TheGreek Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Just bought ([i]TBH it was a steal!![/i]) a Trace Elliot head from the Amps For Sale section - it's been a few years since I last owned/played through a TE and I'd forgotten how much I loved the tone. Smooth, rich and yet still gives a kick in the ribs to anybody who dares to walk past. Absolute gem of a piece of kit - I'd previously owned a 715 combo which weighed the same as 3 elephants - fortunately this isn't the case with the head which, though a substantial piece of kit, is not so heavy that it's inconvenient to move. As far as I know TE aren't planning on bringing out a lightweight, class D head for a while. I had been corresponding with Paul Stevens before he moved away - he'd been developing the Class D head but felt that Peavey (the owners of TE) weren't committed to the brand so Paul took his services to where they would be more appreciated. TE are seen to be a bit "dated" - "[i]80s equipment"[/i] - so as a result are fetching ridiculously low prices considering what you get for your money - I dare you to try one without falling in love with one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1455284058' post='2977779'] I dare you to try one without falling in love with one again. [/quote] I really daren't - I don't want to put undue pressure on my hernia repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 TE is just how bass sounds for me. With a return to gigging on the cards I've been trawling round trying to sort a new combo and nothing sounded right. In a flash of inspiration I booked my old Series 6 in for a service, and bingo! OK, it's heavy, but I'll worry about that when I get old and feeble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Going back to Trace Elliot felt, to me, like coming home after a few years wandering in Class D Wilderness. I have two now, taken out of their wooden boxes which makes them considerably lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 My old AH350 was the best sounding bass head I ever owned. Have spent a load trying to get that sound in a lighter package. My have to admit defeat and buy another TE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 The practice rooms I go to have a TE in one of their rooms. It's my only experience of using one but I do love the sound and as my Warwick amp isn't up to performing at even small gigs it's a TE I'm looking to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Call me old-fashioned, but a TE is about the only brand that would persuade me to part with my Dynacord - and that weighs a ton too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I'd never go back to using Trace stuff, I grew to really hate it & the last couple of times I've seen bass players in local bands that have had a really terrible sound they've all been using Trace stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTypeV4 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I wouldn't be without one! Love 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I want another GP12 SMX at some point. Crystal clear and full of shove, fantastic bass head. As always in these threads I advise people to stay away from the pre-shapes. Some people swear by them, it just turned my tone into an indistinct, mushy, overcooked crapfest. I think this is where the perception of the tone being poor stems from. The EQ is your friend! Using that, I could get any type of bass tone I wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Always get praise for my tone Always use TE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Miss my old SMX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) On the basis of receiving the head this morning I've just gone and bought a 7215 combo - [i]now[/i] I remember how heavy they are!! [size=1](need to steal the wheels from a shopping trolley later)[/size] Edited February 12, 2016 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Im undecided still on te gear. I find it difficult to get a sound which I like. It's very cutting or very woolly to my ears. I can get a great growl out of it. When I get it right it's great when I don't it's just not right. My 7215 smc combo sure is loud though, really is louder than much higher rated amps especially so with an extra cab, I guess it's a combination of how there eq' and the conservative rated wattage. I would like to test this theory against other gear a direct a/b, the comments over the years would seem to indicate there is such a thing as "Trace watts" Seemingly very reliable too even after 20-30 years of use. Although I do also have a old commando too that's got issues! Still very loud though. The combos are too heavy really due to the awkward size, the separate heads and cabs are more manageable. If you have a light weight cab a te head is still a very good buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I would buy another Twin Valve head if I saw one come up for sale, however, I wouldn't put the new one in a flight case that weighed as much as the amp...as was the case with the last one I had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Yep, it's '80s-vintage TEs for me too - I've got 2 identical 300W heads, and that pre-set with a hint of compression never fails to put a smile on my face (see, there it goes again!). I run mine thru a re-speakered TE compact 1 x15" cab and an Ashdown 2 x 10" with identical dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I've owned a Trace combo and currently use a AH350smx head and trace 4x10 at rehearsal room. Very punchy, very loud, but unfortunately has an issue somewhere with either a cone or the amp in that it sounds distorted very easily. I can get the punch and volume with my gigging orange bass terror but there is something about that richness... Wouldn't Ashdown doing Class D stuff be the natural Trace successor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I've gone back to my old Trace Elliot combo just this week. It sounds great but weighs a ton and is very awkward to move around. If anyone would like to sell me a GP12 SMX Head I would be more than interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I`ve never been that keen on the Trace sound, but the amps themselves are phenomenal, so powerful and full-sounding, the combos especially. It`s amazing just how much sound comes out of those tiny little boxes. But then, that`s cos I think they`re like Dr Whos Tardis, they are far too heavy for items that size, I think they must be bigger on the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 That could explain something - I was beginning to think that there's a spelling mistake with these - I'm fairly sure it sure read "Trace Elephants" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 ... or, "the Elliot in the room"?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 used to have the 4x10 combo - seems like a very distant memory when i used to able to lift it with ease over the lip of a relatively high car boot opening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Worth posting this again, if anyone hasn't seen it: http://youtu.be/fI6YbqrRK3g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki1984 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Haha that made me laugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 That video's brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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