Catalinbread Epoch Pre

$159.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

1 Critic Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jun 19, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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4.0 (9)

$159.99 1 available New

$158.00 4 available Used

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Average Price: $159

High-end/Boutique

$60

$151+

Price Tier

In the Boost Effects Pedals category, Catalinbread Epoch Pre is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Step into a world of enhanced sonic possibilities with the Catalinbread Epoch Pre, a boost effects pedal that takes inspiration from the legendary EP-3 tape echo unit. More than just a preamp, this pedal brings your guitar tone to life with a rich, vibrant, and full-bodied sound that countless guitarists have cherished over the years. Designed to faithfully recreate the iconic preamp circuit, the Epoch Pre gives your sound a lift while offering modern functionality for today's musicians.

Not only does the Epoch Pre serve as a dynamic preamp, but it also acts as a pristine buffer, maintaining the integrity of your tone across long cable runs or extensive pedalboards. With dual outputs, you can easily drive two separate effects chains or amplifiers, adding versatility to your setup. The separate Boost switch is a game-changer for solos, providing that extra punch when you need it most.

Thanks to its internal power shift from 9 volts to 22 volts, the Epoch Pre delivers increased headroom and dynamic range, ensuring your performance is as expressive as possible. Whether you're looking to create a bigger guitar tone or seeking a reliable buffer, this pedal is designed to integrate seamlessly into any rig, enhancing your sound without overwhelming it.

Key Features:

Faithfully recreates the preamp circuit from the original EP-3 tape echo unit
Internal power shift from 9 volts to 22 volts for greater dynamics and headroom
Acts as both a preamp and a buffer, maintaining tone integrity
Dual outputs for driving two separate effects chains or amplifiers
Separate Boost switch for enhancing solos and dynamic playing

Product specs

Brand	Catalinbread
Model	Epoch Pre PreAmp and Buffer
Finish	Gray
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Buffer, Preamps

FAQs

What is the primary function of the Catalinbread Epoch Pre pedal?: The Catalinbread Epoch Pre is designed to replicate the preamp and buffer section of the legendary Echoplex EP-3 tape echo unit, providing a boost and tonal enhancement to your guitar signal.
Can the Catalinbread Epoch Pre be used as a standalone boost pedal?: Yes, the Catalinbread Epoch Pre can be used as a standalone boost pedal, offering a transparent boost that enhances your guitar's natural tone without altering its character.
Does the Catalinbread Epoch Pre require a specific power supply?: The Catalinbread Epoch Pre requires a standard 9V DC power supply, center-negative, which is typical for most guitar pedals.
How does the Catalinbread Epoch Pre affect my guitar's tone?: The Catalinbread Epoch Pre adds warmth and a subtle harmonic richness to your guitar's tone, enhancing clarity and presence while maintaining the original character of your instrument.
Is the Catalinbread Epoch Pre suitable for all music genres?: Yes, the Catalinbread Epoch Pre is versatile and suitable for a wide range of music genres, from rock and blues to jazz and country, due to its ability to enhance and clarify your guitar's natural tone.

Videos

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Guitar Bonedo

Catalinbread Epoch Pre - Sound Demo (no talking)

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Reviews

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PROS

Easy to use with only three knobs, user-friendly interface
Enhances amp's sound significantly, providing a notable boost and character
Functions effectively as both a boost and a preamp, offering versatility
Adds warmth and tonal expansion to the guitar's output
Impact increases with more pedals placed before it in the chain

CONS

Some units have design flaws, e.g., buffer/tone buttons switched, confusing LED lights
Customer service response may be unsatisfactory when addressing product issues
May not significantly outperform other EP style preamps, lacking the "magic" for some users
For some, the effect may seem too subtle or "vanilla" compared to expectations

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Catalinbread Epoch Pre.

Features and functionality

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The 22 volt conversion in the Catalinbread Epoch Pre is highlighted as a significant feature enhancing its performance.
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The Catalinbread Epoch Pre offers more gain and an extra knob for better control over volume and gain compared to the Xotic EP Booster and Dunlop Echoplex Preamp.
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The Epoch Bias offers more tone sculpting potential with its filter and bias options compared to the Secret Preamp's simpler toggle switch.
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Comparisons

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The Catalinbread Epoch Pre is compared to the Badgerplex and Xotic EP, with users noting a substantial improvement in sound quality over cheaper models.
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The pedal is preferred over a compressor for enhancing tonal clarity, with users replacing compressors on their boards with the Epoch Pre for this purpose.
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Users indicate that the decision between the Epoch Bias and Secret Preamp largely depends on whether you prefer a constant tone enhancer or want additional tone shaping capabilities.
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Value and pricing

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At $229, the Epoch Pre is considered steep, but users anticipate its premium parts and sound quality justify the price.
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Use cases and applications

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The pedal is particularly valued by those seeking a faithful reproduction of the EP-3 sound, indicating a niche appeal for vintage tone enthusiasts.
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Users report the pedal adds grit, functioning almost like a light overdrive at max settings, especially effective with an Epiphone 59 Les Paul.
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Users enjoy pairing the pedal with delay effects like the Way Huge Aqua Puss and TC Alter Ego x4 for a rich, layered sound.
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Many owners use the Epoch Bias at the front of their pedal chain, enhancing tone before other effects for a more dynamic sound.
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User experience

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Potential buyers express a strong interest in demos, specifically from reputable sources like Andy at PGS, to gauge the pedal's real-world performance.
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Some owners prefer the Epoch Pre for adding note clarity to delay or reverb effects without overpowering the ambient sound.
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It's reported that having both the Catalinbread Epoch Bias and Chase Tone Secret Preamp always on can act like a buffer, enhancing tone throughout the signal chain.
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Setup and maintenance

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Combining the Epoch Bias with the Thorpy FX Heavy Water is noted to create a synergistic effect, offering both solo boosts and consistent tone enhancement.
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Critic Reviews

Catalinbread Epoch Pre review on pedal-of-the-day.com

pedal-of-the-day.com

The Catalinbread Epoch Pre EP3 Preamp Buffer impresses with its ability to emulate the legendary EP-3 Echoplex preamp circuit, offering a tone that is bigger and fuller. Praised for its versatility, it enhances the sound of any pedalboard by acting as both a boost and a tone enhancer. The pedal offers excellent headroom, ensuring a clean signal with just a hint of crunch. While it might lack the excitement of its sibling, the Belle Epoch Deluxe, it shines as a subtle, yet powerful sound enhancer. A must-have for those seeking vintage tone.

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Ed O'Brien

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

Verified via Photo

In this article that discusses the process of making O'Brien's debut solo album, "Earth", he shows the pedalboard that he uses for live performances.

One of them is Catalinbread Epoch Pre which is on the right side of Boss FV-500 volume/expression pedal. Ed says this about the pedal, quotated from Pedal Crush book which in turn reposted by thekingofgear admin here:

The Epoch preamp is fantastic too; it sits right at the end of my chain, before the amp, and makes it all sound proper!

Jason Simon

Singer, Guitarist

Dead Meadow

Verified via Photo

Jason Simon had three CB Epoch pedals on his board. The Epoch Pre is one of the large Epoch pedals but has three large knobs instead of six smaller knobs. This was the board he used in San Francisco, 2023.