Chase Tone
Chase Tone Secret Preamp
- Regular Price
- $229.00
- Sale Price
- $229.00
- Regular Price
- Unit Price
- Translation missing: en.general.accessibility.unit_price_separator
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.
• 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.
• 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"
Type | Preamp |
Condition | New |
Power | 9V DC |
Current Draw | 100mA |
Power supply included | No |
Manufacturer Warranty | 1 year |
Country of Origin | United States |
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.
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.
We’re based in Blainville, Quebec, Canada.
Orders placed before 12 PM EST ship the same business day.
Tracking details are sent shortly after purchase.
Most orders ship free to Canada and the US.
International orders ship free on purchases over $520 CAD.
Orders ship via UPS Expedited by default.
For faster delivery, you can select UPS Express Saver at checkout.
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
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.
Financing options are available through Klarna and RBC PayPlan.
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%
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.
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.
0 Item(s)