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Trace is Toast

#21
I also think its a real shame about Trace, I've used them from the word go. The first amp I "bought" was a Boxer 30 and have never found anything I that reacts in the same way as a Trace does. I tried one of those new Tobias basses through an SWR Super Red Head earlier today and it just doesn't cut the mustard... I plugged the bass into the AH300SMC that was next to it and it was great...

I've had a few minor issues with some of them (not including the V4, thats different!) but nothing I'd trade them in for...

Long live the Trace Elliot name...
 
#22
I agree...I love my Trace!! It's a '95 GP7SM AH250, bought it used a few years ago thing has never given me a problem. Plus it blows away many other reputable brands i've tried, Ampegs, GK's, SWR's etc, all of which were twice as many watts as mine. It's all about the pre-gibson's. I've never had a chance to try an Ashdown. I was thinking about getting one in the future, since Trace Elliot is done. Are Ashdowns really that similar in tone & features?
 
#26
At the end of the day, its up to you, glad to hear you're keeping the Trace tho... Ashdown have never done it for me, I find them like a not so good sounding Trace. They seem to lack the dynamics, power and somewhat warm response that Im used to. Horses for courses though, just cuz I don't like them doesn't mean you shouldn't. Borrow one maybe, rent it even, see what you think. Personally I wouldn't change but thats me, it doesn't pay to wear blinkers all the time...
 
#27
I swear by Trace, personally. I guess they just possess "that tone" for me.

i used to have an AH200 head (Series 6 - HELL of a head), but I traded it. Also had an AH600 SM7 head.

Currently have:
- 2 old 500-watt power amps
- old Mark V GP11 preamp
- AH350 SM7 head

I alternate between my rack setup that includes the Trace preamp and one of the Trace power amps and my rack setup that includes a G-K head as my main rig. The AH350 head is used for band practices.

Needless to say, I was sorry to see Trace go.
 
#29
what? no compression! fair enough, ive still to try an uncompressed trace head (well, i can turn it off on mine i guess) but i lovvvvve the compression. really gives me my attack. :)

BTW, that's a sexy lookin' rack. ;)
i'd quite like to have a trace rack set up - but my head is in a casing. If i ever need to do, I'd probably gown your route; trace power amp (not TOO important about the PA as far as i know...) but DEFINATLY gotta have a trace GP12SMX pre! :)
 
#32
My one and only...But after reading through this thread I think I'll be on the hunt for more Trace gear.
 

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#33
Have a look at a V-Type V8 and my V4 looks identical, overdrive etc... A real peice of quality british engineering. I think it was made in the last batch of Trace amps ever. The serial number ends 401 indicating April 01. The SMXs look good but the V4 especially with its EM84 indicator valve just looks the biz...
 
#34
Kelly Lee said:
Here is a link to the Ashdown story were Mark talks a little about what happened: Link Removed
Click to expand...

thanks for that.

"I sold Trace Elliot, with my partner Fred, to an American company. I had a five-year contract with them and that was coming to an end in `97. The Americans and I did not see eye to eye in the slightest on the direction of the company, we were at loggerheads as to what we were both doing. They were closing down a lot of their music sections and intending to sell Trace Elliot and I was in the midst of trying to buy it back. This didn’t work out particularly well and it got a little bit politically difficult between us to the point where they thought it was better that I went and I thought it was better that I went, so that was it.......................

Then I wasn’t allowed to do anything in the music industry for six months, which gave me time to decide what I wanted to do. Trace made some fantastic achievements over the years, ones I’m very proud of and I miss the company today."

who knows, maybe he'll buy it back one day....?

ideally of course, he should have never sold up, but it's unclear what financial pressures there were at the time.

I like the Trace 4x10 sound- it's got a particular high-mid grind that I haven't heard in any other cab - that's great for rock.
the Ashdown cabs don't have it though.
also I'm not keen on the VU meters- aren't they avoided in studio gear as they're too slow-reacting to catch fast transients?
 
#35
Traditional VU meters are designed to read the true RMS level not the peak levels.

I guess Trace isn't coming back but none-the-less, il be keeping hold of mine and unless something seriously good comes along itls stay that way. In 7 years nothing has really got too close, EBS, Ampeg, GK, SWR, the list goes on.... Trace Elliot all the way thankyou...
 
#36
Planet Boulder said:
Perhaps we should start a "Trace Lovers/Addicts" thread?
Click to expand...
Yes, we should have a thread if only to counter the negative vibes of the Trace-bashers on Talkbass!!! On the other hand, it is nice to be able to pick up great Trace gear at silly low prices as a result of everyone else being so concerned with other gear...
 
#37
genderblind said:
Yes, we should have a thread if only to counter the negative vibes of the Trace-bashers on Talkbass!!! On the other hand, it is nice to be able to pick up great Trace gear at silly low prices as a result of everyone else being so concerned with other gear...
Click to expand...

Wait a minute...there's people who don't like Trace Elliot? :confused:

Seriously, though, I think the golden age of Trace Elliot was when they started making the V-Types and the Trident/Bonneville guitar amps. Not that I don't also love the solid-state stuff (wish I'd never sold my Series 6 AH200).

The only thing I don't like about Trace Elliot gear is their propensity to use MDF in their cabinets. I know MDF is good for reducing cabinet resonance, but it weighs a ton. My 1248H weighs so much I can't move it by myself.
 

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