Trace Elliot V Type

Full Tube: 4 KT88 power, 4 ECC83 preamp in - 220 watts - amp made in UK, the first of the series, it was then called V4. Emerged after the V6 then V8. This series of amps are released in limited numbers (so rare and sought after) in the second half of the 90s.

Simple connections, just enough, no more, no less: 2 inputs (for low active or passive), a nice DI output switches on the front with pre / post EQ on / off mass - At the rear effects loop, output "line", HPs outputs (XLR and jack) switch with 8/4 ohms

Limited settings (it's not like the models transistors), but efficient:
pre gain and output volume knobs 3 EQ (bass-mid-treble), and 2 switches "Deep" and "Bright", as they are found on the transistors models. They can also get closer to the sound of those cis.

UTILIZATION

With that, the config is simple. Unlike models of the brand preamps transistors (GP12 kind ...) that have a lot of settings and require a little practice to get the right sound here, a slight change of control on a knob EQ or volume (balance between gain and volume) quickly transforms the sound.
It was soon sound very effective and well balanced, with bass wish (british sound and lights KT88).
The manual? No need for so few settings. The only thing I saw on the manual I downloaded is they recommend to use the jack for hp hps additional treble. So with two boxes: XLR output to the first, then connecting the first to the second box (do not forget to switch the impedance of 4 ohms with 2 boxes of 8 ohms).

SOUNDS

Sound? It is very fat, full bass. How to tell? very present without being mushy, they resortent well, even with a guitar and drums playing hard. All frequencies (notes played) out with the same fishery.
A volume "means" the sound palette can be quite large. Above, the saturation occurs lamps. First sweet, pleasant and well balanced, it becomes very high volume, a more focused midrange (with bass and treble further back).
In my case, I play with a Ernie Ball MusicMan Sterling 5 String (with replacement as low an Ibanez ATK 5 string). Suffice to say that these are low with a good registry bass and mid-bass with double windings and high output level. Hps as a box and a 2x10 Trace Elliot Trace 1x15 box still (config ideal for me)
Only downside (especially with my low): High volume, it lacks a bit of clarity on the ropes re / ground.
Solution: a small pedal limiter / enhancer Boss in the effects loop and it is set

OVERALL OPINION

I use this amp for 3 months (with my 2x10 and 1x15 Trace boxes and my MusicMan Ernie Ball Sterling 5). This is a treat!
Before I used for 20 years a preamp and power amp GP12SMX of the same brand (yes, I'm a fan of Trace Elliot!). This was great but a little too "clean" for 70's rock trend.
I tried a lot of things in my life bass (25 bass), and a lot of shit! but here is the top for me.
The sound is great, good bass, good rock (course: the "lamp" in bass is not jazz-fusion!).
The little trick of the Boss enhancer / limiter in the effects loop to gain clarity, and it makes a great amp for style rock / blues-rock / hard.
If I had to change? The same with a little more power: the V6 or V8, but it is very rare and very expensive!
Only comparable amps: Ampeg old (not current SVT Classic!) Or Hiwatt Custom 200 and Custom 400 (over 2700 euros for it!).