Rich Posted January 21 Posted January 21 (edited) After far too long (getting on for 20 years, in fact), I'm a Trace Elliot owner again. I've been really happy with my Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.2, and the 6.0 before it, but when I was looking back through my feedback thread I realised I'd been using the Shuttles since October 2009. Time for a change. I'd been intrigued by the new Trace TE-1200 since its release. Everything I'd read led me to believe that it had Trace DNA flowing through it, and with the old GP12SMX still being my favourite preamp ever I hoped perhaps this would get me somewhere close. My redundancy payout meant that suddenly I could afford it, so I said 'sod it' and pulled the trigger. Thomann's price was by far the cheapest anywhere online, so I gave them my money. And yesterday, the nice DHL man left it on my doorstep without ringing the doorbell 🙄 it's a bloody good job I was in. Anyway -- I was unnerved when I picked the box up, as it weighed a ton. On opening it all up, I soon found out that this was down to the supplied 4-way footswitch, which actually weighs more than the amp it's still in the box now, as I'll probably never use it. I've finally today got round to plumbing it into my rack case and damn it looks good in there. If there's one thing I really dislike aesthetically, it's those huge green words on the rack ears. They just look tacky and will have to go. I will just cover them up with insul tape until I've decided it's a keeper, at which point I'll either t-cut them off or spray them black. Tomorrow, it's time to fire it up and see how much of my garage I can destroy. 😈 Edited January 21 by Rich 9 Quote
BassmanPaul Posted January 21 Posted January 21 (edited) Nice Peavey amp you have there! Edited January 21 by BassmanPaul 1 4 Quote
Rich Posted January 22 Author Posted January 22 Well, I fired it up earlier. You probably heard it from where you are. JEEEEZUS H TAPDANCING CHRIST, THIS THING IS A MONSTER. The power is just immense. I haven't tweaked the EQ or compressor at all yet, I just wanted to make sure that a} it worked and b} the core tone was good. It's definitely a keeper. I'll do a proper Basschatter's review of it once I've used it in a band setting. 5 Quote
neepheid Posted January 22 Posted January 22 It would appear that part of Great Britain has broken off from the rest and is floating away... 1 Quote
stevie Posted January 22 Posted January 22 Welcome to the select band of TE-1200 users. Just wait 'til you try the compressor- it's ace. I can't help thinking they should have made the footswitch and rack ears optional in order to reduce the price. I won't be using either of those. You now need to make sure you have a cab capable of reproducing the amp's gorgeous tones. 😀 2 Quote
Russ Posted January 23 Posted January 23 (edited) On 21/01/2025 at 16:44, BassmanPaul said: Nice Peavey amp you have there! Peavey might make them, but the Trace team at Peavey are all hardcore Trace fanboys/fangirls. They know and love that sound and have done a great job at reproducing it in the TE-1200. Just much, much louder. It’s the first amp I’ve had that’s really stretched the limits of my Barefaced Big Twin II. I just wish they’d make some more practical cabs to go with it - they’re either too small (the 1x10” or 2x8”, the ones meant for the ELF) or enormous and heavy. We need new versions of the old 1153 and 2103H - ie, something that’ll actually fit into a normal-size car and not break your back when moving them! Edited January 23 by Russ 2 Quote
Downunderwonder Posted January 23 Posted January 23 On a dark stage the glare of the knob lights will make the away facing white dot indicators invisible. Dopey design. If the knobs had pointers they would be silhouetted. Quote
Rich Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 Well I've experimented with covering up the big green words (hereafter referred to as the BGW) and surprisingly I actually preferred it with them there. It looks a bit plain and almost dull without them. I'd like to call it a bit Vader-ish but... I dunno. See what you think. I'd like the opinion of the BC massive here. For me it needs something. If I do end up keeping the BGW, that (R) after the ELLIOT will have to go anyway. Quote
Merton Posted January 24 Posted January 24 Personally I hated the look of the rack ears (and I don’t use them) but I can see why they have done it, because it is just very BLACK otherwise. I say keep the words there. 1 Quote
Rich Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 I reckon one of these badges on the left rack ear would look pretty good. Just a case of finding one... 2 Quote
2elliot Posted Saturday at 12:45 Posted Saturday at 12:45 (edited) I keep coming back and looking at these amps... I need to try one and get it out of my system. They have just announced pedals as well... Edited Saturday at 12:46 by 2elliot Quote
Russ Posted Saturday at 14:57 Posted Saturday at 14:57 I don't use mine either - no rack, everything apart from the head leaves the house in one laptop bag. But rack ears with green stripes and UV LEDs in them would fit the bill, I think.... would fit the whole Trace aesthetic. Quote
Rich Posted Saturday at 16:46 Author Posted Saturday at 16:46 3 hours ago, 2elliot said: I keep coming back and looking at these amps... I need to try one and get it out of my system. They have just announced pedals as well... Well, I don't know where you are in the country, but if you come to this year's South West Bass Bash, this one will be there and you can try it to your heart's content 2 Quote
2elliot Posted Sunday at 12:25 Posted Sunday at 12:25 Thanks for the offer @Rich unfortunately, I'm based in the North East. Although, I'm sure if you turn it up I'll be able to hear it. 1 Quote
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