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{{Short description|British audio equipment manufacturer}}
{{multiple issues|
{{multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=January 2010}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2023}}
{{advert|date=June 2012}}
{{advert|date=June 2023}}
}}
}}


{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Trace Elliot
| name = Trace Elliot
| logo = [[File:Trace Elliot logo.jpg]]
| logo = Trace Elliot logo.jpg
| foundation = 1979
| foundation = 1979
| industry = Audio equipment
| industry = Audio equipment
Line 14: Line 15:
'''Trace Elliot''' is a United Kingdom-based [[bass guitar|bass]] amplification manufacturer, and has a sub-brand, Trace Acoustic, for [[acoustic instrument]]s.
'''Trace Elliot''' is a United Kingdom-based [[bass guitar|bass]] amplification manufacturer, and has a sub-brand, Trace Acoustic, for [[acoustic instrument]]s.


==History==
== History ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=June 2023}}
In 1979, a music shop in [[Romford]], [[Essex]], UK, called Soundwave was building and hiring out PA systems to local musicians. It soon became apparent that some of this equipment was not being used simply as PA but instead was being used by bass players, who for so long had to put up with under-powered amplification that was often merely a guitar amplifier with a modified tone circuit.
In 1979, a music shop in [[Romford]], [[Essex]], [[United Kingdom|UK]], called Soundwave was building and hiring out [[Public address system|PA]] systems to local musicians. It soon became apparent that some of this equipment was not being used simply as PA. Instead, it was being used by bass players, who for so long had to put up with under-powered amplification that was often merely a guitar amplifier with a modified tone circuit.


The Soundwave owner, Fred Friedlein, and staff which included Alan Morgan (sales) and Stuart Watson (design engineer) realised the potential market and developed a range of products that incorporated [[MOSFET]] output stages driving large cabinets, including 15” drivers, and also the world's first bass-dedicated 4 x 10” cabinet, now an industry standard for all bass amp lines.
The owner of Soundwave, Fred Friedlein, and staff which included Alan Morgan (sales) and Stuart Watson (design engineer) realised the potential market and developed a range of products that incorporated [[MOSFET]] output stages driving large cabinets, including 15” drivers, and also the world's first bass-dedicated 4 x 10” cabinet, now an industry standard for all bass amp lines.


There were several features which made this product unique: the GP11 pre-amp featured 11 graphic EQ bands which were very broad bands, overlapping each other, thereby enabling massive amounts of frequency cut or boost when adjacent bands were boosted or cut. Secondly, the frequency bands were spaced closer together towards the bass end allowing even more variation for bass guitarists to alter their sound like no other amp had previously allowed. Added to this were MOSFET poweramps of 250 or 500 watts and the option of bi-amplified systems where bass and upper frequencies are filtered before being separately amplified and fed to dedicated high frequency and low frequency speaker cabinets. Trace Elliot, as the brand came to be called, gained a reputation for themselves; rumor has it that early users were [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] of [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Andy Rourke]] of [[The Smiths]] and [[Brian Helicopter]] of [[Punk rock|punk]] band [[The Shapes (UK band)|The Shapes]]. [[Mark King (musician)|Mark King]] of [[Level 42]] was also an early adopter of the brand.<ref>{{cite web
There were several features which made this product unique: the GP11 pre-amp featured 11 graphic EQ bands which were very broad bands, overlapping each other, thereby enabling massive amounts of frequency cut or boost when adjacent bands were boosted or cut. Secondly, the frequency bands were spaced closer together towards the bass end allowing even more variation for bass guitarists to alter their sound like no other amp had previously allowed. Added to this were MOSFET poweramps of 250 or 500 watts and the option of bi-amplified systems where bass and upper frequencies are filtered before being separately amplified and fed to dedicated high frequency and low frequency speaker cabinets. Trace Elliot, as the brand came to be called, gained a reputation for themselves; rumour has it that early users were [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] of [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Andy Rourke]] of [[The Smiths]] and [[Brian Helicopter]] of [[Punk rock|punk]] band [[The Shapes (UK band)|The Shapes]]. [[Mark King (musician)|Mark King]] of [[Level 42]] was also an early adopter of the brand.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Product line summary
| title = Product line summary
| publisher = Mahogany
| publisher = Mahogany
Line 30: Line 32:
| url = http://www.rane.com/pronames.html
| url = http://www.rane.com/pronames.html
| accessdate = 2007-06-16 }}</ref> The company, now dedicated to manufacturing, moved to new premises in [[Witham]], [[Essex]], in 1985 to satisfy the growing demand.
| accessdate = 2007-06-16 }}</ref> The company, now dedicated to manufacturing, moved to new premises in [[Witham]], [[Essex]], in 1985 to satisfy the growing demand.
In late 1986, Stuart Watson, technical director and designer of the Trace Elliot range up to the Mark 5 series, left the company. That same year Fred Friedlein (then sole owner of Trace Elliot) employed the services of freelance electronics designer Clive Button. In 1986 Mark Gooday was appointed MD and given 24% of the company By Fred in thanks for the growth and production changes made by Mark. In 1989, Trace Elliot introduced the Trace Acoustic range of acoustic amplifiers concept and features worked out by the team Fred, Mark and Clive Roberts, (also designed by Clive Button and tuned to THE SOUND by Fred, Mark and Clive), and the company moved again, this time to [[Maldon, Essex]]. In 1992 the company was bought by [[Kaman Music Corporation|Kaman]], which had previously handled the brand's US distribution. The reason for the sale was Growth and the importance of the US market, Kaman staff would service a brand but NOT grow brands unless they owned them, that was enough for MD Mark to suggest this to Fred who had offered Mark the full company at a very low price . The sale to Kaman meant Fred could retire and Mark could see the Brand grow with Kaman.


