Who we are
KARTAKOU – is a tiny team, specializing in designing and manufacturing guitar electronics: preamps, effects pedals, guitar amplifiers, etc. We create our products to bring you the best experience of playing your instrument.
The things Vasili was doing for fun as a teenager evolved into this project in 2006, the year he made his first pedal. Having graduated and worked as an engineer for a few years, he came to the thought that it was time to turn his teenage hobby into something greater. This is the story of how KARTAKOU amplification launched in 2013.
We're constantly working on designing new devices and upgrading the existing ones. Follow KARTAKOU on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for news and updates.
The things Vasili was doing for fun as a teenager evolved into this project in 2006, the year he made his first pedal. Having graduated and worked as an engineer for a few years, he came to the thought that it was time to turn his teenage hobby into something greater. This is the story of how KARTAKOU amplification launched in 2013.
We're constantly working on designing new devices and upgrading the existing ones. Follow KARTAKOU on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for news and updates.
Shipping
We ship out our devices worldwide through the International Priority Air Mail service. All paid orders are shipped the next business day, and a valid tracking number is provided with each order.
Your order will be delivered to your location by your national post operator (e.g. USPS for the USA, Australia Post for Australia, DHL for Germany, etc.).
Orders usually arrive within 2-4 weeks, and during peak seasons like New Year or Black Friday, some orders may take longer to arrive.
EU customers: Colossus and Beastbox preamps are shipped via DPD from Vilnius, LT, without additional VAT or import fees.
Your order will be delivered to your location by your national post operator (e.g. USPS for the USA, Australia Post for Australia, DHL for Germany, etc.).
Orders usually arrive within 2-4 weeks, and during peak seasons like New Year or Black Friday, some orders may take longer to arrive.
EU customers: Colossus and Beastbox preamps are shipped via DPD from Vilnius, LT, without additional VAT or import fees.
Returns
Please note that you can return your device within 14 days of receiving it. However, we cannot accept returns requested after 14 days.
Refunds will be issued using the original payment method and only for items in like-new condition. In case the items are not in like-new condition, a 30% restocking fee may be applied.
Please note that refunds may take up to one week to be processed.
Refunds will be issued using the original payment method and only for items in like-new condition. In case the items are not in like-new condition, a 30% restocking fee may be applied.
Please note that refunds may take up to one week to be processed.
I have a question
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Kartakou Colossus Tube Preamp
When the time comes, you feel the urge to let your guitar voice beyond the confines of your bedroom walls. You are looking for the perfect tone to share your message with the world and conquer new horizons, whether it's live performances or recordings.
Colossus was engineered to handle the most aggressive and adamant messages. Six tube cascades work in sequence to filter out any unnecessary junk while simultaneously magnifying every important detail.
Colossus was engineered to handle the most aggressive and adamant messages. Six tube cascades work in sequence to filter out any unnecessary junk while simultaneously magnifying every important detail.
An indecisive whisper will transform into a powerful scream, while a confident speech will turn into a bloody roar, and a palm mute will sound like the impact of a multi-ton press. Colossus will assuredly take its position in the mix and keep steady till you end your line.
Independent EQ for each channel with an additional Sweep knob for the Lead allows you to precisely tune your tone for any power amplifier and a cabinet.
When the line-in is only an option, using an IR-based cabsim will give you a feel of playing through a real guitar stack.
Independent EQ for each channel with an additional Sweep knob for the Lead allows you to precisely tune your tone for any power amplifier and a cabinet.
When the line-in is only an option, using an IR-based cabsim will give you a feel of playing through a real guitar stack.
Colossus Identities
We believe tubes hold their unique place in incalculable setup variations. With six triode sequence Colossus delivers all of the achievable gain on this Planet right to your amp.
Authentic Tubes Voltage
Don't be misled with a low-voltage Colossus power adapter. Internal voltage converter generates more than three hundred volts to reveal all tube potential.
Lead / Clean Channels
Lead channel delivers a gut-punching solid wall of gain. However, even the most aggressive guys need a recovery. Turn on Clean channel for this purpose. EQ is independent for each channel.
IR Cabsim Simulation
Colossus has an outstanding CabSim based on Impulse Response technology. Load up to four IRs into internal Flash memory to play with the feel of a real cabinet.
FX Loop
Colossus has a switchable FX loop and provides you the possibility to engage or disengage all of the devices connected to the FX Loop with one click.
Hand Built
We believe machines are good. However human beings are unbeatable. Handcrafting adds a certain feel to every assembled device. All of our creations have lots of human work.
Kartakou Amplification Colossus
Review by Rafiq Basaria
LEAD CHANNELS CONTROLS
Gain - sets the amount of distortion. Right is more, left is less.
Character - adds low spectrum to a pre-gain stage. Right is less, left is more.
Sweep - moves the tonestack emphasis to a lower or higher spectrum. Right is lower, left is higher.
Bass - sets the amount of low frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Middle - sets the amount of middle frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Treble - sets the amount of high frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Volume - sets the lead output volume. Left is less volume, right is more.
CLEAN CHANNELS CONTROLS
Bass - sets the amount of low frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Middle - sets the amount of middle frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Bright - adds idle high frequencies. Right is off, left is on.
Treble - sets the amount of high frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Volume - sets the clean output volume. Left is less volume, right is more.
Master - sets the main output volume. Left is less, right is more.
Channel switch - operates with channels. Activates Lead in the upper position and Clean in the bottom position. Inactive while the footswitch is connected.
Loop switch - operates with FX Loop. Activates Loop in the upper position and deactivates it in the bottom position. Inactive while the footswitch is connected.
