Team Trace Elliott Pt 3

[stingray56funk]

Jaymi...8 ohms. The 4x10 and 1x15 are each 8 ohms. I have never seen a 4 ohm 4x10 TE cab.

 

[Jaymi]

I am going to have to check them with a meter....they would not play together with my peavey head...

 

[cyclecamper]

If I can't buy a real V8 I'll just build one, using the real circuit boards and real transformers. Maybe I can make the DI quieter too.

 

[cyclecamper]

I sure wish I had a real V8 to use for comparing voltages and waveforms etc.

 

[bedroommuso]

Mine is one of the last under Kaman before Gibson got their mitts on Trace. We didn't get SMC versions in NZ so unlikely you will find one in Aussie.

The stuff on the front is a little bit random. Mine is a RAH250 GP12SMX. Only the smx GP12 is on the front. The rest was in pen on the back and long since faded out.

GP12 band graphic, others were GP7
SMX has the compressors
SM still splits the signal I believe as it has the balance control and switchable high passing effect loop.

If the amp is 2U it's a 150W to 300W one.
3U can be all kinds in the US, over here they are big guns dual 300W stereo units.

Some have preamp valve, it doesn't do a whole lot, mine is blendable.
Mine has a fan, I don't see many smx for sale here but they have all had fans, I have seen a few 150W SM and older series 6 with heatsinks. The fan is pretty quiet.

Some of the US ones have dual voltage capability. Probably Kaman or earlier vintage. You'd have to be pretty keen to post one though.

Mine, for another example of how the heads can be labeled, spec'd, etc...

Thanks for that, great help. So is it only the "SMX" or "GP12" models that have onboard compressors? Or are there any others? I've seen an SM150 model.. but I wondered whether 150 watts is enough, because I would probably run 1 x 8 ohm cab most of the time. I've already got a GK '94 400RB without a comp/GEQ so I wouldn't mind an amp with them onboard to save carrying effects sometimes... Also is there anyway of telling the difference between a pre- and -post gibson on the 1990s models.. it was '96 wasn't it, when the change over occured?

Also, thanks for the labelling tip Mudd, it seems that labelling is a bit of a game of roulette. I just wanted some solid search terms to find these amps but it looks like I will have to look a lot more closely at photos.

 

[My name is Mudd]

Near as I can tell, Trace back then built what they wanted to at the time, and with what materials they had on hand...the combo offerings can be all over the map at times.

As far as whether 150 watts is enough...remember that these are UK Trace heads we're talking about, and are notoriously more powerful than they would appear to be. My 130 (130 watts RMS @ 4 ohms) peaks at 260 watts @ 4 ohms. My amp guy here in town said that he thinks mine puts out about 95-100 watts @ 8 ohms...if his figures are reasonably close, the 150 should be good for around 115/120 watts @ 8 ohms.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Real boomfy watts.

I think you would have to be on the quieter end of the spectrum to make do with the 150W one and one cab. Certainly my 250W with 2 cabs can easily keep up with hard hit drums.

 

[THE DANiMAL]

Hey guys, I'm in with an '89 GP7 SM 150, a '94 2103H and I just picked up an RAH300-12.

I picked up the 300 dirt cheap as it's in need of some love and repair, it supposedly has an issue with the input gain pot. Not sure yet, as I haven't torn it open. Would anyone happen to have a shot of the internals of one of these that I can reference? I don't need the power section, just the pre. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Downunderwonder]

That one's a bit different to mine but probably pretty similar GP12 preamp section minus the valve. I attached a pdf to a post I made in the old Team Trace thread.

British Audio Service are pretty good about sending out pdf's.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If anyone wants a member number please be specific about asking for a number. "I'm in" doesn't quite get there.

 

[justinc]

Hi there
Trace elliot v8 in stable and very pleased with it
I only use tube amps, and she's perhaps the best tone I've heard
If that's good enough toss me a number
Cheers

 

[stonehenge]

Just found this AH350SM at a pawn shop, was curious if anyone knows how to tell when it was made?

 

[curbowkid]

Im no trace elliot expert but i wanna say 80s-early 90s??

Edit: 1996

 

[Musiclogic]

Look on the back panel, the side with the red knobs, there will be a little green rectangle with the date of manufacture and a serial number. If no date, it's post 1990

 

[My name is Mudd]

There could be QC-check tags inside the amp's housing, with dates. I agree that it looks to be early/mid 90's.

 

[stonehenge]

Thanks for the info! Looks like its a 94,
Great sounding amp!

 

[Tonywhite985]

Hi Guys i've been on these forums for a while but i picked up this beast today, a Trace V4 mkII even rarer than it's big brother the V8, sounds great and has a compressor OD gain channel and is my first tube head, very impressed with the find. Can i have a number please? Thanks from the UK, Tony. (if the picture isn't showing i will insert a photo link as soon as i get on)

 

[Downunderwonder]

Im a new Trace Head. Scored these at a flea market for $180. I had practice that same night. These things rock! Now all I need is a TE head.

You'll be wanting a Team Trace Elliot member # I presume?

Still waiting, member numbers are not given out lightly.

Short story: I'm making a V8 with slightly higher output, should sound about the same.

And you will be wanting a member number for the other one you got too? I'll make you your wattage number for the V8 if you like!

 

[My name is Mudd]

Pic isn't showing here.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Hi there
Trace elliot v8 in stable and very pleased with it
I only use tube amps, and she's perhaps the best tone I've heard
If that's good enough toss me a number
Cheers

Welcome justinc, memeber # 220

Hi Guys i've been on these forums for a while but i picked up this beast today, a Trace V4 mkII even rarer than it's big brother the V8, sounds great and has a compressor OD gain channel and is my first tube head, very impressed with the find. Can i have a number please? Thanks from the UK, Tony. (if the picture isn't showing i will insert a photo link as soon as i get on)

And Tonywhite985, member # 221

Wear them with pride.