Everything A Mayer Fan Needs To Know About The Keeley Katana

Yup, I made a 23 minute long video talking about the Keeley Katana...
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Katana Versions
08:11 - Which Versions Mayer Uses
11:06 - How John Uses The Katana
15:33 - Answering Your Questions

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

Justin! Loved this video! You did a great job pointing out the different Katana pedals. I like your version numbering system. We've even had to switch over to your naming convention! Hahaha! Looking forward to talking with you later this week to fill in some of the missing blanks and answer questions! (I haven't found the pictures of the inside of JM's Katana darn it!) Oh! The circle K logo with my signature comes After the big circle K logo. So technically your 2.0 needs to become 2.2..... (I think) (smiley face) ;-) The mini Katana is a great clean boost, it doesn't have a charge pump to double the voltage. It clearly doesn't have more headroom, although I do recall it being set up to clip later than the bigger Katanas... For a time period, the mini far outsold the biggie version, and I decided to drop the big one for lack of interest. Well, thanks again for the video Justin. I'll try my hand at looking for those Katana Board pics! Lastly, the old Time Machine Boost pedals have an awesome Katana in them, all point to point wired. It is the Modern channel of the pedal, with the charge pump and everything! They are really nice sounding and hand made.

[@JustinJeske]

Robert thank you so much for this amazing comment!! That’s awesome my number classification system is going to work for you guys hahah! Yes I am so looking forward to our chat!!! Going to be a fantastic time!

[@TeleTonemonkey]

Did this interview ever happen, Justin? I can’t seem to find it.

[@JustinJeske]

It did, we talked for a while over Zoom, I didn’t record any of it though, just had a nice time talking and sharing stories! Robert is a wicked dude! Maybe one day I can chat with him about some stuff and share it on the channel in more of an interview/podcast form.

[@coryburns13]

Nearly every question I have personally ever had about the Katana answered in one video! Nicely done!

[@Austinomical]

Love the immense detail, Justin! Keep these coming!

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏻

[@MOXinFL]

Thanks for the guided tour down the Katana rabbit hole. 👏🏼

[@jonlaurie-beaumont9830]

I was oblivious to the current desirability of a V1 until I was considering selling mine. Really appreciate the info. Helped me decide to hold on to mine - which I bought brand new back in the day.

[@gazwilliams1629]

Loving these videos! I always thought it was a TS in the Qtron loop, now I know🙏👌

[@KRIMIXATAKATT]

Great video! Just got one (normal 2.0) and was totally confuced with all the versions. Thanks

[@kento203r]

I would love to see a video of your take of squeezed/scaled-down JM pedalboard (like 10 pedals) for us amateur JM fanboys. Thx!

[@parvesthirafi]

i agree and maybe add a more scaled down version with like 4 or 5 budget pedals for us broke JM fanboys👍

[@JustinJeske]

I am going to do a few different budget rigs! Just waiting until I am ready to actually play them for you guys too! 😎

[@kento203r]

@@JustinJeske Sounds amazing! Thx

[@RozhSeow]

Great vid again man!

[@wilson7596]

Very cool video. I own a V1 and a mini and a great tone I accidentally discovered several years ago when using super clean high headroom amps is running the V1 into the mini. Gives you an almost blackface Fender like break up tone. it pushes the lower headroom 9V mini into a cool JFET overdrive sound. Something I hadn’t planned for but I have ended up using all the time. Thanks again!

[@MeadowMartin]

Huge work! Bravo it’s a really good video

[@alexanderroy5713]

I just got a new light pink katana via your recommendation and I could not be happier. Cheers man, happy holidays!

[@JustinJeske]

So glad you love it! Happy Holidays Alex!!

[@parvesthirafi]

now this is REAL research, keep up the great work justin!!👍

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻😎

[@111ptrb]

Great video, as always. You're like a scientific with JM gear. Love your work dude...

[@karlsocasau]

Really cool ! thanks for sharing man.

[@JustinJeske]

Cheers Karl 🙏🏻

[@alextavera741]

Great Job Justin

[@afterjoe3042]

Great info as always! Word of warning for the TC, I've owned two, and the switch broke both times! Might just be bad luck. I'd probs get the Mini Katana if I was buying a boost again

[@bryangarcia662]

Behringer bought TC not long ago, there have been many reports of QC issues and parts being not-so-built-to-last since then, unfortunately...