IR button - selects one of four IR files to be loaded to Cabsim.
Power - main power switch. Turns on Colossus in the upper position and turns it off in the bottom position.
Gain - sets the amount of distortion. Right is more, left is less.
Character - adds low spectrum to a pre-gain stage. Right is less, left is more.
Sweep - moves the tonestack emphasis to a lower or higher spectrum. Right is lower, left is higher.
Bass - sets the amount of low frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Middle - sets the amount of middle frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Treble - sets the amount of high frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Volume - sets the lead output volume. Left is less volume, right is more.
CLEAN CHANNELS CONTROLS
Bass - sets the amount of low frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Middle - sets the amount of middle frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Bright - adds idle high frequencies. Right is off, left is on.
Treble - sets the amount of high frequencies. Right is more, left is less.
Volume - sets the clean output volume. Left is less volume, right is more.
Master - sets the main output volume. Left is less, right is more.
Channel switch - operates with channels. Activates Lead in the upper position and Clean in the bottom position. Inactive while the footswitch is connected.
Loop switch - operates with FX Loop. Activates Loop in the upper position and deactivates it in the bottom position. Inactive while the footswitch is connected.
IR button - selects one of four IR files to be loaded to Cabsim.
Power - main power switch. Turns on Colossus in the upper position and turns it off in the bottom position.
Input - 1/4 TS jack input for guitar connection.
Back Input - 1/4 TS jack input for guitar connection. Use any of these inputs for your comfort. When both front and back inputs are connected back input is left inactive.
Output - 1/4 TS jack output. Connect it to a power amplifier, USB interface whatever.
IR Output - 1/4 TS jack output. Same as Output, but with IR-based cabinet simulation. Connect it to line-in systems, mixers, USB Interfaces whatever.
Send - 1/4 TS jack output. Sends a signal to the post-preamp modulation effects like Delay, Reverb, Chorus, etc.
Return - 1/4 TS jack input. Takes back the modulated signal and routes it back to Colossus.
FSW - 1/4 TRS jack input. Connect Colossus switch here or any switching system to operate with Channels and FX Loop. Tip to Gnd connection activates Lead channel. Ring to Gnd connection activates FX Loop.
USB - USB-B interface port. Connect preamp to PC for loading files to IR cabsim. Use 24-bit 48 kHz wav files.
Back Input - 1/4 TS jack input for guitar connection. Use any of these inputs for your comfort. When both front and back inputs are connected back input is left inactive.
Output - 1/4 TS jack output. Connect it to a power amplifier, USB interface whatever.
IR Output - 1/4 TS jack output. Same as Output, but with IR-based cabinet simulation. Connect it to line-in systems, mixers, USB Interfaces whatever.
Send - 1/4 TS jack output. Sends a signal to the post-preamp modulation effects like Delay, Reverb, Chorus, etc.
Return - 1/4 TS jack input. Takes back the modulated signal and routes it back to Colossus.
FSW - 1/4 TRS jack input. Connect Colossus switch here or any switching system to operate with Channels and FX Loop. Tip to Gnd connection activates Lead channel. Ring to Gnd connection activates FX Loop.
USB - USB-B interface port. Connect preamp to PC for loading files to IR cabsim. Use 24-bit 48 kHz wav files.
Dimensions
Colossus itself has a standard 1U rack height, 115 mm deep, and 1.50 kg weight.
The footswitch dimensions are 113*61*45 mm and 0.180 kg weight. The power adapter
dimensions are 85*45*28 mm, 0.150 kg weight.
Power Adapter
Colossus comes with a DC 12V, 2A center positive power adapter. It works with any income voltage AC 100-240V, 50-60 Hz. Maximum preamp current consumption is 1,5 A.
Don't use different voltage or less output current adapters. This may damage the preamp.
Warranty
Preamp comes with a full 1-year warranty.
Colossus itself has a standard 1U rack height, 115 mm deep, and 1.50 kg weight.
The footswitch dimensions are 113*61*45 mm and 0.180 kg weight. The power adapter
dimensions are 85*45*28 mm, 0.150 kg weight.
Power Adapter
Colossus comes with a DC 12V, 2A center positive power adapter. It works with any income voltage AC 100-240V, 50-60 Hz. Maximum preamp current consumption is 1,5 A.
Don't use different voltage or less output current adapters. This may damage the preamp.
Warranty
Preamp comes with a full 1-year warranty.
Colossus Bundle
- Colossus rack preamp
- Power adapter, with customer's country power plug
- 2-button footswitch with 3-meter TRS cable
- USB cable
Colossus Shipping
We ship all our devices using the International Shipping service for all orders. Once the package reaches your country, your national post service, such as USPS for USA, Royal Mail for England, or Australian Post for Australia, will take over the delivery.
The shipping period usually takes 2-3 weeks to reach any destination. To avoid any unwanted customs expenses, we can declare your package with a low value. Please inform us if this is important to you.
EU customers: Preamps are shipped via DPD from Vilnius, LT, without additional VAT or import fees.
We ensure that Colossus is packed with utmost care and responsibility, and it comes with a valid tracking number. You can track your package's progress on 17track.net through their web or mobile app.
The shipping period usually takes 2-3 weeks to reach any destination. To avoid any unwanted customs expenses, we can declare your package with a low value. Please inform us if this is important to you.
EU customers: Preamps are shipped via DPD from Vilnius, LT, without additional VAT or import fees.
We ensure that Colossus is packed with utmost care and responsibility, and it comes with a valid tracking number. You can track your package's progress on 17track.net through their web or mobile app.