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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1320276083' post='1424857'] What's with the Fender look-a-like? All the classic live footage I remember and just confirmed on YouTube has him playing an Ibanez Musician Bass. [/quote] In their heyday I took quite a bit of notice to Big Country and the way the bass fits in. He's quite unique is Tony. Don't recall an Ibanez Musician bass being used much if at all - are you sure it's not an Aria SB Series? That's usually the bass shown on the first album tracks. Think on Steeltown he went to Precision and stayed there for a while. Always used Trace Elliot though, I think he was one of the early adopters along with Leeroy from Bow Wow Wow, another fab bassist.

I gigged a Trace AH250 into an 8 ohm 4x10 quite happily with the volume somewhere around 3 or 4 clicks from off. It also had plenty more to give. Nowadays for some reason I wouldn't easily entertain a 250w amp. I also think there is something missing from Class D amps but other times I'm not sure the difference isn't just 'different day' syndrome.

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1319110030' post='1409958'] In thinking about a response to this thread, I realised I had forgotten an amp which I had. Amp wise, I've just got a new one, but read on. From around 1986 or so to around 1996 I had a Trace Elliot AH250 and either a 1048 or a 1518. Loved the amp head and was happy with either cab. Then in 1995, I decided I was giving it up for a bit and did so. My replacement in the band inherited my gear and I got some kit off him. Fast forward to 2001 and I sort of got back into it again. Had various Ashdowns, a Trace Commando ( I think I need to add that to the list) and an ebay special Peavey TNT which I paid £40 and ultimately had for about 6 years. Sold it last week for £80 and promptly put the cash into another Trace head which just arrived this morning. Been fiddling with it this morning and as soon as I turned it on, there it was. The sound. Straight away, no messing. So, in response to the question. Yes, I'm happy. But only because I eventually returned to the place that I never should have left in the first place. [/quote] I know where you're coming from regarding the Trace stuff. It has a certain sound which is desirable. Did you get a vintage Trace or one of the newer ones to replace your original AH250?

I briefly tried a Streamliner 900 but my initial impressions were that the head was VERY bassy, almost uncontrollably so. Love to try one again though and maybe spend a little more time with one.

Just got mine today so I've only had chance to play it in the home at living room volume. I was going to wait a while before posting my thoughts as I'm still finding my feet with it but initial impressions are:- I don't hear the warm and fluffy thing. With everything flat I find the sound doesn't by default have the bottom and heft that I like - it would probably suit a fingerstyle funk player that likes clarity without going too deep. Adding bass and enabling bass boost with compression is more my type of sound and I found great improvement with that. I suppose the sound I'm after is more Motown than Chilli-Peppers. I'm not getting the 'valve' thing at all though. Sounds sold state to me (which funnily enough it is). From memory, the sound reminds me a little of the Markbass F1 - a sort of warm, dulled but with [i]something [/i]missing type of sound. I was hoping to replace a Walkabout Scout but that decision is going to need more looking into. Still, it's very early days yet. Just a little disappointed as I expected to be wowed beyond doubt and that didn't happen as I'd hoped. I am still experimenting with the controls at this stage. The balance and intensity controls have yet to reveal their charms. Unfortunately my other rig is a Berg IP so everything gets compared to that. Got a gig tomorrow so may take it. Everything could sound different again tomorrow.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1318948712' post='1408109'] Speaker management incorporating multiband limiting can accomplish quite a lot, though...which is why as I say I've wondered whether these units use it. [/quote] It is my understanding that there is some loudness management going on to maximise available resources and that all the 200 watts are available and usable. AER say they take things right to the limit but not beyond. It may be similar to that found in the Bergantino IP cabs. I don't hear many compaining about those and the Berg IP112 is also a very compact cab. Sure, I doubt the AER combo is going to sound like a couple of 15"s but I bet there is a surprising amount of controlled bass on tap. I've pulled the trigger on one anyway and it'll arrive shortly but my needs at the moment are acoustic gigs although I use normal electric bass for those. Well, I say normal but sometimes it's a Steinberger which is apparently a bit dated unless your under 25 and then it becomes cool. I'm at the stage where I'm happy to try radical things and I plan to use the AER on a tilt stand pointing at my ears so I can hear the nuances clearly. If it sounds good - and what piqued my interest were terms like 'valve-like', 'old school', 'warm but clear', 'punchy' and 'Ampeg', then I could by an active sub to go with it as it has a dedicated sub out. I thought it would be real hi-fi but it seems not. We'll find out.

I may well have a Mesa Walkabout Scout combo for sale in 3 weeks, all depends how the AER Amp One works out. Same price as the one I paid on here a short time ago - think it was approx £800 with covers and manual. I did a podcast with it recently and the bass sounded huge. The Walkabout head is removal and capable of powering a different setup if you wish but the combo is more than good.

I've owned a Shuker JJB and if I was to order another and change the colour I would request a greenburst with rosewood neck. BBM is well cool but I've kinda overdosed on that colour combination in my time. The 1st 3 Stranglers albums, the ones with the most sharp, aggressive bass tone were recorded with the rosewood and I did find the stock JJB too aggressive for me these days with the ash and maple. Though it did sound like straight from Black And White to an extent!

[quote name='Kirky' post='1314477' date='Jul 24 2011, 09:38 AM']Mine has arrived and sounds fantastic through my compact. The only problems are the loud fan...[/quote] Yes it's a shame that the fan is fairly loud. I'm hoping there is an upgrade I can do. It's a wonderful amp though. I think I've found my settings for a fingerstyle alder P / TI flats by cutting significantly at 450hz with a slight treble cut and compressor on half (no Hi/Lo boosts engaged). The compressor adds a nice squareness to the note attack and the overall sound is not harsh at all but almost valvey. There are still plenty of mids in there. Very John McVie. I might even get another PF-115HE for it. I also need to find Ampeg PF cabinet covers but as far as I know there aren't any yet.

[quote name='gafbass02' post='1354143' date='Aug 28 2011, 10:18 AM']If they made a trace micro head with the preshapes, a graphic and some cool lighting I think I'd do all sorts of over excited dance moves and start franticly selling stuff [/quote] Wow, that would be cool, especially if it sounded right. Sadly, as much as I have a soft spot for some of the amps that I have owned (with the Trace being one of the very best), the thought of a big heavy amp nowadays seems a step backwards. It was hard but I think I'm gradually accepting lightweight as the way forward. So a Trace amp with a real Trace signature punchy tone like the old ones would be excellent.