The Keeley Synth-1 is a Keeley fuzz pedal, currently around $166.47. Close alternatives include the EarTech Earthquaker Devices Data Corrupter Modulated Monophonic and the EarthQuaker Devices Eqd-Bit. It pairs well with the Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier and the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head.
Keeley Synth-1
Keeley · pedal
The Keeley Synth-1 is a synthesizer and oscillator effect pedal from Keeley Electronics producing monophonic synthesizer-like tones from guitar input. The circuit tracks single-note guitar input and generates thick synthesized harmonic content for dramatic tonal transformation suited to experimental, electronic-influenced, and ambient music contexts.
What stands out
“the keeley synth-1 is a synthesizer and oscillator effect pedal from keeley electronics producing monophonic synthesizer-like tones from guitar input”
— from the listing
“the circuit tracks single-note guitar input and generates thick synthesized harmonic content for dramatic tonal transformation suited to experimental”
— from the listing
“Best tracking on single-note lines; complex chords produce more abstract results”
— from the community notes
“and ambient music contexts”
— from the listing
“keeley american construction is reliable”
— from the community notes
- synth
- experimental
- tracking
- electronic
- ambient
- american
- thick
- monophonic synthesizer character
Price updated Oct 25, 2026
Genres the Keeley Synth-1 is commonly used in
- Electronic
- Ambient
- Experimental
Amps that pair well with the Keeley Synth-1
Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier
Soldano
12% matchWhat Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
12% matchPRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head's own dynamic character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Pedals that stack with the Keeley Synth-1
Benson Amps Stonk BOX
Benson Amps
8% matchWhat Benson Amps Stonk BOX brings here leans toward germanium — that's worth building a pairing around
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
8% matchColorsound Power Boost's own bright character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchElectro-Harmonix Electric Mistress's lush voice goes after Keeley Synth-1 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Keeley Synth-1's own ambient character
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature
Ashdown
6% matchAshdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Carl Martin DeLayla XL
Carl Martin
5% matchCarl Martin DeLayla XL's analog warmth voice goes after Keeley Synth-1 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Keeley Synth-1's own ambient character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Carl Martin Headroom
Carl Martin
5% matchKeep Keeley Synth-1's ambient voice out front: Carl Martin Headroom goes after Keeley Synth-1 in the signal chain so its spring voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
EarTech Earthquaker Devices Data Corrupter Modulated Monophonic
Eartech
62% similarityShared character: complex chords, each note, mono synth
EarthQuaker Devices Eqd-Bit
EarthQuaker Devices
57% similarityShared character: each note, mono synth, tight tracking
EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander V2
EarthQuaker Devices
55% similarityShared character: mono synth, tight tracking
Catalinbread Octapussy
Catalinbread
42% similarityShared character: each note, mono synth, tight tracking
Warm Audio RingerBringer
Warm Audio
42% similarityShared character: mono synth, ambient
EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander
EarthQuaker Devices
92% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Keeley Synth-1 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Keeley Synth-1?+
The closest matches in character are the EarTech Earthquaker Devices Data Corrupter Modulated Monophonic, the EarthQuaker Devices Eqd-Bit, the EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander V2. Boutique upgrades: Beetronics Swarm Fuzz Harmonizer, Keeley Octa Psi, Beetronics Swarm.
What pairs well with the Keeley Synth-1?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier, PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Benson Amps Stonk BOX — What Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the Keeley Synth-1 cost?+
Around $166.47 (live listing price, updated Oct 25, 2026).