Chase Tone Secret Preamp

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  • Regular price $149.00


Vintage-Accurate, 1970s solid-state Maestro Echoplex Preamp!

In the 1960s and 1970s, Echoplex tape echo delay units evolved from tube based designs into solid-state designs. Notably, the EP3 model was a solid-state model and had a few variations and revisions to the circuit. A select number of EP-3 models are highly sought-after by musicians for their unique musical tone. Famous musicians of the era realized having the EP-3 in their signal altered their tone, even when the echo was bypassed. An internal secret preamp was at work here, fattening the signal, along with a slight phase shift that altered mid and high frequency harmonic content. A truly secret preamp boost in the arsenal of the great guitarists of yesteryear! But not all vintage EP-3s boosted, some dropped in signal, and some were mediocre in tone. So, over a decade ago Kyle Chase did something about it! The Chase Tone Secret Preamp uses fine-tuned circuit components to ensure proper results.

It is an authentic replica of the most sought-after, musically transparent signal-boosting Echoplex units.

Chase Tone Secret Preamp applications:

1. The Secret Preamp can provide a slight boost to a tube amp. You're in complete control of the EQ!

2. The Secret Preamp can be used as a ‘BIG 3D TONE’ : enhancing your “normal tone”.

3. Can be placed before of after an analog delay to bring vintage Echoplex tones to your chain: no need to lug a big and unreliable / noisy Echoplex!

4. Engaging the Secret Preamp after a vintage Fuzz will replicate the “cranked tube amp combined with Fuzz” tones.


Chase Tone Secret Preamp features:

• Vintage-Accurate, 1970s Solid State Maestro Echoplex Preamp.

• ‘Bright’ early EP3, ‘Dark’ later EP3 and ‘MID’ hybrid-capture EQ.

• Ideal at unity gain or as a slight boost for increased harmonic complexity and touch sensitivity.

• Vintage 1970s JFET cherry-picked to cream-of-the-crop specs.

• New production, accurate vintage spec resistors and capacitors.

• True Bypass.

• Power: 9V DC.

• Current Draw: 150mA.

• Dimensions: 4.5" X 2.5" X 1.5".

This pedal is lightly used and we'll ship it to ya safely and swiftly in its original box! Give us a shout at the shop with any questions you may have.