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Keeley Compressor 2-Knob

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$62.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (23)

3 Critic Reviews

7 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Keeley Compressor Mini

$124.50 - $129.00

5.0 (2)

Find out who is using Keeley Compressor 2-Knob

4 community setups

13 wishlisted

60 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (46)

$62.00 49 available Used

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Average Price: $62

Standard/Professional

$50

$201+

Price Tier

In the Compressor Effects Pedals category, Keeley Compressor 2-Knob is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Experience the magic of studio-quality sound packed into a compact and easy-to-use stompbox with the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob. This musical marvel is developed by Robert Keeley, designed to deliver an exceptional compression and sustain. The precision-matched transistors and metal film capacitors ensure your guitar's tone remains impeccably clean and clear, regardless of how much you push the pedal. With its straightforward two-knob setup, this pedal is a breeze to operate, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Key Features:

Studio-grade compression and sustain
Easy-to-use two-knob setup
Precision-matched transistors and metal film capacitors for clean tone
Compact and durable design, perfect for gigging musicians
Developed by renowned pedal maker Robert Keeley

Product specs

Brand	Keeley
Model	C2 2-Knob Compressor
Finish	Custom, Silver
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Compressor Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What does the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob pedal do?: The Keeley Compressor 2-Knob pedal provides dynamic control by compressing the peaks of your guitar signal and enhancing sustain, making it ideal for achieving a balanced and polished tone.
How do the two knobs on the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob work?: The two knobs on the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob control the sustain and level. The sustain knob adjusts the amount of compression applied, while the level knob sets the output volume of the pedal.
Is the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob is well-suited for live performances, offering consistent tone and sustain enhancement, which helps maintain clarity and presence in a live mix.
Can the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob be used with bass guitars?: Yes, the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob can be used with bass guitars, providing smooth compression and sustain that enhances the bass tone without losing low-end frequencies.
Does the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob require a specific power supply?: The Keeley Compressor 2-Knob requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most guitar pedals, ensuring easy integration into existing pedalboards.

Videos

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OGguitar

Pedal Playthrough - Keeley 2-knob Compressor

OGguitar

Keeley Compressor (2 knobs) Demo - 5 songs - Uses - Aplication - Sounds - Tone

DavRuiz

Keeley Compressor 2 Knob Demo

GuitarrasXclusivas

Reviews

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PROS

Great range for tone setting, especially enhances clean tone
More diverse sound with less tweaking compared to similar pedals
Significantly quiet operation, reducing amp noise
Maintains brilliant highs, enhancing the life and color of music
Simple and easy to use, with hidden functionality for advanced tweaking
Transparent compression, suitable for various playing styles
Can be used as a clean boost effectively
Adds significant sustain and punch to the signal
No noticeable hiss, even compared to other high-end compressors
Internal pots allow for customization without external clutter

CONS

Discontinued 2-knob version limits availability
May require internal adjustments for full functionality
Some users might miss the blend knob for more control over the effect mix

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Keeley Compressor 2-Knob.

Comparisons

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The Keeley Compressor Plus is part of the Ross/Dyna Comp lineage, similar to the Walrus Deep Six and Wampler Ego.
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Several users find the Keeley Compressor 2-Knob lacking in bass and roundness compared to compressors like the Barber Tone Press and Empress Compressor II.
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Users switching from Keeley to Strymon Compadre report significantly better control and versatility, with the Compadre offering both studio and pedal-style compression modes.
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Use cases and applications

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MXR Super Comp is praised for cutting bass, slightly scooping mids, and boosting treble, ideal for humbucker pickups like those on an Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
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Using the compressor with a Shure wireless system set to -12db output might cause low output issues, even with different power supplies.
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The Keeley Compressor is noted for its effectiveness in achieving a "country squish," but struggles with dynamic shifts in live settings.
Source

Features and functionality

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Wampler Ego is favored for its blend knob and controls for sustain, tone, attack, and volume, offering more flexibility than the Keeley 2-Knob.
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Internal trim pots include an adjustable pad and attack control; stock settings are unspecified, but output often needs to be set high for unity gain.
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The Keeley Compressor's tone knob acts as a low-pass filter, limiting its ability to restore bass frequencies that it cuts.
Source

