SteveXFR Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Does anyone have experience with a Trace Elliot GP12 SMX amp and 1048H cab? I can't find any info about either. I think they were made in the 90's but that’s about all I know. I'd be using them for metal so loud, low tunings and lots of fuzz sometimes. Would they be good for that? I currently have an Orange Terror 500 (the old style) and OBC212 isobaric cab, Would the TE setup be better with a band? Would the Orange head and TE cab be a better combination? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 "Better" is always subjective....personally I'm a big TE fan and can't find anything I like more. If you were a youth in the 80s/90s you probably grew up with TE as the voice of your youth. I'd be looking for a good head to pair with some modern lightweight cabs. I think that Vanderkley are a good match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 From experience of using both brands I’d expect the TE to have better definition, plus being a 410 there being a lot more presence on the overall sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Cheers. Sounds like it's worth going for. It's a great deal I've been offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 My SMX and 1048H were good. Bear in mind; 1) That the 1048h is an 8ohm cab, and you'll only get about half of the rated power of the SMX into it. 2) The 1048h is properly old school and hefty with it. They are tough, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 The TE GP12 refers to the preamp. Which power amp does it have? It should say something like AH250 or 350 somewhere on it (which is the wattage rating). Will definitely have a much wider tonal range than the Orange 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) This is what I've got. It just says GP12SMX on the front and 4001on the back. Edited April 17, 2021 by SteveXFR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_T Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 That is just a pre amp without a power amp - an additional power amp will be required to get any sound out of it and you're then lugging around two heavy boxes around instead of just one. If you want a TE amp you'd be better off with something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-Bass-Amp-GP12SMX-AH400SMX/203346501401?hash=item2f58655f19:g:YpsAAOSwwCpgWPJA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 It definitely makes a whole lot of sound. It's really loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 AFAIK, Trace SMX preamps were all rackmounts. The "SMX preamp" legend on the the front of this unit is only highlighting the fact that it has one incorporated into the overall design. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_T Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Yes sorry, I thought there was always some indication of power amp rating on the front fascia but I have a brochure for the mk5 range and can see now that the AH150 is cased up just like this amp with no mention of any power rating, just the pre-amp type. Presumably it says something on the back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 the power rating is normal scribbled on the back by hand, fades with time, the only way I can read mine is with a magnifying glass and a strong light, it says AH150, I think 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 If you get it out of the sleeve and take the lid off you should see the amp details on the power amp board. It will be either a 250 or a 150. If it's all that loud it's probably the 250 making around 160w at 8 ohm. For metal you'll want a pedal in front of it that doesn't neuter the low end as you dig in and make it grindy. On mine it's pretty well out of MOAR at 4 on the output when the input gain is just hitting the red on occasion, per the manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 MOAR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 280w apparently 👍 https://www.google.com/search?q=gp12smx+4001&oq=&aqs=chrome.1.69i177j35i39i362j46i39i175i199i362j35i39i362l2...4.-1j0j7&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 2 hours ago, PaulWarning said: MOAR? ROAR but up to 11? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 18 hours ago, PaulWarning said: MOAR? A roaring more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 On 18/04/2021 at 03:46, Downunderwonder said: If you get it out of the sleeve and take the lid off you should see the amp details on the power amp board. It will be either a 250 or a 150. If it's all that loud it's probably the 250 making around 160w at 8 ohm. For metal you'll want a pedal in front of it that doesn't neuter the low end as you dig in and make it grindy. On mine it's pretty well out of MOAR at 4 on the output when the input gain is just hitting the red on occasion, per the manual. Spot on, though I could never get the input gain red light to trigger on mine, even with the hottest pickups / lots of onboard EQ. Might have to turn up the output level controls on any pedals you use to get there.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Lfalex v1.1 said: Spot on, though I could never get the input gain red light to trigger on mine, even with the hottest pickups / lots of onboard EQ. Might have to turn up the output level controls on any pedals you use to get there.. I have my gain on full, even with no pedals in the loop (a passive precision), there's a Trace at the rehearsal studios we use, I always turn the gain up to full, when I return the following week it's down to about half, I do wonder what basses the others are using Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 22 hours ago, Lozz196 said: ROAR but up to 11? 6 hours ago, Downunderwonder said: A roaring more. here's me thinking its an acronym 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 1 hour ago, PaulWarning said: I have my gain on full, even with no pedals in the loop (a passive precision), there's a Trace at the rehearsal studios we use, I always turn the gain up to full, when I return the following week it's down to about half, I do wonder what basses the others are using Could be putting pedals in front or maybe just rehearsing at lower volume. With the input down a bit there's a bit more control to the output knob as it comes on strong from '1'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGBass Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 The 1048H cabs are pretty much 'wall of sound' when cranked. Late 90's green carpet boxes are rated 300w @ 8ohms. The drivers are Celestion G10T-80's so actually it's more like 320W. The horn is usually a Fostex 150W unit so you could argue that they are rated at 470W rms @ 8 ohms. A lot of Trace Elliot gear is very conservatively rated. The only thing worth a watch on these cabs is the horn attenuation switch which can wear out. If it's working ok and on full it can be really painful to be near it at volume. These are great cabs for grungy metal tones with the horn on about half and the treble up on your amp. They are also very efficient cabs. A 150 watt GP7SM will scream with a good 1048H cab even at 8 ohms. I used one of these for a while but the cab weight and size was its achilles heel... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Those were the days! Two 4x10’s and a bright box with an AH400smx. An absolute wall of gut wobbling power, and big enough for anywhere. Sadly I got older and more fragile and my venues got smaller. But oh how I miss looking up at that green glow and the sensation of the air hitting me in the back! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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