Trace Elliot - Rescue & Restore (and bargain finds)

[Pea Turgh]

They kinda look like they’ve been stored in a damp shed.  You’d want to make sure the coils haven perished.  Also the cabinets are made from MDF, so that could also be fooked.

[Stub Mandrel]

I wouldn't normally post anything off TB here, but this comment on someone's TE acquisition is too good not to quote:

 

"my other equipment has started to orbit it it's so heavy"

[andytoad]

I'm loving this unique looking amp! Cheap too...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236174527854?itmmeta=01JZ0J4B7Q7NHJTC8QJZ0ZT3QY&hash=item36fd194d6e:g:zwgAAeSwfw9oYm00

[Sparky Mark]

5 minutes ago, andytoad said:

I'm loving this unique looking amp! Cheap too...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236174527854?itmmeta=01JZ0J4B7Q7NHJTC8QJZ0ZT3QY&hash=item36fd194d6e:g:zwgAAeSwfw9oYm00

Interesting conversion of a combo head. I particularly like the apparently redundant addition of the UV lamp grill underneath the stainless steel front panel. I wonder what the cable ties are securing on the rear panel?

[andytoad]

37 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

Interesting conversion of a combo head. I particularly like the apparently redundant addition of the UV lamp grill underneath the stainless steel front panel. I wonder what the cable ties are securing on the rear panel?

It of a bargain with unique history by the looks of it. Fixer upper? He was also selling another amp too

[Sparky Mark]

27 minutes ago, andytoad said:

It of a bargain with unique history by the looks of it. Fixer upper? He was also selling another amp too

Agreed it's a good price. Not sure what fixing up is either necessary or possible though? Other than a missing EQ slider tip it all looks fine. Depending upon the fixing centers, it could be a candidate to ditch the heavy wooden sleeve and mount in a lightweight ABS 19" case?

 

[andytoad]

I could swing by Southend on Wednesday, i dont need it though.. that same old conundrum.

[SimonK]

On 30/06/2025 at 17:06, andytoad said:

I could swing by Southend on Wednesday, i dont need it though.. that same old conundrum.

 

Yes I was also just trying to work out if I can get to Southend but bloody London gets in the way for me... probably not worth it due to the six hour drive for me sadly...

[SimonK]

Here's the picture and description so that we have this very unique amp on the thread for posterity!

 

"This is a very unique amplifier. It started life as the head section of a 1 x 15 Trace Elliot combo amp, which i bought at the Bass Centre in Wapping Wall, London.
Eventually I removed the amplifier and took it to Trace Elliot's in Witham, Essex. They replaced the power caps and fitted it in a sleeve. They also added a 'Zorbal Network' circuit so that a second speaker output could be added. Finally they fitted a GP12X preamp (solid state) to the amplifier. I spent a very pleasant day at their manufacturing factory while they did the work on it. (I still have a copy of an invoice for the work). When they tested the output with an oscilliscope it gave a reading of 272 watts. It has a typically clear powerfull Trace Elliot sound. Sadly I am selling the amp as I am moving abroad."

 

[Sparky Mark]

1 hour ago, SimonK said:

Here's the picture and description so that we have this very unique amp on the thread for posterity!

 

"This is a very unique amplifier. It started life as the head section of a 1 x 15 Trace Elliot combo amp, which i bought at the Bass Centre in Wapping Wall, London.
Eventually I removed the amplifier and took it to Trace Elliot's in Witham, Essex. They replaced the power caps and fitted it in a sleeve. They also added a 'Zorbal Network' circuit so that a second speaker output could be added. Finally they fitted a GP12X preamp (solid state) to the amplifier. I spent a very pleasant day at their manufacturing factory while they did the work on it. (I still have a copy of an invoice for the work). When they tested the output with an oscilliscope it gave a reading of 272 watts. It has a typically clear powerfull Trace Elliot sound. Sadly I am selling the amp as I am moving abroad."

 

I had a look at the Trace Elliot brochures thread on here to see if I could find the combo this came from. No luck, but I think it's a bit of a shame the original 12ax7 valve preamp was removed in favour of a solid state version. 

[umcoo]

Not mine, but saw the ad and thought of this group

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbCrhekso/

[The fasting showman]

1 hour ago, umcoo said:

Not mine, but saw the ad and thought of this group

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbCrhekso/

You beat me to it! Great minds think alike and all that.

[tauzero]

22 hours ago, umcoo said:

Not mine, but saw the ad and thought of this group

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbCrhekso/

 

Somewhere very close to me. But I already have a bad back and an allergy to Trace-Elliot.

[andytoad]

On 03/07/2025 at 18:55, umcoo said:

Not mine, but saw the ad and thought of this group

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbCrhekso/

Fifteen quid?!?! I will write that again, fifteen quid?!?! The Ox will be turning in his grave!!

[lemmywinks]

Bargain GP7 head and 115 cab for £80 in St Austell

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12HRFrmnCqx/

[SimonK]

If anyone is in Canterbury this seems a bargain. I'd absolutely get it for the head alone if I was closer, and also not tripping over nine cabs as it is!

Edited August 23 by SimonK

[pete.young]

35 minutes ago, SimonK said:

If anyone is in Canterbury this seems a bargain. I'd absolutely get it for the head alone if I was closer, and also not tripping over nine cabs as it is!

@Beedster how is your back?

[SimonK]

I'd forgotten the above went for £120 as just grabbed the following today for the same price, which I think is still OK. This GP12 SMX is probably my favourite trace head especially with the dual compressor. It used to be a combo but for presumably weight reasons was separated into a head (with home-made case) and the cab.

