Vintage-Accurate 1970s Solid-State Maestro Echoplex Preamp
The Chase Tone Secret Preamp is a faithful recreation of the most sought-after Echoplex EP-3 preamp circuits—renowned for their ability to enhance guitar tone in subtle but powerful ways.
In the late '60s and early '70s, Echoplex tape delays transitioned from tube-based designs to solid-state models like the EP-3. While not all EP-3s were created equal—some degraded the signal or sounded lifeless—a select few became legendary for their ability to fatten tone, add harmonic complexity, and introduce a subtle phase shift that brought out musical mids and highs.
Even when the delay was bypassed, players like Page, EVH, and Gilmour noticed something special happened when their signal passed through the EP-3 preamp. That “secret sauce” became a foundational part of many iconic tones.
Over a decade ago, Kyle Chase set out to capture the magic of those legendary EP-3 units. The result is the Secret Preamp—painstakingly tuned using vintage-spec JFETs and components to deliver consistent, musical results.
Key Applications:
• Use it as a transparent boost to enhance harmonic content and touch sensitivity.
• Add depth and dimensionality—your “normal” tone, but bigger and better.
• Place it before or after an analog delay for authentic Echoplex-style coloration.
• Run it after a vintage-style fuzz to recreate the sound of a cranked amp pushing a fuzz box.
Chase Tone Secret Preamp Features
• Faithful recreation of the most desirable EP-3 solid-state preamps
• Switchable EQ voicings: Bright (early EP-3), Dark (later EP-3), and Mid (hybrid voicing)
• Works equally well at unity gain or as a subtle boost
• Vintage 1970s-spec JFETs, cherry-picked for optimal response
• Accurate vintage-value resistors and capacitors
• True Bypass switching
• Power: 9V DC
• Current Draw: 150mA
• Dimensions: 4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5"
Specs
| Type | Preamp |
| Condition | New |
| Power | 9V DC |
| Current Draw | 100mA |
| Power supply included | No |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1 year |
| Country of Origin | United States |
FREE SHIPPING
- Free shipping within Canada.
- Free shipping to the USA.
- Free shipping on international orders over 520$.
Visit the Shipping page for more.
Fast Delivery
- Canada : 1 - 2 business days
- USA : 1 - 2 business days
- Rest of the world: 3 - 5 business days.
Hassle-Free Returns
You have 45 days to test your new gear. If you choose to return it, we’ll send a full refund. It’s that simple: no bogus restocking fees or charges.
Visit the Returns page for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I tell if an item is in stock? +
Each product page shows an availability status.
• In stock items are ready to ship.
• Out of stock items are currently unavailable.
You can enter your email to be notified when an item is back in stock.
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Where are you located? +
We’re based in Blainville, Quebec, Canada.
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When will my order ship? +
Orders placed before 12 PM EST ship the same business day.
Tracking details are sent shortly after purchase.
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How much does shipping cost? +
Most orders ship free to Canada and the US.
International orders ship free on purchases over $520 CAD.
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Which shipping methods do you use? +
Orders ship via UPS Expedited by default.
For faster delivery, you can select UPS Express Saver at checkout.
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How long does shipping take? +
Typical delivery times are:
• Canada: 2–3 business days with UPS Expedited, 1 business day with UPS Express Saver
• USA: 2–3 business days with UPS Expedited, 1 business day with UPS Express Saver
• International: 3–5 business days with UPS Expedited, 2–3 business days with UPS Express Saver
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Which payment methods do you accept? +
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.
Financing options are available through Klarna and RBC PayPlan.
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Do Canadian customers pay sales tax? +
Yes. Sales tax is applied based on your province of residence:
• Alberta: 5%
• British Columbia: 5%
• Manitoba: 5%
• New Brunswick: 15%
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 15%
• Northwest Territories: 5%
• Nova Scotia: 14%
• Nunavut: 5%
• Ontario: 13%
• Prince Edward Island: 15%
• Quebec: 14.975%
• Saskatchewan: 5%
• Yukon: 5%
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Do USA customers pay import fees? +
Yes. Starting August 29, 2025, all US-bound shipments will be subject to duties, taxes, and brokerage fees.
These charges are determined by US Customs and collected by UPS at delivery.
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Do international customers pay import fees? +
Yes. International shipments may be subject to duties and taxes.
These charges are set by the destination country’s customs authority and collected by UPS at delivery.
This pedal truly has a sound that, provided you put in the context of an era-accurate rig and use it immediately before the amp, will be immediately familiar when you step on it. It's sort of like butter added to sauce: you can't point to anything beyond a little extra richness (or if you use the "bright" setting, sparkle/aggressiveness), but you wouldn't want the sauce without it, because everything coheres better once it's added. The note separation is better with this than with the Catalinbread Epoch Bias, which is slightly warmer and blurrier sounding.
The Chase Tone Pre Amp is one of my necessities for great guitar sound. In the past I used real solid state Echoplexes, now, I use the earlier tube models. This is my second Chase Tone Preamp. I have multiple pedal boards, and am trying to avoid ripping the big board apart to make a travel board for the upcoming Euro show. So, getting one of these with the fancy graphics at a great price - had to do it!
Even though I’m in the USA, dealing with this shop in Canada was smooth as could be. Highly recommended.
Pedal just wakes everything up on lower settings. Makes things richer. Of course you crank it in front of a tube amp, game on.
Super high quality and built solid. Sounds amazing for one knob amd a switch. If uou want the Echoplex preamp thing this nails it!!!
Great pedal to sweeten the tone and nice boost too!!! I use it at the end of the chain! Quick & Safe shipping!!! Thanks MOJO!!!