Educate me on Trace Elliot V-Type preamp

[ajkula66]

I can't "try before I buy". Not a lot of $$$ and seemingly in VGC, but I've never played one so...

Pros ? Cons ? General impressions ?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom that you may be willing to share.

 

[Wasnex]

I can't "try before I buy". Not a lot of $$$ and seemingly in VGC, but I've never played one so...

Pros ? Cons ? General impressions ?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom that you may be willing to share.

The same preamp used in the Trace Elliot V-Type hybrid and all-tube amps. I think it's a desirable preamp, but YMMV.

Mostly clean but can do a bit of preamp drive. I have a V-Type head and V6 and the preamps in both are a bit noisy, and produce sort of thin wiry sound related to the mains frequency (60hz for me). Not sure if this is normal or if a good tech could sort them out.

The tone is Fender universe but not dead center. A bit mid-scooped with big lows.

The Effects Loop is located near the front of the preamp; before the tone and gain controls.

I have never tried the DI, but I have read several comments that suggest it's not great.

The Fenderish tone stack has some extra components to add Deep and Mid Shift. Per the OM the Deep switch scoops the mids and cuts the highs a bit.

The Mid Shift actually changes the upper knee of the Bass control. If the Bass control is fully CCW, it has no impact. In one position the Bass control reach up into the mids, and in the other position the upper knee is moved to a much lower frequency. This impacts the depth and width of the mid scoop.

The Bright switch is across the Gain control (typical Fender).

The overall voicing is sort of HiFi. Lows can be big, but IME tend to stay fairly clear and focused. Fairly bright up top.

The controls interact quite a bit. Turn up the mids and you can't turn down the highs. This is typically for Trace Elliot and Ashdown tube amps.

The preamp uses a pair of 12AX7 types. It does not respond strongly to tube rolling. Very small tonal differences do occur; enough that I have a non-stock 12AX7 variant in both of mine. However I struggled to justify the cost of the new tube.

 

[ajkula66]

Very thorough response - as usual - thank you very much @Wasnex !

After reading your post it seems kinda understandable that some users were comparing it with F1X.

More opinions/experiences are welcomed...

 

[LilacEnrgy]

I have never tried the DI, but I have read several comments that suggest it's not great.

this has been my experience, the DI on my v type has some intermittent noise and is otherwise nothing to write home about. that said, I love the amp and gigged it regularly for ~5 years, and still do occasionally. sounds great by itself, and the mid scoop is pleasant but not extreme enough to get you lost in a band mix, especially with the mid shift on. I feel like the overall character is really clear and smooth - it can be bright, but never really gets abrasive, and the lows are rounded without being too pillowy. I'd love to try one one of the all tube models, but it seems like even the hybrids are getting harder to come by now.

 

[ajkula66]

Thank you, @LilacEnrgy !

this has been my experience, the DI on my v type has some intermittent noise and is otherwise nothing to write home about. that said, I love the amp and gigged it regularly for ~5 years, and still do occasionally. sounds great by itself, and the mid scoop is pleasant but not extreme enough to get you lost in a band mix, especially with the mid shift on. I feel like the overall character is really clear and smooth - it can be bright, but never really gets abrasive, and the lows are rounded without being too pillowy. I'd love to try one one of the all tube models, but it seems like even the hybrids are getting harder to come by now.

You good people are making this preamp sound quite appetizing......I might just have to buy it, which is going to be quite a complex affair in its own right......trust me, you don't want to know....

More opinions and experiences are always welcome.

 

[Jugghaid]

this has been my experience, the DI on my v type has some intermittent noise and is otherwise nothing to write home about. that said, I love the amp and gigged it regularly for ~5 years, and still do occasionally. sounds great by itself, and the mid scoop is pleasant but not extreme enough to get you lost in a band mix, especially with the mid shift on. I feel like the overall character is really clear and smooth - it can be bright, but never really gets abrasive, and the lows are rounded without being too pillowy. I'd love to try one one of the all tube models, but it seems like even the hybrids are getting harder to come by now.

