scrumpymike Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Can anybody advise what head (pref used) would be a good backup for my TE AH300-SMC? I love the Trace (really sweet with the pre-set on and a touch of compression) and have used nothing else after buying it second-hand 6 years ago. I had it repaired/serviced/checked by EMS as it developed a noisy volume pot but it's been totally reliable since then. It's just that I'm starting to feel the need for an insurance policy! I play a selection of short-scale basses in a covers/functions band and run the Trace through a TE compact 15" cab and a same-size Ashdown 2 x 10". Btw I've ruled out an Ashdown MAG300 after reading bad reviews regarding build quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 The one thing I would say in defence of Ashdown is that their warranty and aftersales service is really second to none. I would have no hesitation buying some of their gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 TE heads come up in the basschat for sale section pretty regularly. If you love the TE head you have keep your eyes open and buy another or a similar TE one. I have three MB heads for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I still love my AH250SMX, but felt the need for a little extra 'something' without losing that Trace clarity. Started off looking a little higher up the TE range, but they don't seem to be either around much or that well reputed since they left these shores. Ended up settling on a GK Fusion 550 from Phill at Bassgear of Twyford.. totally blown away with it, in fact it's become my main amp with the SMX now being the backup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 If you want something small (i.e. class D) to take gigging I'd recommend the Genz Benz Streamliner. Warm, fat tone and plenty of poke. Seem to sell for silly cheap money as well and the only reliability issue I've heard of is the blue LED lights packing up. I've never had this or any other problem with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I've recently gone back to a Trace head - RAH-300-12 SMX - after some years of using Class Ds. Tone is very subjective - some people hate them, some love them! But, like you, I find that pushing in the pre-shape does everything I want a bass amp to do. The amp I have kept as back up (right up until I can get another Trace head that is similar) is a TC Electronic RH750. To my ears it sounds the closest to the Trace sound of the amps I have tried (GenzBenz Streamliner, Markbass Tube 800) and also it is nearly as loud. Doesn't make me smile in the same way, though. I'd be interested to try an Orange Terror Bass as a direct comparison but haven't got one yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 The GK MB200 would be a perfect backup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Another TE head. Easiest option if you need a quick swap, with the same settings you are good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I'm in a very similar boat. Old Trace Elliot 1225 combo, awesome in it's day, now too heavy for aging frame. Upto now I've tried an Orange Ob1 through an Orange 2x12 cab. No punch at all, very disappointing as I really fancied one. A Markbass 2x10 combo. This was going in the right direction, punchy and tight, but something was missing.Maybe a bit of warmth. And finally an Abm 500 evo iii through an Ashdown Neo 1x15... It sounded awesome. Not how I remember Ashdown from several years ago. This was great, tight and punchy with a bit of grind. I was using some sort of Fender Precision, first one I've ever played no idea which model but it retailed £700 ish and was pretty good. I'm going back with my Yamaha BB3000 to give the Ashdown another go... was it really that good, I've got a feeling it was. I'd suggest trying one, you don't have to buy it. But you may come away surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdw Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Id say that if you like trace heads then get another there's usually plenty about in the for sale section here and they go fairly cheap in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1444992705' post='2887916'] I've recently gone back to a Trace head - RAH-300-12 SMX - after some years of using Class Ds. Tone is very subjective - some people hate them, some love them! But, like you, I find that pushing in the pre-shape does everything I want a bass amp to do. The amp I have kept as back up (right up until I can get another Trace head that is similar) is a TC Electronic RH750. To my ears it sounds the closest to the Trace sound of the amps I have tried (GenzBenz Streamliner, Markbass Tube 800) and also it is nearly as loud. Doesn't make me smile in the same way, though. I'd be interested to try an Orange Terror Bass as a direct comparison but haven't got one yet. [/quote] Paul, just had a look at the TC Electronic stuff - very interesting, especially the features: 3-button memory, on-board tuner etc. Trouble is that 750 Watts is too much for my cabs (2 x 10 at 250W and 1 x 15 at 300W, both 8ohm). The RH450 might be better for me - any idea whether it sounds generically the same as its bigger brother? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 [sub]EBS? Less eq/tonal controls, but I find mine a good modern equivalent and lighter.