Trace Elliott ELF vs TC Electronic BAM200 opinions?

[Dennis1971 12]

After having blown to much of the budget on the bass I am still in need to buy an amp... so here it goes.

I was thinking  of just buying a small combo for home use  (40-60 Watt) but have been tempted by the latest offerings in small amp heads. I play with a drummer and a single guitar player in a small studio (previously used a Genz Benz Contour 300W/2x10")  and toying with the idea of buying one of these small heads with a cabinet for home use and just take the head to the studio and plugin what ever they have or take the cabinet if it doesn't weigh too much.

The models I was looking into are the TE Elf and the TEC BAM200, both are 200 Watt into 8 Ohm. But the latter is about half the price? Any opinions why?

Thoman: Elf = £232 and TEC = £112

Dennis

 

 

[la bam 274]

Used properly the elf is a great amp. I've giggled it with a 2x12 with no problem at all. I'm not sure I'd be trying it with a 1x10 or 1x12, but anything with multiple speakers should be fine.

I really like its sound. Some dont. But it's a pretty authentic good sound with plenty of bite.

 

[Linus27 252]

I think you'll find the Elf and BAM are actually 200 watts at 4 ohms so about half at 8 ohms. You'll really want a 4 ohms cab for any live work.

Also the BAM is not out yet. It was supposed to be out in April but looks to be set back to August. It might come earlier or it might come later, we just dont know. 

I'm in the same boat and have been waiting for the BAM but might need to settle for the Elf. TC also do the BH250 and MarkBass make the Nano. Not quite a micro amp but still small.

[CameronJ 947]

I’d go for a used BH250 over a BAM200. 

[JohnDaBass 92]

2 minutes ago, CameronJ said:

I’d go for a used BH250 over a BAM200. 

+1

[jezzaboy 222]

Or if you don`t mind losing the fancy Toneprints, the TC BQ 500 is a decent head with enough power at £171 from Thomman with a 3 year warranty.

Used it with a Barefaced 15` and was impressed.

[Dennis1971 12]

Will look into these options. cheers

[Dan Dare 426]

Elfs (Elves?) win in the cuteness stakes and they sound nice. And Ashdown is a nice company - great after sales/backup. The Elf does show up used from time to time, so you may be able to score one for not much more than a new BAM.

Edited April 27 by Dan Dare

[JohnDaBass 92]

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

Elfs (Elves?) win in the cuteness stakes and they sound nice. And Ashdown is a nice company - great after sales/backup.

I believe the Elf is produced by Trace Elliot!

[Little Dragon 55]

BAM200 now appears to be available at Thomman. Not due at Gear 4music until August.

[Dennis1971 12]

17 hours ago, Little Dragon said:

BAM200 now appears to be available at Thomman. Not due at Gear 4music until August.

Cheers

[Linus27 252]

18 hours ago, Little Dragon said:

BAM200 now appears to be available at Thomman. Not due at Gear 4music until August.

Thank you, I shall be buying one

[stewblack 955]

I have the tc electronic 250. At 8 ohms it has a lovely tone but is too puny to keep up with a full band. Add another 8ohm cab and it is really good. Plenty of thump. 

[Machines 129]

I have an Elf and EICH 1x12 4Ω cab. I have done a small gig with it no problem (jazz cafe). I felt like I had plenty of headroom too.

It's more than enough for most situations, but I wouldn't put my money on it coping in a loud rock band with 2 guitarists. It's decent at low volumes too, but I think a lot of your experience will revolve around what cab you get also.

[Sugio 1]

I've just got tc BAM200 from Thomman at 106EUR and 50EUR S&H to Japan.
It is a very nice amp.
I think inside  the amp of ELF and BAM are the same.
The differences are ELF comes with dedicated gigbag and special designed outlook. 
They cost more than BAM. So the prices differ.

The 208 cabinets are same in size, but TE2x8 is  heavier than TC BC208,  and power allowances are 400W and 200W, Their speaker units may be different. And TE has speakon, and TC has 1/4 phone. The prices differ double or triple.

Then, I prefer TC.
 

Edited May 26 by Sugio
typo

[NRTHNR 0]

Trace Elliot is owned by Peavey, now. The confusion probably comes from Mark Gooday of Ashdown formerly affiliated with and leading the old Trace Elliot of Britain. 

There’s a thread on TB about A/B comparison of TC & TE 2x8 cabs. Dunno if they’re available over your way, yet. They are being distributed now, over here. Apparently, the preamp band frequencies are the same in both. 

Personally, I love my elf setup too much to even consider trading it for anything else.