Hiwatt Wem Copicat Boost

From Copicat to Your Pedalboard: The DNA of a Cult British Preamp

The WEM CCB-1 is inspired by the preamp section of the WEM Copicat units, those famous British tape echoes that marked the late '60s and the '70s. Beyond the "tape" repeats, many guitarists especially remembered one thing: the Copicat preamp had that grain and presence capable of transforming a signal, densifying the attack, and pushing an amp toward a more expressive crunch.

With the CCB-1, the idea is clear: isolate this preamp character and make it available as a standalone boost/preamp pedal, while preserving the spirit of the original design. The result: a pedal that doesn't aim to be just a simple "volume boost," but a true sonic signature, old-school style, ready to integrate into any modern pedalboard.

Who It's For and What It's For: From Clean Boost to Amp Front-End Driver

The WEM CCB-1 targets guitarists who want a simple, musical, and characterful boost, usable both live and in the studio. It suits beginners (with ultra-accessible controls) as well as seasoned musicians who like to optimize their gain chain and amp response.

Style-wise, it feels at home in anything that demands definition and character: blues, classic rock, brit rock, indie, stoner, but also post-rock and ambient textures when you want to add more body to the signal before delays/reverbs. Used as a solo boost, it adds projection; placed before an overdrive or fuzz, it can tighten the attack or, conversely, thicken the foundation depending on the FREQ setting.

Controls and Operation: Two Settings, Many Nuances

The philosophy of the CCB-1 is minimalist but very effective. The LEVEL potentiometer controls the output level and allows up to 21 dB of gain: perfect for increasing volume on an amp already near breakup, or for boosting saturation by pushing the input stage harder.

The FREQ control affects the low-end response. In practice, it lets you switch from a more "cutting" and focused boost (ideal for brightening a humbucker, better defining a riff, or avoiding muddiness with an amp already generous in bass) to a fuller boost (excellent for thickening single coils, reinforcing cleans, or adding more foundation to open chords). This LEVEL/FREQ interaction makes the pedal particularly useful for adapting your signal to different amps, cabinets, and guitars.

Finally, the pedal can be powered by 9V or 18V: at 18V, you typically gain headroom and a greater sense of dynamics, which is appreciated if you use the CCB-1 as a strong clean boost or want to preserve attack precision with high-output pickups.

The Sound

Expect a boost with a real personality. The CCB-1 adds a "vintage" presence and a slight preamp coloration, with a feeling of a more "alive" signal: the attack stands out, the mids find their place better, and the amp seems to respond faster under your fingers. Depending on the FREQ setting, you can either tighten the low end (more clarity, more bite) or broaden the foundation (more roundness, more density).

By pushing the LEVEL, the pedal excels at driving the input of a tube amp: you get a richer crunch, a more pleasant natural compression, and an increased sustain feel without losing your guitar's identity. It also works very well as an "always-on" pedal to add character to your base tone, or as a spot booster before a chorus, delay, or reverb to gain definition and a sense of depth.

Technical specifications

Effects	Boost, Preamp	Use	guitar
Technology	Analog	Color	Grey
Format	Pedal	Weight	0.4 kg
EQ	No	Dimensions (mm)	125 x 65 x 65
Type	sector

Effect pedal	boost/preamp	Output	6.35mm Jack (unbalanced)
Circuit	analog	Dimensions	125 x 65 x 65 mm
Maximum gain	up to 21 dB	Design	United Kingdom
Settings	LEVEL, FREQ	Manufacturing	Taiwan
Bypass	true bypass	Power supply	9V to 18V DC (center negative)
Footswitch	1	Consumption	1 mA
Input	6.35mm Jack (unbalanced)	Power adapter	not included