Team Trace Elliot pt4.

[Count Bassie]

Back in the early 90's my rig was an AH350SMX head through a 1048H (4x10+horn). It was heavy and awkward to move around even for me back then (a fit and healthy 28ish year old) but the tradeoff was worthwhile for the sound quality I was looking for that was then only possible with such heavy equipment.
In these days of neodymium speakers, significant improvements in small cab dynamics, and 800w class D amps the size and weight of a paperback book, why would anyone still be interested in the full bass stack such as pictured above?
I get that size/weight is much less of a consideration for studio settings (i.e. it never gets moved), but I suspect many if not most of us here play small to medium sized live gigs through our own smallish rigs (in my case a DNA 1x12 I can lift with one hand), and/or just use the house PA for bigger venues. Compared to today's relatively lightweight/small gigging setups, does an old-school full bass stack still have enough "reasons" to justify lugging all that around? Especially for us late-50's players with bad backs. Please discuss.

I'm 61, and haven't caved to Class D. When our band goes to start playing out I'll be carrying the Fender Bassman 300 Pro and the 810 fridge, because I haven't come across anything that sounds as good.
I've got a Trace Mk IV GP-11 also, and an Eden WT405, my smallest and lightest amp. All three sound better than Class D for my money.
Hell, my combo amp weighs 90 lbs, lol... There's no fool like an old(er) fool, but man I sound pretty good...

 

[FollowMeDown]

I'm 61, and haven't caved to Class D. When our band goes to start playing out I'll be carrying the Fender Bassman 300 Pro and the 810 fridge, because I haven't come across anything that sounds as good.
I've got a Trace Mk IV GP-11 also, and an Eden WT405, my smallest and lightest amp. All three sound better than Class D for my money.
Hell, my combo amp weighs 90 lbs, lol... There's no fool like an old(er) fool, but man I sound pretty good...

I do agree that analog and especially tube amps sound notably better than class D in a listening environment, but in a live gig it seems at least to me that the difference is subtle enough to get at least mostly lost. I'd be prepared to bet that the average audience member couldn't even tell any difference let alone cares. I can guess it more pays off for the bassist though? makes you feel good about your tone etc. which in turn effects how you play. Kinda like how playing a bass that just feels good in your hands improves your playing?.

 

[Count Bassie]

I do agree that tube amps especially sound notably better than class D, especially in a listening environment, but in a live gig it seems to me that the difference is subtle enough to get at least mostly lost. I'd bet that the average audience couldn't even tell let alone care.

Perhaps, in fact I'm sure you're right. But I'm not really playing for them anyway, it just happens to work out, generally. Your amp of choice is really about your own inspiration, you have to like what you're creating. For me, and for the band's stage sound, it's worth it. Besides, if they want me to bring it, they're helping heft it up on top of the fridge!

I'm also not sure you're right about the sound getting lost. Between the Fender tube head and my MK-III (Peavey) for instance, the difference is damned impressive. Night and day. The note that a tube pre and power section deliver is very three dimensional compared to solid state. Hey they're both very nice, but the difference is very clear. I don't bet it's very much different with Class D.

Anyway fine, it's true that the audience could mostly care less anyway.

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Did a lil remodeling in the toy hauler popout, removed the foldout couch and did this... much cooler.

 

[bassmike2010]

View attachment 5016663 Did a lil remodeling in the toy hauler popout, removed the foldout couch and did this... much cooler.

Impressive altar/ man cave/bass stage. Can you provide more details on the layout and what a toy hauler pop out is? Envisioning a cargo trailer pulled up to a bay door isn't what I'm looking at LOL

 

[Wasnex]

Impressive altar/ man cave/bass stage. Can you provide more details on the layout and what a toy hauler pop out is? Envisioning a cargo trailer pulled up to a bay door isn't what I'm looking at LOL

Some motorhomes and travel trailers include a compartment that can carry toys like ATVs or motorcycles.

Some also have pop outs, which are sections that literally pop out to make more room. Pop outs may look like an attached tent section, or the they may be made of hard panels

 

[bassmike2010]

Some motorhomes and travel trailers include a compartment that can carry toys like ATVs or motorcycles.

Some also have pop outs, which are sections that literally pop out to make more room. Pop outs may look like an attached tent section, or the they may be made of hard panels

Ah, right. Did look a bit prefab. Ceiling was a dead giveaway. What musicians bug- out bag would be complete without a bass space. Nibiru be damned.

 

[softlad]

Hi All, looking to sell my "Factory Custom" Trace AH500 (Mk 1 or II)
I have owned this AH500 since the late 80's.
I took it to Trace in Maldon in 94 for a "service", got it back like it is now.
Adam who did the work on it never told me why they put the new pre amp in however, all the changed parts are detailed within the receipt from then.
(I still have original paper TE receipt)
This is one of the "genuine anomalies" that came out of Trace Elliot back then and it is 100% one off.
I am based in Spain.
This amp works perfectly and I would be interested in genuine offers for this piece of Trace Elliot history.
Give me a PM if you have any questions or to make a sensible offer.

