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Found a used Trace Elliot V6!!!

gnergaard

gnergaard

May 31, 2002
1,152
215
Chicago, IL USA
www.therightnow.com
#1
I know I'm taking quite a risk, but I just purchased this:
Invalid Link Removed
I hope it is all there and functioning!
I guess I'm counting on the GC 30 day returns policy.
Wish me luck, TB. I've been hunting for one of these for a LONG, LONG time. : )
Now I'm just waiting for someone in New Jersey to tell me they saw it in the store and it's completely trashed :crying:
 
#8
Too good to be true? Maybe.
So the amp arrived today. This one has definitely been used but it looked like it was shipped pretty well. Early serial number in the 100s and silver badge. Slight rust on the chrome vents and the handle is worn but functional. Someone gigged this one regularly to be sure. Fired it up. Sounded pretty darn good even with the squire jazz bass that was close at hand. I was able to get a little overdrive with the gain at 2 O'clock and a low master. Rolled back the gain and raised the master to about 10 O'clock and REALLY liked the clean tone. "Chocolate" and "Wool" are the words that come to mind...I ran it through one of the new Fender super bassman 6x10 cabs which seemed like a good match.
And then, I started hearing popping noises coming out of the speakers. Oh cruel fate! One or two at first and after about 10 more minutes of what I imagine to be medium volume it started making rapid popping noises like a Cd skipping. Loud as heck, too so I jumped for the standby switch.
Tubes were definitely glowing a dark orange color but it wasn't dark enough to see if the plates were glowing red. I thought that the amp was running hot though I didn't take the rear panel off to look at the transformer.
There's a reputable repair shop that services all the local Guitar Centers in Chicago and I'm sending it into them. Not my first choice perhaps but the GC employee helping me out indicated that GC might pick up the repair bill. I want to believe that, I do, but I'll believe it when I see it. Hopefully it will make it to the bench/amp tech soon, as I only have 30 days to return it if it is a major repair.
<sigh>
:crying:
 
#9
Damn, eh. i picked up an Ampeg V4BH from a local shop expecting that their tech looked it over when they took it in on trade it, but he clearly didn't. The amp worked good for a little while but started developing more and more problems the more I played it. Eventually it died on me and I needed to take it to see my tech. $260 later and I'm still having issues :help: hoping you have better luck with your amp! I'd love to come across one of these old tube Trace heads!
 
#12
gnergaard said:
OH, and HOW much do these things weigh? I nearly slipped a disc carrying this amp to the service counter in the store.
Click to expand...

Yep, but the tone and tactile response is totally worth it IMO. I own three all-tube amps, and even though I'm 57 years old and should be schlepping one of those 5-pounders, I can't let go of the tone and feel of an all-tube amp with massive iron transformers. Congrats on your purchase!
 
#14
So after two repair attempts, new power tubes and a new output transformer my V6 is back in action and has seen 2 gigs.
I have to pay my regards to Guitar Center for standing by their sales and return policy. GC took the hit for the entire repair bill, even though this originated from a store in New Jersey. 3rd Coast Audio did the repair work and I have to commend Hayden for his patience not only in the repair but in dealing with my phone calls. He also rigged a speak-on jack for one of the speaker outs, replacing the old Trace Elliot style XLR speaker jack.
Hard to say if the power tubes (new JJ KT88s) are even broken in yet. Haven't needed to turn it up past 3 at either gig. Running it through 1 Epifani UL310 cab so far and liking the results. I have another cab to add for the next gig outdoors or on a really big stage.
I've posted pics in the Trace Elliot V6 club.
 
#15
So after two repair attempts, new power tubes and a new output transformer my V6 is back in action and has seen 2 gigs.
I have to pay my regards to Guitar Center for standing by their sales and return policy. GC took the hit for the entire repair bill, even though this originated from a store in New Jersey. 3rd Coast Audio did the repair work and I have to commend Hayden for his patience not only in the repair but in dealing with my phone calls. He also rigged a speak-on jack for one of the speaker outs, replacing the old Trace Elliot style XLR speaker jack.
Hard to say if the power tubes (new JJ KT88s) are even broken in yet. Haven't needed to turn it up past 3 at either gig. Running it through 1 Epifani UL310 cab so far and liking the results. I have another cab to add for the next gig outdoors or on a really big stage.
I've posted pics in the Trace Elliot V6 club.
 
#18
gnergaard said:
So after two repair attempts, new power tubes and a new output transformer my V6 is back in action and has seen 2 gigs.
I have to pay my regards to Guitar Center for standing by their sales and return policy. GC took the hit for the entire repair bill, even though this originated from a store in New Jersey. 3rd Coast Audio did the repair work and I have to commend Hayden for his patience not only in the repair but in dealing with my phone calls. He also rigged a speak-on jack for one of the speaker outs, replacing the old Trace Elliot style XLR speaker jack.
Hard to say if the power tubes (new JJ KT88s) are even broken in yet. Haven't needed to turn it up past 3 at either gig. Running it through 1 Epifani UL310 cab so far and liking the results. I have another cab to add for the next gig outdoors or on a really big stage.
I've posted pics in the Trace Elliot V6 club.
Click to expand...

new output transformer? glad you weren't paying the bill!
 
#20
MAMMOTHvolume said:
new output transformer? glad you weren't paying the bill!
Click to expand...

Initially, the repair tech was going to have someone custom wind a new transformer at a cost of nearly $500. I remembered that British Audio Service was a Trace Repair facility and sure enough they had the transformer listed on their website for 175. FYI anyone looking for parts for these should look there first.
 

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