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Post by markT on Apr 10, 2014 15:15:17 GMT -7
Anyone heard of these? I came across this the other night and it sounds interesting. I'm on a boost kick as of late. The Z Wreck sound great with just a little kick in the front for extra gain.... chasetone.com/secret-preamp/
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Post by Matt on Apr 10, 2014 15:36:43 GMT -7
Someone had posted about them a little while back but it never came up again.
I actually just ordered one a week or so ago but there is a bit if a back log so there is a decent wait time to receive them.
I'm thinking I'll use my strictly as a tone enhancer.
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Post by Matt on Apr 11, 2014 18:39:58 GMT -7
Apparently, my pedal is well ahead of schedule. Just got an email saying it's on its way.
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Post by markT on Apr 12, 2014 4:19:24 GMT -7
Apparently, my pedal is well ahead of schedule. Just got an email saying it's on its way. Cool deal!! Maybe mine will be here sooner too! I don't need a tone enhancer...per say. I hope it has enough boost for me. He says 'slight'...I hope that is enough. If not....30 day return is nice. Congrats on getting yours sooner than later. Can't wait to hear your opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 5:28:25 GMT -7
I am curious on this too Mark...hee hee...you GAS guy you! Wonder how similar or different this is from the Ep booster?
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Post by LT on Apr 14, 2014 15:34:25 GMT -7
Hey guys…..I have both. I've had the EP for several years, and got the Special Preamp (SP) a couple months ago. Here are some thoughts: Size/footprint - the nod goes to the EP as it's much smaller. The SP is about the same footprint as a Boss pedal. See the photo below of my board to get a sense. Build quality - I have 4 Xotic pedals and have had zero issues, so I can't nick 'em on this, but there's no denying the personal hand craftsmanship that Kyle puts into the SP. It's built with mostly hand selected NOS parts, and it's evident. For the superb attention to detail, I give the nod to the SP. Sound - These 2 pedals are really quite different in how they operate, leading to some differences in tone. At low gain settings, I slightly prefer the SP. It's built to be exactly the same circuit as a good EP-3 preamp. The EP is Xotic's nod to the EP-3, but isn't an exact copy from what I understand. The EP set at full CCW on the knobby is just above unity, then adds quite a bit of gain as you crank it. It has LOTS more gain than the SP. The SP at full CCW shuts off the sound, then at 9-10 o'clock gets to unity or just above, and maxes out the gain at 2 o'clock (slightly above unity, but you can definitely tell it's on). From 2 o'clock to full CW, the sound gets more gritty and is supposed to simulate an EP-3 that is not quite up to snuff. I use mine 'always on', at about 1 o'clock, sitting just before an Eventide TimeFactor. Bottom line, both are fine units. If you are looking to goose your Z or some pedals down the chain, the EP is probably the better choice as it has gobs more gain. If you want the subtle tone shaping of a fine tuned EP-3, you can't beat the SP. Hope this helps.
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Post by markT on Apr 14, 2014 16:33:46 GMT -7
WOW...Thanks Lou! I didn't realize the thing was so big. Not that big but bigger than I thought. I fear that it may not have as much boost as I want. I don't need gobs of boost, but that is what I'm looking for....a boost not a tone shaper, leave on all the time device. Time will tell. Thanks for the comparison and comments
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Post by LT on Apr 15, 2014 18:34:47 GMT -7
Mark…..I'm in the process of downsizing this board from what it is in the photo (24" x 17") to a Pedaltrain Jr (17" x 12"). I'm real concerned that the SP will be too big, so I may go back to the EP. I just finished a direct comparison and still slightly prefer the SP, but it's real close if I set the EP at about 9-10 o'clock.
I'm anxious to hear what you guys think about the SP.
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Post by Matt on Apr 16, 2014 8:41:10 GMT -7
Mine is in route. Hoping to get a chance to play it over the weekend.
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Post by markT on May 23, 2014 6:09:14 GMT -7
Mine is in route. Hoping to get a chance to play it over the weekend. Well, Matt?? How is it? I got a quick note from Kyle day before yesterday letting me know mine is nearing completion. Maybe it will be here next week....
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Post by Matt on May 23, 2014 11:13:11 GMT -7
I had a bit of trouble finding the best place for it. Even had to email Chase for some advice. I ended up using it last in my chain at unity with the brightest setting on. Really adds definition and clarity, almost 3D. Very nice pedal as a tone enhancer, not sure I'd use it as a booster but it could work as a light boost. My only complaint is that it's just a fairly large pedal and really wish he'd figure out a way to get it in a smaller enclosure.
I may or may not end up keeping it (leaning towards keeping) but it's certainly not because it lacks in tone or quality.
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Post by LT on May 23, 2014 15:18:11 GMT -7
I recently bought a Z Wreck and found it added too much grit to it even at lower settings on the Wreck and the Chase. I'm keeping it though…..I've sold good pedals before only to re-buy them later. Ain't doin' that with this one!
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Post by markT on Jun 8, 2014 8:17:41 GMT -7
The Secret Preamp was delivered Thursday. It's a sweet little pedal, but as I feared after reading here, not enough volume for me. It was sent back Friday. If it had more volume to kick the front end of an amp, it would have been a keeper. I own the best amps known to man...I don't need no stickin' tone enhancer!! My Caroline Icarus Boost & Klon type's are doing it for me!!
