Trace Elliot

[A Single Minute]

Hey,

Ive been looking for a new amp lately and I was interested in a Trace Elliot speed twin. Anyone here heard good things about Trace amps or anyone actually have one? Id be interested to hear some reviews on these amps.

Thanks,
Pat

[twentysomething]

Pat,
i know Jurds (Jarrod) has one so im sure he can tell you all about it.

I like them, i think they are a great amp.

Cheers
Matt

[Jurds]

Hi Pat,

I have a speed twin C100.

I think the best thing about the amp is its versatility. It comes with a tonne of modern features and gives you a real classic sound. You can play basically anything on the amp.

I have to more recent version after Gibson bought them out (I think) so it is a little different to those pre Gibson (like Dempsey’s or Katy’s)

Features wise it is a 2 channel amp with clean, dirty and then a boost in the dirty channel (which is like having three channels.) It has a (I think) spring reverb unit, output dampening, effects loop and 2 master volumes. All "3" channels are footswitchable including the reverb and between master volumes. The channels can either be switched using a MIDI (digital) footswitch of the normal 1/4 inch jack footswitch. Both channels have independent volume controls. Both channels also have push/pull bright switches on the treble control to push the high frequencies. Also has a presence control. It has a pentode/triode switch at the rear which means that you can switch between 25/50/75/100 watts which is very handy. It has a rear bias pot which allows you to set the bias manually without taking it to a technician. It can take different valves (el35, 6L6 and others). I think that’s it!

I don’t have a lot of experience with a lot of different amps so it is hard for me to compare but I can give you a rough idea of sound.

The clean (so I have been told) is very similar to that of a fender twin. Nice and sparkly and it breaks up (distorts) nicely when pushed. Doesn’t take much for it to start breaking up though.

My favourite is the Dirty channel without the boost. Set the gain to about 9/10 o'clock and you get a really nice distortion that is sensitive to attack. This channel has a Marshall flavour but doesn’t quite have the upper mids that the marshal does. Very easy to get an ACDC/living end type of classic rock sound to it. Push the gain harder and you get more of your modern marshal type sound. Very yummy.

The boost channel is pretty intense and has too much gain than I would ever consider using. Sounds really nice though. You have to punch the master volume hard though to get it to really shine which means that you might have the police knocking at the door. I would say that is has Marshall leanings....probably a bit too scooped sounding for a Marshall though i.e. hasn’t got enough middle eq.

MIDI allows you to for example switch form the clean channel with reverb, to the dirty channel, with boost, without reverb, using MV 2 then back to dirty channel without boost, more reverb, less bass with only two presses on the footswitch giving you ultimate versatility.


That’s all I can think of at the moment.

In regards to the older ones, from what I know they are non MIDI but share similar features. Don’t think they have the 2 master volumes either. Might want to ask Katy about that.

I would recommend trying one out (if you can find one) they are no longer in production which is a bit of a pain. I cannot find a midi switch anywhere for it (will have to use a generic brand). Gibson has a range of amp called Goldtone which are basically identical from what I read so you might want to give them a go too.

If you are in Melbourne then check out Gallins guitar. Last I saw they had one going cheap.

I would definitely recommend this amp without a doubt. It is extremely versatile giving you any sound you like and it is brilliant at achieving these sounds. It is a real sleeper of an amp and a damn shame they are no longer in production. I was lucky enough to pick mine up 2nd hand for only $1150 in mint condition. Lucky to get a bloody valvestate for that price these days!!

The only negatives I can think of are the fact they are no longer in production (meaning I can’t get a genuine footswitch), they weigh an absolute tone and they are bloody loud for the bedroom usage. Mine specifically had a problem switching between channels using the standard 1/4 inch footswitch but works brilliantly with MIDI. I don’t think I will ever let go of this amp.

Any questions just ask me.

Katy, what do you think of yours??

Cheers,

Jarrod

[A Single Minute]

Thanks Jurds. Sounds like a fantastic amp. I really like the idea of a such a versatile amp. The amp im using at the moment isnt great in that department. Its a Marshall vs65 valve state amp (meant to sound like a valve amp but actually solid state). Its clean channel is awesome but the OD channel is too thick and heavy. I can hardly turn the gain past 3 without a metal sound. Im not a fan of metal . Im going to take a trip down to Syndey and see what I can find.

Pat