[@pelhambluefire9130]

The full-size TC Spark is a great boost pedal that lets you tweak quite a bit.

[@skybeak9514]

You are the best at what you do. V1 boost is magic. R Keeley shouldn’t have messed with the bass response, nails the don’t trust me solo.

[@ferramirez4570]

Man I love the content

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ericwilliamson9869]

I have two spark minis and they are fantastic. Just ordered the Pink Katana so I am excited to get that next week.

[@JustinJeske]

You will really enjoy the Katana! It’s a killer clean boost!

[@ericwilliamson9869]

@@JustinJeske Quick question: what camera/lens are you using? It looks great

[@neontrain]

Have you done any videos on what kind of compression he's using? Would be really interested in that! Great video btw!

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you! And I can totally do something on Compression!!

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

The mini Katana is just fine to be fair. I typically use a compressor as an always on effect(it only comes off if I use a fuzz) and a lot of times I almost never really use a volume boost as the compressor(I like the Ego and the suhr woodshed personally) lifts up the signal enough for me.

[@HasyirIbrahim]

youre a spitting image of Jesse Williams, you guys even have the same way of talking. Sorry i just had to let that one out. but sheesh CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT. loving this brotha

[@JustinJeske]

😂😂😂 thanks bro 🙏🏻

[@MathewsGuitarWorks]

There are a ton of excellent clean boost pedals out there for reasonable money. TC spark and spark Mini are awesome, Xotic RC Boost v1 and v2, Xotic EP Boost, VHT D-boost, Greenchild Mr Boost, BBE boosta grande mini, Moore Pure Boost, JOYO Roll boost and EHX LPB1. All of these are really good options at a range of reasonable prices.

[@imgonnagetbanned]

Great video! I have a V1.0 script, waaay back from 2007... but I have been using the "Throwback White" version almost exclusively since I got it, the knob-out setting is much more usable than on my V1.0. Also keeps my "investment" safe (facetious, but seeing the prices, it might be a legit concern!!!)

[@JustinJeske]

Yeah the Throwback white is great as an everyday one!

[@castromusic1824]

I have a mini and I love it. It's amazing. I also adjust the volume on the fly on my mini with my foot it's not that hard lol

[@cvldash]

Great video !! Do you recommend mini katana for always on pedal with digital pedals like hx stomp ?

[@ChrsGuit]

The whole voltage thing makes sense. I'm relatively new to Pedal building, but in the most layman's terms possible, IF you increase the voltage, you get more low-end. The voltage hits capacitors within the pedal (essentially they function as mini "batteries" for lack of a better term), and the lower the value, the less voltage is pushed through, thus it cuts bass ... the more voltage that passes through (higher cap value) the more low end/bass/mudiness. Think of a Fuzz vs a Treble booster. They aren't incredibly different from one another in terms of circuit, however, the Treble booster cuts a bunch of bass and isn't nearly as gainy because it restricts the signal coming in with a 4.7nf capacitor immediately after the input then amplifies it. A typical mod to a T.B is installing a three way toggle with bigger capacitors right after the input stage to add varying levels of bass to the sound. You wire the in and out of the toggle where the first cap would go and put the standard 5nf cap in the center pin. Put a 10nf cap on one leg of the switch, and a 15nf on the other and now you have the original and a selectable option for two different levels of increased low end... Let's rope this back in to the Katana and the charge pump/voltage doubler... Mayer prefers the V1, and it's slightly obvious the v1 Katana adds a little "something" slightly more rounded to the tone compared to the mini... it's because the v1 is likely putting a touch more voltage through and thus adding a low end shaping to the content. Keeley made the pedal as a clean boost, so the elimination of the voltage doubler, etc was probably trying to "fix" this issue and truly make the Katana a clean boost... unaltering the sound as little as possible while still providing a boost in volume

[@hjalmarconte4926]

This was an amazing video, thank you! I respectfully disagree with you and think that the Katana is indeed worth the hype (to me at least). I have tried all different types of boost out there, but the Katana does something different ... it is transparent, but it also adds a bit of warmth to the sound, and LOTS of harmonic textures. It might be a placebo effect, but to me it is quite unique in what it does. For someone like me, playing in his Madison square bedroom, the Katana is ESSENTIAL and it stays ALWAYS ON. It pushes the amp and the other pedals, and creates an harmonic texture which is just wonderful. If I switch it off, I can really feel the difference.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

A GREAT boost pedal is the Pedal Pawn Texan Twang. I love mine and I even use it with an AC30 and it sounds awesome. It's around $250 or so.

