Takamine CTP-2 Cool Tube Acoustic Guitar Preamp / Most Current Model: Rev.6

Brand: Takamine
;Series: Cool Tube
;Model: CTP-2 Rev. 6
;String Configuration: 4, 6 or 12 string
;MPN: CTP-2
;UPC: Does not apply

Takamine CTP-2 Cool Tube Acoustic Guitar Preamp / Most Current Model: Rev.6

 

Takamine

CTP-2 Cool Tube REV. 6

Pro Series

Acoustic Guitar Preamp

Photographic and written work presented in this ad are property of AddictedToToneInc.  Any portion of its use

without permission is copyright infringement / stealing and will be reported to eBay as a violation of eBay posting regulations.

This auction is for one brand new Rev. CTP-2 unit,

the most current and up to date “ESP” version.

Will also include these items:

 1 (one) preamp removal tool.

Copy of the Original Owners Guide

The CTP-2 written tutorial

"How to get a great tone quickly with the CTP-2 preamp"

- an AddictedToToneInc exclusive!

This PreAmp is covered by

Takamine Electronics One-Year Limited Warranty

and will be sent with warranty registration card.

This warranty is applicable only to the original purchaser, it is non-transferable.

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.

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

One sure way to know that a CTP-2 Preamp may be an older or used unit is by its "POP" (Point Of Purchase) box.

The old "Tan/Green" KAMAN Corporation box has not been used since late 2009.

The Black/Blue box has not been used since early 2012 – notice there is no Distributor name on the “Black/Blue” box.

The "Black/Blue" box was an interim transitional box used while the Takamine KAMAN distributorship

was being sold and changed from the KAMAN Corp to ESP Guitars.

I only had one shipment of CTP-2 preamps shipped to AddictedToToneInc in the "Black/Blue" box and have never seen it again.

Takamine the company is unchanged, just the U.S. company in charge of Takamine product distribution has changed.

Currently there are no Point Of Purchase (POP) "glamor" boxes for any of the Takamine preamps.

I am often asked "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. 

Addicted To Tone Inc is an AUTHORIZED Repair Center for Takamine Guitars!

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Chances are if you are looking at this then your Takamine preamp needs to be replaced or

you desire a different tonality and function from your Takamine guitars electronics.

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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...

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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-2.

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-2:

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 7/16^th x 2 13/16^th 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-2

and are located in a different location on the guitars side; the mounting chassis of these preamps WILL NOT accommodate the CTP-2 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.

A custom made adapter is available for $29.95 this adapter simply plugs in and requires no modification to the guitar.

If you need one of these items notify me before purchasing so it can be included in the shipment - I ship very quickly!

This preamp is covered by the Takamine Electronics Warranty.

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Please check out my AddictedToToneInc eBay store for

other unusual hard to find and custom made items!

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Sometimes in this fast paced electronics driven world we lose touch with the “humanity”

that is represented by all of the internet listings, fax and e-mail numbers.

I am a real person; I am not just a number.

I welcome your questions and speaking with you personally.

Please feel free to call or text me at: 502-417-7991 Tonefully – Bill / addictedtotoneinc.

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I only use sturdy shipping boxes to prevent damage to the item you have purchased.

As a consumer I understand the desire to save a couple dollars whenever possible,

please understand that I have tried alternative “cheaper” shipping methods

and was not pleased with the result – to much damage!

I do not make any “extra” money on shipping.

The shipping price is calculated to include the carrier delivery fees

to your specific location and fees imposed on the item by eBay and PayPal.

 I package items VERY well and ship very promptly!

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RETURNS & SHIPPING

AddictedToToneInc does not accept returns.

The item listed in this ad is designed to improve the tone

of your Takamine guitar or for replacing a defective component.

I can help you diagnose the problem with your Takamine system.

Please contact me before you order an item you do not actually need.

AddictedToToneInc does not accept returns because of a third parties ineptitude,

specifically “repair technicians” that do not know how to properly diagnose

possible defects of the individual components used in the Takamine electronic system.

AddictedToToneInc checks each component for possible electronic defect

when the new product is received from Takamine and

verifies its working condition once again before it is shipped.

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Addresses outside the United States will be responsible for shipping fees

to be calculated specifically for individuals delivery address.

  The shipping fee does not include any tariff, import duty,

value added tax or other fee charged to an imported good by a sovereign entity.

If you are having your item delivered to a temporary living

address: Hotel, Motel, Day Suite etc. remember to notify

the front desk receiving personnel of the expected delivery.

Make sure the name listed on the package is also attached to

the establishments guest registry. If the recipients name on the

package does not match a name in the guest registry there is no

way for the establishment to know who the delivery is meant for.

Addicted To Tone Inc will only ship to an eBay approved address.

Make sure the address you have given eBay

as your shipment destination is correct and contains no mistakes.

Changes to a shipping address or the recipients name

cannot be made after an item has been purchased.

Providing the proper shipping information is the responsibility of the purchaser.

I ship very quickly, after the package has been

processed changes to the shipment cannot be made.

