Trace Elliot V4 or Marshall VBA400 ?

Dallyd31 · #1 05-26-2011, 02:52 PM

Looks like I am going back to an all tube head. I have owned several amps of all descriptions and I find myself craving all tube again ( the last one I had...an SVT CL wasn't my fav) and I have a line on either a Marshall VBA400 or a Trace Elliot V4.
Currently I play a Trace Elliot V Type 300h hybrid and by far it is my favourite head that is not all tube...it's a great amp.

I guess my concerns are that the V4 may not have enough horsepower and headroom and that the Marshall may have too much power. I have also heard that the VBA400 can sound a little gritty and course...but I have not heard one in person.
I play rock, classic rock and blues rock with a Ric 4003 and a Berg 410 cab.

Any input or feedback ?

bassclef29 · #2 05-26-2011, 03:47 PM

Hello,

I had a VBA400. It sounded great, even at lower volumes. It has input gain + master, so you don't have to blow up your eardrums to get overdrive. Has clean tube tone for days.

I sold it because it's big & heavy and I didn't need it.

The VBA400's outputs are 4 or 2 ohms. If your standalone cabinet is rated at 8 ohms, you'll get an impedance mismatch that, in my understanding, is not good for the head.

Hope this helps.
--Joe in San Diego, California, USA

twinfallsbass · #3 05-26-2011, 03:49 PM

I've used a Trace V4 through a MarkBass 8x10 and it killed, pleanty of power even for outdoor gigs. I have not used the Marshall, but I am sure it sounds great, but will weigh a ton. I think the Trace V4 will be plenty..

nysbob · #4 05-26-2011, 04:04 PM

I don't see an obvious front runner here...both great amps.

Personally, I'd opt for the more power & clean headroom.

Dallyd31 · #5 05-26-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

I've used a Trace V4 through a MarkBass 8x10 and it killed, pleanty of power even for outdoor gigs. I have not used the Marshall, but I am sure it sounds great, but will weigh a ton. I think the Trace V4 will be plenty..

That is one of the main things I was worried about...that it wouldn't have enought power to keep the headroom at louder stage levels

**cheezewiz** · #6 05-26-2011, 06:35 PM

I'd go for the Marshall, but I can't see the Trace being a "bad" choice. Is it just between those two? LOTS of great tube heads out there. I bet an Orange AD200 would be plenty of volume even though it's a 200 watt amp. There's always the SVT too!

Dallyd31 · #7 05-26-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I'd go for the Marshall, but I can't see the Trace being a "bad" choice. Is it just between those two? LOTS of great tube heads out there. I bet an Orange AD200 would be plenty of volume even though it's a 200 watt amp. There's always the SVT too!

The Orange is significantly more expensive than the Marshall or the Trace and doesn't have qa DI. I have heard that the Orange runs out of headroom in a hurry as well.
I do love my current Trace V Type hybrid head...and there is just something cool about the rarity of the Trace as well.
As for the SVT, they are nice...didn't love my SVT CL though. Everyone has an SVT though.

Alex1984 · #8 05-26-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallyd31

The Orange is significantly more expensive than the Marshall or the Trace and doesn't have qa DI. I have heard that the Orange runs out of headroom in a hurry as well.
I do love my current Trace V Type hybrid head...and there is just something cool about the rarity of the Trace as well.
As for the SVT, they are nice...didn't love my SVT CL though. Everyone has an SVT though.

Different isn't always better though. Trace also has the HexaValve with more power on tap.

Tim1 · #9 05-26-2011, 11:39 PM

I have an Orange AD200 and an Ampeg SVT VR. I can assure you that the Orange has plenty of headroom and goes plenty loud clean if you wish to use it that way (and I do all the time). It actually goes way deeper than the Ampeg and is more even across the frequency range (read - no mid frequencies emphasis). My band mates love the Orange.

LowRanger · #10 05-27-2011, 01:14 AM

I've got a VBA400 and find it to be a very multi-dimensional amp. You can coarsen it up early , if that's your choice, via tweakage of the input and output gains. You can make it stay clean fairly late, too, via the same controls.

I've never understood the "too much power" argument. Except in the case of someone bound and determined to blow up something, a little caution goes a long way. Unless you plan on playing through a transistor radio speaker, I'd say you should be fine.

I've never owned a Trace amp before, but I've owned one of their cabs and it was a quality piece of equipment. If you try the VBA 400 an decide you like it, I wouldn't let the "too much power" argument stand in the way of ownership. Besides, when you find you need more power again, the VBA will be right there waiting for you.

Best of luck!

LowRanger · #11 05-27-2011, 01:20 AM

I've got a VBA400 and find it to be a very multi-dimensional amp. You can coarsen it up early, if that's your choice, via tweakage of the input and output gains. You can make it stay clean fairly late, too, via the same controls.

I've never understood the "too much power" argument. Except in the case of someone bound and determined to destroy something, a little caution will cover you a long way. Unless you plan on playing through a transistor radio speaker, I'd say you should be fine.

I've never owned a Trace amp before, but I've owned one of their cabs and it was a quality piece of equipment. If you try the VBA 400 and decide you like it, I wouldn't let the "too much power" argument stand between you and ownership. Besides, when you find you need more power again, the VBA will be right there waiting for you.

Best of luck!

Dallyd31 · #12 05-27-2011, 02:28 PM

Tough choice for sure. I do dig the Trace amps, and from what I hear the V all tube amps are badass. And pretty light comparitively for an all tube amp.

Just wavering on whether the V4 will have enough horsepower

Red Planet · #13 05-27-2011, 03:57 PM

My vote would be the Marshall.

That being said have you tried the Streamliner 900?

Very tuby sounding, light, and really powerful.

geddeeee · #14 05-27-2011, 04:56 PM

I've got a VBA 400 too... The most awesome amp I've ever played or owned(including Ampeg, Orange or any other valve/tube amp you care to name)

In our band it's nicknamed, 'The Beast'

Yeah, it's heavy, but THAT tone... to die for. I'd go with tone over weight anytime...

Buy it!!! You won't be disappointed....

twinfallsbass · #15 05-27-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallyd31

That is one of the main things I was worried about...that it wouldn't have enought power to keep the headroom at louder stage levels

Unless your playing a major arena, I think you'd be fine. I played an outdoor gig WITHOUT PA support and it was PLENTY.

Dallyd31 · #16 05-29-2011, 02:08 PM

Any other Trace or Marshall users out there want to weigh in ?

Dallyd31 · #17 06-03-2011, 03:50 PM

Yet to pull the trigger...completely torn and indecisive. Both great amps...

koobie · #18 06-03-2011, 04:18 PM

In true internet forum style, I can give my .02 worth of semi-informed advice.

I also owned (and liked) a Trace V Type 300 H. I'd say the apparent volume of my Trace Quatra Valve (same output section as a Trace V4 I believe) is similar to the 300 H, if anything it's louder. Is your Trace V Type 300 H loud enough for your needs? And as a comparison, the 300 watt Aguilar DB728 I had could get far louder (while staying relatively clean) than my other amps, honestly more power than I could forsee using. I didn't need that much volume capability and I didn't want to haul around the extra weight. So if I had to choose, I'd go with the Trace. Hope that gives some perspective.

Dallyd31 · #19 06-04-2011, 04:38 PM

I think I will be reduced to flipping a coin...

Dallyd31 · #20 06-05-2011, 08:06 AM

Is the Mesa and the SVT in a VERY different league than these tone wise ?
I have seen a couple of people sell off their Trace tube amps and go to Mesa. My impression was that the Mesa tube amps were very clean and maybe just a touch sterile ( although I have never played one)