Mine is quite quiet. I actually use my V-type preamp to record frequently and have never had an issue with noise. I have used the DI on my V6 live frequently as well with no issues.

 

[ajkula66]

Mine is quite quiet. I actually use my V-type preamp to record frequently and have never had an issue with noise.

Thank you, @Jugghaid !

Fine folks of TB really want to spend my money on this TE, don't they now ?

I should've known better, as The Beatles sang...

 

[groovaholic]

it seems kinda understandable that some users were comparing it with F1X

I would be one of those people - I've owned both, and they are VERY similar sounding.

Post in thread 'tube preamps'

Oct 31, 2007

This is all VERY "FWIW, YMMV" etc. Tone is right up there with genre in terms of COMPLETELY subjective matters. There IS NO "right" answer.

So, my treasure might be your trash.

With that said, I've owned LOTS of bass preamps and they all have something cool to bring to the table. They also missed the mark in some way that led to their departure...

Here's a chronological listing:

• Groove Tubes STBP
• Alembic F1X
• Ampeg SVP
• Yamaha PB1
• Demeter VTBP-201
• Alembic F1X
• Tech 21 RBI
• Demeter VTBP-201S
• Tech 21 RBI
• BBE B-Max
• Demeter HBP-1...

• groovaholic

The V-Type has a bit more midrange, and the separate pre and post gain give it more ability to get mild overdrive.

Bottom line: the Alembic is a bit more refined - the Trace is a bit more rock & roll.
Both sound excellent.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I had a trace unit and I would say you are correct, I cant remember if I used the DI or my Radial though.

 

[ajkula66]

Thank you so much @groovaholic ! That was immensely helpful.

You good people have given me plenty to work with, the decision will be made over the next week depending on a couple of things...

Thanks again everybody and stay tuned.

 

[Chuck M]

I went through a period of using preamps and power amps. I tried Trace Elliott GP12 SMX, V-Type, Alembic F1X, Demeter VTBP-201, Yamaha BP1, Ashley BP-41, Peavey TB raxx, Ampeg SVT IIP and probably one or two others I have long since forgotten.

My favorites were the Alembic and the Demeter. Both sounded fantastic and were very reliable. I remember buying the V-Type and thought it sounded like it lacked detail in the tone. I don't think it ever went to a gig because the Alembic and Demeter sounded so much better to me.

Of course the power amp and cabinet used will be a big part of the tone you get so opinions, like mine, are always best taken with it firmly in mind that your opinion may not agree with mine. We all have our own goals in the tone we are after.

 

[Ethix4]

The same preamp used in the Trace Elliot V-Type hybrid and all-tube amps. I think it's a desirable preamp, but YMMV.

Mostly clean but can do a bit of preamp drive. I have a V-Type head and V6 and the preamps in both are a bit noisy, and produce sort of thin wiry sound related to the mains frequency (60hz for me). Not sure if this is normal or if a good tech could sort them out.

I had my tech deal with this on my v4 by putting an aluminum shielding plate in the amp, on the bottom floor of the case. It has helped mitigate this buzz tremendously.

 

[golower]

I went through a period of using preamps and power amps. I tried Trace Elliott GP12 SMX, V-Type, Alembic F1X, Demeter VTBP-201, Yamaha BP1, Ashley BP-41, Peavey TB raxx, Ampeg SVT IIP and probably one or two others I have long since forgotten.

My favorites were the Alembic and the Demeter. Both sounded fantastic and were very reliable. I remember buying the V-Type and thought it sounded like it lacked detail in the tone. I don't think it ever went to a gig because the Alembic and Demeter sounded so much better to me.

Of course the power amp and cabinet used will be a big part of the tone you get so opinions, like mine, are always best taken with it firmly in mind that your opinion may not agree with mine. We all have our own goals in the tone we are after.

I used the Ampeg SVT or SVP I forget the name pre amp with a power amp and it provided good tone but it had an audible hiss. Pretty loud hiss actually. I wonder about the Avalon pre amps and if they might be good for bass? I heard a pro bassist comment he used one for recording and loved the results. I appreciate your answer and opinion about all those pre amps thank you. I was using a Crown K2 power amp.