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Post by Matt on Jun 13, 2014 7:36:21 GMT -7
The longer I have this pedal the more I like it.
I don't really notice it much while playing but as soon as I turn it off the sound loses a certain shine and depth that the pedal creates.
Just wish they could fit it into a smaller enclosure like my EP booster.
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Post by trojanhov on Aug 28, 2018 11:29:30 GMT -7
Hate to bring an old thread back to life like this but I’m seriously considering the chase tone secret preamp for my board. Anyone still using theirs? Would love to hear some testimonials here. I know it’s not big in the boost dept like the EP.
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Post by Rhino on Aug 29, 2018 7:13:31 GMT -7
I just got mine from Chase (can't beat the vet's discount!). I've played it out three times and like it...but still feel I'm in the honeymoon phase. So far, so good though!
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Post by LT on Aug 29, 2018 7:22:41 GMT -7
Mine has been on my main board for the last several years. I just leave it on all the time. I like it so much I ordered another one from Kyle for my smaller board.
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Post by trojanhov on Aug 29, 2018 8:25:15 GMT -7
Mine has been on my main board for the last several years. I just leave it on all the time. I like it so much I ordered another one from Kyle for my smaller board. The hardest part is figuring out what I’m going to let go of to accommodate this pedal (it’s a power issue, not a space issue) I just put my name on the KOT list and that will likely kick off two drives (OCD + Timmy/tumnus deluxe). I’m thinking that I would have to get rid of the walrus Julia to accommodate the secret preamp. While I enjoy the Julia, it doesn’t see a whole lot of action live for me at church. If the secret preamp will help my clean and dirty sound that much, it might be worth it. Any thoughts?
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Post by LT on Aug 29, 2018 12:56:09 GMT -7
Mine has been on my main board for the last several years. I just leave it on all the time. I like it so much I ordered another one from Kyle for my smaller board. The hardest part is figuring out what I’m going to let go of to accommodate this pedal (it’s a power issue, not a space issue) I just put my name on the KOT list and that will likely kick off two drives (OCD + Timmy/tumnus deluxe). I’m thinking that I would have to get rid of the walrus Julia to accommodate the secret preamp. While I enjoy the Julia, it doesn’t see a whole lot of action live for me at church. If the secret preamp will help my clean and dirty sound that much, it might be worth it. Any thoughts? You might be able to solve your power issue by using a unit from The GigRig called The Isolator. It uses one tap off your PP2+ and gives you 4 isolated outputs. I have a couple of them and they work GREAT! They are really small and weigh nothing. They are under $100 and GigRig ships fast. Check it out.
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Post by trojanhov on Aug 29, 2018 16:30:44 GMT -7
The hardest part is figuring out what I’m going to let go of to accommodate this pedal (it’s a power issue, not a space issue) I just put my name on the KOT list and that will likely kick off two drives (OCD + Timmy/tumnus deluxe). I’m thinking that I would have to get rid of the walrus Julia to accommodate the secret preamp. While I enjoy the Julia, it doesn’t see a whole lot of action live for me at church. If the secret preamp will help my clean and dirty sound that much, it might be worth it. Any thoughts? You might be able to solve your power issue by using a unit from The GigRig called The Isolator. It uses one tap off your PP2+ and gives you 4 isolated outputs. I have a couple of them and they work GREAT! They are really small and weigh nothing. They are under $100 and GigRig ships fast. Check it out. You win. This is awesome! Still will need to sell something off. Living in SoCal ain’t cheap! But this will allow me to put my ditto back on the board and power my tuner again and take it off battery.
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Post by Rhino on Sept 4, 2018 19:50:12 GMT -7
I just got mine from Chase (can't beat the vet's discount!). I've played it out three times and like it...but still feel I'm in the honeymoon phase. So far, so good though! Another weekend of gigs and I'll simply say..."I'm hooked!" Great pedal! Really wakes up the Z-Wreck.
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Post by trojanhov on Sept 4, 2018 20:40:41 GMT -7
Awesome! Can’t wait for mine... just ordered it today!
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Post by Rhino on Sept 13, 2018 17:37:29 GMT -7
I just got mine from Chase (can't beat the vet's discount!). I've played it out three times and like it...but still feel I'm in the honeymoon phase. So far, so good though! Another weekend of gigs and I'll simply say..."I'm hooked!" Great pedal! Really wakes up the Z-Wreck. I contacted Kyle and ordered a Red Velvet Fuzz. I told him if it's half as good as the Secret Pre it'll be a hit!
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Post by trojanhov on Sept 27, 2018 21:03:14 GMT -7
It finally came!
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Post by mudman on Sept 28, 2018 7:07:23 GMT -7
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Post by trojanhov on Sept 28, 2018 7:50:38 GMT -7
I realized I need 150mA to power it appropriately after plugging it in. Even at 100mA I can tell it’s a keeper. I just ordered a current doubler and a gigrig isolator so I can appropriately power my board. I’ll give a report in the next week.
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Post by Faze on Oct 24, 2019 20:56:58 GMT -7
I just picked one of these up and tried it before my el Capistan and then at the end after everything and both ways sounded really good. I ended up just running it after everything and it really does enhance your over all tone of everything. It’s warm and 3D like. Great pedal.
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