Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 I know, I need to keep 'em both, but I need a 5-string and the cash flow says I have to let something go. I've found a real nice Ibanez BTB405 I'd like to keep and use, but I have to come up with bread. It's a realistically wise idea for me to have a 5-er. I also have other concerns I need bread for, like my kid's musical life, which is starting to bloom nicely... Trace heads: AH250GP12SMX... 90s pre-Gibson, was in a sleeve but it's now rack-mounted in a soft gig-bag. AH250GP11MK IV... early 80s, uv light, fewer features, but solid as a Sherman tank. The MK IV has a sweeter, subtler graphic eq than the SMX, but less the compressor and with the older power section it seems apparently not as powerful-sounding. Still gets loud though- you just have to turn it up more. The MK IV is maybe 1/3 or more again the weight of the SMX, but that doesn't bother me any. I'm scrawny-but-wiry, pretty fit for a 50 year-old bugger. The MK IV has had no significant issues at all in its lifetime, I don't believe. I also dig the simple layout, and the flexibility for integrating other amps, etc. Old-school style head. The SMX has had a few minor issues, but they did get in the way of playing... and I don't like to think about my gear. I have had to think about the SMX. But it sounds big and gorgeous... the dual-band comp, tube, pre-shape/eq blend and the eq balance are nice features to a great signal-chain... So what would you do- I mean besides keep them both! Quote
witterth Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 Id keep the older one. those uv lights make me smile,they're just Class!! Quote
dan670844 Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 [quote name='Count Bassie' post='1217126' date='May 2 2011, 03:19 AM']I know, I need to keep 'em both, but I need a 5-string and the cash flow says I have to let something go. I've found a real nice Ibanez BTB405 I'd like to keep and use, but I have to come up with bread. It's a realistically wise idea for me to have a 5-er. I also have other concerns I need bread for, like my kid's musical life, which is starting to bloom nicely... Trace heads: AH250GP12SMX... 90s pre-Gibson, was in a sleeve but it's now rack-mounted in a soft gig-bag. AH250GP11MK IV... early 80s, uv light, fewer features, but solid as a Sherman tank. The MK IV has a sweeter, subtler graphic eq than the SMX, but less the compressor and with the older power section it seems apparently not as powerful-sounding. Still gets loud though- you just have to turn it up more. The MK IV is maybe 1/3 or more again the weight of the SMX, but that doesn't bother me any. I'm scrawny-but-wiry, pretty fit for a 50 year-old bugger. The MK IV has had no significant issues at all in its lifetime, I don't believe. I also dig the simple layout, and the flexibility for integrating other amps, etc. Old-school style head. The SMX has had a few minor issues, but they did get in the way of playing... and I don't like to think about my gear. I have had to think about the SMX. But it sounds big and gorgeous... the dual-band comp, tube, pre-shape/eq blend and the eq balance are nice features to a great signal-chain... So what would you do- I mean besides keep them both![/quote] I would keep the Mark IV, they are amazing...... you can still get all the bits................. if you want some smx compress to give some more low end punch you could always get hold of a smx pedal, smx's are great but they are quite complex if they go wrong Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Author Posted May 2, 2011 You guys are reaching my guts, I think. Witterth, I'm thinking you perhaps reveal the most popular reason for having the old TE heads! Lol! Quote
squire5 Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) [attachment=78836:TE_Porn_001.jpg]I've had a Mk IV for as long as I can remember,and I'm talking at least 25 years.(You can tell by just looking at it ,can't you)It's just a solid workhorse.Only stopped once when it overheated due to the fan being on the low setting.Switched it off,waited a few mins,switched it on again,turned fan setting to 'high' and I've never looked back.Brilliant amp.I cant get a UV tube for love nor money though. Edited May 2, 2011 by squire5 Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Author Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) [quote name='squire5' post='1217339' date='May 2 2011, 06:15 AM']I've had a Mk IV for as long as I can remember,and I'm talking at least 25 years.It's just a solid workhorse.Only stopped once when it overheated due to the fan being on the low setting.Switched it off,waited a few mins,switched it on again,turned fan setting to 'high' and I've never looked back.Brilliant amp.I cant get a UV tube for love nor money though. [/quote] I can get you a bulb if you can't find any, or have you tried BAS? EDIT: Rec noted, thanks... I'm being pretty easily talked into it. And the head is one of those gold nuggets that I ran into by a 'stupid' deal. Probably real dumb to lose it, even if the SMX is a 'sexed-up' model. Edited May 2, 2011 by Count Bassie Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Author Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) [quote name='squire5' post='1217349' date='May 2 2011, 06:23 AM']Excuse my ignorance,but wot is BAS?[/quote] "British Audio Service". The fact it's here in Tennessee probably explains your "ignorance"! Speaking of... I'm not actually sure where it is! Lol! But it's in the US. Edited May 2, 2011 by Count Bassie Quote
squire5 Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 LOL Any wonder I couldn't find it.I'll get back to you on that.Ta! Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Author Posted May 2, 2011 [quote name='squire5' post='1217358' date='May 2 2011, 06:27 AM']LOL Any wonder I couldn't find it.I'll get back to you on that.Ta![/quote] Sure! Yeah, only in America! Hey, we got everything ova heah... Quote
witterth Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 I got a replacement uv tube for my Mark IV AH 500 from a aquariam (fish) dealer, they use them in fish tanks apparently. google your local I'd say. hope this is of use, easy to fit just a "spade" type connector W Quote
hubrad Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 Just to chip in.. I have the AH250SMX, which I bought new way back when.. also tank-like and never let me down once! Keep them both unless you really, really have to let one go! Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 2, 2011 Author Posted May 2, 2011 [quote name='hubrad' post='1217408' date='May 2 2011, 07:08 AM']Just to chip in.. I have the AH250SMX, which I bought new way back when.. also tank-like and never let me down once! Keep them both unless you really, really have to let one go![/quote] Hate to, and ideally I'll try not to, if I can. But hey. It's stuff, and there'll be more stuff! I'm trying to keep the best of what I've got so I have fun stuff to use. As long as I don't feel like I'm "losing" I'm alright with giving something up... does give me pause though, gotta admit. Quote
thodrik Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 I would keep the older one. I have an SMX (Kamen era I think) myself and love it, but I think that it easier to find SMX amps second hand than the Mark IVs. So if you come into lots of money, it shouldn't be too hard to find another SMX amp. I don't see many of the Mark IV's around, so you could regret it if you sell it. Best of luck. Quote
witterth Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 I once sold a pre EB stingray which Ive tried to but back, for serious cash,but "no dice". smx's are ten a penny, keep the Mark IV Im right you know. Quote
markorbit Posted May 2, 2011 Posted May 2, 2011 I'd keep the SMX if it was me. I've had loads of Traces and for me the SMX is the most fully featured and 'best'. Quote
Count Bassie Posted May 3, 2011 Author Posted May 3, 2011 [quote name='witterth' post='1217598' date='May 2 2011, 09:38 AM']I once sold a pre EB stingray which Ive tried to but back, for serious cash,but "no dice". smx's are ten a penny, keep the Mark IV Im right you know.[/quote] You are, actually. The SMX is on craigslist, unfortunately... but it's the lesser of evils. Quote
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