Takamine Cool Tube Preamp CTP-3 Newest Version!

 


Hi Everyone! Well, I purchased a Takamine Glen Frey signature model off of EBay. I had already decided before receiving it that I wanted a Cool Tube preamp for the guitar as it comes with another preamp (which actually sounds pretty darn good). I ordered this CTP-3 right after purchasing the guitar so it would come in at the same time. After I heard the guitar with the stock preamp, I put the CTP-3 in. WOW! VAST DIFFERENCE! These things sound incredible! Unfortunately, the guitar had a cosmetic flaw that I couldn't deal with. So, I swapped the preamps back out (Easy to do with the enclosed tool from Addicted To Tone). The guitar went back for a refund. The preamp was a "no return" item. My loss is your gain as I have decided to go with a Carbon Graphite Guitar for my next guitar (I know, the dark side).
But, for those of you who are Takamine owners and have always wanted a Cool Tube Preamp (and CTP-3 is the newest version), my loss is your gain. This is a new preamp. I didn't even fill out the warranty registration card yet. I purchased for $299.00 from Addicted To Tone (an authorized dealer). You should be able to take advantage of the one year warranty while getting this gem for less! I'll even provide you with the original receipt!
Below is the full description of this preamp from Addicted To Tone. It's a far better description than I would be able to do.
The preamp came with everything (see the pics)  except the "Glamour Box". This preamp is in perfect working condition. 

The CTP-3 preamps are really hard to find right now.....and at this price, it's a steal! Grab it while you can!!



Takamine:

CTP-3 Cool Tube
Pro Series
Acoustic Guitar Preamp Also includes 1 preamp removal tool.
Also includes "How to get a great tone quickly with the CTP-3"  tutorial - an AddictedToToneInc exclusive!
Also includes reprinted CTP-3 Owners Manual.


This PreAmp includes a  Takamine Electronics One-Year Limited Warranty card. and will be sent with the warranty registration card. Preamp does not include batteries. It uses 4 AA batteries.

From Addicted to Tone: 
As you may or may not know...
Since the early 70's KAMAN Music was the sole distributer of Takamine guitars in the U.S.A.
Recently ESP Guitars and Takamine Guitars announced a partnership in which
Takamine instruments will be distributed exclusively exclusively through ESP Guitars in the U.S.A.
This new distribution partnership began in March 2015.
Because of this new chapter in American Takamine history some printed materials have yet to
be revised for the new ESP distributorship. For this reason, this sale is for preamp only
– it does not come with printed owners manual or glamour box.
For your convenience I have included this link to Takamines website:

Your CTP-2 PreAmp will be sent very carefully and safely packaged.


The CoolTube PreAmp is the first and only onboard tube preamp for acoustic guitar! The CTP-3 Cool Tube preamp produces a rich, full sound. It takes its name from innovative Takamine technology that runs its 12AU7 dual-triode vacuum tube at very low voltages.
- so low that it stays cool to the touch with variable tube tone that can be adjusted from bright and brilliant to thick and warm.
The full-range EQ section uses shelving filters to sculpt bass and treble frequencies, 
with semi-parametric shaping control over the midrange. 
A control knob adjusts the frequency from 250Hz to 5kHz, and a quick response precision onboard chromatic tuner is standard equipment. 
Other features include Mid and High cut switches for a second pickup.


Controls:
Volume
Low/Mid/High
Mid-Frequency
Cool Tube
Notch
Aux Pu Mix Volume
Aux Pu Gain
Switch Functions:
Cool Tube Standby
Tuner Power On-Off (With Mute)
Tuner Pitch Change
Notch Cut Level Select (-6Db/-1 2Db)
Main Pu Gain(Stee1 / Nylon)
Aux Pu Eq(Mid Cut/High Cut)



"What does it sound like?" The best way I can describe it is it's like the difference between playing through a good tube amp vs. a transistor amp.
The tube produces an even harmonic waveform that preserves and enhances the complex natural tone structure produced by an acoustic guitar.
 Most players use adjectives like warm, bold, natural and woody to describe it.  What is the difference between the CTP-3 and the CTP-2 preamp - do they have the same tonality?
The CTP-3 has the same great tone musicians have come to love about the CTP-2 but with an additional parametric control.  (Think of the CTP-3 as a marriage between the CTP-2 and the CT4-DX preamps.)


This preamp is designed for use in Takamine brand guitars only!
The PreAmp DOES NOT come with a mounting chassis.
The PreAmp Mounting Chassis is installed at the Takamine factory during 
the guitar manufacturing process; if your guitar does not currently have a Mounting Chassis 
installed please do not order this PreAmp as you will have no way to insert it into the guitar.
There is always "duct tape" I suppose...
~ This preamp will NOT retrofit into the electronic chassis of other guitar brands, it is designed for Takamine brand guitars only. Your Takamine guitar must have the same sized electronics to use the CTP-3. Most likely if you are looking at this, you have a similar system that has been broken or damaged in some way or perhaps desire a better tone.
Here is a PARTIAL list of Takamine preamps whose mounting chassis will accept the CTP-3: AccurAcoustic, CTP-1, CTP-2, CTP-3, CT4B, CT-4BII, CT4-DX, DSP, Graph Ex, TK-40, TK-40B, TK-40D, TP-4, TP-4T, TP-4TP, TP-E, N4B These preamps are 2 7/16th x 2 13/16th If your current preamp is not this size it will not fit.
Older Takamine preamps TV3N, TK4NT, TS-1, TS-2, PT007S, etc. are a different size and shape than the CTP-3 and are located in a different location on the guitars side; the mounting chassis of these preamps WILL NOT accommodate the CTP-3 preamp.
For those of you installing this pre-amp into your "G" series Takamine, you will have to modify the end of your pickup lead to a RCA male style jack. These High Quality Gold Plated RCA jacks are available for $8.95 if you need one.

Cool Tube Demo Video Clips and Audio files from Brad Davis & John Jorgenson: on
About the Cool Tube Preamp

Please refer to this Takamine site if you are unclear on how to remove your Takamine electronics from  your Takamine guitar.


The CTP-3 has the same great tone musicians have come to love about the CTP-2 but with an additional parametric control.  The Parametric EQ on the CTP-3 allows a musician to “zero” in on problem frequencies that are creating feedback and with pin-point surgical accuracy remove them by reducing the gain associated with the particular cycle leaving the surrounding frequencies unaltered and natural sounding. Slider style “Graphic EQs” do not offer this kind of precision. If you are currently having feedback issues I would suggest the CTP-3 instead of the CTP-2. (Think of the CTP-3 as a marriage between the CTP-2 and the CT4-DX preamps.)