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Trace Elliot

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Trace Elliot is a United Kingdom-based company that was the first dedicated bass amplification manufacturer. It then spread its expertise and innovative thinking into the sub-brand Trace Acoustic for acoustic musicians. The products have been used on stages and in studios by some of the biggest acts of the last 30 years.


Trace Elliot
IndustryAudio equipment
Founded1979
ParentPeavey Electronics Europe, Ltd
Websitewww.traceelliot.com


History

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.

The Soundwave owner and staff soon realised the potential of developing products specifically for bass players that were more substantial in power and offered greater tone shaping facilities. Consequently, a range of products were developed that incorporated MOSFET output stages driving large cabinets, including 15” drivers, and also the worlds first bass dedicated 4x 10” cabinet, now an industry standard for all bass amp lines. Also the 11 Band Graphic Preamp (GP11) became the centre piece of the whole range. Other features that were included in this early range were XLR sockets, LED level indication, DI output, and the now classic mid Pre-Shape circuit that gives the instantly recognisable Trace Elliot tone. The units also featured a glowing UV lamp to light up the front panel in the now iconic green and, in keeping with the PA/studio origins, the amplifiers were made in a 19” rack mountable type housing. This influence from sound reinforcement and studio equipment has remained the primary factor in the Trace Elliot design philosophy to this day.

The management decided that they needed a separate brand name for this range rather than just using Soundwave. At the time double-barrelled names were quite trendy in the music industry and the owner wanted something like this that sounded classy. After a discussion in the Victoria pub in Romford, ‘Trace’, a reference to the sine wave display on an oscilloscope which was also featured in the Soundwave logo; and ‘Elliot’, merely suggested by the then technical designer as being the ‘classy’ element; were chosen to be the new brand name. ("Pro Audio Company Names: Mysterious Initials -- What They Mean". Rane Corporation. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-06-16.</ref>

Due to the high quality and robust manufacture of these new products they quickly became known as the serious amplification line that professional bass players needed and it wasn’t long before many high profile players were using them. It is rumored that the first two people to use Trace Elliot extensively at this early time were John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and Brian Helicopter of punk band The Shapes. Mark King of Level 42 was also an early adopter of the brand.[1]

Consequently, as these products were becoming more and more visible in concerts and on TV, the demand grew throughout the ‘80’s. The company, now dedicated to manufacturing moved to new premises in Witham, Essex in 1985 to attempt to satisfy the demand.

The bass amplification range had been growing and consistently developed throughout the ’80’s, however, 1989 saw the introduction of the Trace Acoustic range of acoustic amplifiers. These were the first truly successful products of their type which addressed many of the problems of amplifying acoustic instruments and this kind of product is now standard in the range for most amplification companies.

Again the demand for the products increased and another move was required, this time to Maldon, Essex. In 1992 the company was bought by Kaman (who had previously just handled US distribution of Trace Elliot) and expansion of both premises and the range continued throughout the ‘90’s.

Due to internal restructuring, Kaman decided to downsize their music division in 1997 and sold the company to a trio of Trace Elliot directors who realised that the long term success of the company, especially now it involved nearly 200 staff on a 110,000 square foot site, was dependant on fully exploiting the North American market. This was the reason for selling the company to the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1998, who would own the brand name for the next six years.[2]

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 April 2005 it was announced that Peavey Electronics Ltd. (Peavey Europe) had acquired the brand name and were involving several key staff who had worked for Trace Elliot throughout the previous twenty years to develop a new range of products to continue the brand into the 21st century. [3]

Recent years

Prototypes of the new products were shown at the 2005 Frankfurt Musik Messe and production commenced later on in 2005. Glowing reviews of the new models were published in various music magazines throughout 2006 confirming a return to the brands former reputation for quality, innovation and tone.[4] [5]

Since the re-introduction of the brand into the market place, Trace Elliot has added more products Bass Amplification, including a completely revamped range of the renowned Trace Acoustic amplifiers. Trace Acoustic

At the 2007 Frankfurt Musik Messe, awards were received for; ‘Bass-Amp Des Jahres’ (Bass Amp of the Year) from Soundcheck magazine for the 715 combo and ‘Testsieger Vergleich 2 x 10 Basscombos’ (Test winner of comparison of 2 x 10 bass combos) from Tools magazine for the 1210. 2008 ‘Bass-Amp Des Jahres’ was awarded to the AH500-12.

30th Anniversary

2009 sees the 30th year since the launch of Trace Elliot as a brand. To commemorate this a special promotional video has been commissioned. The five and a half minute video will be officially released on the first day of the 2009 Frankfurt Musikmesse, Thursday April 1st, and will then be freely available in several formats as well as on YouTube.com and mobile phones via Bluetooth. An entertaining and insightful video, it refers to the continuity of the origin of the brand’s design (Essex, UK) and also reveals some of the reasons that make the brand different, including the exclusive use of the semi-mythical substance Groovillium.

Notable Products Past and Present

  • 1048H Successor to the worlds first dedicated 4x 10” bass cabinet.
  • 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 Pre-amp: 12 Band EQ Bass Pre-amp. The basis for the preamp in all the SMX series.
  • V-6Type V-6 6 Valve 300 watt head
  • V-8Type V-8 8 Valve head with compression on board
  • Velocette: 1990s-era 15W valve-powered guitar combos; variants were 1x10, 1x12, and 1x12 with reverb.

Notable Users Past and Present


References

  1. ^ "Product line summary". Mahogany. 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-16.). ("Pro Audio Company Names: Mysterious Initials -- What They Mean". Rane Corporation. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  2. ^ Gibson acquires Trace Elliot. "Gibson Labs Amp Academy Session 3". Gibson Labs. Retrieved 2006-06-16.).
  3. ^ Peavey to distribute Trace Elliot in North America. "Peavey Expands to Distribute Trace Elliot in North America". Peavey Electronics. 2005-05-02. Retrieved 2006-06-16.
  4. ^ Review of 1210 "Trace Elliot 1210 review". Performing Musician. Retrieved 2006-06-16.
  5. ^ A return to glory "Trace Elliot 1210 review". Musician's Friend. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
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