Cool Tube Demo Video Clips and Audio files from Brad Davis & John Jorgenson:

on http://www.takamine.com/?fa=elec_cooldemo

About the Cool Tube Preamp

http://www.takamine.com/?fa=elec_cooltube

Please refer to this Takamine site if you are unclear on how to remove your Takamine electronics from its holder:

http://www.takamine.com/?fa=elec_install

FAQ’s

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions I receive

regarding the CTP-1, CTP-2, CTP-3

and their companion components

the TriAx, Acoustic DI + Box

and 4-pin Upgraded Phantom Power jacks:

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CTP-2

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Question: How do I remove my Takamine preamp from the chassis?

Answer: It’s not too hard, this might help:

http://www.takamine.com/electronics/preamp_installation     

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Question: I have CTP-1 and on the back there are two switches. One is P.W.R and the other is HIGH .Do you know what these do?

Answer: The PWR (Power) switch allows one to keep the power on so the tube is continuously warmed up and always ready for performance - you will go through batteries a lot with this switched on. You probably don't want to do this until you are using the Takamine DI+ to provide phantom power to your CTP-1 unit.

The "High" switch gives you more gain.

The CTP-2 has a much faster warm up period (well under a minute) and features a switch marked “Artist” to keep the tube performance ready at all times. This is really a great concert feature that allows guitarists to change instruments quickly during a live performance on stage where seconds tend to feel like hour! You probably do not need it on at home…

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Question: What does REV 6 mean?

Answer: Revision 6 is the current most "improved" version.

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Question: Do I have to assemble the CTP-2 preamp myself? In one of your pictures it shows the preamp in pieces.

Answer: No assembly is required; it will come brand new in box fully assembled.

I included the dis-assembled pictures so curious people (like me) could see what they look like inside.

The disassembled model was an older CTP-2 Takamine sent me to do "experiments" with. It helps me to know the equipment inside and out!

Question: Will (high quality) rechargeable AA batteries work as efficiently as normal AA batteries in the CTP-1/CTP-2?

Answer: Yes.

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Question: Can I swap tubes in the CTP-2?

Answer: Yes, you are able to swap tubes.

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Question: How long does the 12Au7 tube last before it needs to be replaced in the CTP-2 preamp? Can I change to NOS tube when the tube is blown?

Answer: How long does the 12Au7 last? The voltage to the tube is nowhere near that of a guitar amplifier.  I would say in your lifetime you will never have to change the tube. I have been selling these units for nearly 14 years now and have never heard of anyone having tube problems...

Can you change to NOS tube, when the tube is blown – Yes. If it ever happens...

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Question: I have a Takamine EG523SC with TK4NT. I would like to replace the pickup and preamp. What alternative do you recommend as the TK4NT is no longer available?

Answer: There is no easy solution for you.

The TK4NT is a different size than the CTP-2 and all of the other current Takamine preamps.

If you just want to upgrade into a better sound you would have to first change the mounting bracket that is in your guitar, the mounting bracket that you currently have will not fit. The correct mounting bracket is a different size and shape so you would have to cut a new opening for it.

Perhaps now is a good time to upgrade guitars!

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Question: You mentioned about an RCA adapter needed for plug upgrades from TP4T and TK40 model preamps – how come that is needed?

Answer: The RCA "upgrade" is only needed for the old style preamps that plugged the guitars pickup into the preamp via a 3.5mm plug.

These 3.5mm plugs look like a miniature version of your 1/4 jack that you use to plug your guitar into an amp.

Since the CTP-2 requires an RCA style plug like you would use to plug up a VCR or DVD player you have to replace the 3.5 mm style jack.

It is a very simple modification to do, you simply cut the old style 3.5mm plug off and solder on the RCA style jack.

Ultimately it is just a different style plug, the 3.5mm jacks were kind of delicate and prone to shorting out, and the RCA jacks are much sturdier. The main reason the 3.5mm plug was used on the more economical guitar models is a manufacturing detail: they could be soldered together and then passed through the top of the guitar with no additional work making them easier and faster to use, thereby lowering the cost of each unit.

Just look inside you guitars sound hole at the back of the preamp and you can see which style you have.

Addicted To Tone has heavy duty, well shielded gold plated RCA jacks available for $6.95.

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Question: How long does the 12Au7 in the CTP-2 preamp last?

Answer: The voltage to the tube is not anywhere near what an amplifiers would be, I would say in your lifetime you would probably never have to change the tube. I have been selling these units for nearly 14 years now and have never heard of anyone having tube problems...

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Question: Is the tube in the CTP-2 replaceable?

Answer: Yes.

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Question: Does the CTP-2 unit you sell use the same electronic contacts as the factory designed pre-amp?

Answer: The CTP-2 is a Takamine factory designed preamp… Takamine uses the same mounting bracket on all of its guitars making it possible to interchange them and upgrade them quite easily. The CTP-2 preamp has a 3.5 output and two RCA style inputs for pickups. All of Takamine preamps use the same 3.5 output.

