Cicognani Pompeii Pe 603

A legendary Italian echo, modernized for the pedalboard

The POMPEII PE603 captures the spirit of the Italian "multi-head" echoes that marked the history of vintage sounds: organic repetitions, a sense of movement, and musicality that becomes part of the playing. Here, the approach is clearly "old school" in texture but designed for modern use: pedal format, optimized sound performance, and a redesigned mix section to remain clean and stable even in demanding rigs. The core concept remains intact with head combinations modeled on the first 12 positions of the early PE603 versions.

For which guitarists and situations?

The CICOGNANI POMPEII PE603 is aimed at musicians seeking an expressive vintage delay, more alive than a "hi-fi" digital delay, while maintaining excellent control over mix and dynamics. It excels in rock, blues, surf, indie, psychedelic, and even ambient contexts when using the Swell mode to create a sound bed. In the studio, it adds immediate depth to dry takes; live, it remains clear thanks to its tube-treated dry path and strong-signal-oriented design (including in the loop).

Modes, controls, and features: a true texture machine

The POMPEII PE603 offers a "multi-head" echo architecture with a mode selector and a head selector, allowing you to switch from a dry slapback to denser repetitions, or even a vintage-style reverb. The Selector provides access to 3 worlds: Echo (60s slapback, single repeat, no feedback), Rep. (classic echo mode with head combinations and feedback), and Swell (vintage Italian reverb effect using all heads simultaneously).

The Switch selector chooses the heads and their combinations, with positions faithful to the behavior of the original machines. To add character, the Magic Of Age control simulates mechanical wear: a specific modulation acting on the delay that brings subtle (or more pronounced) flutter, making the echo "breathe." The Tone control is deliberately linked to feedback and shapes the color of the oscillations, perfect for dialing in dark and smooth repeats or, conversely, more present ones.

Regarding level, the Input Control is crucial: it determines how the echo reacts and can range from a very clean sound to slight harmonic coloration in the repeats when pushed. The Volume Echo manages a parallel mix (effect blend) designed to maintain excellent purity, and the Varispeed function adds that iconic speed variation sensation, ideal for transitions, subtle pitch effects, and musical animation of the delay.

Sound signature

The POMPEII PE603's sonic signature is a rare blend of warmth and transparency : the dry signal doesn't just "pass through," it also benefits from the 12AU7 tube, enhancing the sense of depth and responsiveness under the fingers. The repeats are rich and full, with dynamics that follow the playing (attack, pick nuances, guitar volume variations). The Rep. mode can range from a clean and musical echo to textured oscillations thanks to the feedback and tone pairing, while the Swell mode builds a more "vintage reverb" halo, dense and enveloping. This pedal is notably appreciated by musicians like Jonathan Wilson for its inspiring echo textures.

Technical specifications

Effects	Delay	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
EQ	Tone

Effect pedal	vintage multi-head echo/delay	Weight	0.7 kg
Delay time	up to 740 ms	Input impedance	less than 1 MOhm
Mix and buffer circuit	FET cascade	Input sensitivity	1 Vpp max
Modes (Selector)	Echo (slapback, no feedback), Rep. (echo with feedback), Swell (vintage reverb-type effect with all heads)	Output impedance	less than 47 kOhm
Head selection (Switch)	combinations identical to the first 12 positions of the vintage PE603	Wet Out impedance	less than 47 kOhm
Controls	Tone, Magic Of Age, Length Of Swell, Varispeed, Input Control, Volume Echo, Selector and Switch selectors	Frequency response	7 Hz to 200 kHz (+/-1 dB)
Magic Of Age	modulation simulating mechanical wear, acting on delay	Preamp signal-to-noise ratio	less than 91 dB
Tone	linked to feedback, adjusts oscillation tonal color	Wet Out	100% wet
Effect mix	up to 50%	Head delay times	874 ms, 148 ms, 222 ms, 296 ms
Input	6.35mm Jack (instrument or line level)	Varispeed	max +100% (592 ms )
Output	6.35mm Jack	Power supply	not included
Wet Out output	100% wet	Required power supply	9 to 12V DC (center negative)
"Tails" function	activatable via internal jumper (allows effect to decay after bypass, depending on setting)	Consumption	350 to 500 mA
Tube type	12AU7 (compatible with 12AU7 / ECC82)	Important	tube preheating peak current can exceed 1000 mA
Replaceable tube	can also use a 12AX7 / ECC83	Recommendation	use a regulated power supply capable of providing 12V DC with 500 mA continuous (with good startup reserve)
Dimensions	130 x 220 x 50 mm	Battery operation	no