A lost art. Trace elliot

[la bam]

Picked this up (literally and factually) today - but only just

 

Trace elliot gp12 smx 410 combo

 

What an absolute beast. 

 

I've always wanted one of these. All the bands in pubs when I first started had one. And I longed for one... Ended up with a 100w commando amp instead

 

Its a lost art. Lost to history if we are not careful. THIS is how bass amps used to be. What has happened with today's amps????!! (I'm a tonex IEM user so take with a pinch of salt). Everything has been done with care, the best materials and purely sound based. However it's aesthetically gorgeous too. 

 

Its absolutely a work of genius and has been built with real pride. It's built like a tank. Built to last (it's 32 years old and everything still works perfectly). It has everything you need.

 

Mute switch

Gain stage and led guide to correct gain. 

Passive active switch

Input blend dial from pure solid state to valve preamp. 

12 band eq. Switchable.

Switchable 3 stage pre shapes. 

Graphic level dial. 

Low compression dial

High compression dial. 

Eq balance dial. This is the same as the supposed new angled tilt dials on amps. 

Effects level dial. 

Effects input dial

Send return

DI

Output level

Earth lift. 

 

And what a sound!

 

In excellent condition with the originally paperwork and warranty too! 

 

Gees, this is a proper amp! 

 

Long live the old amps!

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by la bam

[tauzero]

I was so glad when I got rid of mine. Heavy as a small planet and didn't sound that great.

[King Tut]

Old School Trace heads with modern lightweight cabs is the way to go I reckon! My rig from Sunday . . .

[Lozz196]

I reckon that`s the way forwards

[SimonK]

Not lost to some of us - see the thread below!

 

I think I saw this amp but it was too far away to get, and I am just in the process of getting another GP12SMX up and running again with some new capcitors which would give me essentially the same combo! I have to agree these amps are second to none if you like sound - I currently have nine TE cabs and 3 heads because I can't help myself when they come up so cheaply!!

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by SimonK

[la bam]

Original paperwork too

 

 

[la bam]

1 hour ago, SimonK said:

Not lost to some of us - see the thread below!

 

I think I saw this amp but it was too far away to get, and I am just in the process of getting another GP12SMX up and running again with some new capcitors which would give me essentially the same combo! I have to agree these amps are second to none if you like sound - I currently have nine TE cabs and 3 heads because I can't help myself when they come up so cheaply!!

 

 

 

Yes I remember reading the thread. I'm really into that and trying and restoring old amps. Great work! 

 

Just having another look at it this morning. It's so well done. 

 

The kick plate protector for the speakers, nobody is damaging that or the speakers, yet some cabs today have a cloth protector or flimsy cover, why? 

 

The purpose built caps on top of the amp to secure another cab, instead of just resting on top. Proper detail. 

 

The covering that's lasted 32 years. Yet some today don't last 12 months. 

 

Proper heatsinks on the back. 

 

What a great way to get a nostalgic 8x10 rig as well. I'd be amazed if I could find a trace 4x10 cab to fit for £100 or less. 

 

Incidentally does anyone know what 4x10 is for this cab? 

 

 

[Musicman20]

I had a GP12 400SMX (I think that was the model name). Mid 90s ish 400W amp head. Only issue it had all that time was that it needed a new fuse the first few months (never had an issue ever again!), and I had to replace some of the plastics on the front/back panel occasionally.

 

Absolutely superb. Build like a tank. Extremely heavy though, and awkward.

 

Would I get it again? Absolutely.

 

The closest I have come to it is the Genz Benz Shuttlemax 9.2, which I am never parting with!

 

The old Trace stuff was over engineered and looked superb.