[/sub] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 [quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1445182804' post='2889361'] Paul, just had a look at the TC Electronic stuff - very interesting, especially the features: 3-button memory, on-board tuner etc. Trouble is that 750 Watts is too much for my cabs (2 x 10 at 250W and 1 x 15 at 300W, both 8ohm). The RH450 might be better for me - any idea whether it sounds generically the same as its bigger brother? [/quote] Just back from a few days away, sorry for the delay. I've had both a Classic 450 and the RH 750 and tone-wise they sounded identical to me - I htink the difference is in the bells and whistles. I don't know how the maths pans out but in the context of the band, to me, 750 TC Electronic watts are about the same volume as 300 Trace Elliot watts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 25, 2015 Author Share Posted October 25, 2015 Thanks Dan and Paul. Just tried the Eden E300 that my local shop is doing at £269 new. They lent me their demo for our practice last week and I was quite impressed - certainly good value for money, though fewer bells and whistles. I'm tempted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witterth Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Im a great TE fan and would suggest you keep your eye for another one ( If I don't see it first ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Shameless plug. I'm selling my AH200 on here. It is flight casesed wirh a TE UV light but im able to sell them all separately. Trace stuff is great. I have just bought va TC classic 450 and am very happy with that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 Mmmmm - I like my TE is the best too but like the idea of a brand-new Eden for £269 with the warranty and reliability. Worst case would be buying something used and then having to spend money fixing it. That's what happened with the TE I have - mind you, it's been perfect ever since!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthaside Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Perhaps the right idea would be one of those old Trace Combo's like a GP7 SMX or something mines rated at 300 watt's .. after all you want the trace sound so why not get a trace, one of these shameless borrowing of someone else's basschat image ;-) [size=4][/size] . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrash Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) As others have said, if you like the sound you get already I'd be tempted just to get a 2nd TE if i were in your shoes. If however you fancy sonething that can be kept as spare, without taking up to much space, then sone of the wee micro amps would do . I use a markbass backline. sounds good to my ears, plenty loud enough for most gigs.It'll sound different to your TE, but not necessarily worse. Cheap too. Edited October 30, 2015 by lefrash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E sharp Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Bought myself another Eden 410XLT a year or so back , for £225 . Already have one , doubt I'll ever use the both of them together , but sort of couldn't turn it down . Mental money when you think about it , for an awesome cab . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 Just to close this loop, I held out and was recently lucky enough to find on this forum a nice used example of the TE 300SMC I already have. So now I've got 2 of the best and I'm a happy bass bunny!! Glad I listened to the guys on here who said that's what I should do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 [quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1449653418' post='2925502'] Just to close this loop, I held out and was recently lucky enough to find on this forum a nice used example of the TE 300SMC I already have. So now I've got 2 of the best and I'm a happy bass bunny!! Glad I listened to the guys on here who said that's what I should do [/quote] And that is the perfect result, nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shylock Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I used to have one of the old heavy AH250 GP12 with ultra violet light which had a lovely warm sound but it let it me down one night when it got too hot. Luckily I had an old AH100 as back up. I replaced the AH 250 with a carpet covered AH300 GP 7 which I use straight with no EQ or pre-set on and love the sound and having now some 2 years is proving to be a solid reliable workhorse. However the AH 100 is a heavy amp to cart around purely as backup and therefore I have now have a TC Electronic BH 250 which being a D class is much lighter to carry around. Not as good as good as the TE but will get me out of a pickle if need be and similar tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 The TC Electronic stuff seems pretty good by all accounts. Speaking of heavy old lumps, my first TE 300 replaced a TE AH500 (2 x 250W amps with stereo capability). That was a MONSTER with cool UV lighting, and I never thought I'd ever sell it!! Only got the 300 as cover when the 500 went in for overhaul but just fell in love with the sound and sold the big'un - certainly don't miss hauling it around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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