This Trace Elliot ELF never ceases to amaze me!!!!

[msb]

18 hours ago, asingardenof said:

 

Do it, do it, do it!

 

I’m pretty much amped up , but everything I’ve heard from people that use the Elf suggest that it would be a good amp to have.

[Downunderwonder]

1 hour ago, msb said:

 

I’m pretty much amped up , but everything I’ve heard from people that use the Elf suggest that it would be a good amp to have.

Think of it as a smaller MB200, with overdrive, but with less EQ.

[Chienmortbb]

I suspect the Elf would give the MB200 a run for it money. I would take the Trace EQ over the GK any day. 

[BassmanPaul]

3 hours ago, msb said:

 

I’m pretty much amped up , but everything I’ve heard from people that use the Elf suggest that it would be a good amp to have.

 

Remind me to take a day trip to Halifax and visit.

 

[asingardenof]

5 hours ago, msb said:

 

I’m pretty much amped up , but everything I’ve heard from people that use the Elf suggest that it would be a good amp to have.

Nah, you've room for one more there

[msb]

The fan in my MB200 went , and I started getting “ the pink ring of doom”. My repair guy discovered that the fan had become gunked up and stopped working , and that caused some  major components to overheat and burn out. Including the power module.  

So I looked around at other amps , and then decided that the GK was the perfect amp for what I was using it for. 
Strictly home practice , sometimes plugged into a C2 Phil Jones cab , or with just headphones and a tablet plugged into the aux in. So I looked at amps that could handle both headphones and an aux input.

I decided that if we couldn’t resuscitate the little GK I’d buy another. It survived the repair , and has run like a top since we got it fixed. 
Should add that the e500 has replaced it as the primary practice head , and I use a Hotone Thunderbass as a headphone/tablet quiet practice rig. So the feature set I was originally looking at has shifted a little.

Almost bought a Darkglass Microtubes recently … moment of weakness , it was a great deal but in the end I decided I’m already well amped. 
And if I see an Elf for a good price I’m liable to snag it , simply because it has a great rep.

 

edit

 

I’m also curious about the new Ampeg line … and sometimes think I really should have a Mesa Subway head … it never ends. There’s always something.

Edited October 16, 2023 by msb

[three]

Obviously some very happy users here. I’m interested in an elf combo having used big and heavweight Trace gear for years. I suspect the question has been addressed (though I can’t find it). Can the elf manage to recreate the classic preset tone of the old heads? I’ve read very differing reports but I’m sure the collective expertise (and real-world experience) in this thread can provide a (nearly) definitive answer! Thanks for any advice

[Quilly]

33 minutes ago, three said:

Obviously some very happy users here. I’m interested in an elf combo having used big and heavweight Trace gear for years. I suspect the question has been addressed (though I can’t find it). Can the elf manage to recreate the classic preset tone of the old heads? I’ve read very differing reports but I’m sure the collective expertise (and real-world experience) in this thread can provide a (nearly) definitive answer! Thanks for any advice

The closest I've had is the 1*10 elf cab with the elf head. Impressively loud for such a small rig however lacking a little bit in bottom end or warmth from one cab IMO. 

[stewblack]

I use mine with two Elf 10" cabs and it's its own beast. Not the same as my old Trace gear but very good in its own right.

[Quilly]

1 hour ago, stewblack said:

I use mine with two Elf 10" cabs and it's its own beast. Not the same as my old Trace gear but very good in its own right.

I actually sold my elf cab to a bassist that had one already, he was very impressed with the volume of 2 cabs running with the elf head. I guess because you're getting the full 200W from the 4ohm. I needed something compact but a tad wider that could be used with a 30W valve head that was a bit too big for the elf 110 cab.  

[stewblack]

5 minutes ago, Quilly said:

I actually sold my elf cab to a bassist that had one already, he was very impressed with the volume of 2 cabs running with the elf head. I guess because you're getting the full 200W from the 4ohm. I needed something compact but a tad wider that could be used with a 30W valve head that was a bit too big for the elf 110 cab.  

Yeah, I hear you. Cannot bear an overhanging amp 

[Quilly]

Just now, stewblack said:

Yeah, I hear you. Cannot bear an overhanging amp 

It doesn't bother me too much but It was that scenario where the 4 rubber feet would not sit on the cab at once 🙈

 

[MacDaddy]

Just out of interest, and I know this is not what it's made for, but what is the loudest useable volume?