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Impressive altar/ man cave/bass stage. Can you provide more details on the layout and what a toy hauler pop out is? Envisioning a cargo trailer pulled up to a bay door isn't what I'm looking at LOL

It's a part of the trailer that extends out to the side to allow more living space. This one has a 14' garage but it's shared with the master bedroom that raises up when not in use to pa k the motorcycles, side by sides, etc. Once you unload, you lower the bedroom down for use... 2021 Cyclone model 4214thg.
This popout is in the front on the driver's side (USA) and normally has one of the couches that folds out to a bed. There's an identical one on the right and two theater srecliner seats that face forward to watch the 60" flat screen tv... wich I plug into my gaming laptop to play Rocksmith 2014R on...

 

[bassmike2010]

It's a part of the trailer that extends out to the side to allow more living space. This one has a 14' garage but it's shared with the master bedroom that raises up when not in use to pa k the motorcycles, side by sides, etc. Once you unload, you lower the bedroom down for use... 2021 Cyclone model 4214thg.
This popout is in the front on the driver's side (USA) and normally has one of the couches that folds out to a bed. There's an identical one on the right and two theater srecliner seats that face forward to watch the 60" flat screen tv... wich I plug into my gaming laptop to play Rocksmith 2014R on...View attachment 5021840 View attachment 5021836 View attachment 5021837 View attachment 5021838 View attachment 5021839 View attachment 5021840 View attachment 5021836 View attachment 5021837 View attachment 5021838 View attachment 5021839 View attachment 5021840View attachment 5021842

Very nice. My Dad had a neck over, as he called it. Similar setup the back end of it dropped down and he could park/ transport his BMW R250 he took to bike shows, on a sort of Lazy Susan apparatus he built that could rotate allowing ingress/ egress without wrestling with the bike. Not sure about the level of luxury pop outs otherwise but he enjoyed it in his latter years. My step brother and I inherited the BM, a 500 BSA and Royal Enfield.
He inherited my 14 ft cargo trailer which he built from a motorcycle trailer, after I switched from it to a 16-ft cabover diesel to transport PA. Toys 'r fun.

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Very nice. My Dad had a neck over, as he called it. Similar setup the back end of it dropped down and he could park/ transport his BMW R250 he took to bike shows, on a sort of Lazy Susan apparatus he built that could rotate allowing ingress/ egress without wrestling with the bike. Not sure about the level of luxury pop outs otherwise but he enjoyed it in his latter years. My step brother and I inherited the BM, a 500 BSA and Royal Enfield.
He inherited my 14 ft cargo trailer which he built from a motorcycle trailer, after I switched from it to a 16-ft cabover diesel to transport PA. Toys 'r fun.

Today's 5th wheel Toy Haulers and regular RVs are very very nice inside now. The rear door/ ramp can be stopped horizontal for patio kinda thing...

 

[bassmike2010]

Today's 5th wheel Toy Haulers and regular RVs are very very nice inside now. The rear door/ ramp can be stopped horizontal for patio kinda thing...

Or stage?

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Last year, I ordered 2 new neck bridges from AxeMasters. Adverted as direct replacement for Spector NS2/A...
NOPE. It's like these 2 weren't finished.
Not polished.
Not the correct string spacing, too skinny.
It's Way too tall
Slots are too shallow.
See where the edges are flat instead of rounded over like between the string slots...
Too late to send them back, I think.

 

[Raulplaysbass]

View attachment 5021878 View attachment 5021879 View attachment 5021881 Last year, I ordered 2 new neck bridges from AxeMasters. Adverted as direct replacement for Spector NS2/A...
NOPE. It's like these 2 weren't finished.
Not polished.
Not the correct string spacing, too skinny.
It's Way too tall
Slots are too shallow.
See where the edges are flat instead of rounded over like between the string slots...
Too late to send them back, I think.

I purchased a nut from them and had similar situation with the finish, all else was good. When I asked about the finish, they said that’s how they are sold. I disagreed as the advertisement shows a polished nut and we went back and forth. They ended up blocking me from their store… I guess some people have enough business and the customers get what they get and that’s all folks!

 

[Loring]

Trace Elliot??

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Sorry about my post about my AxeMasters bass nut issue. I thought I was posting the Spector Owners Club thread... my bad.

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Or stage?

Oooooh.. a stage... I hadn't thought of that yet, but... the park prolly frown on me rumbling everybody's rv... lol

 

[Spooge]

New member requesting a number. NOS AH I recently picked up and looking to continue adding to the collection.

Thanks! Ben

 

[Zooberwerx]

Sorry about my post about my AxeMasters bass nut issue. I thought I was posting the Spector Owners Club thread... my bad.

Ah, it's all good. Hope you get it straightened out.

Riis

 

[bassmike2010]

View attachment 5042085


New member requesting a number. NOS AH I recently picked up and looking to continue adding to the collection.

Thanks! Ben

Nice grouping. Three legendary manufacturers with a proven track record. When it comes down to it it's all about tone. Ever since by Blue Line SVT back in college I've been on that journey. In recent years Trace Elliott and GK. I don't think it gets any better than that. Only thing you're missing in your lineup from mine is a couple of Peavey pieces from the past. Welcome.