Offered a Trace Elliot BLX-80 combo, should I accept?

NoiseNinja

NoiseNinja

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Feb 23, 2011
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#1
I already own a Trace Elliot GP75SM 130W with a 15" in the build in cabinet, and love the sound.

I like the idea of Bi-amping and at the moment I am using a 345W (500 Peak) active 12" Behringer PA speaker with horn for for this purpose.

However I just got an offer on a Trace Elliot BLX-80 80W combo with a 10" speaker in the build in cabinet.

He just wants what equals to 100$ for it.

Would this be a good offer?

Can someone tell me a bit more about the amp and speaker?
 
#2
I think it has the odd bandpass cabinet design, with a narrow slot being the path in the baffle, that the sound will be channeled through. IIRC, it is a boxy sounding combo, and not very flexible, sound wise.
IMO, it would be MUCH smarter to find an extension cab to the 15" combo, or sell it altogether, and leap into the current time. Many things are available now, that are more compact, reliable and better sounding than stuff from 20 or 30 years ago, even if it happens to be Trace Elliot. Just my 2cents.
 
#4
Well, I happen to like the sound of my current amp, and it is not possible to add another cab to that unless I disconnect the plug for the build in 15", which Ialso happen to love the sound off.

Also Trace Elliot amps are known to be conservatively rated regarding watts.

I do not happen to have a lot of money either, and I guess the odd enclosure of the BLX-80 could be removed.

Honestly I don't want to trade a good sounding powerful heavy old amp for some flimsy modern sterile sounding light weight weak amp, that I can't get to sound as good or loud for the same amount of money spend.

Sorry to snub your answers as not useful, but I'd rather have the opinion of somebody who happens to like the old Trace Elliot sound.

Maybe I should just move this question to the Trace Elliot thread right away to get an objective useful answer.

With all due respect, I did not ask weather I should trade my gear for something entirely different, I asked weather it was a good deal, if the BXL-80 was worth 100$, how it sounded, and if it would be worth adding it to flavor my sound with something different via bi-amping.

Also look who's talking:
BassmanPaul said:
Old technology so I would not waste my money on it.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#5
Also I actually happen to like the sound of this Kustom 210$, from new, 100W amp:



(not as sole amp though, but to spice up my tone with some raw lightly overdriven sound)

What are you going to do about that?

Sue me?
 
#6
NoiseNinja said:
Well, I happen to like the sound of my current amp, and it is not possible to add another cab to that unless I disconnect the plug for the build in 15", which Ialso happen to love the sound off.

Also Trace Elliot amps are known to be conservatively rated regarding watts.

I do not happen to have a lot of money either, and I guess the odd enclosure of the BLX-80 could be removed.

Honestly I don't want to trade a good sounding powerful heavy old amp for some flimsy modern sterile sounding light weight weak amp, that I can't get to sound as good or loud for the same amount of money spend.

Sorry to snub your answers as not useful, but I'd rather have the opinion of somebody who happens to like the old Trace Elliot sound.

Maybe I should just move this question to the Trace Elliot thread right away to get an objective useful answer.

With all due respect, I did not ask weather I should trade my gear for something entirely different, I asked weather it was a good deal, if the BXL-80 was worth 100$, how it sounded, and if would be worth adding it to flavor my sound with something different via bi-amping.
Click to expand...

I think I (at least partially) answered your question. Objectively, it is old (as in old components, often past their expected life), heavy, strange/odd sounding, not very flexible and not a successful concept. You can't argue with that. "Old" also means internal parts (odd semiconductors, custom switches, transformers etc) might be impossible to replace, if they fail.

I do not know about you, but I played bass when these amps were new. While some Trace Elliot products from that era (especially the amps) are still very relevant, I would say this combo is not one of them. Still, only you can say if it might be worth anything to you.

A quick google search lead me to this thread from 2005... It was not really competetive even in 2005:
Trace Elliot BLX-80
 
#7
AlexanderB said:
I think I (at least partially) answered your question. Objectively, it is old (as in old components, often past their expected life), heavy, strange/odd sounding, not very flexible and not a successful concept. You can't argue with that. "Old" also means internal parts (odd semiconductors, custom switches, transformers etc) might be impossible to replace, if they fail.

I do not know about you, but I played bass when these amps were new. While some Trace Elliot products from that era (especially the amps) are still very relevant, I would say this combo is not one of them. Still, only you can say if it might be worth anything to you.

A quick google search lead me to this thread from 2005... It was not really competetive even in 2005:
Trace Elliot BLX-80
Click to expand...

Ok, I trust you even if I play a Trace Elliot combo that is older, and sounds amazing, which I also got confirmed by some of the guys in the Trace thread.

It is a different model though.

I know tube amps are different, but I happened to own an Ampeg B-15S from 1969, which I eventually sold, which I by the way regret badly, and I never had any problems with that, so not sure if I buy the old is bad phrase.

Maybe I should add that the guy selling says it has barely ever been used.

But I guess if it's a poor model, it doesn't really matter.

Still waiting for a reply in the Trace thread though, before I decide, just to be sure.
 
#9
Hmmm....for $100, I'd consider it. Word of caution: electronics do go bad and TE components are hard to come by or so I'm told. Had a similar situation a couple years back where I bought a 130 head. Nice piece but I did end up having to replace the output thingamajigs a couple months later. Luckily, the local tech, Tom Craig, at Alpha Music (walterw's home base) was well-versed in the TE line and was able to repair with minimal headaches.

Riis (...but not a Dane)
 
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#10
British Audio Service, Nashville, TN. Shane is the owner, very helpful and friendly. They are converting an 1993 TE AH200 head for me from 230 to 120v. Had the head shipped from the Netherlands directly to their shop. Very knowledgeable, great service.
 
#11
Never accepted this offer anyway.

I eventual managed to get a little more money and went for a 50W tube head I also had my eyes on with a 15" cab, think it will compliment the 130W Trace Elliot combo I already own well.
 
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