TK40 Preamp Features

The Takamine TK40 Preamp found on G-Series guitars features volume control, bass, middle and treble frequency slider controls, EQ bypass, a Notch Filter, Tuner and a Mid Contour Switch. The preamp is switched on by plugging a standard 1/4" mono instrument cable into the endpin strap pin/jack. These last four features are described in greater detail below:

EQ Bypass: This push button enables the user to engage or defeat the EQ section. When the switch is in the depressed position, the EQ is active. Return the switch to the “up” position and the EQ circuit is bypassed. The bypass of the EQ circuit is desirable in some studio or live environments where external EQ is preferable. The user can also use this defeat switch to quickly check the results of the EQ adjustments relative to the original sound.

Notch Filter: A Notch Filter is a very special kind of EQ, an extremely narrow and deep cut of an audio frequency band. The TK-4N has a "tunable" notch filter which empowers the user to select the specific frequency band that will be affected by the notch. With this tunable notch filter the user can "surgically" remove troublesome feedback frequencies that occur due to the natural resonance of the guitar and interaction with the environment.

The notch control provides control of the center frequency of the notch effect. When the monitor or stage levels are too high, and the user hears the guitar starting to feed back, the player can engage the notch circuitry by pushing the "In/Out" button under the "Notch Filter" knob, and simply tune the filter (actually changing the center frequency of the notch) by slowly rotating the notch control until the feedback is eliminated.

Mid Contour: By pushing (activating) the Mid Contour button, the user is selecting a pre-shape EQ that emphasizes the frequencies normally found to be "desirable" in an acoustic guitar (400 Hz). With the Mid Contour button is depressed, the mid EQ is effectively controlling "nasal" tone qualities while in the up position, the mid control can add punch in upper mids or help "round off" the attack present in this frequency spectrum. The user should experiment with the button and the "Middle" control to determine their sound preference.

Tuner: The tuner in the TK40 is fully chromatic and automatic. The battery drops into the top of the preamp under the battery cover. There are "+" and "-" markings at the bottom of the compartment. Press the tuner switch to activate it. The note played is shown in the digital display. Up and down arrows will appear, when both are on and not flashing, the note is in tune. If the "up" arrow is flashing the string must be tuned higher, and if the "down" arrow is flashing the string must be tuned lower. The slower the arrow flashes, the closer the string is to being in tune to the note displayed. The tuner does not mute the output and turns off automatically after one minute. It can't be turned off manually.