[@jakemguitarist]

Isn’t this a treble booster? Not really in the vein of the Katana at all, more like a Rangemaster if anything. I know it’s based on the Cesar Diaz boost he did for SRV.

[@jakemguitarist]

Isn’t this a treble booster? Not really in the vein of the Katana at all, more like a Rangemaster if anything. I know it’s based on the Cesar Diaz boost he did for SRV.

[@Buf1966]

Doing the lord’s work. Thank you.

[@ChrsGuit]

So I noticed you mentioned the mini would be a good alternative to the V1 or V2, but also implied that John must not have cared for them because he has yet to use them live... In your estimation, is there really any noticeable difference in the overall sound between the different versions? Is it perhaps like a Tube Screamer where they are more or less the same circuit/ sound the same, but perhaps the components allow for a bit more boost/gain if a player wants that (like an 808 vs ts9)? Reason being, despite my being a diehard Mayer fan, I could never pay the crazy prices to get THE VERSION he uses... so I ordered the Mini (yet to arrive), THEN saw this video. My understanding of the Katana is that it's a pretty important part to pumping up the clean tone of a clean Fender style amp to make it a bit more dynamic (kinda like compression), which is something I want to do regardless of whether or not it "makes me sound like Mayer" (which honestly most pedals I've ever bought have yet to do... I was REALLY let down by the Keeley Blues Driver when i was younger and tried to cop Mayer's gear to sound like him) Would someone like me be satisfied with a mini as an alternative or perhaps end up disappointed? Keep in mind, I'm from the school of thought that buying the exact same amp, guitars, and pedals, then setting them up like an artist has them set will NOT give you their sound (learned that the hard way over the years)... SRV and John use their Tube Screamers with a lot of volume l and little bit of gain, but I have NEVER liked the way they sound used that way. I feel I can get closer to the tone they have by using a touch more gain and lower volume... I'm cool with paying $100 and taking the risk I may be disappointed but also don't want to blow $100 on a pedal that probably won't do ANYTHING to really compliment my setup... Any thoughts on that?

[@MrPaolo101]

I do love finding new guitar channels!... especially when Im looking for magical overdrives. Im already doing the Klon into 808 (or 808 into Klon), and Im looking for another drive that stacks well with these. Ive tried the JHS Angry charlie and the BB Preamp with mixed results. Ive been going through these vids and it would seem that JM loves the blues driver. Ive never thought much of the BD2 before.... Is it a must buy, or is there something else more 'interesting'? out there that you would recommend?. Thanks for the great content btw!.

[@JustinJeske]

I am in the minority I feel where I love the Keeley BD-2. It's raw, unpolished and to me fits the JM3 style super well. The Blues Breaker and/or Klon styles are overall better for the Mayer thing though in my opinion. He only really used the BD-2 for s short time, like 2005 to 2007, compared to the Klon which is 13 years and counting now.

[@MrPaolo101]

@@JustinJeske Thankyou!! Ill check one out!.

[@Diax1324]

I gotta stan the BBE Boosta Grande! My godfather used one. Amazing pedal. Guess what it does? Makes it more louder. That's all. Guess what the Katana does? Makes it more louder. That's all. Agreed on the Broadcast! John's pedal hype is insane. I can't believe I sold my Bluesbreaker for $300 and thought I did good. So many people are overpaying for gear that simply isn't worth what they're paying. The Bluesbreaker is the only thing that I'll declare *WOULD* be worth paying what people are currently charging if it weren't for the fact that Snouse exists. Replaced mine with a Snouse Blackbox classic.

