Cicognani Wembley - 12V

A modern "Brown Sound" between British spirit and Dumble touch

The Cicognani WEMBLEY was designed to capture that classic "brown" tone, blending British warmth with saturation inspired by certain Dumble amps. The idea is not to drown you in distortion but to recreate the sensation of a tube amp starting to work: natural compression, expressive mids, and a response that follows your right-hand nuances and guitar volume.

Within the Cicognani range, the WEMBLEY stands as a simple and direct solution for "amp"-style overdrive tones, with a true pedalboard approach: a robust format, musical controls, and an integrated tube to thicken the signal without losing definition.

For whom, for which styles, and in what contexts?

The WEMBLEY targets guitarists who want a tube overdrive pedal capable of going from a snappy boost to organic overdrive, without excessive gain. It suits both intermediate players seeking their first real "amp tone" and seasoned guitarists wanting a premium drive color usable in all conditions.

It excels in blues, rock, classic rock, vintage hard rock, and anything requiring expressive drive (snappy riffs, open chords, singing solos). In the studio, it records easily thanks to its balance and dynamics. Live, it works very well in front of an already warmed-up amp but can also serve as a booster to cut through the mix.

Controls, modes, and design: precise control without complication

The WEMBLEY offers a full Bass / Middle / Treble EQ to finely tailor the pedal to your guitar, pickups, and amp. The Gain and Volume controls allow you to dial in saturation and output level, whether you want to push the amp input or get a more standalone overdrive.

The BLEND switch radically changes usage: in overdrive mode, you get a straightforward, characterful drive. In clean + overdrive mode, you retain part of the clean signal (50%) to keep attack, chord clarity, and a more "open" feel under the fingers, particularly effective with single-coil pickups or for articulated rhythms.

Its 12AU7/ECC82 tube is used as a buffer at input and output: this helps the pedal better match the impedance of the guitar and the rest of the pedalboard while adding a richer harmonic texture. The design also includes an internal voltage boost circuit to exploit the tube with greater dynamics.

The sound

The WEMBLEY's sonic signature is warm, dense, and dynamic, with saturation that remains clear. You get a drive that is both "old school" and very usable: tight lows, present mids that make the guitar stand out, and adjustable highs to shift from a smooth grain to a sharper attack.

Its behavior is particularly convincing when playing with touch : it opens up when you play harder, calms down when you ease off, and responds well to the guitar's volume knob. Regarding references, Cicognani is a brand used by several renowned guitarists and musicians (notably Richard Fortus, Craig Ross, and Jon Carin), confirming the credibility of the "tone" approach focused on musicality and playing feel.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion / Overdrive / Fuzz, Overdrive	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
EQ	3 channels

Sound goal	"Brown Sound," British spirit and Dumble amp-style saturation	Max input level	500 mV
Tube	12AU7 / ECC82 (used as input and output buffer)	Max signal-to-noise ratio	60 dB
Bypass	true bypass	Dimensions	126 mm x 94 mm x 42 mm
Controls	Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, Gain	Weight	0.5 kg
BLEND switch	Overdrive (100% overdrive) / Clean + OD (50% overdrive + 50% clean)	Required power supply	12V DC, center negative
EQ frequencies	Bass 110 Hz, Middle 680 Hz, Treble 4500 Hz	Consumption	350 mA
Maximum gain	+68 dB	Recommended power supply	regulated adapter capable of providing 500 mA continuously (startup peak current can exceed 1000 mA)
Input impedance	less than 1 MOhm