Members saberry Posted February 2, 2008 Members Share Posted February 2, 2008 The Takamine I will likely be getting for my daughter is from their Japanese made naturals line and comes with the CT-4B preamp. It is my understanding that the CTP-1 Cool Tube preamp, which is only available on the higher end Taks, is interchangeable with the CT-4B. Out of curiosity I was looking online to see if the CTP-1 could be purchased separately, but have yet to find anyone who carries them. Do they need to be ordered direct from a dealer or Takamine? I don't know that she would want a different preamp, but the demo on the Takamine website is pretty impressive and it would be nice to have the option. TIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VintageToneGuy Posted February 2, 2008 Members Share Posted February 2, 2008 I love my Cool Tube Preamp in my new TC132SC. At first, I thought the tube thing was mostly hype and a selling point because whenever I see the word "warm" in relation to tone, you've got my attention. Anyway; I had a nice Takamine dread years ago with the same preamp you mentioned and I loved it also. But the CTP was not available at that time. The CTP has a blend knob for the tube where you can blend the signal through the tube as little or as much (100%) as you choose. As you turn the knob up you can actually hear things change in relation to tone (atleast I can). It's not only a slight volume increase but, having played tube amps for years now, I can hear the 'tube thing' going on and it truly 'warms' up the tone. I'm sure that you can get one through Takamine but am uncertain of anywhere else. You'll like it when you do get it I'm sure! vtg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hrcnsfan Posted February 2, 2008 Members Share Posted February 2, 2008 Saberry, I've recently been looking into replacing the preamp in my 1990 EF350MC with the new CTP-1 from Takamine. It's my understanding that after approx. 1989 or so all (or most) of the preamps for Tak's are interchangeable., You can confirm this through their website. I've had good expeience in getting replies from their techs via e-mail.Along those lines; I recently received an e-mail from them telling me that the CTP-1 will be available "later this year" and will retail for around $349. I think they are available in the UK right now. I found a website at one time where you can purchase them but with the exchange rate and shipping costs the total price was just unreasonable. I'll pass along any further info I may get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flip333 Posted February 2, 2008 Members Share Posted February 2, 2008 As an aside, I got to play one of those TC132SC models. Quite nice...didn't get to plug it in though. I hope to get to try the TC135SC with a spruce top and a 1 7/8 nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saberry Posted February 19, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 19, 2008 Saberry, I've recently been looking into replacing the preamp in my 1990 EF350MC with the new CTP-1 from Takamine. It's my understanding that after approx. 1989 or so all (or most) of the preamps for Tak's are interchangeable., You can confirm this through their website. I've had good expeience in getting replies from their techs via e-mail.Along those lines; I recently received an e-mail from them telling me that the CTP-1 will be available "later this year" and will retail for around $349. I think they are available in the UK right now. I found a website at one time where you can purchase them but with the exchange rate and shipping costs the total price was just unreasonable. I'll pass along any further info I may get. Sorry, I missed your reply before. You heard the same thing I posted in my first post - that they plan on making them available later this year. However, after talking to the owner of the local shop (an authorized Tak dealer) I was told that he can order one if I want. You just can't get themon your own yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hrcnsfan Posted February 19, 2008 Members Share Posted February 19, 2008 It'd be cool to be able to get it earlier than expected........oh, wait.........that's right, stupid dog hurt his ear and needed a $500 surgery! I guess the CTP-1 will have to wait a little longer. Good luck on your end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vardyr Posted February 19, 2008 Members Share Posted February 19, 2008 I don't want to rain on the parade here, but this looks like yet another starved-plate design that is effectively the same as a solid-state preamp with a higher price. On their site, they specify that they're feeding the tube with only 3 volts, which isn't even on the chart for any 12au7 voltage specifications that I've seen. The heat from a tube comes from the high voltage necessary to feed the tube to get that "tube sound" so they have essentially eliminated the entire purpose of including a tube in the unit. This preamp may still sound better thanks to a better circuit overall, but it's doubtful given the characteristics of a 12au7 tube running at such low voltage. Don't let marketing hype fool you into thinking the tube does anything good in this preamp. I strongly suggest searching around for information on starved-plate designs before buying anything with a tube in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saberry Posted February 19, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 19, 2008 I don't want to rain on the parade here, but this looks like yet another starved-plate design that is effectively the same as a solid-state preamp with a higher price. On their site, they specify that they're feeding the tube with only 3 volts, which isn't even on the chart for any 12au7 voltage specifications that I've seen. The heat from a tube comes from the high voltage necessary to feed the tube to get that "tube sound" so they have essentially eliminated the entire purpose of including a tube in the unit.This preamp may still sound better thanks to a better circuit overall, but it's doubtful given the characteristics of a 12au7 tube running at such low voltage. Don't let marketing hype fool you into thinking the tube does anything good in this preamp.I strongly suggest searching around for information on starved-plate designs before buying anything with a tube in it. Have you heard one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 12Pack Posted February 20, 2008 Members Share Posted February 20, 2008 saberry - I play a tak and considered interchanging my CT4-B with the tube version CTP-1 There is a dealer in Jersey who could hook you up. They are tough to find on the web as the only ones I can find are all out of the UK for whatever reason. This was about 5 or 6 months ago and I never did it because most of my money was tied up in a house move. I think I remember the price being about $189. But I could be wrong. Let me know and I'll PM you the stores number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saberry Posted February 20, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 20, 2008 Thanks. My local shop also said they could get one. I think they just have to be an authorized Takamine dealer. I did see some on UK sites, but I think they were out of stock. I still with the local shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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