Ashdown or Trace Elliot for a 4001?

delberthot · Post by **delberthot** » Sun May 21, 2006 1:23 pm

I used trace for years but instead of going straight for Ashdown which would've been the obvious choice as its the same guy who used to run it pre Kaman & Gibson before it went down the pan - I went for my favourite bass player's choice of amp at the time - the Gallien Krueger 800RB.

After about 5 years I changed to a Hartke HA5500 and then recently went for a beast of an Ashdown rig - the ABM EVO II chrome faced rack mount amp and 2 of the full size 1x15"s.

I only use one of the cabs with my main band as we have a good pa but use both for my pub/covers band.

Its very well made and although I was unsure about moving away from my trusted Kevlar coned Celestions, the blue fane drivers that they use in these are pretty good.

Its a good versatile rig that can handle anything I throw at it (figuratively speaking) there are only 2 things I don't like about it - having one 1/4" jack and one speakon instead of 2 of one or the other. the second is the DI on the front. I think it makes it look messy.

the cabs aren't that heavy which is a good thing, I have added locking wheels to make things easier though, but the amp weighs a ton. probably the heaviest amp I have owned

funksterman · Post by **funksterman** » Sun May 21, 2006 11:12 pm

J. Gary Wilkinson (J_gary) - Trace have been saved!

By Peavey. After the Gibson shenanigans which we'll not get into, Peavey in the UK have saved the brand, and have I believe, managed to enlist some of the former Trace people.

There's a new range of kit out now.

It does the soul good to know that the Trace 'Green' will continue!

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Mon May 22, 2006 2:18 am

I use the Ashdown ABM 500 EVOII head and find it to be an excellent head. It has so many tonal capabilities that I'm still exploring my options. First, you have your basic bass/mid/treble controls and they cover a good range. Then there's a footswitchable EQ section that adds two bands of EQ on either side of the mid control. The head also has a "Shape" feature that scoops the mids and boosts the bass & treble. It sounds really good with a 4003; just back off the bass to about 9:00.

The tube drive function and subharmonizer are nice-to-have features. You can get some nasty OD sounds out of the tube driver and unlike an OD stompbox, it thickens the sound a bit. I leave it off most of the time. The subharmonizer will shake the floor and can go from mild to wild.

I have three Ashdown cabs - ABM115, ABM210T and ABM410T. I use the 210 and 410 together onstage since I tend to favor the 10" speaker design. And with 575 watts RMS behind me, I can always make my presence known

.

All in all, I'm happy with the Ashdown ABM line. I think's far more dynamic-sounding than the MAG line, but it also costs twice as much. You won't be disappointed.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Mon May 22, 2006 4:11 am

Hi Jo, great news thank you!

I've got a bunch of the old stuff that I began hoarding when they tanked. Four heads, seven cabs and I've been applying the old Seinfeld "sponge-worthy" test as to when I used them.

So Peavey stepped up? Will they be built in England or the U.S.?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:11 am

I got to look at the new Trace kit. The build quality was some of the worst I have ever seen.

funksterman · Post by **funksterman** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:27 am

"Trace Elliot has introduced its first completely new product range in six years. The UK company will be producing and shipping all products out of its Northamptonshire facility in England to all parts of the globe, with Peavey Electronics Corporation already appointed as Trace Elliots distributor for North America. Essex based amp designer Paul Stevens, who developed the new Trace Elliot product line and has been associated with the company for some time said, Comparing the old range with the new models, is like comparing the old Mini with the new version. Weve kept the spirit of the original but brought it bang up to date and into the 21st century."
From http://www.basscentre.com/index.php?cPath=36_148 - From the The Bass Centre

So yes, all will be built in the UK, including the PCB's.

Peavey Inc. will be distributing for North America.

All the signs are good that Trace can continue being the "boutique" amp with it's own identity and Peavey will stick with their own ranges too.

Good luck to them - I hope it's a good future.

funksterman · Post by **funksterman** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:28 am

*eek* Bob. Hope it's just teething and settling in stuff.

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:40 am

I've been using Trace Elliot for 25 years now. In fact, I had the second one built, when they were still run out of the back of a music store in Romford, UK. Rugged, dependable, and monster sound. Here's the setup I'm using now.

spamegg · Post by **spamegg** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:53 am

I've been using a Trace Combo SMC-7215 (300 watt, 7 band EQ, built in compression, single 15") with an Ashdown 2x10" + horn (Mag series I think) for about five years. I got the Trace new in '98 and added the Ashdown in '01. I'm using a '00 Trans Green 4004 (inside gigs) and a '76 3001 (outside gigs).
The Trace has been very reliable (only one issue in all these years and I gig regularly). The tone is great and very versatile. The single 15" by itself is a little muddy with the 4004, but the 3001 is so bright that it works just fine. The Ashdown cab adds a nice brilliance to the tone for the 4004 and makes the 3001 sound like the tone from God. Absolutely Huge and clear.
I've thought about trying some other rigs just because I've had this one so long. But I can't really justify it as this rig fills the bill perfectly.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Tue May 23, 2006 4:24 pm

Gareth, that rig just plain looks like a bass amp should. What head did you go with? Do you bi-amp?

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:31 am

I've gone with the early consensus of opinion and gone for the Ashdown!
It comes tomorrow if the couriers can be bothered to deliver it!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:41 am

Both are the amps that I've been happiest with for Rick use. I replaced my Trace 300SMX with an ABM500, but both are great; sometimes I still miss my SMX. Strangely the 300SMX was one of the loudest heads I've ever used, as the guy I sold it to will attest. I never, ever got it past 3 at a gig, and I play really lightly. The ABM is more old school (and you can get decent overdrive out of it), but both are great. However as others have said, it's such a personal thing you really need to try them. I've tried rigs that people have recommended as killer and absolutely hated them. My favourite amp that I ever owned was a Mk 1 Trace AH150; I so wish I hadn't sold it.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:28 am

Cool Peter. What did you order?

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:18 am

I went for the MAG C115-300. It gets good reviews (including in this thread), I found one in stock at a knock down price including "next day" delivery.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed May 24, 2006 12:46 pm

I wanna hear your opinions on the Ashdown (and maybe some soundclips?) . . . I'm considering buying a MAG-300 and an Avatar 2x10 cab as a nice entry-level set to go along with my Genz. I'd love to know how the Ashdown sounds.