GK Plex or TE Elf as a gig backup

[Downunderwonder]

Either one. If you're the FOH guy, you can still fade in your clean signal mid-song quicker than you can hook up a second amp.

Never kid yourself. How many "backup" guitar DI's, kickdrum mics run behind, spare mic's wired and fader down have you seen? But bass MUST have one. Just say no thanks.

 

[Texican]

Well...yeah. What does the singer do at your gigs, yell real loud?

I'm going to assume he meant FOH for bass... as in enough wattage, headroom, speakers (including subs), channels, etc. to accommodate the bassist AFTER, and ONLY AFTER, the rest of the band is taken care of. Amplified vocals have absolutely nothing to do with FOH in the context of live bass guitar amplification.

 

[SgtHulka]

I'm going to assume he meant FOH for bass... as in enough wattage, headroom, speakers (including subs), channels, etc. to accommodate the bassist AFTER, and ONLY AFTER, the rest of the band is taken care of. Amplified vocals have absolutely nothing to do with FOH in the context of live bass guitar amplification.

In general we don't bring the PA. The singer has his own JBL single self powered, multi purpose speaker he uses for vocals only. Nothing that would help me should my amp go down.

 

[kodiakblair]

I'd go for the ELF.

My GK Plex has been in it's box for around 18 months now. It's not a particularly easy unit to use IMHO. Tuner function is a nightmare to switch on.Saving grace is I didn't actually buy the Plex, it was a raffle prize

 

[Texican]

In general we don't bring the PA. The singer has his own JBL single self powered, multi purpose speaker he uses for vocals only. Nothing that would help me should my amp go down.

...and this is the case for many "band PA's".

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I have a Warwick ProFet. My back up is a Warwick ProFet.

 

[LHbassist]

I've played the TE ELF head, through a nice 4x10 cab, and was impressed. I actually thought about buying one. Played one through the ELF 2x8 Elf cab... not impressed at all. I still think the ELF head is a nice amp. I just do not like small drivers.
Here's my vote for a backup- this is what always goes with me on gigs, stays in the trunk. Weighs 4 pounds. Puts out 450 watts @8, 900 @4 ohms- Kicks butt, and is pretty easy to get a good sound out of with minimal controls.
Not really much on the market this size that is as reasonably priced (used) as this now classic amp. Too good to sell, too expensive to replace.

 

[wyleeboxer]

I keep a GK mb200 under my car seat.. doesn’t have the headroom or note definition as my Quilter bb800 but it can get me by at a gig. Every now and then I’ll use it, nice tone just does not the hefty volume I like

 

[BioDriver]

Have people forgotten about carrots?

In any case, Elf.

 

[BOOG]

Get both

 

[CoffeeLove]

I am in the minority here for sure, but I sold the Elf because it seemed very underpowered unless running at 4 ohms. Tried it on a fairly small indoor gig once through my Bergantino Reference 112 with it maxed out, and it was lacking.

That said, I would go with an amp over just the DI, but something other than the Elf. There are a bunch of small amps that have wayyy more power at 8ohms in case you ever need it. IMHO

 

[PCR]

I've played the TE ELF head, through a nice 4x10 cab, and was impressed. I actually thought about buying one. Played one through the ELF 2x8 Elf cab... not impressed at all. I still think th ELF head is a nice amp. I just do not like small drivers.
Here's my vote for a backup- this is what always goes with me on gigs, stays in the trunk. Weighs 4 pounds. Puts out 450 watts @8, 900 @4 ohms- Kicks butt, and is pretty easy to get a good sound out of with minimal controls.
Not really much on the market this size that is as reasonably priced (used) as this now classic amp. Too good to sell, too expensive to replace.View attachment 3415435

Your backup is my main amp.
I also have a GK MB800, but my discontinued Genz Benz S9.0 goes to the gigs. Super simple, super reliable, super powerful.

 

[PCR]

Dang, you guys act like gigs w FOH support are a birthright or something. I must need help booking better gigs, I guess

LOL: In our band, I'm the one schlepping FOH (and most of the backline) since it's my equipment. When someone tells the engineer to move a fader, that's usually me trying to keep beat, and move the fader with my nose.

 

[LHbassist]

Your backup is my main amp.
I also have a GK MB800, but my discontinued Genz Benz S9.0 goes to the gigs. Super simple, super reliable, super powerful.

The ONLY reason it isn't my main amp- is that, if I'm not really careful, I can blow speakers with mine. AgedHorse serviced it a while back, and it works really well. But I had terrible luck with it for a while, blew up some first gen Eminence Deltalites, a Mesa Eminence 3012 in my Powerhouse cab, and the Eminence 12" driver in a BFM Jack I bought. I actually use, as my main amps what some might think are inferior- but they are great... two different Carvin heads, a BX500, and for larger venues a BX1500. The compressors really help- even though they are so sensitive that they can only be just barely on. I never thought I'd ever be a Carvin user, and enthusiast. I think they made some really excellent stuff. The 500, with one of my BRX 10.2 cabs- is the perfect club/ casino gig amp.

 

[PCR]

It looks like the Trace Elliot Elf, ran away in this poll.

This looks like the way to go.

I am seeing more posts and info about the TC BAM200.

May have to wait unit a good comparison between the Elf and the BAM200 comes out.

 

[SgtHulka]

It looks like the Trace Elliot Elf, ran away in this poll.

This looks like the way to go.

I am seeing more posts and info about the TC BAM200.

May have to wait unit a good comparison between the Elf and the BAM200 comes out.

If it helps, they have the exact same specs and frequencies. A direct copy by TC. Similar in size.

 

[Zbysek]

If it helps, they have the exact same specs and frequencies. A direct copy by TC. Similar in size.

I agree except the size. TC is larger.

It's easy: if your preference is size, go for ELF.

If you want to save cash, you can go for TC. But I would wait until there is enough info and experience from users...

 

[bigswifty1]

So the Elf is pretty cool. One caution though is if you have heavy handed technique the Elf will shut down for about one second if you send a fast transient through other than that it functions and sounds great. On the Plex I never could not get decent settings on the compressor and the overdrive was a little harsh other than that its pretty cool too. Another option as a backup amp might be a GK MB200, its not as loud as the TE but it works pretty good. I have both.

Mine has been fine so far touch wood

 

[bigswifty1]

I went through a similar decision to this a little while ago and went with an ELF. I ended up liking it better than my "main" amp and now my Little Mark III is the backup and lives in the car.
Mike

 

[Zbysek]

I went through a similar decision to this a little while ago and went with an ELF. I ended up liking it better than my "main" amp and now my Little Mark III is the backup and lives in the car.
Mike

Interesting.

I have both, I like both.

I am still using LMIII as my main amp though...