Description
The Pete Cornish CC-1 Grey Series 50th Anniversary #GS/26022/G is a boutique overdrive built according to the philosophy that has made Pete Cornish a benchmark name in the world of professional effects. This specific version celebrates Cornish’s 50th anniversary and is instantly recognizable by its special gold commemorative label—a detail that adds extra allure to an already distinctive pedal.
The CC-1 originated as a completely original design rather than an evolution of a previous circuit. At its heart, the pedal employs two low-gain soft-clipping stages, preceded by a linear preamplifier with adjustable gain. Saturation kicks in progressively based on signal intensity: playing softly keeps the tone open and clean, while increasing picking dynamics gradually introduces more harmonics and saturation. It is precisely this characteristic that makes the CC-1 extremely responsive to touch and the guitar’s volume control.
More than just an overdrive, the CC-1 feels like it is directly shaping the amplifier’s response. The Gain control allows you to move from a light, natural, and transparent boost to a full, authoritative crunch, all while maintaining excellent note separation and—crucially—preserving the instrument’s original dynamics.
One of the most interesting features is the active three-band EQ. The Bass, Middle, and Treble controls allow for both cutting and boosting frequencies—with a neutral position at 12 o’clock—and operate independently of one another. This enables precise matching with various guitars, pickups, and amplifiers, or allows the pedal to serve as a genuine sound-sculpting tool.
The Volume control offers significant headroom, allowing you to perfectly match the bypassed signal level or forcefully drive the amplifier’s input. At maximum Gain and Volume settings, the circuit can deliver up to +34 dB of total boost. True to Pete Cornish tradition, the CC-1 incorporates the renowned Class A input buffer—featuring RFI suppression—and a low-impedance output designed to drive complex signal chains and long cable runs without signal loss. Each unit is built, wired, and tested to the exacting standards that define Cornish products.
The Grey Series also retains the option of powering the unit via an internal 9V battery or an external 9V DC center-negative power supply.
However, this 50th Anniversary version offers something extra: a special gold label celebrates Pete Cornish’s half-century of work, making this unit highly desirable for collectors while preserving the character and sonic quality of the original circuit.
The Pete Cornish CC-1 is not merely a gain pedal; it is a highly refined effect that responds naturally to the musician, their touch, and the instrument’s dynamics. It transitions seamlessly from an open, three-dimensional boost/crunch to heavier saturation, all while maintaining definition, balance, and the sense of control that has made Cornish pedals a benchmark for professional pedalboards.
It is a boutique piece built for real-world use on stage and in the studio, yet this rare 50th Anniversary edition—featuring the gold label—also holds special appeal for collectors.
Available from Guitar Sauce in Italy, with worldwide shipping.