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Trace Elliot, Ashdown or Mark Bass?

tom once dead

tom once dead

Mar 8, 2008
2,870
246
Brisbane QLD Australia
#1
I'm saving for a bass rig and I'm split between these three brands, I want a nice clear tone suited for metal.

Rigs in mind:
USED Trace Elliot GP12SMX head and 4x12 800 watt cab
Ashdown Mag 600 head Mag 4x10 450watt cab
USED Mark bass Little Mark 450 watt, Some 4x10 cab around the $600-$800 range

Any input is helpfull
 
#2
The older Trace stuff was famous for its hi-fi sound. I don't know about their current stuff. Their old deep ported 410 was their best bit of kit. The valve amps they put out in the early '90s were actually really nice but the bass-playing public still associated TE with '80s bass sounds and the brand sank.

Ashdown was started by the original engineer behind Trace Elliot before the brand was sold to Gibson. Their high-end kit still features the build quality that made the old TE kit desirable, but times change and they're no longer gunning for that super-bright, super-tight sound.

Markbass I haven't tried, but I'll probably sell out to them in the near future when I get sick of carrying my Ashdown gear upstairs into my flat after shows. This may happen as soon as next week.
 
#4
kevteop said:
The older Trace stuff was famous for its hi-fi sound. I don't know about their current stuff. Their old deep ported 410 was their best bit of kit. The valve amps they put out in the early '90s were actually really nice but the bass-playing public still associated TE with '80s bass sounds and the brand sank.

Ashdown was started by the original engineer behind Trace Elliot before the brand was sold to Gibson. Their high-end kit still features the build quality that made the old TE kit desirable, but times change and they're no longer gunning for that super-bright, super-tight sound.

Markbass I haven't tried, but I'll probably sell out to them in the near future when I get sick of carrying my Ashdown gear upstairs into my flat after shows. This may happen as soon as next week.
Click to expand...


No offence. But I didnt know it was possible to give so much information, yet give so little all at the same time.
 
#7
I played Trace Elliot (their high end kit) from 94-2007. Great, great stuff. Built to last, sounds amazingly tight and fat at the same time. BUTT HEAVY. I'm 32 now and decided to save my back and buy and all-Markbass rig. I haven't looked back. The sound is different from my old Trace stuff, but just as pristine and tight and fat. Much lighter, and built like a tank as well. I'm definately a satisfied Markbass convert.
 
#10
The main reason that I'm looking at these brands is becasue of the price range.

What price am I looking at for a Carvin BR410 in aust.?
OR is anyone trustworthy enough to buy somthing for me, ship it over, then i will pay you everything it cost? Prices are MUCH cheaper in america, hundreds of dollars cheaper maybe thousands?
 
#11
I'm a little squemish about shipping to Aus. About a year ago I sold an AI Focus SA (3.5LBS) poweramp to a TBer in Aus. I packed the amp extremely well... totally encased in 3 inch thick dense foam (that one of my cabs was packed with from the factory). It arrived broken AND it took over 2 months. Wouldnt do it again. However, I have shipped cabs to the UK and never had a problem there.

I think I recall reading that its hard to get Carvin gear in Aus. Ebay international is probably your best bet.

Another cheap-ish solution is buy a Stewart poweramp (or any poweramp really... depending on your weight/power requirements) and use a SABDDI as a pre. That is loud, suitable for metal (with the overdrive thing) and not too expensive. Also, alot easier to purchase. It might not be a pretty setup, but it still is effective. I've gone that route in the past with success.
 
#13
From those choices, I would go for the used Trace Elliot. The Ashdown EVO series are very nice, too. Sorry, no experience with the MAG series. I am sure they were built to meet a price point. I can't say that I have been very impressed with the Markbass stuff, but they may fit your needs nicely. JMO.
 
#14
Another big problem with getting stuff shipped over from the States is that you could end up being charged pretty hefty import duties, by Aussie customs meaning you don't save any money at all. I'm not sure what their rules are, but it's worth checking that out before you go that route.
 
#15
balzac said:
Another big problem with getting stuff shipped over from the States is that you could end up being charged pretty hefty import duties, by Aussie customs meaning you don't save any money at all. I'm not sure what their rules are, but it's worth checking that out before you go that route.
Click to expand...

Damn libs and their GST. There are a few ways around this however. It just depends on how flexible your morality it........
 

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