Microbass

Smashing price regardless, but the bag pictured is the Transit bag so I'm a little stumped! Any thoughts? Or am I wrong?

Thanks Jack! I’ve touched base with the Cluny and I’ll check out the others. 😀

Hey guys & gals, Looking for some help! I'm going to be doing a mini tour of the North East in August, as it stands we only have 1 date, Monday 26th August to fill. We're looking at Newcastle & surrounds as after the show we'll be driving back to Glasgow. On the Sunday we're (TBC) playing Sheffield. We're a noisey grunge 4-piece and on the road to promote our new single 'Smells like Lynx Africa', mastered by Charlie Francis (REM, Future of the Left, Victorian English Gentlemens Club, the Noisettes) - here's a preview here: Closet Organ - Smells like Lynx Africa Would love to hear any feedback from you guys regarding appropriate venues and if any local bands have a support slot available we'd love a go at it and of course, would return the favour North of the border if you're ever in our neck of the woods!

The Hotone Skyline Gate starts at 40Hz... I'm trying to decide between this and the Vong DIY.

How does it sound with the individual cabs? Generally, mixing brands doesn't go down to well - not to say it can't be big and powerful, but the Eden, B.F. and Ampeg cabs were not design to work together - add unto that you have mixed driver sizes; again, it may sound good doing this it may not. I use a Trace 2x10 and a 15". Works well because these cabs were designed to work together. I think the key to your next move would be to decide what cab and amp combo you like, then add another one of those. If you go the Ampeg route, make the models are matched if you go the route of the 12s or 10s. Safest bet would be a matching 15; but if you're not a big fan of the SVT + 15 as is then you may not like this either!

Snazzy!

Quite surprising... I bought mine mainly as a back up/rehearsal amp so I didn't have use beat EBS & Ashdown amps... Mine works great with Ampeg fridges, EBS Proline 4x10 and my own 2x10+15 cabs. Then we moved into our own 'crack den' studio and I was hooking it into an old beat up Carlsboro 15" that was formerly a combo with the amp removed... I play grunge in one band and metal/hard rock in the other - plenty volume and headroom in 8 or 4 Ohm settings.. Still prefer my Trace V4 but very happy with the Elf!

The SMX series have a valve in the preamp with a blend control. It does add a noticeable warmth compared to the SMC and Series 6 more than drive - unless you’re really cranking the head. Ashdown did better with their hybrids, albeit I found them impossible to make work in a band setting and lacked “Trace Watts”, IMO/IME.

I suspect that tone-wise you won't be missing out with that combo. I remember some speculation that the latter years weren't as reliable as the pre-Gibson stuff, alas if it's survived this long I think you'd be fine! Alternatively I have a spare SMX pedal which is the compressor only you could add into your rig? The SMX heads always had hybrid preamps, but IME the non-SMX heads are very very similar in tone. Stuff seems to have dried up on the used market these days...

Fleabag, this is one of the latter year Gibson models of the GP12SMX. I could be wrong here but I think they only made this preamp by this stage dropped the SMX/X branding in favour of GP12 or GP7. I've never noticed the 'thumbs up' for the traffic lights before on these! Brilliant. Mine is a '98, so this would be just pre-Gibson or just after the take over from the TE employees. The serial number might give an indicator as to the year, alternatively you'll need to open 'er up!

I swear by JJ's for all of my Trace/valve needs. I've been using these for 10+ years now : http://www.hotroxuk.com/jj-electronics-ecc83s-12ax7.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=organic Cheap as chips, super reliable. There's an 'MG' version which is a mid-gain, not sure if that aids anything in getting that warmth/bite out of it. The one thing I'd fault Trace on in these versions of the SMX amps is that, IRC, they did't utilise the full preamp valve signal in that you get warmth but little bite if you want some real overdrive. Not honestly sure it's worth the hassle of preamp valve rolling in the SMX due to this..

I have +3dB on the 100Hz, +6dB on the 180Hz & 1.3kHz. Graphic on full, preshape one engaged. Compression normally kept 50/50, low at around 80% and high around 60% - man I love the squish! I'll adjust the 30Hz depending on the room acoustics to suit but spends most of its time at 0. Valve blend at 100% also. I'm in need of some cash and was actually going to punt the Gp12SMX as my TE V4 is my main amp and I've an Elf for backup/portability when required. Had a go last night to test it out and it was too good to part with.... Maybe if I can try out a Transit Bso I know whether or not I can get that sound for sure I'll part ways...

A beauty! I love the insides on Trace amps. So clean. Did you find any notes or messages from the builder anywhere?

15 years of TE here... I just can't see past them. An SVT2 would be nice admittedly but that's only getting heavier.... GP12SMX with an AH250 (actually rated at 300W inside) or my main go to, the V4, combined with TE 2x10 and a 15 has always been more than enough power. I played in a loud band with 3 guitarists and a drum and still had head room with both amps.. Interesting to note about the the preshape 1... preamp valve & graphic on full, preshape 1and the low/high mids bumped (I know this is kind of defeats the purpose), but never had an issue cutting through and the punch and growl is awesome with my G3.. Looking forward to getting an Elf for rehearsals though!

Does Peavey have a UK/European distributeur? The irony of à TE return but not being available in the U.K...

Previous band played to C# G# C# F# and 45-100 or 45-105's were always fine for me! EDIT: used mainly D'Addarios or DR's at the time.