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Trace Elliot Head + Cab

C

CJFrost

May 16, 2013
25
0
#1
I am looking at Trace Elliot gear. I have found an AH300 SMC GP7 and want to get a Trace cab aswell but am confused about this whole ohm nonsense.
The back of the head has a label 'speaker outputs min load=4ohms', with 2 jack outputs. It is being advertised with a cab but the cab is only 8ohms.... i am confused i thought you couldn't do this?
someone care top explain..
i am also open to suggestions of any other amps that are good for gigging. i want quality to go with my fender p bass.
 
#2
CJFrost said:
I am looking at Trace Elliot gear. I have found an AH300 SMC GP7 and want to get a Trace cab aswell but am confused about this whole ohm nonsense.
The back of the head has a label 'speaker outputs min load=4ohms', with 2 jack outputs. It is being advertised with a cab but the cab is only 8ohms.... i am confused i thought you couldn't do this?
someone care top explain..
i am also open to suggestions of any other amps that are good for gigging. i want quality to go with my fender p bass.
Click to expand...

This is a great setup and totally fine (and standard for amps). The minimum load of 4 ohms refers to two 8 ohm cabinets. (8ohm + 8ohm = 4ohm load). A 2 ohm minimum load refers to two 4 ohm cabinets (usually 8x10 or 2x15 cabinets). You can have one 8 ohm cabinet in a 4ohm-capable amp very easily! In fact, it's what I'm doing right now.
 
#4
CJFrost said:
So this isn't going to blow anything? Or am I required to get another 8ohm cab or is that just for volume purposes and a luxury?
Click to expand...

Nope, not going to blow anything unless the volume your amp puts out at 8ohms exceeds the RMS handling wattage of your 8 ohm cabinet (which even then never happens unless you're playing at ridiculous volumes). A lot of bassists get away with playing a 500watt head through a cabinet rated at ~300watts.

You're not required to get another 8ohm cab but by having 4ohms worth of cabinet you'll get the most out of your head (in terms of wattage). An additional cabinet will also add more speaker and you'll overall be able to get much louder. But, seriously you can play with just a single 8 ohm cabinet and be completely fine.
 
#6
CJFrost said:
Brilliant! Thanks a lot alecduncan you've been a great help! Looks like I will be going with the trace elliot!
Do you know what the sound will be like through a p bass?
Click to expand...

Not a problem, glad to help! I'm actually picking up a similar amp (AH250 gp11) this weekend.

I've never played a P through Trace, but that was a pretty popular sound for the 90's Britpop bands. My favorite example is one of my favorite bassists, Any Rourke of the Smiths( http://www.smithsonguitar.com/2012/01/andy-rourkes-gear.html)

Here's a song that has a 1964 PBass through the Trace Elliot gp11 system: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cD4oLk_D0
 

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