 

Very very crackly pots but other than that seems to work. Will give it a good clean and then probably re-mount the head into my 4x10 combo (in my thumbnail) that currently has a GP7 head in it. Then strip everything out of the cab to go into a carpeted but empty TE combo case that I stripped the parts out for fixing something else. Will post pictures of the two amps once they are (re)done. 

 

[SpondonBassed]

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

I'd forgotten the above went for £120 as just grabbed the following today for the same price, which I think is still OK. This GP12 SMX is probably my favourite trace head especially with the dual compressor. It used to be a combo but for presumably weight reasons was separated into a head (with home-made case) and the cab.

 

Very very crackly pots but other than that seems to work. Will give it a good clean and then probably re-mount the head into my 4x10 combo (in my thumbnail) that currently has a GP7 head in it. Then strip everything out of the cab to go into a carpeted but empty TE combo case that I stripped the parts out for fixing something else. Will post pictures of the two amps once they are (re)done. 

 

 

Do you come across any 18 inch cabs?

 

I have one that I love, even though I might never get the chance to play with it at significant volume.  I have a workshop/practice room at the back of the house with an Ashdown 15" combo (Toneman 300) and the 18 inch TE as an extension.  They haven't been used at all since I had to stop practising there.  I was supervising a vulnerable adult indoors, full-time, and needed to be ready to drop everything with little or no notice.

 

In the main house, I used a Laney RB3 because less Watts meant that I could turn it up to where the amp was nearer to its most efficient output.  I could then continue to practise, whilst being readily available to deliver care as required.  The household benefited* from the lower volumes generally.  Since I have been on my own in the house, I've been lax about going back out to practise.  I'd like to get back to being able to go through a set list in the workshop without undue distraction.

 

'Nuff waffle, else you'll be wanting maple syrup or summat with it.  I wanted to ask you to keep an eye out for me.

 

One of the reflex port liners on my cab is visibly damaged with a piece missing from its flange.  I suppose TE could find me a new one.  The cost and the newness against a rich patina on the rest of the cab plus the fact that I am a notorious skinflint prevents me.

 

If you are breaking a similar cab for parts, I would be interested in getting hold of a replacement, used, port liner or two for mine.  Let's talk should this be on the cards at any point.

 

I am impressed by your "hobby" if I may call it that.  I would love to see your collection.

 

 

*I say benefited but it would be more truthful to say tolerated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elfrasho]

I think I've played through one 18" in my life, and I remember it being absolutely incredible. It was probably a mix of the stage, cab, amp and my bass, but the onstage sound was almost perfect. I can't remember the exact amp but i think it might have been an old solid state Marshall.  Since then, i was looking for a cheap 18" cab until the past 5 years, until i got an old 15" combo. Kinda does the same job but i think i'd really like to experiment!

[SpondonBassed]

3 minutes ago, Elfrasho said:

I think I've played through one 18" in my life, and I remember it being absolutely incredible. It was probably a mix of the stage, cab, amp and my bass, but the onstage sound was almost perfect. I can't remember the exact amp but i think it might have been an old solid state Marshall.  Since then, i was looking for a cheap 18" cab until the past 5 years, until i got an old 15" combo. Kinda does the same job but i think i'd really like to experiment!

 

Are you within easy travelling distance of Spondon, Derby?  If so PM me to set up a trial.

[Elfrasho]

Just now, SpondonBassed said:

 

Are you within easy travelling distance of Spondon, Derby?  If so PM me to set up a trial.

 

Afraid not but thanks for the offer, very good of you.

[SpondonBassed]

4 minutes ago, Elfrasho said:

Afraid not but thanks for the offer, very good of you.

 

You are welcome.

 

You have a good feedback history so I wasn't stepping outside of my comfort zone at all.  If you are ever in the vicinity you are welcome to PM me then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elfrasho]

I like living in the central belt of Scotland, and I feel there's everything I need here. But, when I'm in the classifieds or when an offer like this crops up, I realise the UK is a big place! 

[SimonK]

42 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

Do you come across any 18 inch cabs?

 

I have one that I love, even though I might never get the chance to play with it at significant volume.  I have a workshop/practice room at the back of the house with an Ashdown 15" combo (Toneman 300) and the 18 inch TE as an extension.  They haven't been used at all since I had to stop practising there.  I was supervising a vulnerable adult indoors, full-time, and needed to be ready to drop everything with little or no notice.

 

In the main house, I used a Laney RB3 because less Watts meant that I could turn it up to where the amp was nearer to its most efficient output.  I could then continue to practise, whilst being readily available to deliver care as required.  The household benefited* from the lower volumes generally.  Since I have been on my own in the house, I've been lax about going back out to practise.  I'd like to get back to being able to go through a set list in the workshop without undue distraction.

 

'Nuff waffle, else you'll be wanting maple syrup or summat with it.  I wanted to ask you to keep an eye out for me.

 

One of the reflex port liners on my cab is visibly damaged with a piece missing from its flange.  I suppose TE could find me a new one.  The cost and the newness against a rich patina on the rest of the cab plus the fact that I am a notorious skinflint prevents me.

 

If you are breaking a similar cab for parts, I would be interested in getting hold of a replacement, used, port liner or two for mine.  Let's talk should this be on the cards at any point.

 

I am impressed by your "hobby" if I may call it that.  I would love to see your collection.

 

 

*I say benefited but it would be more truthful to say tolerated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I have a few 18" things lying around including the 1818x cab on the first page of this thread that I got for £20. These coming up every now and again, although TE cabs with 15" speakers are far more common. Annoyingly I've just seen the following listing and was in Littlehampton earlier today (although I think it is 2x15").

 

I'm planning to bring five or six cabs along to the SE Bass bash on the 9th November if you want a look (and would probably happily part with any of them for £50 or so as I have quite a few at the moment!).