Recently, I received a Takamine AccurAcoustic for repair. The unit wasn’t fully dead, but the sound was described as “off” compared to a standard and repaired AAP. There were a few distinct differences visually. The casing is impregnated plastic similar to an N4B (the gold flakes), the input jack looked different, and the weight of the unit was closer to one with a battery installed.
This preamp came from a limited series guitar. Opening it up revealed that this is an AccurAcoustic in name only — this unit is a unique variant model. I sent the photos to the guys on the “Takamine Guitars” Facebook group, and learned the board looked a bit like the Parametric preamp, but with a different front panel including the EQ/Pass switch.
So, it’s got a mainboard similar to a Parametric, a casing similar to an N4B, and the front panel of an AAP! On the technical side, the EQ portion depends on IC1 as opposed to the RC circuits in a standard AAP. There are still a handful of capacitors, of course, for power and output filtering.
Here’s an album of more photos if you’re interested.
Repair
The capacitor replacement on this unit is drop in. Desolder the old caps and put the new ones in their place. The polarity is marked on the board, which lead to a bit of a hangup — I didn’t pay enough attention and found that one of the capacitors on this unit is bipolar. I had to order some bipolar caps; they’re not something I keep on hand. It’s possible to hack together a bipolar cap from two polarized capacitors of the same value, though I recommend just doing it properly.
| Reference Designator | Capacitance | Voltage |
| Volume Board | 4.7 uF Tantalum | 16V |
| C1 | 470 uF | 16V |
| C2 | 0.47 uF | 50V |
| C3 | 10 uF | 16V |
| C4 | 10 uF BP | 16V |
If you found this page but are trying to repair the much more common AccurAcoustic model, check here instead
7 replies on “Takamine AccurAcoustic Variant Model”
I purchased a Takamine FP360sc guitar, 1993 out of Nashville, spotless on the outside looks new not your average Takamine. It says its a AccurAcoustic pre-amp. I am getting nothing out it. I am assuming its the pre-amp. Looks like the photo here with the black casing with gold flakes. I wouldn’t be able to do the repair can you???? I am out of Minnesota
I would be able to take the preamp out and send it to you if you can do the repair!
Hi Barry, I responded to the email you sent last night. Let me know if you didn’t receive my reply.
Got your email and sent a reply by email back to you. Cost is fine, payment either invoice or Paypal would be fine. Email a reply how to proceed.
Hi Bradley, I have an AccurAcoustic preamp. First the sliders only worked at certain levels, and now the EQ switch only works in PASS. would you be able to repair this? If so, what would be the cost please, and what would be the turn around time please?
Hi Hanan, you can contact me at web@sabertech.dev if you’d like to discuss having your unit repaired.
Bradley repaired my 1993 Takamine FP360sc Takamine Pre-amp. I had the variant listed on this page. Bradley was extremely easy to work with, he repaired it the day after I shipped to him and sent it back. Couldn’t be happier!!!! Thank You Bradley!!