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the TRACE ELLIOT thread

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#81
It seems that in an A / B comparison, the V4 was about as loud as my AH400SMX. I heared the V8 through the Trace 1084 (8x10) at the guitar show in Birmingham (UK) late 2000 and was bowled over by it... When the opportunity to own the V4 came up, I just had to sell my 600SMX...

Overdrive and compression in a very valvey and Trace Elliot kind of way, lovely!
 
#85
I'm a user and lover of my V6 for five years. I wouldn't trade it for any amp that I've heard -- ever.

I have a first-hand account from Chris Maersh (Eric Johnson's bass player). He used to be a big V8 fan -- with the 8x10 TE bottom. Truly one of the best "modern old-school" sounds these old ears have experienced. Last year I saw him in Beantown using the new Fender Pro 800 and Fender 8x10. When I asked him what the deal was, he told me that the V8 had reliability issues -- too many breakdowns. He didn't elaborate, but the fact that he switched was big -- mostly because Eric LOVED that V8.

Of course, he tours a LOT, so I'm sure his stuff gets a lot more action than mine! In addition, I blew one of the original power tubes about one year after getting my V6. My amp tech loaded in new tubes and told me that Trace had some "update" modification that was covered under warranty. I don't know what that was, but my amp has been perfect ever since.

In any case, I'm a TE guy. Small gigs, big gigs, I lug that beautiful boat anchor around 'cause the tone can't be beat.
 
#86
sweet rig man!! How do you like you GenzBenz cabs?
attachment.jpg

My living room rig (half of my live rig), I have another GB 15 for for live.
 
#87
Thanks! I bought them because 1. GenzBenz had a pretty good rep, 2. becuase they were very compact, 3. becuase GB used to sell these unloaded. and 4. I had a couple of EVM 15s sitting around and needed boxes to put them in. Whatever deficiencies they have in the low end -- these are compact boxes after all -- the amp has enough power to just grunt it out and EVs can handle the power! I play a 4-string, so I don't need super low-end anyway. I'm also not a tweeter guy (no offense to those who are).

I think they sound great. I love EV tone and I love TE tone. So I'm a happy puppy (he wags his tail).
 
#88
One more thing: I did a small mod to the bins. I replaced the GB padding with thicker fiberglass insulation. I tell you, the difference was amazing. It seems like they got another half an octave in the low end. I'm sure it is not really that big, but my ears were happy that I added it!
 
#91
oddio said:
Sorry Kelly, I don't want to seem like I'm nit-picking but there are eight preamp tubes in the late versions of the V-Type (post-2000 such as the V8) which have 7 x ECC83/12AX7 plus 1 x EM84 display. The pre-2000 TE preamps, such as those found in the V4 and V6, have two.
Click to expand...
No problem oddio, you are correct. I should have mentioned that. I was generalizing a little too much. I figured that most people are going to run into the earlier style than the later (and better IMO) style preamp.

On the fuseholders I have never had a problem with one ever. I hadn't heard of anyone having problems with one until after the buyout. Hmm, I guess I learned something! :D

Johnny BoomBoom you are correct in the takeover timeframe. Gibson purchased in 1998 and Kaman did it in 1992. I really should start paying attention to what I'm typing. Ugh. :p
 
#97
Does anyone know anything about the MOSFET powered v-type heads? I bought the v-type600 from zzounds a couple years back and can't find very much info on it like if it is post or pre gibson.

I'm thinking of selling it when I get it back from being serviced if anyone would be interested...
 
#98
I'm interested in that V8 on Aussie ebay as someone pointed out to me trace might be what i'm after.. I don't like the ful on cleaness of trace's SS amps, but would the tube amps have much more warmth?
Also, what should i ask the seller about with the fuses?
He lives kind of nearby to me, so i might try get over there before I go away on holidays...
By the way, were all V8's made in the Gibson era? Can the V8 run at 8ohms, or only 4 and 2? and is there a footswitch for the clean/dirty channels?

Thanks.
 
#99
Popinfresh, Trace tube amps & preamps are a world apart from the SS models. A lot of folks confuse warmth with the rich harmonics that tubes produce when gently clipped. The V4, V6, V8 and all earlier Trace tube models can provide both clean warm bass tones and that harmonically rich tube sound.

By strict definition all V8 amps were made during Trace's Gibson era. However, the real fiasco there came with the announcement that the UK plant was closing down, early 2003 if I recall correctly. Look for the "Made in Britain" union jack sticker on the back of the amp. The last two digits of the handwritten serial number indicate year, so prior to "03" is better.

Ask the seller if the amp has had any issues, such as blowing the internal fuses frequently. Good luck to you!
 
#100
ah, trace...
i remember first seeing(and hearing) ém. it was the bassplayer with PJ Harvey who had an series 6 200w 12b eq combo(1x15) standing on a trace 4x10.
i loved that sound and ended up some year later with an gp-7 130w +a 1528 cab(2x15). some years later i ended up selling it and regret it to this day.
last year my band did a show with some other bands and i "had" to play through an smx 250+matching 410 and the gas was there again...
well, my band mates hates trace gear, or atleast the design! :rollno:
and told me they didn´t want anything that ugly on stage...
despite that i am considering trading my ampeg V4 for a trace v-type V4 :D
 
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