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Trace Elliot AH300SMX


XPAULUSX
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Hey, as you may have read from a previous thread i own a Trace Elliot AH300SMX.

i managed to aqcuire this amp off a friend as it was broken and he had already replaced his entire rig with GK stuff.

only paid 80 quid to get it fixed, good deal or what?!


i'm cosidering upgrading my head at some stage with something else but was just wanting to know what kind of reputation my Trace has, is it worth keeping?



Thanks

Paul :)

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[quote name='Mr.T' post='719976' date='Jan 21 2010, 11:50 AM']On a serious note....

The SMX series are fantastic amps (IMO).
Built to last and very reliable.

Personally, I think they are the best of the Trace range.

I owned one for about 10 years and it never missed a beat.[/quote]


I'm warming a lot more to mine, i only recently picked up my ampeg SVT410HLF so only really used it previously when i knew i was playing gigs with a provided backline.

Now i've actually purchased my own cab, i'm trying to find a tone that i like, and suits my style of playing, as discussed in a previous thread, im in two bands, both requiring different "sounds" from my head.

I'm in a pub rock band and a thrash/crossover band. I can get my tone how i want it with my "Pub Rock" band as i think the Trace sound suits this kind of music better. However, when im trying to dial in a more (grindy aggressive) tone with my other band, i can achieve the tone i want whilst playing alone, but when the other members of the band are playing, i seem not to hardly cut through at all.

It's really annoying me, so much that like i've said, im considering getting a new head, but im starting to think that the problem might be me, as i've been reading around, and my Trace seems to have a reputation for being a great well engineered amp.

When practicing with the pub band, we play in a pub's "concert room" meaning that i can use the same settings that i like each week. Whereas when practicing with the other band, we play in some practice rooms at a local studio, resulting in a possible change of rooms each week. This is obviously a factor when trying to dial in my tone. I guess my problem is that im not so sure about how to tweak my sound for different rooms.

Any advice on this? I'm not exactly fretting about the situation, as like i said, i didnt pay hundreds for the head but i'd like it to be versatile and sound right for me no matter what situation/band im practicing with.

I dont really want to be shelling out on a new head before i've tried everything.

Thanks

Paul

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Paul,

When I was using my SMX, I rarely (if ever) touched my favoured EQ settings.
I would tend to dial into a room (if needed) using the 'bass/treble' control that is next to the EQ section.
When I wanted a touch of distortion I would use a pedal and leave the amp alone.

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The SMX range get slagged in some quarters, but I had a GP12SMX preamp for quite a while and it was utterly brilliant. It sounded quite neutral, didn't have the Marmite 'Trace sound' that many of the older models had, and with the two preshapes and that superb compressor it was everything you could want in a head. In fact I wish I'd never sold it. Keep yours.
80 quid? What an absurd bargain. Well done :)

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[quote name='Rich' post='720815' date='Jan 22 2010, 09:16 AM']In fact I wish I'd never sold it. Keep yours.
80 quid? What an absurd bargain. Well done :)[/quote]

+1

I still regret selling mine, and would certainly jump at another one for that kind of money.

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[quote name='Mr.T' post='720832' date='Jan 22 2010, 09:28 AM']+1

I still regret selling mine, and would certainly jump at another one for that kind of money.[/quote]


It's just really annoying me to be honest, was at practice with the pub band last night, and left my EQ flat and just used the compressor settings and the EQ flat dial to adjust my tone to how i wanted it.

It sounded great when i was behind the PA speakers and nearer to my cab but when i went out the front for a listen, i was just drowned out by the guitar/vocals.

The guitarist is playing a 20 watt all valve orange combo and i can hear him fine, everything i play just seems to be muddy and inaudible to me, if i was to make one comment i would say that my e string is the main offender, when i play notes on it they just sound fuzzy and there is no substance to them at all.

I have a Fender Mexican P Bass, so its not as if im playing with something made of cardboard. Neither the guitarist or me are going through the PA, just the vocalist and our two back up mics.

this is really starting to bug me now :)

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[quote name='XPAULUSX' post='721531' date='Jan 22 2010, 07:00 PM']SERVICE?

Maybe the preamp tube is buggered???[/quote]
What cab are you using? What comp settings - if used incorrectly this can f**k things up right royally? Any fx?

Doubt it's the tube, more likely just needs an EQ tweak but a service certainly wouldn't hurt :)

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[quote name='Merton' post='722029' date='Jan 23 2010, 11:28 AM']What cab are you using? What comp settings - if used incorrectly this can f**k things up right royally? Any fx?

Doubt it's the tube, more likely just needs an EQ tweak but a service certainly wouldn't hurt :)[/quote]

absolutely no effects, im straight from my guitar, into my head, im using an Ampeg SVT410HLF cabinet. and i've just had a fiddle round with the compression knobs, to tell you the truth, im not 100% certain on what they do!! But obviously im willing to learn if you'd be so kind enough to explain!!

i read somewhere yesterday that if you are playing on a hollow stage (which is what i practice on!) then the frequencies coming from the amp can reverberate through the stage (doubling up low frequencies apparently) resulting in things sounding dull and muddy, this would also explain why i can hear the guitarist, as for most times he places his amp on a table off the side of the stage!

would putting something under my cabinet to absorb some of the frequencies make it sound better? im also going to try and position it better (closer to the back wall)

apparently there are specially designed floor pads you can buy to do this, but i think that something like an old gym mat (like the ones from back at school) would probably do a good job :lol:


[quote name='Toddy' post='722034' date='Jan 23 2010, 11:32 AM']Worth replacing that pre-amp tube anyway.....fairly cheap an easy,,, might make a world of difference!! :rolleyes:[/quote]

wheres the best place to buy pre-amp tubes? im not sure what type i'd need? anybody replaced one in a Trace AH300SMX? just to save me opening it up myself haha

Thanks again guys


PAULUUUUS

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Paul,

I fairly sure that if you turn the knob marked 'Solid state & Valve' to solid state, the valve isn't in the circuit.

Worth a try?

Also, as far as compression goes....
Don't turn it past the 12 o'clock position.
(Or turn it off and see if that helps).

Thirdly,
Try it with the EQ set flat, and the EQ balance in the 12 o'clock position.

You could also try turning off the EQ section.

Good luck.

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[quote name='Mr.T' post='723423' date='Jan 24 2010, 07:18 PM']Paul,

I fairly sure that if you turn the knob marked 'Solid state & Valve' to solid state, the valve isn't in the circuit.

Worth a try?

Also, as far as compression goes....
Don't turn it past the 12 o'clock position.
(Or turn it off and see if that helps).

Thirdly,
Try it with the EQ set flat, and the EQ balance in the 12 o'clock position.

You could also try turning off the EQ section.

Good luck.[/quote]

Roger, all i can do is have another experiment with it when im next at practice and see how it goes! i'll let you know how i get on!

any advice on the "hollow stage" situation?

Edited by XPAULUSX
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[quote name='Mr.T' post='723866' date='Jan 25 2010, 09:33 AM']Doesn't sound like a fault with the amp......?[/quote]


i obviously can't EQ properly, i'll have a another go when im next at practice and let you know how i get on.

I'll use a flat eq and adjust my sound only using compression and the "EQ Flat" knob.

I'll also turn the SS/Valve knob all the way to SS to see what happens. I will let you know how i get on!

Thanks for all the help though.

Paul

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