Modern amp that sounds like an old Trace Elliot?

[fretmeister]

Is there anything that sounds like a 1990s Trace? The super deep sort of slappy goodness?

 

Ideally without the weight, but all information is welcome.

[Merton]

Maybe wait for the new TE-1200 when it’s launched, my bet is that will do the trick nicely.

Or maybe Ashdown’s Retroglide?

[TheGreek]

Buy a head - at around 12lbs they are very manageable. You have a vast choice of lightweight cabs - personally I'd get a Vanderkley.

[2elliot]

The nearest that I have tried was a GK Fusion 550. The big one not the Class D. 

It reminded me of a Trace Elliot as soon as I started playing through it, I  should really buy one instead of trying every other amp on the planet. Lol. 

 

[Lozz196]

I don’t know if the TE Transit B preamp pedal has the typical TE sound but if it does then that and a neutral sounding amp head would be a good solution.

[Dan Dare]

18 hours ago, Merton said:

Maybe wait for the new TE-1200 when it’s launched, my bet is that will do the trick nicely.

Or maybe Ashdown’s Retroglide?

The Retroglide is very similar in concept/layout to the old TE heads - essentially a pre with quite extensive graphic eq mated to a power stage. Given that it's designed by the same person - Mark Gooday - who made the old TE heads, it has to be worth consideration.

[BassBod]

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

The Retroglide is very similar in concept/layout to the old TE heads - essentially a pre with quite extensive graphic eq mated to a power stage. Given that it's designed by the same person - Mark Gooday - who made the old TE heads, it has to be worth consideration.

Yep this is the case, but really they are different things.  I have a mid 80’s AH150 (GP11 preamp) and a Retroglide.  Same concept, but the older amp has a lovely low warm thump that the modern (smaller, lighter) amp just doesn’t do.  
 

I’d look at the red MK500 the black JJ version or the new graphic ABM version, unless light weight is important. 
 

 

[Lozz196]

6 minutes ago, BassBod said:
 

I’d look at the red MK500 the black JJ version or the new graphic ABM version, unless light weight is important. 
 

 

Good call. Given that Mark King used TE and then had Ashdown do the MK500 that makes a lot of sense.

[2elliot]

2 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

The Retroglide is very similar in concept/layout to the old TE heads - essentially a pre with quite extensive graphic eq mated to a power stage. Given that it's designed by the same person - Mark Gooday - who made the old TE heads, it has to be worth consideration.

I had one, I didn't sound like a Trace Elliot and wasn't as loud as the numbers suggest  but was perfect to use with a quality pre amp and was well built.  

[BassBod]

1 minute ago, 2elliot said:

I had one, I didn't sound like a Trace Elliot and wasn't as loud as the numbers suggest  but was perfect to use with a quality pre amp and was well built.  

Yes, it’s a great amp.  But I always run into a sansamp first…makes all the difference 😎

[Sparky Mark]

On 18/07/2021 at 17:32, fretmeister said:

Is there anything that sounds like a 1990s Trace? The super deep sort of slappy goodness?

 

Ideally without the weight, but all information is welcome.

Other than another 1990s Trace, no there isn't. End of.

Edited July 19, 2021 by Sparky Mark

[hubrad]

When I was looking for something to fit this very bill, I.e. something like my 250W SMX TE but more headroom, the "amp specialist" at Bass Gear (sadly, I believe this chap died a couple of years ago now) got me to try the 500+50W Gallien Krueger Fusion 550 with valve pre. 

I went for the heavier option, I.e. not class D, but corking tone and just what I was after. Still use the TE as well, mind!

Iirc you'll be looking for lighter weight, Fretmeister, so possibly worth looking at the 500 or 800 Fusion heads or the new models if they're here yet.

[fretmeister]

Thanks chaps.