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Bass Amp - which one to choose??

P

Philip Capewell

Feb 15, 2021
40
11
#1
Hello People

I need help on choosing my next bass amp. I have previously posted about my Trace Elliot SMX GP12 having problems on this forum, well after three fixes and back and fourth to an amp tech. The amp gave out again today at band practise. So now as much as I love the amp and the sound it gives me, i think it's time to let go and move on. Only problem is I'm not sure which amp or manufacture to go with and where its not going to be burning a hole (too much) in my pocket.

I need an amp that gives me a punchy bass and treble sound that I got from the Trace Elliot Pre Shape, my sound is a mix between Mark King and Marcus Miller. Bass with enough punch and treble so you can hear every string being hit.

Few things i will miss from the Trace is the Graphic EQ, built in compression and the EQ balance mix. The EQ balance mix is such a great tool for when cutting through certain frequencies more when you are playing venues with not so great acoustics. So if theres any amps out there that people have had experience with which would give me the same qualities as my Trace Elliott than any suggestions would be most appreciated.

P.S people have suggested the Aguila Tone Hammer but watching videos on youtube im not getting the sound vibe i would of liked to have from it.
 
#2
I don't know if anything today sounds like a Trace Elliott, Trace in my opinion have a unique tone. I would check out Ashdown just because of the connection between the two companies, as Mark Gooday who founded Ashdown used to be the chief engineer at Trace Elliott.
Also check out Mark Bass as TC Electonics as Marcus Miller plays Mark Bass and Mark King plays TC Electronics.
 
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#3
PJ Bassthumper said:
I don't know if anything today sounds like a Trace Elliott, Trace in my opinion have a unique tone. I would check out Ashdown just because of the connection between the two companies, as Mark Gooday who founded Ashdown used to be the chief engineer at Trace Elliott.
Also check out Mark Bass as TC Electonics as Marcus Miller plays Mark Bass and Mark King plays TC Electronics.
Click to expand...


Your so right!! I love the Trace Elliot series throughout the 90s but with the Bipolar Bear poweramp that you get with some (which mine has) they are just very troublesome, may explain why mine has blown on me for the third time. So i dont think i could trust myself getting another model from era again.

I know peavey has took them over but i heard the amps weren't as good from 2005 onwards, although I have seen a video of the AH600 model that came out after 2005 it didn't sound half bad! Does anyone have an experience on Trace Elliot stuff post 2005?

Not a fan of TC electronics amps (with what ive heard), I know Mark King currently uses them but i think his tone sounds very thin these days its lost alot bass and just all pop.

Yes Just checking out the Markbass little Marcus amp which sounds brilliant. Defo one for the list of possibilities
 
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#4
While I like the Aguilar Tone Hammers and have owned one, they are definite not the amps for the tone you've described. The Aguilar AG700 would be much closer, but still might lack some of the tone shaping you want.

I tend to play more through tube gear niwadays, so I do not have a solid recommendation for what will be best for you, other than to say, try as many as you can and get advice here or from players you trust, as you are doing. YouTube just isn't a great way to demo gear.
 
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#5
Philip Capewell said:
Hello People

I need help on choosing my next bass amp. I have previously posted about my Trace Elliot SMX GP12 having problems on this forum, well after three fixes and back and fourth to an amp tech. The amp gave out again today at band practise. So now as much as I love the amp and the sound it gives me, i think it's time to let go and move on. Only problem is I'm not sure which amp or manufacture to go with and where its not going to be burning a hole (too much) in my pocket.

I need an amp that gives me a punchy bass and treble sound that I got from the Trace Elliot Pre Shape, my sound is a mix between Mark King and Marcus Miller. Bass with enough punch and treble so you can hear every string being hit.

Few things i will miss from the Trace is the Graphic EQ, built in compression and the EQ balance mix. The EQ balance mix is such a great tool for when cutting through certain frequencies more when you are playing venues with not so great acoustics. So if theres any amps out there that people have had experience with which would give me the same qualities as my Trace Elliott than any suggestions would be most appreciated.

P.S people have suggested the Aguila Tone Hammer but watching videos on youtube im not getting the sound vibe i would of liked to have from it.
Click to expand...
Why not look at the Markbass Little Marcus.
That's his amp now.
 
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#6
Greg75 said:
While I like the Aguilar Tone Hammers and have owned one, they are definite not the amps for the tone you've described. The Aguilar AG700 would be much closer, but still might lack some of the tone shaping you want.

I tend to play more through tube gear niwadays, so I do not have a solid recommendation for what will be best for you, other than to say, try as many as you can and get advice here or from players you trust, as you are doing. YouTube just isn't a great way to demo gear.
Click to expand...
I agree the Tonehammer is not the amp for you and the AG will get you closer but not shimmering highs, if that what you want.
I think MarkBass is a good avenue for you.
 
#7
Greg75 said:
While I like the Aguilar Tone Hammers and have owned one, they are definite not the amps for the tone you've described. The Aguilar AG700 would be much closer, but still might lack some of the tone shaping you want.

I tend to play more through tube gear niwadays, so I do not have a solid recommendation for what will be best for you, other than to say, try as many as you can and get advice here or from players you trust, as you are doing. YouTube just isn't a great way to demo gear.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply, Yes the more i do my research i think Aguila is going to be crossed off the list. Ill Do that, hopefully a few more people on here will reply and give me some more advice :)
 
#8
SJan3 said:
I agree the Tonehammer is not the amp for you and the AG will get you closer but not shimmering highs, if that what you want.
I think MarkBass is a good avenue for you.
Click to expand...

Yes totally agree with you, The Markbass Little Marcus 500 watt (just because i play in relative loud band) is at the top of my list for possibilities, Marcus seems very particular about what gets released under his name so i know its a good product. But still quite interested if anyones had good experience from Trace Elliot models 2005 and over
 
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#12
I used SWR and Trace Elliot amps in the 90's. Today I've found that Genzler MG800 get me those tones in a lighter, more powerful package.
I used GK for a short timebefore Genzler, but did a few warranty exchanges in about 6 months with the GK MB800. Your mileage may vary.

Seriously, look at the Genzler amps, totally solid and fantastic tone.
 
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#15
Just get another Trace Elliot from the 90's. They can be had for a fair price and have the sound that you want. If you pay $350 and it lasts 6 years... awesome. Then buy another.
There's not reason to think that you can't get 5,000 hours of use out of a bass head from that era and plenty of people barely use their stuff.
 
#16
MordBass said:
Just get another Trace Elliot from the 90's. They can be had for a fair price and have the sound that you want. If you pay $350 and it lasts 6 years... awesome. Then buy another.
There's not reason to think that you can't get 5,000 hours of use out of a bass head from that era and plenty of people barely use their stuff.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I only had the trace elliot SMX gp12 since last June and have had three blown ups and a cut out problem with it, its a great amp but its also been the bairn of my life for problems :( i just cant risk getting an older amp like that again. Its the whole poweramp problems that seem to come with it and also finding people to fix it who know what they are doing from amps around that time. I was playing through a Peavey TNT combo which is the older than trace and still running fine but just not getting the tone which is why i moved onto the Trace
 
#17
Texan said:
I used SWR and Trace Elliot amps in the 90's. Today I've found that Genzler MG800 get me those tones in a lighter, more powerful package.
I used GK for a short timebefore Genzler, but did a few warranty exchanges in about 6 months with the GK MB800. Your mileage may vary.

Seriously, look at the Genzler amps, totally solid and fantastic tone.
Click to expand...


Never heard of Genzler will check them out, thank you
 

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