"Robert Keeley has concocted a device offering extraordinary distortion, yet he's prohibited from marketing it due to being a vaporizer for marijuana as well - an invention he can't legally sell"
In a world where guitar pedals are a dime a dozen, renowned pedal builder Robert Keeley continues to push boundaries with his latest creations. The latest issue of our website features interviews with Keeley, Zakk Wylde, Kiki Wong, and Billy Corgan, offering a glimpse into the minds of some of the industry's most innovative thinkers.
One of Keeley's most intriguing creations is the Vapor Drive Pedal, a unique device that combines an overdrive guitar pedal with a weed vape. Although it has not been released commercially, the pedal has garnered significant attention due to its innovative design.
The Vapor Drive Pedal is the first rechargeable pedal, charging at 5 volts through a USB or a standard 9-volt battery. Its distortion capabilities are said to be nothing short of amazing. However, due to legal and regulatory barriers related to tobacco and vaping products, the pedal could not be sold on major platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Reverb[1].
These laws and restrictions surrounding vaping products have effectively blocked the commercial release of the Vapor Drive Pedal, forcing Keeley to shelve the idea despite its potential appeal to guitarists and cannabis users alike[1].
Despite this setback, Keeley remains optimistic about the future of the Vapor Drive Pedal. In a recent interview, he mentioned the possibility of revisiting the project in the future[2]. Until then, fans of Keeley's work can enjoy other groundbreaking pedals such as the Octa Psi, known for its boundary-pushing capabilities.
Keeley's pedals have graced the stages of some of the biggest names in music, including John Mayer, who is known to have used the Keeley Compressor. The Keeley Compressor is one of the best-selling pedals over the decades, joining the ranks of other iconic pedals from companies like Martin, Gibson, Fender, Dunlop, and Electro-Harmonix, which have created manufacturing businesses that sustain generations of employees.
A hands-on demonstration of the Vapor Drive Pedal is highly desired, but until then, we can only imagine the potential of this innovative device. For now, Keeley continues to build pedals indefinitely, with the hope that one day, the Vapor Drive Pedal may see the light of day.
[1] Legal and regulatory barriers related to tobacco and vaping products [2] Interview with Robert Keeley, conducted for the latest issue of our website
- Robert Keeley's innovative creation, the Vapor Drive Pedal, combines an overdrive guitar pedal with a weed vape, charging through a USB or a standard 9-volt battery.
- Despite the legal and regulatory barriers surrounding vaping products, Keeley remains optimistic about the future of the Vapor Drive Pedal.
- Keeley's pedals, such as the Octa Psi and the popular Keeley Compressor, have been used by musicians like John Mayer and are ranked among the best-selling pedals over the decades, following the footsteps of pedals from renowned companies like Martin, Gibson, Fender, and Electro-Harmonix.
- The Vapor Drive Pedal, if commercially released, could potentially appeal to a wide audience of guitarists and cannabis users alike.
- A demonstration of the Vapor Drive Pedal is highly anticipated, shedding light on its unique distortion capabilities and innovative design.