[@tomyates2551]

The other (silly) thing about the knob on the side is it gets very loud very quickly. So, if you were twirling it with your shoe, you’d have to be super careful not to go too close to ten, because i find anything above 4 is way too Loud! Lol (Ps. I think the pedal is great!)

[@moose5206]

Hey Justin, in your opinion, are the newer “Outdoorsman” and “Throwback White” Katana’s considered V4? So, in theory they should have the same sound as V1, correct? (With knob pulled in).

[@isaacjinn4721]

im currently using a ckk omniboost i think im gonna save up to try that broadcast ariel posen pedal and i saw a tc spark comment on here too so im going to go the patient route and save up haha

[@JustinJeske]

You won’t be disappointed my friend!!

[@Tavares60367]

Nice video content! I have the first version would sell my to buy a good amp.

[@Dionsilberman]

Great videos you got a sub from me!

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you Dion, I really appreciate that!

[@juandanielferrer8601]

Have the tc mini boost, it’s killer

[@guitaristshawn]

I must have the V 1.2 - The knob is white inside. I got this pedal in 2013.

[@johnswendseid4278]

I have a weird question for anyone that knows. I'm experiencing some noise with the Newest edition for the normal sized Katana. Apparently this is Heterodyning or Charge pump Chatter.. Does the V1 version of the Katana also do this high pitched noise thing? I'm wondering if that might be why Mayer still uses it. Thanks!

[@mikeySHBK]

Will a preamp pedal mimic a keeley? for example the JHS Clover

[@Seriouslycantplayguitar]

So you forgot to mention the Kirkland Signature boost that JHS made for Mayer, it's two katanas in one case. You showed a pedalboard from the 2019 world tour in another video where he had two single Katanas and at the top was two more in a single enclosure so he has used 4 at once actually. Good video tho, cant believe the detail on the versions. My favorite boost is from Adventure Audio called the Power Couple, its got a 20DB clean boost and then another boost stage that can add some gain and breakup if you need or just a little level if thats all you want. One switch with a half second hold to activate the second stage, its great. Check it out!

[@JustinJeske]

I didn’t forget the Kirkland. It isn’t 2 Katana’s it’s 2 JHS prestige boosts inside (Josh confirmed this) and John does not actually use it as a boost all that much. It acts as a buffer for the end of his chain and in rather rarer circumstances he’ll throw it on. It isn’t used for the same purpose as the Katana in John’s rig at all pretty much therefore has no place in this video! If he ran a Katana at the very end of his chain from time to time I’d have mentioned it as a substitute, but he hasn’t. The Adventure Audio boost sounds cool, I’ll have to check it out!

[@Seriouslycantplayguitar]

Okay, the devil is certainly in the details here, I’m not sure how different they are but you got me. While they aren’t Katanas I think his board with 4 clean boosts is pretty neat and really shows how much he loves clean boosts and how much he loves his core tone.

[@JustinJeske]

Oh 100%! Clean boosts are very important to his rig!!

[@rickeymitchell8303]

Voltage and wattage are two different things brother. That's why I turning the voltage down can increase the headroom.

[@christopherhansford6876]

I thought John had used the TS10 for a long time as well? Not meaning to be pedantic. Very interesting and educational video.

[@aleks2194]

if he uses the katana as a leveler for the black one its almost an always on thing

[@mastermachetier5594]

Your thoughts on the broadcast ap vs the broadcast ? Seems to me the regular broadcast is an even more versatile version of the AP?

[@JustinJeske]

I haven't played the regular Broadcast so I can't really say. I know Ariel's version is supposed to have a different overall eq especially the low end character. I'm sure the regular Broadcast is a great pedal

[@mastermachetier5594]

@@JustinJeske thanks . The broadcast AP is a beautiful sounding pedal for sure. I’ve seen Ariel use it live and boy does he get a sound from his pedals

[@JustinJeske]

Ariel is the man!!!

[@gregmize01]

Imagine how many katanas have because of John's loyalty to Keeley!👍👍👍👍

[@HendryHZ]

i think john stick on the katana is just easy to step on.🤣\m/

[@danieldiaz6075]

Is the Sweetwater pink version the same circuit as the throwback white? @justinjeske

[@JustinJeske]

Yes!

