Amps That Slam... like an old Trace Elliot

[cableguy]

View attachment 4117595 The Mesa Boogie Titan V12 Hybrid @ 1200 Watts pushing 2 410 cabs (today’s alignment of Mesa Boogie PH410 on top of a GB Uber 410 on the far left in this picture) is my go-to “slamming SS amp”. But when I want my“Ultimate Slamming Rig, then I just Plug those same cabs into my Mesa Boogie 400+ all tube amp!! But when and if I ever get backed into a corner , where it’s calls for the “No Holds Barred Slamming Situation, then I’d add my Bergantino410 and Mesa 212 to the to t 2 prior amp stacks and run them both at 2 ohms, plus power my 2 MAS 110 cabs with my Mesa D800+Amp, a power my lightweight Schroeder 112 on top of a 115 with a powerful yet articulate Genzler Magellan 800W head. (This is the Bass section of my home studio) I have to say there was a time when our band (around early 1970)we were trying to decide on our Big rigs without the help of TB back then nor the ability to try before buy (the only flavors in our town were Fender and a smattering of Gibson) - and we were tired of lugging around a van and Uhaul full of ineffective Fender amps( few good PAs existed back then)....so in trying to decide which rig I liked best , at one point we had an Acoustic Control Corp rig consisting of a 361 preamp and 2-360 powered cabinets, as well as an Ampeg SVT with 2 - 810 cabs, all brand new for about 6 -8 mo before I finally chose to go with the Acoustic rig (which was a solid state amp).
Peace, DAcat

I picture an extended version of Spinal Taps Big Bottom playing out here.......

 

[Sparky Mark]

I still own these other than the Mk V.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

I'm surprised at the lack of DB 750/751 users. I don't think I've ever seen the word "slam" used half as much to describe the sound of any other amp.

 

[Sparky Mark]

For a 200 watt rig this is surprisingly capable.

 

[frankie5string]

You really can't beat a bass going direct into a Martin, EAW, or JBL system for <slam> ... ;-)
Especially when you're using IEMS with a vibrating "kicker" platform... :-D

 

[Michael Simpson]

Used to own a Trace Elliot AH200 GP12 Series 6 and a 1048 4x10 from the early 80's. Loved that rig but the weight was simply eye watering.

I sold it and settled on an Ashdown ABM 500 combo (one of the limited edition 15th anniversary 2x10's) and you can definitely draw parallels over the basic tone. The Ashdown has a bit more versatility and is way lighter, but the "thump" is definitely there and in a way sounds preferable to my ears.

Mark Gooday at Ashdown recently unveiled a 12 band Ashdown head that will be launched soon, and has likened it to some of the gear he was producing in his "green days" (Trace Elliot) so I've no doubt if you want that Trace Elliot tone in a new, reliable and lighter package this will definitely be something worth checking out!

 

[nixdad]

L.A. Guitar Show, summer 1985:

 

[frankie5string]

L.A. Guitar Show, summer 1985:
View attachment 4118139

Woohoo... business in the front, party in the back.

 

[nixdad]

Woohoo... business in the front, party in the back.

Yep - it was certainly 1985!
That was Jessie from NorCal who happened to be in town for this show. Jaco was in the room just before this photo was taken.

Excellent show held at a hotel on Highland in Hollywood. Gear vendors were in the hotel rooms on a few floors, and the back pool area featured a stage with constant performances and the perfect “backyard party” hang atmosphere.

 

[Mikey F]

I still play Trace Elliot

 

[sonic 7]

 

[Altitude]

Nothing is cooler looking than a Trace Elliot stack sitting on a stage in a club with the green glowing in black light. Like, before the band starts playing, when you're all anticipation.

 

[bertthebassist]

I found the Aguilar DB751 to have great slam. You can really feel the notes with it.
If you don't want to carry 42 lbs., the Eich T-900 is a respectable 4 lb. alternative.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Many forget there were many great Bass amps in 80''s and 90's; their main Sin now is weight NOT Sound and dynamics.

You could always try to find another Excellent condition older AH series 250/350 You have a nice backup
They seem to sell for 300-500

I have not heard the more recent AH600-7 OR 12

 

[moon-bass]

I missed my Trace so much I had to buy this. It's. It perfect but it gets me there. I pair this with a Quilter Big Bass Block and it slams.

 

[burgerdj]

Oh man, how I miss my AH350SMX. The weight was something else - often a PITA to haul to rehearsal, but it just crushed live. The power rating was wildly conservative.

 

[nixdad]

Oh man, how I miss my AH350SMX. The weight was something else - often a PITA to haul to rehearsal, but it just crushed live. The power rating was wildly conservative.

Yep, this is the same rig I was playing in ‘85:

 

[Altitude]

Yep, this is the same rig I was playing in ‘85:
View attachment 4118351

That’s the rig I was dreaming of in ‘85. Seriously. Guitar Resurrection in Austin had a Status just like that on the wall at that time. It was $2500, which was more money than there was in the world to me then.

 

[ahbradot]

I miss my 1980's Trace Elliot. I ran the Trace Elliot bi-amp with two Peavey CS400w power amps through the Peavey Black widow 1810 enclosures 2x18" speakers and 4x10" speakers.
That 80's Gibson Explorer bass played big hi and lo

 

[BOOG]

To clarify, Mark was with TE early on and was eventually promoted to Managing Director (deservedly so.) Mark and his team were directly responsible for many of the models and enhancements we all witnessed throughout the years, the Kaman acquisition and more.

If I remember correctly, Mark started Ashdown after Kaman was no longer affiliated with TE and was subsequently sold to Gibson (Peavey currently owns the TE name and is producing said products. When this happened years ago, many of the original TE crew from England were involved which was cool to see.)

More than I knew before! Thanks for the added input.
One thing I know from dealing with Ashdown Engineering is that anytime I have had a question or needed help, Mr. Gooday and/or Mr. Green have been more than accommodating and quick with response and action. Though they’re across the ocean and in another country, they’ve been as supportive and helpful as my experiences with Hartke and Mesa Engineering. They’re top notch in my book.