Value and pricing

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A Keeley 2-Knob or a script Dyna Comp reissue are recommended as budget-friendly choices around $75.
Source

User experience

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Users report consistent low output across multiple Keeley 2-Knob units, indicating a possible design limitation rather than isolated defects.
Source
0 0

Some users experience persistent whine when using the Keeley Compressor with non-isolated power supplies, affecting its usability in quiet or ambient settings.
Source
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Some owners find the Keeley to be too noisy for ambient pedalboards, requiring a quieter alternative like the Empress Compressor.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners recommend replacing stock P90s with Lollar or Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90s for improved tone clarity and reduced muddiness.
Source

Critic Reviews

Keeley 2 Knob Compressor Review | mjsguitar

wordpress.com

The Keeley 2-Knob Compressor impresses with its robust build and user-friendly controls. Its compact size and affordability make it an attractive choice for guitarists seeking reliable compression without breaking the bank. The pedal excels in producing a smooth attack and gentle clipping, enhancing clean tones and adding depth to distorted sounds. While the LED could be brighter and the top-mounted power socket might be inconvenient for some, these minor issues don't overshadow its overall performance. With circuitry almost identical to the pricier 4-knob version, it's a smart buy for those who don't need extensive on-the-fly adjustments.

positive

Full Review

Keeley Compressor (2 knob) | The Pedal Lab

wordpress.com

The Keeley Compressor 2-Knob is a solid pick for musicians seeking affordability with a pinch of versatility. While it may not boast the utmost transparency, it delivers adequate clarity within its price range. The two knobs, coupled with internal trim pots, offer a range of compression from subtle to squishy. For those craving precise control without the hassle of opening the pedal, the 4-knob version might be more appealing. Despite these minor limitations, the pedal provides reliable compression suitable for any setup, making it a commendable choice for budget-conscious players.

positive

Full Review

Keeley

ovnilab.com

The Keeley Compressor 2-Knob remains a favorite for many guitarists, offering a boutique take on the classic Ross/Dynacomp circuit. Its sound is punchy with a smooth action, though some low-end rolloff and noise at higher sustain settings may deter bassists. The pedal's two-knob design simplifies use but limits adjustability compared to its four-knob counterpart. Ideal for guitarists seeking strong compression and sustain, it falters as a peak limiter and may not suit all bass players. Quality construction and true bypass are pluses, but its niche appeal and absence of an LED indicator for signal threshold might not justify the price for everyone.

neutral

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 23 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

otherside

106

about 1 year ago

Too much hum

It's an really great comp and what I like the most about it is the fact that it works on bass as good as on the guitar but the hum it produces is killing me

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Funk

From Gear Setup

mx1810

340

about 11 years ago

Everything you expect from a compressor

I'll go straight to the point: are you looking for the most transparent compressor? Do you need a clean boost, or a more "compact" sound for your guitar? Do you like to play funk, country, fingerstyle and you desire evened notes along your playing? This is the right pedal for you.

Don't get fooled: Only two knobs doesn't mean less capabilities; inside the pedal there are two controls that allow you to turn up or down the Attack and the Input Signal level, just as the 4 knob edition! The stock settings are very sweet, and I didn't need to turn any of these controls, but now you know that this 2 knob version includes everything you need.

Sometimes I use this pedal as a clean boost; just turn down the Sustain knob to zero, and increase the Level amount. Wonderful, isn't it?

Finally, we all know Keleey quality. So, don't trust me: trust in years of experience and hand-made fine work. I couldn't be happier.

kaevan

300

over 10 years ago

Oh won't you take me home tonight?

This pedal adds UMPH!!! I utilize the 2 knob version simply because I'm unafraid of opening up my pedals and making adjustments to internal pots, and I didn't see the point in paying extra for more clutter to mess with up top. I tend to use guitars with lots of volume and bite, mostly humbuckers and mostly larger body guitars. I also have the interesting position of sharing my pedalboard with my bassist whom I switch instruments with. For his play-style and taste he picks up much thinner, slinkier, and lighter sounding single coil teles or strats. I've encouraged him to utilize this compressor to make up the HUGE difference in the volume and tone between these types of pickups and guitars. This compressor gets the job done and adds ridiculous amounts of sustain. For my personal tastes I only really engage it during solos if I want a tone more boost, however it has become an always on pedal whenever anything but my HH guitars goes into the rig.