Sticking with gear because it won't sell...

[Willem]

So I have this pretty great amp, a Trace Elliot Hexavalve, I bought after much TB research and looking for it second hand for quite a while. I've been using it with an Ashdown Mag810 which might not do it justice. I actually had been satisfied with my tone and volume for 98% of gigs and rehearsals. But still, after one year I've put it for sale again at about the same price I bought it for. At first I added the cost of the new tubes to the asking price. That was 2,5 years ago. Now I ask what I paid. I have no takers. I had one offer, which was way too low, from a collector who already had 3 of them!?

I'm from the school of one bass, one amp, one cab (not a really a pedal user, have tried 'm though). So it's fixed in my mind I can't buy something else before it sells. In the meantime I've been gassing for lots of stuff. Lighter, simpler (no graphic EQ) tube amps, micro amps, pre/power, IEM/no amp, ... But as long as it doesn't sell, I can't go further. And I don't really know what I want anyway, but I do know I sound pretty good. When playing I don't even think about it, since I learned to work the graphic better and got rid of those crappy EMG's and got Nordstrands.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this thread to be honest. What kind of advice I'm looking for... It's not a hidden for sale thread as I'm sure nobody here is willing to pay shipping (and taxing) from Belgium.



Just tell me to get a better cab and that I'll be set for life!

[fenderhutz]

I wish I had a tube Trace amp I was stuck with. At least you aren't stuck with a Behringer or something.

[BigOldHarry]

Some gear appreciates; Some devalues. Trace was VERY popular in the late '80s but, for whatever reason, is not now.

The thing is - you say you're satisfied with your tone - 98% so - so why sell? Why go through the hassle? A new amp is not likely to fix it - and I'm guessing with VAT there you'll be paying up the wazzoo for new gear...

Stick with the trace head and look at new cabs. What are you using now? What sound are you trying to get? Heck, 98% satisfied is pretty darned good, so I'd keep the cab too!!! Sounds to me like you're just having gear-envy / aka GAS - Buy a music book and work through it... or buy a pedal an dork with it a bit.

[christw]

Don't sell your amp. Hang onto it unless you find something you like more. Sample amps at a music store or something. Too many people just keep looking for something more than they have and never find it. All I found is what I really like, not some magical "all I'll ever need" amp or bass after way too much buying and selling.

[kosmicwizard]

Another suggestion Willem, save up a bit of money and get a second amp. Then you can keep your Trace and fiddle with all the other stuff that we get to as bass players. Some heads you will like, other heads you will hate, you will spend a lot of money finding out which ones sound good to you, but at least you will always have the one thing that makes you happy to fall back on. Don't take this wrong but you are no married to the Hexavalve, she will not divorce you if you play around with a couple of other combinations. All the best! Cheers.

[Edward G.]

Everything old is new again. After you sell it for some cut-rate price, it'll become an arch-collectible for somebody else. That's what happens to me, anyway. Hold onto it and play the hell out of it. What does it cost you to keep it?

[joeydavidson]

For me, I ended g.a.s by buying two amps, I have my 'class a' and a 'class d' micro amp, having 2 different amps with different tones lets you not get bored with one amp. There's a chance if you sell your amp before getting another one, you may regret it or you might start to miss the Hexavalve after a while - you did say that you sound good.

If you're unable to sell your amp for a resonable price then you should just hang on to it unless you really don't like the tone imo.

[P. Aaron]

For tonal boredom, I don't blame the gear.

I just try and learn new stuff, techniques. Other things that challenge my playing.

If a quality tone ain't a problem, find some new music to learn.

Like you, I have a simple rig. Getting better is what I pursue now.

[sleepytime]

Just get a better cab. You'll be set for life.

[toobalicious]

sleepytime nails it... a great cab can make SUCH a difference!

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

Everything old is new again. After you sell it for some cut-rate price, it'll become an arch-collectible for somebody else. That's what happens to me, anyway. Hold onto it and play the hell out of it. What does it cost you to keep it?

Yeah, strange world, innit?

Though I struggle to imagine one of those UV / Green face Trace amps becoming "Vintage" - - Then again, I never EVER thought '70s Fenders would become cool...

[Asomodai]

So the economy tanks after your pay a certain amount for your trace, and your wondering why you cant get the same money back for it?

[bucephylus]

Willem - I just let go of my two Hexavalve heads, and had to pretty much take a $ bath to do it. I agree with not accumulating gear. The Hexavalve amp is a great piece, but for my purposes, hauling it around on a regular basis turned out to be not so much fun. Best of luck.

FWIW, I am now mainly using a GB Shuttle 9 into my NV610, and am very satisfied with the tone/volume/movability factors.

[savinggrace]

Originally Posted by toobalicious

sleepytime nails it... a great cab can make SUCH a difference!

+2!!!

I back up this statement.

[sleepytime]

Originally Posted by sleepytime

Just get a better cab. You'll be set for life.

Originally Posted by toobalicious

sleepytime nails it... a great cab can make SUCH a difference!

Originally Posted by savinggrace

+2!!!

I back up this statement.

LOL, read the last line of the OP, you guys.

[Mr. Foxen]

I'd totally be interested in that amp if I had any money. Shipping might sting, but I'm EU so should be no tax?

But yeah, better cab, and maybe a service, valve amps can get cranky really slowly so you think you are going off it but it is actually the bias drifting or something.

[msquared]

Originally Posted by Willem

Just tell me to get a better cab and that I'll be set for life!

I don't think people get how big a deal the cabinet part of things can be. Unless you're in the studio or using in-ears and the PA, the cab is always going to be something that you have to consider in your tone chain. This means that you really have to balance the sound of the cab with the sound of the amp and the sound of the bass to be truly satisfied. If you love your bass and your head (and that's a great head) then it sounds like you have a bit of cab roulette to play.

I doubt you'll be set for life but you'll at least be satisfied for a bit.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Willem

So I have this pretty great amp, a Trace Elliot Hexavalve, I bought after much TB research and looking for it second hand for quite a while. I've been using it with an Ashdown Mag810 which might not do it justice. I actually had been satisfied with my tone and volume for 98% of gigs and rehearsals. But still, after one year I've put it for sale again at about the same price I bought it for. At first I added the cost of the new tubes to the asking price. That was 2,5 years ago. Now I ask what I paid. I have no takers. I had one offer, which was way too low, from a collector who already had 3 of them!?

I'm from the school of one bass, one amp, one cab (not a really a pedal user, have tried 'm though). So it's fixed in my mind I can't buy something else before it sells. In the meantime I've been gassing for lots of stuff. Lighter, simpler (no graphic EQ) tube amps, micro amps, pre/power, IEM/no amp, ... But as long as it doesn't sell, I can't go further. And I don't really know what I want anyway, but I do know I sound pretty good. When playing I don't even think about it, since I learned to work the graphic better and got rid of those crappy EMG's and got Nordstrands.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this thread to be honest. What kind of advice I'm looking for... It's not a hidden for sale thread as I'm sure nobody here is willing to pay shipping (and taxing) from Belgium.



Just tell me to get a better cab and that I'll be set for life!

It will sell. You just have to get to the right price point. Prices are lower in this economy.

[Andy V.]

Originally Posted by sleepytime

Just get a better cab. You'll be set for life.

+1.

[Ajrocks]

you could always try adding different effect pedals, but damn, the next thing you know you have about 15 of them!!!!!