Deedee

I acquired this lovely MkV a few months back. It's been with the tech for what seems like an age but I finally got it back last week. Other than a few scratches in the tolex on top of the case it really is in superb condition.

If you're in two minds about it the reversible option is the way to go i.e. rehouse the head but leave the carcass as is so you can slot it back in when you want to. Congrats on still being able to lift it though. I'd be able to lift it up but leaning to put it into the car and my back would be knackered. 😩

Yep, mine sounds pretty good through a BF Four10 too.

We’ll clearly have to agree to disagree on what the residual value would be. The value is practical not monetary. To say you’d be left with nothing is a little extreme. What you would be left with is a more portable, quality (albeit old) amp. If that means that it is used more then to my mind it has been made better. There are people who think that anyone spending more than one minute faffing with these old amps need their bumps feeling. However, fans of the marque and particularly of this era would recognise the value of rehousing the amp. Popping out and buying the lighter weight head only version is not that easy as they’re not exactly easy to come by. The OP could indeed leave it as is, untouched as a piece of history but very few people have the luxury of space required to have old 4x10 combos sitting dormant. To my mind if splitting means that it or at least part of it is going to be used more, it’s a no brainer.

Surely it would be more pointless to have it sat unused? I’m pretty sure that the OP is fully aware that the resulting separate items would still weigh the same as they do now, but the OP clearly likes what he has otherwise he wouldn’t own it. Yes the head will still be heavy but comparing 12-14kg for the removed head to the 45kg plus that the combo currently weighs is hardly pointless (and no this isn’t an Old School vs Class D argument). The speakers being old is a valid point, that’s why most who do this keep the head and dispose of the old speakers and combo casing. With regard to comparing chopping this down to butchering an old Fender, I’m pretty sure if these old combos were going to become hugely valuable or collectable the market would have started to show signs of that long before now.

That EQ isn't too far removed from what I have a couple of mine set to, just using the graphic alone. They sound epic.

Definitely worthwhile splitting and rehousing the head in a 2U rack case. I've just got my faulty MkV 150 head back after a lengthy stay with the amp tech. It was once part of a 4x10 but now the gremlins have been fixed it sounds fantastic through the various cabs I have. Too many old Trace amps are sat wasted, unused and unloved due to them being part of huge 4x10 combos. Once rehoused it should only weigh the same as most other 2U Trace heads (around 12-14kg). As for the rest of the combo, if you love the sound of it and don't mind the (reduced) weight, chop away!

Welcome Chrissy, although I think I may have been in a band with you once before.

That really does sound great.

Many thanks for that. 👍

Aha! What is required exactly? I saw something about a grounding issue?

I think I read something about this years ago. Just searching through some old threads and @VTypeV4 refers to the Clive Button module in the thread linked below. I wonder if he can shed any light? I think it may actually be a replacement board. https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/237838-trace-elliot-gp7-sm300-amp-head-infoopinions-please/

I have to agree Mart. Having the Sterling 4HH pushed me to bite the bullet and finally get the 4HH version of the ‘Ray Special - the model that I wanted in the first place but couldn’t get hold of in the colour I wanted.

Not sure why they aren't more popular, they're great basses. The two I had (including the black HH currently in the FS section) were superb. If it wasn't for me getting pains in my fretting hand when playing skinny necks I'd still have them. Now if they did a Sterling with a 'Ray neck......

I must admit many straps I've had in the past have just been left at full length leaving the adjustment element redundant.

Fabulous stuff! Sorry I'm a little late picking this up 🙄

Congrats. Three stunning basses. 👍

I know what would happen if I was to try to heat up, cool down and remove some screws..................

I’m pretty sure the saddle screws issue is a very common problem. I had to change the saddles on one I briefly owned.

Great insight and congratulations on the shows.

Great job, well done 👍