The Cicognani SPECIALE DD1959 is a dual-channel analog tube overdrive from Cicognani Engineering, inspired by what the maker calls the legendary British tone of the Marshall 1959 Plexi. Its two independent, tube-driven channels cover sounds from slight edge to super lead, aimed at everything from blues to hard rock. The pedal has been discontinued by Cicognani Engineering and was listed as sold out on the product page as of 26 October 20261.
Channels and controls
Each channel has dedicated gain and volume controls plus a complete tone stack built with low impedance technology. Channel 2 carries an extra gain stage that the maker says creates a sound richer in detail and dynamics, and the increased gain adds mild tube compression suited to shredding1.
| Channel | Gain stages | What the maker says it does |
|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 (clean) | Standard | Updated clean channel, usable with an amp or without via Rec.out1 |
| Channel 2 | Extra gain stage | Sound richer in detail and dynamics; mild tube compression suited to shredding1 |
The two channels are independent and tube-driven, offering sounds from slight edge to super lead to cover all your needs from blues to hard rock. For players comparing overdrive approaches, see Overdrive Pedals1.
Boost and FX loop
The footswitchable Boost function sits post effects loop, which the maker says allows better functionality, and it can be applied to either channel for up to +6 dB of additional level1.
The FX loop is equipped with an analog mixer that switches from series to parallel, and in parallel use, from dry to wet1.
Feature summary:
- Two independent, footswitchable tube-driven channels1
- Footswitchable Boost, up to +6 dB, applied to either channel, post FX loop1
- FX loop with analog mixer, series or parallel, dry to wet in parallel1
- Rec.out analog speaker-simulated output1
- Third clean channel via the Bypass footswitch when Rec.out is used1
Rec.out: recording and ampless use
The Rec.out jack features an analog design intended to better preserve the sound details of the built-in speaker simulator, which emulates an SM57 microphone in front of a V30 speaker in a 2x12 cabinet1. That makes the pedal usable without an amp: the maker says the newly updated clean channel allows use with an amp or without, and using the Rec.out jack turns the Bypass footswitch into a third, clean channel with preset EQ and the footswitchable Boost function1.
The SPECIALE DD1959 has been discontinued by Cicognani Engineering and the product page showed it as sold out1.
Versions
The maker describes the SPECIALE DD1959 as a marked improvement over the original design, featuring superior components and a complete redesign of many stages1.
| Original design | SPECIALE DD1959 | |
|---|---|---|
| Components | Standard | Superior components1 |
| Circuit stages | Original | Complete redesign of many stages1 |
Other pedals in the maker's range covered on this site include the Cicognani WEMBLEY, the SIMPLY MANIAC, and the Cicognani 1959 TIMEDRIVE.
Videos
Cicognani engineering
Cicognani engineering
Daniele Stefàno
Questions
Is the Cicognani SPECIALE DD1959 still made?
No. According to the product page, the pedal has been discontinued by Cicognani Engineering and was listed as sold out. Players looking for the pedal secondhand should expect limited availability, since it is no longer in production.
Does the SPECIALE DD1959 use a real tube?
Yes. Cicognani describes it as a dual-channel analog tube overdrive, and both of its channels are tube-driven, covering sounds from slight edge to super lead.
What does the Rec.out jack do on the SPECIALE DD1959?
The Rec.out jack carries an analog speaker simulator output designed to preserve sound detail. It emulates an SM57 microphone in front of a V30 speaker in a 2x12 cabinet. Using the Rec.out jack also turns the Bypass footswitch into a third, clean channel with preset EQ and the footswitchable Boost function.
How much boost does the SPECIALE DD1959 add?
The footswitchable Boost function adds up to +6 dB of additional level. It sits post effects loop so it works better in a signal chain, and it can be applied to either channel.
Can the SPECIALE DD1959 be used without an amp?
Yes. The maker says the newly updated clean channel allows use with an amp or without one, thanks to the Rec.out jack, which provides a speaker-simulated output for going direct.
Sources (1)
- SPECIALE DD 1959 (two channel overdrive) *discontinued*, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
