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Trace Elliot Elf Heads with 2x8 Cab report.

Red Planet

Red Planet

Inactive
May 29, 2005
6,487
2,152
Atlanta
Disclosures
I'm cranky in my old age.
#1
So I picked up one of these wee little buggers a while back as a splurge kind of gear purchase. Was actually looking for a small combo but didn't like any of the units I played and they had this thing in stock. I played it and it smoked most of the small combos I played. So I went for it and brought it home. I got a deal as the cab has some scratches, they knocked off 120 bucks from the entire rig.

Been playing it a while but haven't had a chance to use it in a band context until earlier this week and using it at church tomorrow with a rehearsal today. I cant believe I was getting repeated requests to turn down. I couldn't believe how loud it truly was with a band.

So this little guy I would say is rated conservatively as its rated 130 watts into an 8 ohm load. There definitely is a sweet spot for clean headroom on the input gain depending of the output level of the bass. So I set it so the gain just turns on the orange light when I really slam it and I dime the master then set my L1500 at half way on the volume (as its has a really stinking hot signal).

Anyway I thought Id just pass it along was really happy with my tone this morning. Also was using the Mesa Subway DI going thru to the amp and the preamp out XLR to house so I could control my level to the console and get the correct level back to Aviom. I actually was getting a good loud but not overdriven level back to the my ears, it was heaven.

So needless to say I was a happy camper.
 
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#3
bholder said:
I've been trying to convince myself not to order one of these - you're not helping. :)
Click to expand...

Sorry, it is a very nice amp.

Really I didn't take this amp that serious when I purchased it. The original goal was to use on a once a month Flow that involves very little PA and electronic drums but this amp is much more substantial than that.

I have a rehearsal with a very loud drummer/Allman Brothers Project next week and am going to try it out to see how it does.
 
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#4
Red Planet said:
Sorry, it is a very nice amp.

Really I didn't take this amp that serious when I purchased it. The original goal was to use on a once a month Flow that involves very little PA and electronic drums but this amp is much more substantial than that.

I have a rehearsal with a very loud drummer/Allman Brothers Project next week and am going to try it out to see how it does.
Click to expand...
Subbed! Please let us know how that turns out with your ELF stack. Congrats on your purchase!
 
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#7
Sounds darned good! :thumbsup: and plenty loud enough!

Thanks, finally convinced me - ordered. :D Even got $50 off on the cab, there was a demo. ;)
 
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#10
How do the lows sound with the 2x8 cab? I listened to the vid but it was hard to hear over the drums. (typical) I would really like to have the elf and 2 of the 2x8 cabs in verticle. but im worried it wont be enough power or the lows will lack alot.

I mostly play in a church band too that can get decently loud.
 
#11
GnomishViking said:
How do the lows sound with the 2x8 cab? I listened to the vid but it was hard to hear over the drums. (typical) I would really like to have the elf and 2 of the 2x8 cabs in verticle. but im worried it wont be enough power or the lows will lack alot.

I mostly play in a church band too that can get decently loud.
Click to expand...

The thing kicks with a 5 string it has no problem replicating the low B. I may have mentioned before but I used it at church with the one cab the 2 by 8 and got repeatedly asked to turn it down the darn little things a lot louder than you would think it would be. Into a 4 ohm load it's really loud. And the cool thing is you can put the amp in your pocket.

For those that might want to know also into a big 4 ohm cab if you've got the amp cranked and you hit a pretty hard lick that spikes it will go into protect mode. Not sure why but I think it just takes it to the edge of its limit so the amp shuts off for about 2 seconds. I play pretty aggressive so it's pretty easy for me to find this spot but I can turn the amp down just a little bit and that issue goes away and that's only in a big cab for whatever reason.
 
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#13
Red Planet said:
The thing kicks with a 5 string it has no problem replicating the low B. I may have mentioned before but I used it at church with the one cab the 2 by 8 and got repeatedly ass to turn it down the darn little things a lot louder than you would think it would be. Into a 4 ohm load it's really loud. And the cool thing is you can put the amp in your pocket.

For those that might want to know also into a big 4 ohm cab if you've got the amp cranked and you hit a pretty hard lick that spikes it will go into protect mode. Not sure why but I think it just takes it to the edge of its limit so the amp shuts off for about 2 seconds. I play pretty aggressive so it's pretty easy for me to find this spot but I can turn the amp down just a little bit and that issue goes away and that's only in a big cab for whatever reason.
Click to expand...
Probably that big cab has a slightly lower impedance than the Elf cabs so amp gives out a little too much for its own good.
 
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#14
Red Planet said:
The thing kicks with a 5 string it has no problem replicating the low B. I may have mentioned before but I used it at church with the one cab the 2 by 8 and got repeatedly ass to turn it down the darn little things a lot louder than you would think it would be. Into a 4 ohm load it's really loud. And the cool thing is you can put the amp in your pocket.

For those that might want to know also into a big 4 ohm cab if you've got the amp cranked and you hit a pretty hard lick that spikes it will go into protect mode. Not sure why but I think it just takes it to the edge of its limit so the amp shuts off for about 2 seconds. I play pretty aggressive so it's pretty easy for me to find this spot but I can turn the amp down just a little bit and that issue goes away and that's only in a big cab for whatever reason.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I would really like to try one but I can’t find a place I’m Canada that sells them. Hence why I’m sceptical a 2x8 can keep up so well. On of my fav set ups I had was 2 ampeg 2x10 stacked vertically. So two of these 2x8s seem very interesting.
 
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#15
GnomishViking said:
Interesting. I would really like to try one but I can’t find a place I’m Canada that sells them. Hence why I’m sceptical a 2x8 can keep up so well. On of my fav set ups I had was 2 ampeg 2x10 stacked vertically. So two of these 2x8s seem very interesting.
Click to expand...

So two of the 2x8 would definitely pummel no doubt about it. I used one 2x8 and one 1x12 to drop it to 4 Ohms and it gets loud the only thing is like I said before the spls with the 12 is louder than the eights so all you can here's the 12 but it gets a lot louder.
 
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