Hello all. Michael Smith here from Trace Elliot/Peavey. I'm curious about your experiences with Trace Elliot gear all through the years. What did you like about the old stuff that's missing from the new? Thank you!
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Trace Elliot, then and now.
- Thread starter pvbassfan
- Start date
lots of people want class D and Neos.
Also, I think many people had no idea that trace elliot still existed; which is a shame because the old stuff is basically bulletproof
Also, I think many people had no idea that trace elliot still existed; which is a shame because the old stuff is basically bulletproof
I also did not know the brand still existed. I am a huge fan of the big old tube amps, I wish the V8 was still being made (finally scored a V6, one of my most prized possessions, actually).
hasbeen
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- Sep 23, 2004
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I had an "affiliation" with Trace back in the day and I'm a big fan. To my ear, the "classic" Trace sound was in part due to the MOSFET power section. If that could be emulated, I feel that would be a positive.
I love the look and sound I've heard, but as soon as I've sat down to check out the controls its like rocket surgery.
An old school, heavy duty, giggable combo is all I want.
An old school, heavy duty, giggable combo is all I want.
Ive been gigging a late 80 / early 90s rig for the past year or so. The head is 26 years old and ive had 0 reliability issues.
The only issue ive had is the weight.
The only issue ive had is the weight.
I'd love to see Trace rebrand as your high-end/lightweight division, maybe filling a void left when Genz-Benz inexplicably left the market. I have to believe you guys could put out a really compelling alternative to the GK MB series and TC Electronics stuff.
I haven't even seen the newer stuff.
Trace used to make a big thing of dual band compression. It works great on my SMX. There are high end pedal builders emulating it today.
I can't complain about the weight of my 250. It has all the power needed. When you bring out the ''800w'' micro amps they better punch as hard.
What my amp doesn't have is much tubiness. The single 12ax7 is only good for a slightly warmer tone. I really dig what a RedDragon mild over drive does to the pristine Trace tone. Buy that drive circuit off sfx but make it closer to unity gain on the out.
Trace used to make a big thing of dual band compression. It works great on my SMX. There are high end pedal builders emulating it today.
I can't complain about the weight of my 250. It has all the power needed. When you bring out the ''800w'' micro amps they better punch as hard.
What my amp doesn't have is much tubiness. The single 12ax7 is only good for a slightly warmer tone. I really dig what a RedDragon mild over drive does to the pristine Trace tone. Buy that drive circuit off sfx but make it closer to unity gain on the out.
I had an early GP7 4x10 combo. This was back before they put any covering on the cabs, wood painted black was how it was then!
I also had no idea the brand still existed. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I also had no idea the brand still existed. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I haven't seen Trace products in stores for a while now. My last experience with their gear was about 15 years ago. Solid stuff.
For years, the SMX Dual-band compression was integral to my tone. I really, really miss it and I'm an idiot for ever trading it away (for a crappy Octave Multiplexer of all things!). I would immediately be interested in a light but not micro (think Carvin B1000 size) ~600 watts @ 4ohm head that had dual band compression and emulated mosfet tone.
For color scheme, I'd love a "normal" black or grey but it HAS to have green LED's
I really hope that Trace Elliot makes a comeback, it's been one of the companies I root for the most.
For color scheme, I'd love a "normal" black or grey but it HAS to have green LED's
I really hope that Trace Elliot makes a comeback, it's been one of the companies I root for the most.
I haven't prayed the Peavey era Trace gear but I do have a pretty good collection of older Trace pre amps. My favorite being a gp12 xv . Just make an amp based on that. And keep pricing reasonable. Yes that means made in PRC , I've long since gotton over that as long as the quality is top notch.
I haven't had a lot of experience with the Trace Elliot stuff, but I've always heard good things. I do like Peavey quite a bit. It's just good stuff. American made, sounds good, and built solid. I had a Milestone III 4 string that was killer. The only thing I wish Peavey would have made more of is the 4x12 bass cabs. I've looked and found a couple, but they're rare.
I was not a fan of the tone of late 80s models, although I loved the looks. I later learned that you could do a lot more than the bright compressed tone for which they're famous.
When the Twin Valve got out I was interested and when V Type series got out I was hooked.
I see Trace Elliot as reliable gear with solid tone in all circumstances.
I was interested when the new models arrived mid 2000s, it was great to see a brand renew itself yet keeping tradition.
Nowadays I mostly play bars and small dives, I don't see myself hauling around 80 pound 2x10 cabs.
I think Trace Elliot should keep what made it famous : the GP7 and GP12 preamps (including the detents on knobs), black lights, green theme, diamond gril.
Then update it with technology of today : Class D / switching power supply / neo cabs and all.
Oh yeah the BLX80 was distinctive (pretty much unique design AFAIK) and although underpowered, it had the best projection I've seen on any amp.
If I was a TE designer I'd use this form factor for all combos.
When the Twin Valve got out I was interested and when V Type series got out I was hooked.
I see Trace Elliot as reliable gear with solid tone in all circumstances.
I was interested when the new models arrived mid 2000s, it was great to see a brand renew itself yet keeping tradition.
Nowadays I mostly play bars and small dives, I don't see myself hauling around 80 pound 2x10 cabs.
I think Trace Elliot should keep what made it famous : the GP7 and GP12 preamps (including the detents on knobs), black lights, green theme, diamond gril.
Then update it with technology of today : Class D / switching power supply / neo cabs and all.
Oh yeah the BLX80 was distinctive (pretty much unique design AFAIK) and although underpowered, it had the best projection I've seen on any amp.
If I was a TE designer I'd use this form factor for all combos.
A friend had a GP7 410 combo and it was an awsome combo.
V series reissue would be interesting since they are rare as hens teeth.
The old stuff sounded mean as hell. That dark, grunty "woof" on the first Smashing Pumpkins record is still the sound I associate with TE.
