|
|
Failed to execute CGI : Win32 Error Code = 3 |
| Free from a music retailer near you. |
 |
Takamine TAN 16C Guitar with Cool Tube Preamp & Fishman
Loudbox Acoustic Amplifier |
Takamine TAN 16C Guitar with Cool Tube Preamp & Fishman Loudbox Acoustic Amplifier
This double review is quite a challenge! Two unusual, very classy products that marry up together in a very impressive manner! First let's look at the manufacturers respective product descriptions and specifications.
The Fishman Loudbox.
(RRP $1599)
Fishman has entered into acoustic amplification after years of producing the world’s leading acoustic pickups with the high powered Loudbox.
With a simplified design layout and headroom to spare, the Fishman Loudbox is designed to accommodate professional acoustic instrument players.
Controls include Volume, Low, Middle,High, Brilliance, Anti-Feedback, Phase Switch, Reverb, and Mute Switch.
Amp Specifications:
• Frequency Response: 100Hz - 20kHz 4dB
• Input Impedance: 10M / 68pF
• Nominal Input Level: -14dBv
• Maximum Recommended Input Level: +6dBv
• Fixed High Pass: -3dB @ 50Hz
• Bass: 10dB @ 100Hz (shelving)
• Mid: 12dB @ 1.2kHz (resonant)
• Treble: 12dB @ 10kHz (shelving)
• Brilliance: 12dB @ 10kHz (resonant)
• Notch: -14dB @ 20 - 400Hz (Hi Q resonant)
• All tone controls 1dB tolerance, all frequencies 10%
• Reverb: Equalized, medium delay, triple spring reverb
• Effects Send:
• Input Impedance: 20K
• Effects Send and Return designed for compatibility with battery operated effects processors.
• XLR out : +3dBv balanced
• Crossover Frequency : 450Hz, 3.4kHz (Tri-amplified w/electronic crossover)Speaker System:
• Woofer: 8" Treated Paper Cone
• Midrange: 4" Polypropylene Cone
• Tweeters: 2 x 1" dome, rare earth magnets, ferro fluid cooled
Takamine TAN16C guitar with cool Tube preamp. (RRP $2599 plus case $259)
The CTP-1 Cool Tube preamp introduced at the January 2004 NAMM show in Anaheim, California is the most significant development in on-board acoustic signal processing since Takamine presented the
Acoustic DSP, the industry's first on-board digital acoustic guitar preamplifier in 1998. The Takamine CTP-1 Cool Tube preamp
is an on-board acoustic- electric preamp that utilizes a 12AU7 dualtriode vacuum tube.
The CTP-1 Cool Tube preamp gets its name from Takamines unique and new technology that runs the Tube at very low voltages,
therefore the tube does not glow or produce high levels of heat. The tube actually runs at only two or three degrees above ambient, so
there is no concern over the delicate tone woods being affected by radiant heat. With the Takamine CTP-1 Cool Tube preamp, the
playing will be hot, the tone will be warm, and the tube always remains cool.
Cool Tube Features:
Takamine players will find a most useful array of features to enhance their recording or live performance applications:
• A chromatic tuner available at your fingertips keeps the guitar in tune. The tuner is capable of being calibrated from A438, to A445. An LED display reveals the note being played and directs the player with illuminated arrows that show sharp and flat.
• The EQ section utilizes a shelving, graphic EQ, which can cut or boost bass and treble frequencies. The mid range is shaped using a semi-parametric EQ section comprised of a rotary knob used to choose the mid point of the midrange frequency. The midrange frequency can be cut or boosted with the mid slider. The range of frequency covered by the rotary knob is 200hz to 8.5Khz.
• The tonality of the preamp is further enhanced by the use of the rotary knob labelled Cool Tube With this control, the player chooses the depth of effect the tube places on the signal generated by the proven Takamine Palathetic pickup. With this knob the player can choose from a high degree of CUT for aggressive strumming; expanded sweetness and harmonic density with fatter lows and rounder highs; or levels of rewarding richness for finger style players.
• An auxiliary input jack and volume knob, which can control an additional add-on pickup of your choice. This facility can accept a magnetic sound hole pickup, or a soundboard transducer. The AUX control knob is used to blend the add-on signal with the Takamine pickup. A small switch in the back of the preamp can be used to match the varying outputs of different pickups with the preamp. The output volume slider can then control the blended signal. The CTP-1 is powered by
4 AA batteries, which will deliver approximately 24 hours of playing time.
OK! As you can see, this is one versatile preamp, but first let's look at the Fishman unit. This 490mm. H x 395mm. W x 350mm. D Box delivers a triamped160 Watts of power to the Bass speaker, 60 Watts to the midrange cone and 30 Watts to the speaker. That's 250 Watts all up giving heaps of head room. The T bar on the back allows three different set up angles to suit any stage situation. Although this is a very compact box at 25 Kgs.for 250 Watts it's a little awkward to carry because of it's cubic shape.
I put two of my acoustics and a new Takamine cool tube classic through the Fishman before I received the Takamine 16C and they all came up bright and juicy. While the front panel is simple with one input, volume, low, mid, high, brilliance, anti feedback and reverb controls they work well and cover the range.
The anti feedback control really works! Used in conjunction with the phase button the anti feedback pot helps eliminate the first feedback frequency; the air resonance of the guitar, usually around low G# on most acoustics and the phase switch further helps by reducing feedback in the second resonant mode, the top plate resonance. You can stand in front of the amp and really turn on the juice without feedback once set up- very impressive!
The unit is very quiet and all controls are very effective rather than over done like so many and once set up for a particular instrument, you can relax, without fear of feedback.
The Takamine TAN 16C is an all solid wood (Rosewood back and sides) cutaway guitar typical of Takamine build quality. Unplugged the guitar works well but it's a guitar that's at it's best amped up. The 12AU7 valve is run on low voltage and can be blended in to suit different playing styles and dynamics and offering that lovely valve warmth and compression to the typical harsh nature of an acoustic with under saddle bug. Again, the tone controls work well without being "in your face" and beside the cool tube blend is a blend pot for an extra pickup such as a magnetic sound hole unit. below all that and the Eq controls is a neat chromatic on board tuner.
Both these products should find a well deserved place amongst acoustic gig players.