• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Trace Elliot® Unveils TE® -1200 Bass Amp Head

TalkBass

News Poster
Mar 12, 2004
1,626
3,441
MERIDIAN, MS — Trace Elliot® enters a new period of innovation with the all-new TE® -1200 bass amp head. Representing the brand’s first big product release of the new decade, the TE-1200 delivers 1200 Watts of bone-rattling true RMS power, 4-band equalization, the brand’s distinctive “Pre Shape 1” switch with included footswitch, and all the inputs/outputs modern bass players require. Whether players are on the biggest stages of the world, in the studio, or practicing from the comfort of home, the TE-1200 offers a multitude of helpful features that achieve excellent bass tone and, even more importantly, help to preserve it.

On the front panel of the TE-1200, players will find input gain and output level controls as well as lo-band and hi-band compressors. The audio signal is divided into two bands, each with a separate compressor and adjustable threshold. A separate switch activates the compressor functions for both low and high bands. The function, which illuminates when active, is also available on the footswitch. Directly below is the EQ pre/post compressor switch, which is set to a default position before equalization. When the switch is pressed, the compressor is moved to a point after equalization, and the switch illuminates.

Active controls on the TE-1200 adjust four separate equalization bands — bass, low mid, high mid, and treble — to customize the tone, and the footswitchable pre-shape introduces the distinctive Trace Elliot “Pre Shape 1” curve into the signal path. These controls are located next to the preamp input, which has a high impedance to allow for wide frequency response and dynamic range without loading the source. A quarter-inch headphone output allows for silent practice.

The rear panel of the TE-1200 allows players to get even more creative. Features include MIDI in/out, 4-button MIDI footswitch (with included 25-foot cable) for parallel control of the front panel switch functions, USB recording output/interface, and direct out (DI) to a mix console or analog recording device. Players can utilize the dual MIDI and preamp out/Power Amp In to run multiple units at the same time to accommodate even the biggest stages. Dual Neutrik combination Speakon/phone speaker output jacks have a 4 ohm minimum load. Pre and post-balanced XLR outputs with ground lift; preamp output/power amp input; footswitchable noiseless buffered effects loop and mute/tune; and buffered quarter-inch tuner/dry feed jack complete the rear panel controls.

With its compact, 12-inch square footprint, and light weight of 11.5 pounds, the TE-1200 is a feature-loaded, highly portable bass amp head from the original bass amplification specialists. A padded gig bag and optional 1.5U rack mount kit are included.

$1099.99 USD List

$999.99 USD MAP

Learn more about the Trace Elliot TE-1200 and get a closer look at www.traceelliot.com.

TE1200 straight.jpg
TE1200.jpg
 
4ohm minimum load. Does that mean it can not be used with no speakers attached?
Manual is ambigous on that point... I would guess it's OK to run with no speakers. Manual does say this:

(10) HEADPHONES A ¼” headphone output from the pre-amp is available for silent practice. When a jack is inserted, the signal to the power amp is automatically disconnected.
 
I appreciate the simplicity, but I'm holding them suspect for copping the GK EQ scheme. Also for Peavey, and for a company that used to produce massive sounding, potent mix-n-match systems, it seems like running at a min 4 ohm load is a little weak. And, at this point in the Ascent of Bass Amplification, I would begin to expect to see some kind of HPF integrated. This is the Jet Age of bass amplification after all.
Visually I see this the way I see modern design in general: conventional, generic, homogenized. This little guy looks like the bass amp equivalent of a Toyota Camry... or that late-model Jaguar that looks like a Hyundai sedan. Their mojo seems to have left the building. I miss the 11-band graphic (which there was nothing wrong with) and the UV backlighting, which gave them a fun stage presence and was a kind of satisfying gag- the high-dollar version of getting a sticker with your Rotosound strings!
We've hit bottom. Sure it's powerful, has a probably nice-sounding, sensible enough eq, and maybe the 2-band compressor is quieter than the one that was on the SMX series. But it's lacking vibe, presentation, and has taken on a very run-of-the-mill aspect with its feature set.
I'll be hanging onto my Peavey MK-III, which can get me there anywhere there's a FOH system.
 
Last edited: