"New" Trace vs. "Old" Trace

basszillla · #1 08-07-2011, 08:54 PM

Years ago (mid 90's) i had a Trace Elliott 4x10 combo amp wi/the 300 w/GP12HSMX head (pre-Gibson) - it was the "perfect" sounding amp imo for my tastes. Sold it a few years back due to it being so heavy to lug around for practices, gigs, etc. Havent found anything ive been as happy with since then. So, my question : i am wondering if anyone is familiar with their current amps/cabs & how they compare to the older ones. Thanx.

esa372 · #2 08-07-2011, 09:41 PM

There's bunch of Trace lovers here:

Team Trace Elliot! Part II

Downunderwonder · #3 08-08-2011, 12:15 AM

Tracebassplayer has a shedful of both old and new. Search his posts in that thread and the original one. I think you'll find the new ones are faithful to the old mold.

Downunderwonder · #4 08-08-2011, 12:19 AM

Fwiw I put a 2x10 SWR into service lately and the SMX250 sounds just as sweet. You can find older Trace heads just like your old one without too much trouble.

pbass62 · #5 08-16-2011, 11:24 PM

I have a newer Trace 1210 600w 12band combo. I owned one of the 1st TE rigs sold in the midwest area (AH250 head into TE115 and 410 redline cabs). Early 2003 I sold it to go to SWR. Then I went to Genz Benz. Played that system for about 5 years but the dreaded GAS and Genz Benz customer support sent me searching (sorry GB you had your chance and I keep my word). I fell back in love with the TE sound. To be honest I let my GB gear go at a steal to purchase this Trace Rig. NO COMPARISON for me I made the right choice!

Yes the NEW Trace Elliot is just as good as the old pre Gibson/ Kaman era Trace Elliot IMO

JimmyM · #6 08-16-2011, 11:48 PM

Someone bashing Genz Benz CS? That's a first.

hasbeen · #7 08-17-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbass62

I have a newer Trace 1210 600w 12band combo. I owned one of the 1st TE rigs sold in the midwest area (AH250 head into TE115 and 410 redline cabs). Early 2003 I sold it to go to SWR. Then I went to Genz Benz. Played that system for about 5 years but the dreaded GAS and Genz Benz customer support sent me searching (sorry GB you had your chance and I keep my word). I fell back in love with the TE sound. To be honest I let my GB gear go at a steal to purchase this Trace Rig. NO COMPARISON for me I made the right choice!

Yes the NEW Trace Elliot is just as good as the old pre Gibson/ Kaman era Trace Elliot IMO

hmm.....what happened with GB?

pbass62 · #8 08-18-2011, 01:37 AM

Jimmy I'm not bashing Genz Customer support. I just lost faith in the brand.

I owned a (purchased new), Neopak Amp and Neox212 cab combination that I used in church twice a week.
I sent the amp in under warranty, for distortion in the output isolated to the stage of the amp, did not matter what bass,cab or cable combination going into the effects return. Preamp out was good into a known good power amp.

Amp was returned "could not duplicate re soldered joints"
What was crazy was this amp would occasionally distort and then clear up. I called GB and talked to GB tech support asking about the switch mode power supply used could it be acting up.

About a month ago In a wed nt practice before we played I heard a distortion coming out of my cabinet and then the amp shut down. It re powered showing no amp head fault thermal etc, ran clean for a minute and then went totally dark, blowing line fuse of amp. I sent the amp back to Genz emailing agedhorse who forwarded to Jeff amp history. Jeff emailed me back and said he would check the situation. I got a call amp is done 2 blown mosfets was problem, $103 for repair. I paid and asked if I could get a copy of amp schematics for my personal use ( I'm an aviation/bench
electronics tech by trade and could do my own future repairs w schematics). No response from Genz.

I explained to Jeff that I was a loyal user of the brand(Non endorsed) and that a fellow friend of mine out of my recommendation purchased 2 new GB rigs.

My gear is televised twice a week(nice little billboard) and streamed on the net being played in one of the largest churches in NC.

I wasn't asking for a freebie but after doing the math
New Neopak purchase cost,
$103 for repair,
Twice Fed X shipping charges from NC to AZ,
I lost faith in the gear to be honest. I'm sure the new owners will have a great amp that will give them years(I Hope) of good service.

Genz Benz is good stuff but for me it just did not work out.

By the way Peavey who is the US Dist for Trace Elliot had no problem with schematic request.

Again I'm not going to bash Genz Benz but I do keep my word, the new owner got a heck of a deal, Trace Elliot is getting the support of this blue collar working man
By the way here is a pix of my rig.

MadMark5 · #9 08-18-2011, 06:18 AM

I've been researching older trace stuff due to the fact I picked up a used early 90's 1153, the ported 15" cab for what I think is cheap. everything I read about it says it has a different tone then the newer stuff, and are built like tanks. glowing reviews for 15 years + of service for most of them. they also seem easy to find used.

pbass62 · #10 08-18-2011, 11:07 AM

+1 Its all good!!

Darknut · #11 08-18-2011, 02:51 PM

I also had a pre Gibson 410 Trace rig ( mid 90's) that I kick myself for selling ... I've been wondering about the new stuff as well.