Takamine CTP-2 - after 6 years of waiting

Hey Howdy from Houston.. It's cold, it's raining, up North a few hours there's a few inches of snow on the ground For Mardi Gras..? Or as I read today Lombardi Gras! WHO DAT!?!?!!?

So I've owned a trusty and sometimes dusty 1990 Takamine FP-360s well since 1991. This guitar and I have been through a WHOLE LOT together. It's been on more retreats than a John Denver songbook. It was 2 or 3 weeks pay back then.. so it took me several months to pay for it.

Before I get to terribly sentimental talking about my best wooden friend for nearly 20 years.. let me tell you about the coolest development for Takamine owners maybe ever.

In 2004 Takamine came up with the "Cool Tube" Pre-Amp or CTP-1. There was absolutely NO WAY to get this without buying one of the signature models, or Nashville series guitars. I tried and tried.. to absolutely no avail. The closest I got was an email from Takamine asking me for my serial # on my guitar because I couldn't get one otherwise.

I recently got a really nice Lutehole Soundhole cover, originally intended but likely will never be needed for my Taylor 616ce.. It fits the Takamine in more ways than one.. since it's Spruce and the etched out pattern is this Oooka Hoooka Booooga looking figure.. So that made me check EBay one more time.. after 6 years for a Cool Tube Pre-Amp.

WHAT!?!?! REALLY?!!?!? Takamine SELLS the new version now...? CTP-2!?!?!?!

So I bought one.. and luckily for me it was an EXCELLENT seller Sigler Music.. and They are in Memphis..? So I had it in 2 days!

I spent a few minutes reading the instructions... 3 times.. making certain I would do it right.. and click click.. plug plug.. in 2 minutes.. it was IN.

I walk over to my music room.. plug the Line 6 POD X3 Live into the Mackie MR8's and WHOAH NELLIE!!!! This thing is Hot Rodded!!!! Va Va VOOM! Sounds barely better than the 20 year old Pre-Amp Parametric that was breaking news technology back in 1990... BUT!!! With a slight twist of the "Cool Tube" knob.. its on like Donkey Kong!!! WOW! This thing makes this 20 year old guitar sound almost alive plugged in. I couldn't believe how it sounded so I plugged in the Taylor 616ce without changing any settings..and while the Taylor plugged or unplugged has a better all around tone.. this Takamine is no longer a distant 2nd guitar... but maybe a Lead Candidate for certain hot picking songs.

Friends if you have an old Takamine or know of a good deal on one.. back 15 years ago when they made real nice guitars.. GET IT! And drop you one of these CTP-2's in it.. and JUMP BACK!