Custom Audio Electronics.. any love?

[Matt Fat Cat]

Thinking about the 3 channel tube preamp

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Any ideas, suggestions, complaints, praise?

 

[bongomania]

On the one hand CAE makes good stuff. Seriously pro. OTOH this preamp is clearly designed for our high-pitched six-string cousins who play "screaming leads". That's not to say it couldn't sound great on bass- it might, I don't know. But if you look at the "crunch" and "lead" channels, they are all about the guitarist. When they say "deep bass" and "tons of tight low end", bear in mind that they may be saying "...for a guitar" after each of those phrases.

I'd ask them- IME they aren't quick with emails, but they do answer their phone.

 

[JGR]

their stuff is good but pricey. i wouldn't spend that kind of $$ on something entirely designed for guitar. i think you will get mediocre results at best. why not buy a few high end bass preamps instead?

JR

 

[rockstarbassist]

their stuff is good but pricey. i wouldn't spend that kind of $$ on something entirely designed for guitar. i think you will get mediocre results at best. why not buy a few high end bass preamps instead?

JR

True, except then you need a rad amp switching system which isn't cheap either... like CAE's amp switchers!



Others here use the Mesa Boogie Quad preamp with apparently good results. Check that out too! But yeah- anything CAE is going to kick mucho behind.

 

[jokerjkny]

totally in love with a bandmate's CAE OD50. but yea, this thing doesnt seem suited for bass at all.

 

[andergtr]

totally in love with a bandmate's CAE OD50. but yea, this thing doesnt seem suited for bass at all.

you can't have it, my man.

you can ask suhr to make you another one, but i doubt he remembers the original spec by now...


john ou

 

[RAM]

There's a bass-only model listed for the same $1,890 on the website, but no link.

For that kind of money, though, you could put yourself in an Avalon VT-737sp, and possibly for less if you buy used.

 

[Husky]

On the one hand CAE makes good stuff. Seriously pro. OTOH this preamp is clearly designed for our high-pitched six-string cousins who play "screaming leads". That's not to say it couldn't sound great on bass- it might, I don't know. But if you look at the "crunch" and "lead" channels, they are all about the guitarist. When they say "deep bass" and "tons of tight low end", bear in mind that they may be saying "...for a guitar" after each of those phrases.

I'd ask them- IME they aren't quick with emails, but they do answer their phone.

John Suhr designed the 3+ and they did make a bass version that was killer. The bass player in Toto used one for many years. You can reach him at the Suhrguitars website