[@danieldiaz6075]

Thanks, just bought a used one last night for 140

[@benink5690]

I hear a tc spark boost is even better at 1/4 the cost. But I haven't tried either lol

[@JustinJeske]

I’d say the Spark isn’t even on par with the Katana, much less better.

[@benink5690]

@@JustinJeske Do a non biased comparison. They're only like $50-60. I love Keeley btw. But I'm always trying to save $

[@ac30helix44]

An option if you don’t want to spend out ! shop.pedalparts.co.uk/product/samuraiboost

[@frankiewalnuts]

link to facebook group?

[@jusflow9182]

PedalGate - the missing Katana pictures.

[@gregcsefko]

Had a V1 Katana, Mad Prof Simble, J Rocket Archer & Korg SDD 3000 stolen from my pedalboard. I’ve never been able to afford to get them back since. I bought the Katana for under $100 at the time.

[@JustinJeske]

I’m so sorry to hear that! There sure are some crappy people in the world to take something right off someones board like that

[@martintigri9812]

Great video man!! I dont agree on that the pedal is not worth the price for being a clean boost, I own the latest version and is absolutely fantastic, my sound improved a lot, really versatile pedal and to me worth every penny. I had two boosters before and none of them added the colour this one has. So IMHO, if you can afford it, go and buy it without a doubt

[@JustinJeske]

Thank you Martin!!! Yeah totally, I should have maybe been more clear on that. Just meant if you are looking to spend the money between a few things to set yourself up nicely, if you have a good foundation already then by all means grab a V1!

[@isaacjinn4721]

is there any cheaper alternative to the katana?

[@JustinJeske]

Watch the video 😎

[@bryangarcia662]

Hi Issac, I'm just gonna copy/paste my comment from above lol, figure it might be helpful, cheers! For those looking for a Katana alternative, check out the Xotic Super Clean and Super Sweet Boosters... Both can run at 18v for more headroom and dynamics (similar to the Katana's Internal Voltage Doubler) and have really usable/powerful EQ controls on the side panel. The Super Sweet is the closest to the Katana, as it provides +20db in boost. Not as much as the Keeley, but we don't all play huge stadiums where a +30db boost might be needed. 😂 The Xotic Boosts have a "slight mid-boost" by default, but it's not exaggerated. Plus, many report the Katana "fattens up" their signal, I'm willing to bet there's a slight bump in the lower-mids with the Katana, and Keeley does play with EQ on these (see the bass EQ change Robert made for the Katana V2 that Justin details in the video).

[@mindfield9832]

Who’s John Mayor?

[@GonzaloMelo1990]

Anyone knows what is the pedal that he use for leslie tone?

[@JustinJeske]

Depends! He’s used a H&K Rotosphere, Korg G4, Strymon Lex, Neo Instruments Ventilator, the Neunaber Inspire as a seudo Leslie, and an actual Leslie 122 all on tour before! My fave is the Neo Instruments, I have the Micro Vent 122 to directly simulate the actual real Leslie 122 he used, it’s brilliant!

[@GonzaloMelo1990]

@@JustinJeske thanks!!

[@kindofblue85]

The only thing why John Mayer is still using it, is simply cuz it dose a good job and what for to change to a other one when a other clean boost is just clean boosting. That was the first real quality one in the past. To change it would be pointless…… that’s my theory about johns consistent use of the katana. John is a very practical guy and I’m sure he knows that the katana is awesome and a other boost would do the same thing. No need to change

[@benink5690]

Just like Hendrix I bet Mayer has tech's tweaking his pedals.

[@josephturnner6390]

It has nothing to do with being a fan of J.M. It has everything to do with yourself liking the pedels for the sound your looking for.Not following another person's sound.Why is everything revolved around J.M. ... the pedals sound good not because he's making it sound good but because the company's making it sound good.

[@torotrac3919]

I do not get the John Meyer love affair. I never even hear him on the radio. Not that it means anything. But, I have never heard anyone say "Wow. I just got the new John Meyer album, and it is amazing".

[@partycat2921]

I'm not a John Mayer fan, makes this video fun because he's talking about some dude and his songs like he's jesus. Don't get me wrong, I think John Mayer is good, just not a big fan.

[@stonecole4703]

K