GK Plex or TE Elf as a gig backup

Which would you buy for a backup device for gigs?

  • Gallien-Krueger: Plex Preamp

    Votes: 14 18.9%

  • Trace Elliot Elf mini amp

    Votes: 40 54.1%

  • Something else...

    Votes: 20 27.0%
  • Total voters
    74
PCR

PCR

Apr 11, 2008
554
384
4,571
#1
Hi Folks,

We were playing a gig a couple weekends ago, when during the middle of the gig, my guitar player's Fender Princeton Reverb completely died. Luckily, my other guitar player happened to have a spare Blues Jr in his car and we were able to to finish the gig with just a minor delay.

This got me thinking about getting a multi use backup device... :eyebrow:

Here's my thought.

Get a small amp or pre-amp with a DI out. If my (or a guitar) rig goes down we could plug the device into the PA through the DI to finish the gig. This may not be optimal, but it could get us through the gig.

Both units are roughly the same size and weight and would fit into my current amp bag that I use.

My gig set up is:
- Genz Benz 9.0 Shuttle
- Bergantino or Markbass 2x 112 cabs
- Genre: Blues/Rock

I usually run my Shuttle through the PA just for a little more control and fill, but I have plenty of power in most gigs by itself.

My question is; if my (or one of the guitar) rig goes down:

Should I go with the
  • GK Plex:
    • Go straight into the PA
    • It may has more sound variability
    • No speaker output
  • Trace Elliot Elf:
    • Has a DI output to go into the PA
    • Speaker output (although low powered) to get a little on stage sound. I could plug the guitar combo speakers directly into the amp

What do you guys think? I don't have experience with either the GK Plex or the TE Elf.

Which would you buy as a backup device.

Thanks

PCR
 
#3
I was seriously looking at the Plex but it seems that GK has put it on the back burner. There is a thread on TB about the Plex in the effects section where there was a lot of anticipation about it and updates to make it better with the head of GK himself promising updates that in the end never came. After seeing that I went a different route. In your case I would go with the Elf or if you are big on the GK sound look at the MB200.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassstation
#6
There is also a TC mini amp like the Elf that's half the cost, plus a plug and play power supply that you otherwise would have to carry the Plex supply adapter along with you also should an amp fail.
 
#8
Traynor Amps
sb200h_lg.png

or

SamsonTech
TX300-HO-display.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Heavy Blue and edencab
#9
My backup amp is ELF. I always carry it as a second amp to a gig if I am going by car. I use it as the only amp if I am going by public transportation.

That being said, you need to understand that if your main amp goes down, FOH will probably stop receiving your signal. It will take some time before you plug in the backup amp.

In order to prevent that, you can use external DI box or external preamp with DI output (such as GK Plex). That way, FOH will be receiving signal from you even if your amp dies. The good news is that FOH will usually provide the external DI box so you don't need to spend your cash on it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: obimark and BeefPie84
#10
Zbysek said:
My backup amp is ELF. I always carry it as a second amp to a gig if I am going by car. I use it as the only amp if I am going by public transportation.

That being said, you need to understand that if your main amp goes down, FOH will probably stop receiving your signal. It will take some time before you plug in the backup amp.

In order to prevent that, you can use external DI box or external preamp with DI output (such as GK Plex). That way, FOH will be receiving signal from you even if your amp dies. The good news is that FOH will usually provide the external DI box so you don't need to spend your cash on it.
Click to expand...
Seems like good advice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#14
So the Elf is pretty cool. One caution though is if you have heavy handed technique the Elf will shut down for about one second if you send a fast transient through other than that it functions and sounds great. On the Plex I never could not get decent settings on the compressor and the overdrive was a little harsh other than that its pretty cool too. Another option as a backup amp might be a GK MB200, its not as loud as the TE but it works pretty good. I have both.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back