Trace - Elliot... has anyone heard of them?

Neil Gray

Maybe I'm just out of the loop, but my old Roland amp (remember those?) has finally admitted to me that it has had enough. I have been looking around, and aside from Marshall, Peavey, and Fender, I have to admit that I don't really recognise any of the brands!!! I don't want to make the same mistake I did when I went ahead and purchased a J & D Luthiers bass guitar after playing it once (not the greatest over time). Trace - Elliot is a name that seems to be popping up a bit here in Darwin. I have used them and liked the combo I got a hold of for a week or two, but I don't want to spend any large sums of money on something I've never heard of. Has anyone got Trace - Elliot equipment, and if so, has it lasted??? I like what I have seen, but I've been burned before!
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bassmaniac50 · Rattlesnake Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 430 Location: Ohio

Trace Elliot has been around for many years, and their bass equipment was excellent, and was the favorite choice of many bassists.
Trace Elliot was bought out by Gibson, and they continue to make them now.
I'm not sure if any design changes have been made by Gibson Co., or if the construction methods and materials are any different, but I would hope that they are still made with the same high quality as they were before.

http://www.traceelliot.com/bass/index.html

gibson_thunder · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 5:06 pm Post subject:

I own a pre-gibson trace 300w 15" combo. I am very happy with it! It doesnt handle distortion very well, but for clean bass, it blows away many of the larger stacks! I think its very underrated power-wise. very well built, IMHO.
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Neil Gray · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 5:28 pm Post subject: Trace - Elliot.

Thanks muchly, gents.
I'll probably end up going with something with some reputation behind it (and wind up spending more than I need to in the process). #Mad

However, before I do, I am going to see if I can negotiate hiring a Trace - Elliot combo for a couple of months (adding even more to my expenses). That's how it is, though. I don't have the time or the desire to get into a head mess over it!
Later....
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gibson_thunder · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 7:35 pm Post subject:

howd the amp hunt go, neil? you gettchyer trace elliot? Twisted Evil

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blueyedmule · Tadpole Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 15

Another TE owner. I bought my first stand-alone amp around '93, it was a Trace Elliot Series 6 SM7 AH130, I believe 100 watt/8 ohm, 200/4 ohm (don't quote me Wink

). My biggest complaint was having detentes on the volume pots which made it difficult to fine-tune the output in quiter settings. In loud settings where it didn't matter, the only complaint I had was that it's not as warm-sounding as I wanted, but then years later I've discovered that I like my Bag End 4x10 SO much better with the Eden 1x15 along side it. In fact, when I go to a Guitar Center to shop around I always plug into a 15" combo rather than 10". Just is more my sound I guess.

Anyway, I haven't got my TE amp out in some time. I'd like to try it now with my SansAmp BassDriver DI in front of it, see what I think.

mule

Helstar666 · Alley Cat Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 179

Trace Elliot are very good, but I think for just a little more, you can get aGenz-BEnz

Mkuk0 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 9:23 am Post subject:

Calling Neil Gray!!

You still there guy??

do do do... another one bites the dust! do do do......

Mkuk0
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Trigger · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:03 am Post subject:

Man, I played thru a Trace Elliot one night and I blew it right away!
Crappy, thin-sounding and non-musical...those are the keywords for Trace IMO.

Just go for an Ampeg or Eden or something 'with reputation' - the reputation hasn't fallen out of the sky!
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stoolpigeon · Newbie Alert Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 2

I have toured with a Trace rig since 1996, and it sounds as great today as it did when i first plugged it in. The once were a wonderful company, and the they were purchased by Gibson - and like every other company Gibson has owed, they went straight to the crapper. I believe that they are now out of business. If any one has any new information on the status of Trace, I'd love to hear it.

If you are looking for a current amp that has a similar tone - some of the upper end Asdown aplifiers have a similar sound. Shocked

gibson_thunder · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 12:15 pm Post subject:

trace is still pumpin out amps... yes they went to *Poop* after gibson bought em, but a pre-gibson trace is a thing of beauty.... trigger, sounds like you got aholt of a Gibby-Trace Elliot...
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Neil Gray · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 4:30 pm Post subject:

Well... I guess I should update. I never did get the T E, because the stack I had my eye on was $3400 just for the head!!! While it was nice and all, I just couldn't justify it. The cab was another $1700. The wife wants a new car before we move to Melbourne, so I just couldn't do it to the bank account.
I ended up stuffing around with some combos. The Peavey Basic 112 is one of them. This thing sucked (for my needs), and I am still trying to sell it.
I got a Fender Rumblebox or something, and I am happy to drag that out for lounge room practice or mellow jams with the trumpet player or guitarist. My Ibanez accoustic sounds nice through this as well, so it was a good buy.
For the big gig, I have recently got me a S W R setup. I'll grab some specs and post them.
In the end, I have easily spent over $3000, but I didn't know that was gonna happen when I set out.
My two cents worth.... Know what you want before you spend the money. Otherwise you are back to square one!!!
And that is from someone who has been playing for 15 years!
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Greasy Lil · Kitten Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 Location: UK

I've now got 2 Trace combos... a 715 SMC 1 x 15, and a 7215 SMC 1 x 15.

I'll be selling the 715 soon.

As for TE themselves, i believe that Peavey are now the owners or distributors. Theres a lot of info from Mark Gooday ( think thats his name ) who went on to buld Ashdown

Trace stuff is excellent. My fave bass palyer used to use them, as did some other famous fellows. My stuff is pre Gibson, thankfully
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Greasy Lil · Kitten Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 Location: UK

Read Mark Gooday's own words re. what happened.

http://www.globalbass.com/archives/dec2000/mark_gooday.htm

And peavey news....

http://www.peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/115/20050205.cfm
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