Keeley Electronics Introduces Manis Overdrive

In addition to delivering a right-on-the-money version of the classic transparent overdrive – shaped by the familiar 3-knob set of “Tone,” “Drive” and “Level” controls – the Manis provides two great new tone-shaping options – each controlled by dedicated toggle switches – that vastly expand the pedal’s sonic range.

The first of these upgrades is a two-position toggle switch for selecting either germanium diodes (an essential part of the classic transparent overdrive tone) or Keeley’s carefully selected germanium transistors in the pedal’s circuitry. The two settings provide dramatically different sound and feel, adding a wonderful versatility that is missing in other Klones. Select the germanium diodes (labeled GE Diode below the toggle switch) and you’ll get the iconic Klone sound. When you flip the toggle switch up and transpose germanium diodes with germanium transistors (labeled GE Trans), you’ll instantly get increased sustain and saturation in the pedal. In this mode the Manis provides a softer attack that sounds more like a tube amp. It’s less mid-forward, more organic, and feels incredible under your fingertips.

The second major upgrade allows you to tailor your bass response with a two-position toggle switch to select either “stock” voicing or enhanced bass voicing. Wouldn’t you like to hear a little more of the natural low end from your guitar? The Manis’ bass boost switch (labeled Bass+ above the toggle switch) pushes the lower half of pedal’s response by one octave and increases the output by +3dB. It’s perfect for making single coils sound fatter, fuller, and more powerful, and addresses an age-old complaint from some Klone users who feel the original pedal is too light on low-end brawn. If you wish to stick with the traditional voicing, simply use the toggle’s lower position (labeled Stock) for a more mid-focused tone.