Guest MoJo Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm thinking about getting an old school Trace amp but I'm no expert. I know that Trace was owned by Gibson for a while and is currently owned by Peavey but I've no idea when the changes took place. I'd appreciate my fellow BC'ers opinions on which amps to consider and which to avoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I had a series 6 AH200 head with the GP12 graphic. Never any trouble and sounded good. Recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 +1 for series 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I've had experience with the old, AH300-7,V6, two 4x10s and a 2x10 and new, AH600-12, 4x10 and 1x15c. Both old and new were and are excellent. I don't think you could go wrong with any Trace tbh but the older stuff does seem to go for quite cheap on here and also on ebay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longtimefred Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 i can vouch for the valve amps and any of their cabs, all good. Just buy a forklift to move it all makes life eaiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I've had a fair bit of stuff and the outstanding cabs for me were the V-Type ones- 4x12" and 2x15" (the square one as opposed to the tall one) The best amp by a country mile was the Mk V AH150. Don't let the lack of watts put you off. Remember that these areTrace watts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 + for the Series 6. I have a AH200 which does me fine. They are quite light as they do not have the timber surround and UV light. Although I have flightcased mine and added the UV light below so it weighs more, but looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I always liked my GP12SMX 250W amp - I used it for 17 years with not a single problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1333393081' post='1601135'] I've had a fair bit of stuff and the outstanding cabs for me were the V-Type ones- 4x12" and 2x15" (the square one as opposed to the tall one) The best amp by a country mile was the Mk V AH150. Don't let the lack of watts put you off. Remember that these areTrace watts. [/quote] +100 I had the MkV AH-250 and when I took it in to the local Trace Elliot approved repairers they sort of stood back in admiration and sighed, muttering things like - 'Best amp they ever made' ' built like tanks, these'. As long as your back is sound - head weighed 22kg, which is more than my entire rig now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zijianli1988 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I own a TE Va350 from the 1980s its a beautiful amp if you like that wooly and thick bottom end sound! I would recommand TE amps from previous eras coz of wiring and better sound compression from the difference in the built from the ones that are done now days. I'm working my VA350 with a Basson + Trace Elliot Cabinet, it sounds extremely thick and wooly. Never had problems with the amp. Good luck with the search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassPimp66 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have racked a TE V-type preamp with a MarkBass MB-1000 power amp. I have now 1000 W pure tubey goodness. I love it. I may throw a 12 band TE preamp in there to replace the V-type and sound more modern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan670844 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 (edited) Any Mark V or series 6 are great amps, they also can be repaired fairly easily in the unlikely event they go wrong, dont discount the 7 band stuff, 12 band is awesome but the amount of tone shaping is unreal, and until you get used to it you could make some seriously bad sounds! Later Smx are also ok, but very complicated, compressor on the smx is the muts. Aviod the older cabs now they sound amazing but they are very heavy, better off going barefaced me thinks, or Bassysteme www.basssysteme.de. Few lightweight amps (unless they are very expensive) can drive the lows like these old amps Left-field have a look at the Ashdown Labs MK500 or JJburnel job, its essentially a Series 6 GP12, with modern components, but built to the same quality and very much the same sound. Apparently a few users of The old series 6 GP12, ganged up on Mark Gooday, (owner of ashdown and former part owner of trace elliot) haha to get him to make a replacement for their ageing amps, so its essentially the same amp, with a series of endorsers Mark King, JJ and others to come...... This is the way I would go if you are using it a lot, some of the old trace stuff is approaching 30 years old! Edited May 7, 2012 by dan670844 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I had a 1210 trace elliot combo with a 1518c bass bin.....great sound but the amp in the combo died.It was only 3 years old and was never abused.I had to write it off as it shorted out for some strange reason.I was told that static had built up inside the amp causing it to arc inside and shorting everything out.On some of the forums there were a few people that had the same problem with these models.Shame really as it was a great sounding amp.From experience i will say some of the trace stuff can be very heavy but give out a great tone.I now use a rebelhead 450.....a lot easier on my back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Why don't TE make a mini-type head? Like the Ampeg PF-500, Markbass or Orange TB? I really like TE but since using a PF-500 I don't see the point in buying big heavy 'traditional' style heads. I reckon they've missed a trick there! Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt4ever Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 (edited) i've had my SM300 GP7 for about 18 years and I only just extended it today with an old skool 4 x 10 cab. It does weigh a fair bit but if you aint got the pennies theres no pain no gain in this game. Old skool trace sound for the bucks I dont think can be beaten. I am well chuffed with my mini stack. Rich Edited May 7, 2012 by gt4ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I love the sound. Love it. Whatever TE you go for just remember as others have said ignore what might appear a low wattage rating. These amps belt it out. I have had reliability issue with three different trace amps but I suspect I'm in the minority so I wouldn't let that worry you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1336383097' post='1644615'] Why don't TE make a mini-type head? Like the Ampeg PF-500, Markbass or Orange TB? I really like TE but since using a PF-500 I don't see the point in buying big heavy 'traditional' style heads. I reckon they've missed a trick there! Truckstop [/quote] +1. I'm with you on this. I would be very interested one if it didn't require a forklift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.