency, Depth selects behavior12 |
The controls and expression input
The six controls on the front panel are labeled Level, Level (yes, two levels), Octave, Fuzz, Depth and Rate3. The two Level knobs serve the separate fuzz and modulation channels, each with its own footswitch13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level (fuzz) | Sets the fuzz channel's output level1 |
| Fuzz | Adjusts the fuzz level1 |
| Level (modulation) | Sets the modulation channel's level3 |
| Octave | Blends the octave up/down effect, usable alone or with fuzz1 |
| Depth | Sets modulation depth; also selects wah behavior12 |
| Rate | Sets modulation speed, or the boosted frequency in wah mode12 |
An expression pedal connected to the EXP input on the back controls the Rate of the Les Rotary and Kool Vibe settings, and the frequencies in the Harmonic Wah setting2. In wah mode, the expression pedal takes over from the Rate knob so you can sweep the frequencies, giving traditional wah functionality1.
The Monterey is not battery powered. It needs a standard 9V 100mA supply with a negative tip2.
Versions and graphics
The Monterey comes in 12 different hand-made graphic designs, selected at random, so the buyer cannot choose a specific pattern2. Gearnews reported the same: 12 different graphics, with the selection apparently made at random3. All pedals are true bypass and hand-made in the USA by Keeley3.
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Questions
Can the Keeley Monterey put the modulation before the fuzz?
Yes. An internal switch sets the effect order, so you can run the modulation section before or after the fuzz. That lets you place the rotary, vibe or wah where it works best for your setup without repatching the pedalboard.
Does the Keeley Monterey work with an expression pedal?
Yes. Plugging an expression pedal into the EXP input on the back gives you control over the Rate of the Les Rotary and Kool Vibe settings, and over the frequencies in the Harmonic Wah setting. In wah mode the expression pedal takes over from the Rate knob so you can sweep frequencies like a traditional wah.
What transistors does the Keeley Monterey fuzz use?
The fuzz is a silicon transistor-based circuit built around vintage Fairchild Semiconductor transistors. These are moderate gain devices, so it is not a germanium fuzz circuit. The result is a classic two-transistor fuzz sound that reviewers found accurate with a touch of smoothness added.
Can the Keeley Monterey run on a battery?
No. The Monterey is not battery powered. It needs a standard 9V 100mA power supply with a negative tip, so plan on a pedalboard power supply or a dedicated adapter rather than an internal battery.
Is the Keeley Monterey true bypass?
Yes. All Monterey pedals are true bypass, and they are hand-made in the USA by Keeley. With both footswitches off, the pedal passes your signal without buffering it.
Can you choose the graphic on the Keeley Monterey?
No. The Monterey comes in 12 different hand-made graphic designs, but they are selected at random, so the buyer cannot choose a specific pattern. Which one you get is a matter of luck.
Sources (4)
- Keeley Monterey Rotary Fuzz Vibe review, MusicRadar, 2016-08-14
- The Keeley Monterey An Axis For A Bold New Tone, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2016-03-31
- Keeley Monterey pedal, gearnews.com, 2016-03-27
- Best Rotary Pedals & Leslie Simulators In 2023: Compare Price And Features, Delicious Audio, 2023-02-13
