Keeley Unveils Tube Drive, a Dual-Circuit Overdrive Pairing Real Tube Preamp With the Super Phat Mod

Robert Keeley has released the Tube Drive, a dual-function overdrive pedal that combines a genuine high-voltage 12AX7 tube preamp with the circuit behind his well-known Super Phat Mod overdrive. It’s one of the more ambitious releases from Keeley since the original Phat Mod put him on the map, aimed at guitarists who want a single pedal capable of anchoring their entire tone.

The two sides of the pedal — the tube preamp and the Super Phat Mod — can be run independently or stacked together in either order, covering a range from light, touch-sensitive boost to thick, saturated overdrive. The 12AX7 tube runs at proper high voltage for genuine valve warmth, while the Super Phat Mod contributes its own JFET-driven character, known for dynamic, transparent overdrive with rich harmonic content. Keeley says the real range shows up when the two are combined, offering everything from subtle grit to fully scorched-out lead tones.

Beyond tone-shaping, the Tube Drive is built with gigging flexibility in mind. A rear-panel remote TRS input lets players control each side of the pedal externally, with Tip assigned to the Drive circuit and Ring assigned to the Tube circuit, making it straightforward to integrate into larger pedalboard setups. The pedal accepts 9-18V center-negative power, giving players control over headroom, and switchable FX order lets users determine which circuit hits first in the signal chain.

Controls are kept simple, with per-channel Level, Tone, and Gain/Drive knobs, along with a choice between true bypass and silent buffered switching. Each unit includes a Keeley-branded 12AX7 tube that’s individually selected and broken in, housed under a custom tube shroud with a vented rear panel for airflow and long-term reliability. The pedal ships with a tube-removal tool, tube shield, and tube grommet.

Get the Keeley Tube Drive Dual Overdrive Pedal here for $399.