In late 1986, Stuart Watson, technical director and designer of the Trace Elliot range up to the Mark 5 series, left the company. That same year Fred Friedlein (then sole owner of Trace Elliot) employed the services of freelance electronics designer Clive Button. In 1986, Mark Gooday was appointed [[managing director]] and given 24% of the company by Friedlein in thanks for the growth and production changes made by Gooday.
⚫
Kaman downsized their music division in 1997 and sold the company to a trio of Trace Elliot directors, who took ownership of a brand with nearly 200 staff on a {{convert|110000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} site; they focused on exploiting the North American market, and in 1998 sold the company to the [[Gibson Guitar Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web

⚫
| title = Gibson Labs Amp Academy Session 3
In 1989, Trace Elliot introduced the Trace Acoustic range of acoustic amplifiers, whose features were developed by Friedlein, Gooday, Clive Roberts and Clive Button. The company moved again from its base on Witham, this time to [[Maldon, Essex]].

In 1992, the company was bought by [[Kaman Music Corporation|Kaman]], which had previously handled the brand's US distribution. The reason for the sale was the need for growth and the importance of the US market. Kaman staff would service a brand but would not grow brands unless they owned them. This arrangement was suggested to Friedlein by Gooday (to whom Friedlein had offered the full company at a very low price). The sale to Kaman meant Friedlein could retire and Gooday could see the brand grow with Kaman.

⚫
Kaman downsized their music division in 1997 and sold the company to a trio of Trace Elliot directors, who took ownership of a brand with nearly 200 staff on a {{convert|110000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} site; they focused on exploiting the North American market, and in 1998 sold the company as Trace Elliot USA to Gibson.<ref>
{{cite web
⚫
| title = Gibson Labs Amp Academy Session 3
| publisher = Gibson Labs
| publisher = Gibson Labs
| date =
| date =
| url = http://www.gibson.com/Products/Amplifiers/Amp%20Sub%20Pages/Amp%20Academy/Amp%20Academy%20Session%203/
| url = http://www.gibson.com/Products/Amplifiers/Amp%20Sub%20Pages/Amp%20Academy/Amp%20Academy%20Session%203/
| accessdate = 2006-06-16 }}</ref>
| accessdate = 2006-06-16
}}
</ref>


However, in January 2002, the factory was closed and all staff were made redundant. Gibson then moved the production of a few particular products they wanted to continue with to various locations in the United States.
In January 2002, the factory was closed and all the staff were laid off. Gibson moved the production of a few particular products they wanted to continue with to various locations in the United States.


In April 2005 it was announced that [[Peavey Electronics]] acquired the North American distribution rights to the Trace Elliot brand.<ref>[http://peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/115/20050205.cfm Peavey Expands to Distribute Trace Elliot® in North America]</ref>
In April 2005 it was announced that [[Peavey Electronics]] had acquired the North American distribution rights to the Trace Elliot brand.<ref>[http://peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/115/20050205.cfm Peavey Expands to Distribute Trace Elliot® in North America] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324095437/http://www.peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/115/20050205.cfm |date=2013-03-24 }}</ref>


==Notable products, past and present==
==Notable products, past and present==
{{multiple issues|
{{advert|section|date=June 2023}}
{{unsourced section|date=June 2023}}}}
*GP11 pre-amplifier, very collectable unit combined with various power amp models produced in the 1980s.
*GP11 pre-amplifier, very collectable unit combined with various power amp models produced in the 1980s.
*1110 Combo, a combination amplifier/speaker unit comprising a GP11 pre-amplifier, V5 mosfet amplifier and 4&nbsp;x&nbsp;10” bass cabinet.
*1048H Successor to the world's first dedicated 4&nbsp;x&nbsp;10” bass cabinet.
*1048H Successor to the world's first dedicated 4&nbsp;x&nbsp;10” bass cabinet.
*BLX-80 a compact 80 watt bass combo with an innovative back-of-cabinet mounted 10" speaker and a full-featured GP7 pre-amp section. The name was derived from the phrase "the dog's bollocks" which was used to describe the combo during development.
*AH1000-12 Fully featured bass head with 12 Band EQ, Valve Drive, dual band compression and many other features.
*AH1000-12 Fully featured bass head with 12 Band EQ, Valve Drive, dual band compression and many other features.
*Trace Acoustic range. Numerous models for amplifying acoustic instruments.
*Trace Acoustic range. Numerous models for amplifying acoustic instruments.
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[[Category:Guitar amplifier manufacturers]]
[[Category:Guitar amplifier manufacturers]]
[[Category:Musical instrument manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Audio equipment manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 1 September 2024

Trace Elliot
IndustryAudio equipment
Founded1979
ParentPeavey Electronics Europe, Ltd
Websitehttp://www.traceelliot.com

Trace Elliot is a United Kingdom-based bass amplification manufacturer, and has a sub-brand, Trace Acoustic, for acoustic instruments.

