Keeley Electronics is offering a special send-off to their popular Monterey fuzz pedal with the introduction of the Monterey 69 Rotary Fuzz Vibe – Custom Shop Edition Workstation. This limited-edition model serves as a final farewell to the original Monterey design, which debuted in 2016. The Monterey 69 boasts several enhancements, including a modified circuit for a wider fuzz character and a stylish two-tone black and gray exterior. However, the true innovation lies in its expanded functionality, making it a versatile tool for guitarists seeking a comprehensive range of vintage and modern tones.
Limited to just 50 units, the Monterey 69 caters to players who crave a diverse tonal palette. The core of the pedal features a meticulously recreated fuzz sound, achieved using genuine Fairchild Semiconductor transistors. This two-transistor circuit delivers a rich, full-bodied fuzz with a touch of smoothness, making it highly responsive to the dynamics of any kind of pickups.
But the depth of the pedal is its modulation section, which offers a variety of effects that range from subtle to dramatic. The “Kool Vibe” setting is great for swirling, hypnotic textures, blending phasing and tremolo effects together to create singular depth and pulse. “The “Les Rotary” setting offers a simulation of a vintage Leslie speaker. And the “Harmonic Wah” taps into the world of wah, from a fixed undulating sound to an auto-wah that responds to picked notes and chords. We advise players to try out the “harmonic/tremolo” wah setting at their own risk.
The pedal also includes an expression pedal input that allows players to manipulate the speed of their rotary or vibe effects in real-time. And for those who like to swap the order of the effects in their chain, a dedicated switch allows players to toggle between the fuzz and modulation sections of the pedal. textures.
The Keeley Monterey 69 Rotary Fuzz Vibe – Custom Shop Edition Workstation is a fitting tribute to its predecessor, and reflects Keeley’s expertise in taking a classic and making it, uh, even more classic.
