Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Bob Bradshaw Rack Mountable PreAmp

Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Bob Bradshaw PreAmp

Up for bid is a Custom Audio Amplifier 3+ SE “all tube” rack-mountable preamp. If you’re checking out this preamp, then you probably know what it is and how coveted a preamp it is.  It’s been the preamp Steve Lukather (and Mike Landau, Ritchie Sambora, etc.) used for most of his recording and touring years.  I bought this amp directly from my good friend & premier amp builder / rack designer, Bob Bradshaw, President of Custom Audio Electronics.

This preamp contains 3 totally independent channels.  The channels are voiced Clean, Crunch and Lead with separate Bass, Midrange, Treble, Bright Switches, Gain and Master Volumes for each channel. It also contains a separate Master foot-switchable active tube EQ stage capable of providing 17db boost or cut of deep bass and presence with a level trim!

• Channel #1 - The Clean channel is extremely warm and punchy with tons of tight low end, smooth midrange and silky highs.

• Channel #2 - The Crunch channel in itself is capable of a high gain solo sound and can also clean up to a classic slightly overdriven clean sound by rolling off the guitar volume or turning down its gain control while still retaining its warm, round tone.

• Channel #3 - The Lead channel, the highest gain channel, is not only able to clean up as well as Channel 2, but is also able to provide a rich, fat, searing overdrive with a quick attack while maintaining sensitivity to picking technique.

The preamp contains switching logic that interfaces to all popular switching controllers or to the optional footswitch.  It has low-impedance outputs with high-drive capability that will drive all power amps. It has world-wide voltage compatibility utilizing standard or European fusing. All holes are plated through the PC board to give the strength and reliability of point to point wiring.  It’s built with 1% metal film resistors, a toroid transformer and fully regulated DC tube heaters are used for the lowest noise and longest tube life.

This amp has remained in a secure rack in my smoke-free recording studio for the past 15 years.  I’ve recently disassembled my rack, and it pains me that I no longer have a need for this great preamp….hence the reason why I’m selling it.