Trace Elliot

togglehead · #1 02-08-2011, 02:45 PM

Pre gibson buyout Trace Elliot GP7SM 300 or Ashdown MAG 600?

Assuming theyre the same price, of course. I know this has been the topic of discussion before...but its usually comparing new trace stuff....

This would be to replace my Eden WT400....which i LOVE the sound of, but traded it for my current rig. This amp Would be used to power 1 of 2 cabs. An ampeg pr410hlf, or a Carvin RL115. Probably the 15 more often...as id use this for smaller gigs. My other amp head is an Aguilar DB750.

Discuss....

hasbeen · #2 02-08-2011, 02:51 PM

I'd say the Trace. I was working with Trace when the GP7SM series came out.

For those of us that were close to it, including artists, many thought that was the best sounding Trace made....and that when we went to the SMX pre....it lost something.

Mosfet!

togglehead · #3 02-08-2011, 02:54 PM

Interesting. This head is more for tone than it is for the wattage, so i am leaning towards the trace.

Its all SS right? Not a hybrid? Is the Mag 600 an SS amp too? Im assuming it is...as there were no tube details on their site...

My name is Mudd · #4 02-08-2011, 02:57 PM

I have the same 7-band pre in a 130 watt Trace SS head from 1995...I intend to be buried with it.

hasbeen · #5 02-08-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by togglehead

Interesting. This head is more for tone than it is for the wattage, so i am leaning towards the trace.

Its all SS right? Not a hybrid? Is the Mag 600 an SS amp too? Im assuming it is...as there were no tube details on their site...

Yes...the SM preamps did not have tubes. Later, with the SMX series, a tube was added to the pre and the power section went from MOSFET to bipolar.

To many, this change made Trace lose much of the grunt and heft that it was known for. Also, they would go thermal more often.

togglehead · #6 02-08-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Yes...the SM preamps did not have tubes. Later, with the SMX series, a tube was added to the pre and the power section went from MOSFET to bipolar.

To many, this change made Trace lose much of the grunt and heft that it was known for. Also, they would go thermal more often.

Not a turnoff, just curious. Ive got tubes in my aggie...so thats not really necessary to be covered.

Im leaning towards the trace, if for nothing else...to own some history. The ashdown is very tempting, but ive read reviews about them being awfully quiet for the wattage they put out. Also...id rather support a local player (selling the trace) than a guitar center (selling the ashdown).

AdamR · #7 02-08-2011, 03:08 PM

I just switched to a Mag 300 from an SWR, love the tone. I have no experience with the T.E.

delta7fred · #8 02-08-2011, 03:09 PM

That is the amp I have in my 7215 combo, and love it. It has been gigged constantly since I bought it new in 1997.

It did self combust a few years ago due to the missing star washer assembly fault, but I replaced the output amp with the newer mosfet version and added the star washer and it is good as ever. Oh and a new speaker because it fried the coil on the other when the amp went.

I keep thinking of replacing it with a class D head and lightweight cab but it is amply loud enough, sounds good, and is reliable so I think I will stick with it.

Edit- I've just read hasbeen's post. They were originally a bipolar output amp, mine was untill it fried. They switched to mosfet sometime around 1999 I think. That is the date on the schematic that Trace supplied me with.

hasbeen · #9 02-08-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta7fred

That is the amp I have in my 7215 combo, and love it. It has been gigged constantly since I bought it new in 1997.

It did self combust a few years ago due to the missing star washer assembly fault, but I replaced the output amp with the newer mosfet version and added the star washer and it is good as ever. Oh and a new speaker because it fried the coil on the other when the amp went.

I keep thinking of replacing it with a class D head and lightweight cab but it is amply loud enough, sounds good, and is reliable so I think I will stick with it.

Edit- I've just read hasbeen's post. They were originally a bipolar output amp, mine was untill it fried. They switched to mosfet sometime around 1999 I think. That is the date on the schematic that Trace supplied me with.

hmm....in the early '90s, they were MOSFET.

togglehead · #10 02-08-2011, 07:35 PM

im picking it up on friday guys. Ill let you know how she goes!

My name is Mudd · #11 02-08-2011, 07:47 PM

Which...the Trace?

togglehead · #12 02-08-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

Which...the Trace?

Oops...my bad. Yep, the trace!

delta7fred · #13 02-09-2011, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

hmm....in the early '90s, they were MOSFET.

I still have the receipt dated 7th December 1997, and the old blown power amp board with a label dated 2nd November 1997 and the serial number or inspection number 668, and it is definitely 'THE BIPOLAR BEAR'. It is no good looking for a date on any of the semiconductors as I think they have all been changed.

Maybe in the USA the Mosfet amp came in earlier.