Keeley Electronics Level Up: Faster SMT Lines Power Record-Breaking Tube Drive Launch

At Keeley Electronics, pushing the boundaries of tone and production speed goes hand-in-hand. To keep up with unprecedented demand, Robert Keeley recently upgraded their assembly line by trading in two existing pick and place machines for Manncorp’s flagship 10-head MC388HS high-speed machines.

The upgraded MC388HS units deliver 22,000 CPH—roughly a 10% speed boost over previous models. Even better, they feature an advanced laser measurement system for tape feeder and board heights—eliminating guesswork and bypassing the wait for traditional vacuum detection.

These speed and precision upgrades couldn’t have come at a better time. Keeley Electronics recently held a high-profile presale for a special, 100-unit numbered run of their new Tube Drive pedal, featuring ultra-rare 1950s Sylvania 12AT7WA tubes—a vintage stash aging gracefully at 76 years old.

The response was staggering: Keeley achieved its highest sales velocity in company history, pulling in $1,000 a minute for 43 straight minutes until the presale sold out completely.

To meet broader demand, the shop has been running at full throttle, building 1,200 Tube Drives over an intensive three-week sprint. Each unit houses two fully loaded, highly complex circuit boards:

• The Main Board: Features Keeley’s custom switch-mode power supply, stepping up standard 9V power to an impressive 160V+.
• The Sub-Panel Board: Houses two distinct overdrive circuits, effectively giving players two pedals in one enclosure.

Thanks to the dual 10-head MC388HS high-speed pick and place machines, Keeley’s team can now populate both circuit boards simultaneously. The boost in throughput not only satisfies high-volume production runs but also opens up crucial setup time for prototyping new, cutting-edge pedal designs.

The Tube Drive lineup officially drops on September 1st, featuring two distinct versions:

• Dealer Exclusive ($449): An all-gold finish limited to 300 units, loaded with a 1987 JAN Philips 12AT7WC tube.
• Standard Edition ($399): “The Black Russian,” powered by a custom Keeley-branded Russian-made 12AX7 tube.

With rock-solid machinery and an ultra-efficient SMT floor, Keeley continues to set the standard for high-end pedal manufacturing.

“Now with the two 10-head machines, we can build both boards at once, leaving plenty of time to prototype new ideas because of the increased production speed. Many thanks to Manncorp and the incredible service team.” – Robert Keeley

For technical specifications, equipment configurations, or to schedule a live demonstration, please visit www.manncorp.com.