History

[edit]

In 1979, a music shop in Romford, Essex, UK, called Soundwave was building and hiring out PA systems to local musicians. It soon became apparent that some of this equipment was not being used simply as PA. Instead, it was being used by bass players, who for so long had to put up with under-powered amplification that was often merely a guitar amplifier with a modified tone circuit.

The owner of Soundwave, Fred Friedlein, and staff which included Alan Morgan (sales) and Stuart Watson (design engineer) realised the potential market and developed a range of products that incorporated MOSFET output stages driving large cabinets, including 15” drivers, and also the world's first bass-dedicated 4 x 10” cabinet, now an industry standard for all bass amp lines.

There were several features which made this product unique: the GP11 pre-amp featured 11 graphic EQ bands which were very broad bands, overlapping each other, thereby enabling massive amounts of frequency cut or boost when adjacent bands were boosted or cut. Secondly, the frequency bands were spaced closer together towards the bass end allowing even more variation for bass guitarists to alter their sound like no other amp had previously allowed. Added to this were MOSFET poweramps of 250 or 500 watts and the option of bi-amplified systems where bass and upper frequencies are filtered before being separately amplified and fed to dedicated high frequency and low frequency speaker cabinets. Trace Elliot, as the brand came to be called, gained a reputation for themselves; rumour has it that early users were John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Andy Rourke of The Smiths and Brian Helicopter of punk band The Shapes. Mark King of Level 42 was also an early adopter of the brand.[1] The company, now dedicated to manufacturing, moved to new premises in Witham, Essex, in 1985 to satisfy the growing demand.

In late 1986, Stuart Watson, technical director and designer of the Trace Elliot range up to the Mark 5 series, left the company. That same year Fred Friedlein (then sole owner of Trace Elliot) employed the services of freelance electronics designer Clive Button. In 1986, Mark Gooday was appointed managing director and given 24% of the company by Friedlein in thanks for the growth and production changes made by Gooday.

In 1989, Trace Elliot introduced the Trace Acoustic range of acoustic amplifiers, whose features were developed by Friedlein, Gooday, Clive Roberts and Clive Button. The company moved again from its base on Witham, this time to Maldon, Essex.

In 1992, the company was bought by Kaman, which had previously handled the brand's US distribution. The reason for the sale was the need for growth and the importance of the US market. Kaman staff would service a brand but would not grow brands unless they owned them. This arrangement was suggested to Friedlein by Gooday (to whom Friedlein had offered the full company at a very low price). The sale to Kaman meant Friedlein could retire and Gooday could see the brand grow with Kaman.

Kaman downsized their music division in 1997 and sold the company to a trio of Trace Elliot directors, who took ownership of a brand with nearly 200 staff on a 110,000-square-foot (10,000 m2) site; they focused on exploiting the North American market, and in 1998 sold the company as Trace Elliot USA to Gibson.[2]

In January 2002, the factory was closed and all the staff were laid off. Gibson moved the production of a few particular products they wanted to continue with to various locations in the United States.

In April 2005 it was announced that Peavey Electronics had acquired the North American distribution rights to the Trace Elliot brand.[3]

Notable products, past and present

[edit]
  • GP11 pre-amplifier, very collectable unit combined with various power amp models produced in the 1980s.
  • 1110 Combo, a combination amplifier/speaker unit comprising a GP11 pre-amplifier, V5 mosfet amplifier and 4 x 10” bass cabinet.
  • 1048H Successor to the world's first dedicated 4 x 10” bass cabinet.
  • BLX-80 a compact 80 watt bass combo with an innovative back-of-cabinet mounted 10" speaker and a full-featured GP7 pre-amp section. The name was derived from the phrase "the dog's bollocks" which was used to describe the combo during development.
  • AH1000-12 Fully featured bass head with 12 Band EQ, Valve Drive, dual band compression and many other features.
  • Trace Acoustic range. Numerous models for amplifying acoustic instruments.
  • GP12SMX Bass Preamp: 12 Band EQ Bass Pre-amp. The basis for the preamp in all the SMX series.
  • V-Type V6 300 W all valve head. Used by many Britpop bands in the '90s.
  • V-Type V8 400 W all valve head, with overdrive and compression on board.
  • Velocette: 1990s-era 15 W valve-powered guitar combos; several variants, basis for the Gibson Goldtone range.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Product line summary". Mahogany. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2007-06-16.). ("Pro Audio Company Names: Mysterious Initials -- What They Mean". Rane Corporation. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  2. ^ "Gibson Labs Amp Academy Session 3". Gibson Labs. Retrieved 2006-06-16.
  3. ^ Peavey Expands to Distribute Trace Elliot® in North America Archived 2013-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
[edit]
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