If you put it through a 4x10 could it keep up with 2 guitars and drums?

[Quilly]

Just now, MacDaddy said:

Just out of interest, and I know this is not what it's made for, but what is the loudest useable volume?

If you put it through a 4x10 could it keep up with 2 guitars and drums?

I reckon through an efficient 4 x 10 cab at 4ohms it should be loud enough. 200W is nothing to be sneezed at .   

[BassAdder60]

I used mine with my 4ohm SVT212AV cab and it was plenty loud enough for a loud rock band ! 

[Quilly]

1 minute ago, BassAdder60 said:

I used mine with my 4ohm SVT212AV cab and it was plenty loud enough for a loud rock band ! 

Yep the only thing is to avoid running through impedances < 4ohm, SS amps dont like that.  

[BassAdder60]

Yep 4ohms min is the usual on most class D or A/ B amps apart from a few such as Aguilar, Mesa, Genzler etc that can go to 2.67 or even 2ohms !

[Quilly]

1 minute ago, BassAdder60 said:

Yep 4ohms min is the usual on most class D or A/ B amps apart from a few such as Aguilar, Mesa, Genzler etc that can go to 2.67 or even 2ohms !

I think the "BIG" Trace 1200W goes down to 2ohms.

 

[FinnDave]

I bought my Elf 2 or 3 years ago as a back-up. I have used it for one gig just to make sure it was up to the job, which it most certainly was. Still have the carrying case and the original box. 

I am sadly and slowly getting rid of my bass gear as arthritis is making playing painful.

PM me if interested in buying it. 

I know I should advertise it properly, and am paid up to do so, just feeling lazy!

My Elf is now sold and will be winging it's way to a fellow basschater in the morning.

Edited December 5, 2023 by FinnDave

[BassAdder60]

3 minutes ago, Quilly said:

I think the "BIG" Trace 1200W goes down to 2ohms.

 

Nope unfortunately it’s 4ohms like the Elf 

[ossyrocks]

44 minutes ago, MacDaddy said:

Just out of interest, and I know this is not what it's made for, but what is the loudest useable volume?

If you put it through a 4x10 could it keep up with 2 guitars and drums?

I did gig mine a couple of months ago in a busy pub with full kit, guitar, sax and trumpet. I used a Barefaced One10, and that's it, no other reinforcement at all. I wouldn't say it was a loud gig, but it coped, and someone actually complemented me on my tone! I felt I had hit it's limit though. An additional cab would have been much better.

 

Rob

[asingardenof]

50 minutes ago, MacDaddy said:

Just out of interest, and I know this is not what it's made for, but what is the loudest useable volume?

If you put it through a 4x10 could it keep up with 2 guitars and drums?

I use mine with a Barefaced Two10 (which they suggest is the equivalent of a "good" 4x10) in a band with drums, guitar and keys, and I've never got the volume knob past halfway, so I reckon you'd be fine.

[stewblack]

51 minutes ago, MacDaddy said:

Just out of interest, and I know this is not what it's made for, but what is the loudest useable volume?

If you put it through a 4x10 could it keep up with 2 guitars and drums?

I last gigged mine with a very loud drummer and guitarist when the 600 watt head I'd planned to use developed a fault.

The Elf looked microscopic atop two 15" cabs but it was never remotely close to full volume. 

The scientists among us can no doubt explain why it can't be as loud as it is. I on the other hand use my ears and it's amazing.

[asingardenof]

2 minutes ago, stewblack said:

The scientists among us can no doubt explain why it can't be as loud as it is. I on the other hand use my ears and it's amazing.

At this point I'm just going with witchcraft as the answer.

[PaulWarning]

30 minutes ago, stewblack said:

I last gigged mine with a very loud drummer and guitarist when the 600 watt head I'd planned to use developed a fault.

The Elf looked microscopic atop two 15" cabs but it was never remotely close to full volume. 

The scientists among us can no doubt explain why it can't be as loud as it is. I on the other hand use my ears and it's amazing.

because it's Trace Elliot watts, they're a lot louder than normal watts 😀