This page about Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp is a stub. You can help improve it:

Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Elevate your guitar's tonal possibilities with the Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp. Engineered for discerning musicians, this preamp is a testament to precision and versatility. It offers three distinct channels to deliver a broad tonal spectrum, from pristine cleans to saturated overdrives. Designed by Custom Audio Electronics, this preamp retains your guitar's natural warmth while adding dynamic range and clarity to your sound.

The 3+ SE stands out with its intuitive control layout, allowing for precise adjustments to each channel. This ensures that whether you're in the studio or on stage, you can dial in the perfect tone with ease. With a rugged build quality, this preamp is crafted to withstand the rigors of touring, making it a reliable companion for live performances.

Musicians will appreciate the preamp's ability to integrate seamlessly into any setup, thanks to its flexible connectivity options. Whether you're running through a traditional amp setup or a modern digital rig, the Custom Audio 3+ SE provides consistent, high-quality sound that enhances any musical style.

Key Features:

  • Three distinct channels for a wide range of tones
  • Designed by Custom Audio Electronics for premium sound quality
  • Intuitive control layout for easy tone adjustments
  • Rugged construction suitable for touring
  • Compatible with both traditional and digital setups
Kan Lyd

Kan Lyd

Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp vs CAA 3+SE

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp vs CAA 3+SE by Kan Lyd

Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp vs CAA 3+SE

Kan Lyd

Kan Lyd

Video thumbnail for CAE 3+SE - L.A. tone - Custom Audio preamp VHT 2502 by JM Shepard

CAE 3+SE - L.A. tone - Custom Audio preamp VHT 2502

JM Shepard

JM Shepard

Video thumbnail for Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Preamp. Demo Sound by Guitar Voodoo

Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Preamp. Demo Sound

Guitar Voodoo

Guitar Voodoo

Video thumbnail for Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Tube Preamp - Ch3 Direct by Hasegawa Hiroshi

Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ SE Tube Preamp - Ch3 Direct

Hasegawa Hiroshi

Hasegawa Hiroshi

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp.

Comparisons

  • The Custom Audio 3+ SE might have contributed to the Rust in Peace album, alongside amps like the 2203 and Bogner Fish, indicating its versatility and tonal depth.

    Source
  • Dave Mustaine's preference for mixing T75 and Greenback speakers highlights the tonal flexibility achievable when pairing the 3+ SE with varied speaker types.

    Source
  • The 3+ SE is favored for its ability to replicate modifications similar to Suhr's SE-100 amp, providing a comparable tonal quality in a preamp format.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 3+ SE is noted for achieving mid-forward tones with high saturation, ideal for replicating the aggressive and punchy sound of "Tornado of Souls."

    Source
  • The preamp is often slaved into Marshall power sections via tube effects return lines, enhancing its integration into complex live and studio setups.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 3+ SE was potentially used with VHT power amps, suggesting its compatibility with high-power setups for achieving complex, layered tones.

    Source
  • Owners frequently use the 3+ SE for its clean channel, which emulates a vintage Fender circuit, offering pristine clean tones alongside its higher gain channels.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Custom Audio 3+ SE's channel two and three combine Suhr's Crunch and SE mods, offering users a versatile sound palette for various musical styles.

    Source

User experience

  • The amp's compatibility with Marshall G12 Vintage speakers is critical for achieving a sound close to early Green Day recordings, emphasizing the importance of speaker matching.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via YouTube

Billie Joe's guitar tech explains how they use the Custom Audio 3+ SE Preamp at 9:19, "We only use the top two channels, our clean channel and then the mid. And we're trying to mimic a small 10 inch combo amp cranked up all the way. All the lows are cut out, all the mids are cranked up."

See how Dave Mustaine uses Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp

Dave Mustaine

Guitarist, Singer

Metallica

...
Verified via Woodytone

Used in conjunction with a VHT 2150 Power Amp in his live rig 90s era

See how Jason White uses Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp

Jason White

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via YouTube

Both Billie Joe Armstrong and Jason use this Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp. This can be seen at 19:34.

See how Peter Frampton uses Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp

Peter Frampton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Frampton

"I have a CAE 3+ pre-amp and a Marshall 100 watt as my choice of pre-amplifiers, and I also have a Leslie rotating speaker cabinet which is better known for it’s use with the Hammond organ."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Custom Audio 3+ SE Guitar Preamp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

RJM RG-16
RJM RG-16 Audio Sequencers
2
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS Effects Pedal Accessories
1
MXR M169 Carbon Copy
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Delay Effects Pedals
1
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer Equalizer Effects Pedals
1

More Guitar Preamps

Soldano X88R

$2,299.00 - $2,499.99

# 27

Rank

Chris DeGarmo Crispian Mills Hisashi Imai
5 artists using
See also: Guitar Preamps

Community setups

Similar