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Question: I think there is something wrong with my preamps cables – how can I check the cable when it’s inside the guitar?

Answer: The next most common problem is the 3.5 mm output plug from the preamp. These plugs have no outer protection so it is easy to short them out.

Try this: Remove the preamp from its holder and place it on top of your guitar put a cloth under it so it does not scratch the guitars surface. Now plug the input from the pickup and the output to jack so you have a fully functioning system OUTSIDE the guitar.

Put some tension on the strings, they do not have to be tuned but they will need enough to put pressure on the saddle and the pickup beneath it.

Now turn the preamp up and gently move the input and output jacks from side to side, you should be able to deduce the offending component pretty easily.

Have you or someone else ever removed your existing preamp?

A large portion of the time acoustic guitar "preamp" problems are a result of the endpin jack going bad.

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Question: I got my CTP 2 yesterday. I installed it on my guitar and it works fine when I plug it into my amp. There is one problem however. The "oper" green light stays on even when it is plugged out which means that my battery will run out if I don't remove the battery pack after each time I plug in. It also means that I won't be able to use the tuner every time that I want because the battery pack will be plugged out if I don't use my jack. Is this normal?? Do you think that the unit may be a dud?

 Please get back to me as soon as you can.

Answer: Thank you for contacting me quickly - there is no cause for alarm...

 

There is a switch on the back of the CTP-2 called the "Artist Switch" when it is engaged it keeps the CTP-2 on and warmed up constantly.  In concert this is a benefit because the guitar is ready to go at all times.  You do not want to use this feature until you get the Takamine DI box which powers the CTP-2 via the guitar cable.

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Question: Where is the “Artist” switch?

Answer: The Artist Switch is located above the RED RCA jack on the BACK of the CTP-2. It is a simple "press and release" button made of black plastic.

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Question: I have a “G” series Takamine - do I need to upgrade my whole inner cable, too? You said I need to change to a RCA male jack, but I don't know what it is.
My current preamp is connected with two cable lines from the pickup.

Answer: You do not have to change the whole inner cable, just the connectors on it. Currently your system has 2 mini male jacks – they need to be changed to 1 RCA male plug.

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Question: I currently have a CT-4B II pre amp and I would like to change to the CTP-2 - what modifications are needed to do so? Inside of my guitar are 2 cables that you can connect and disconnect from the pre amp - one for the jack and one for the pickup. The cool tube has three connections. I do not understand – help!

Answer: You would not have to modify anything. The CTP-2 has two RCA jacks: 1 RED and 1 YELLOW. The pickup you have now in your guitar plugs into the RED jack. The YELLOW input is for an auxiliary pickup like the TRiAx.

The 3.5 mm output is where you plug in your guitar jack.

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Question: Do you recommend removing the pickup from inside the guitar to do the modification to its wires, or can you just leave it where it is and run the wires out the hole in the guitar top?  If so, how do you remove the pickup?

Answer: There is enough wire to leave the pickups in place.  Usually they are wrapped together and held in one spot so you will want to "untie" the bundle so to speak.  Put a little cosmetic mirror in the sound hole and look around - you will see it.

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Question: I have a CTP-1 that uses a lot of batteries, there is no “Artist Switch” to turn off, what is going on?

Answer: 4 Things perhaps:

1) The CTP-1 was noted to go through batteries pretty quick - usually 5 -6 hours.

This was one of the first revisions made with the CTP-2 - longer battery life. Later revisions also included faster warm-up time and the addition of an “Artist Switch”.

2) Your end pin jack may be wired incorrectly or be "damaged" in such a way that the preamp/batteries are on even though the guitar is un-plugged, which normally turns the system off.

3) If nothing is technically wrong with your system you could upgrade to the 4-pin jack and start using the Takamine Acoustic DI box (which sounds great) it will power the CTP-1 externally so you do not have to use batteries.

4) On some of the early CTP-1 preamps the tuner must be turned off manually after activating, leaving the tuner on for an extended period of time will drain the batteries.

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Question: Thanks for the pictures on how to wire the RCA solder.  In the third pic it shows the two wires and the RCA male plug. 

1. Do you have to cut the ends off those two wires and strip them to the bare wire before you solder them to the RCA plug, or do you just solder them as they are?

2.  Is there a specific spot each of those wires needs to go to inside the RCA plug, or do you just solder them both to the RCA soldering port in whatever position or order?

Answer: Each of the cables have 2 wires inside 1 hot, 1 ground.  You cut the old ends off and then strip the wires to expose the two wires.  The 2 hot wires will be wired together going to the "tip" of the RCA jack.  The 2 ground wires are combined and are soldered to the "ground" of the RCA jack.  Should take about 7 - 10 minutes, pretty easy.

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Question: Does the CTP-2 have to be plugged into an amp to enjoy the sound differences?

Answer: Yes, you must be playing through an amplifier or P.A. to realize the sound quality of the CTP-2.

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Question: If I wanted to fit this into a non Takamine guitar. What would I
need to make this work?

Answer:&l Reviews (0)