Trace Elliot Super Tramp H100

I was looking for an affordable amplifier with some sort of warranty as my old amp (JCM 900) kept breaking down.
At first I was a bit hestitant as it is a hybrid amp but after considering the price and the sound of the amp I was sold. I came across the trace at a local music store and a knew nothing about the amp I decided to give it a go. I ended up getting the trace at a bargain price ($15000 Australian) with warranty

The amp comes with two channels with seperate e.q and volumes plus a two master volume switches.

The clean channel is produces a nice clean sound allthough it does sound a little flat at low volumes. It remains clean even when the volume is cranked and really doesnt break up till its at about nine.

The dirty channels produces a decent distortion. It doesnt have a lot of bottom end and tends not to produce a chunky metal distortion but rather a good rock sound.


The only complaint I have about the amp is that the dirty channel tends to sqeuk when cranked especially when useing a wah pedal. So you have to be careful with how you position you amp. Also the clean channel has has difficulty competeing with the dirty channed. I find that I have to have the clean turned up a lot high then the distortion to get the same volume level.

The amp and cabilet are well constructed> you have to be a bit careful with the cabinet as it is vineal(dont know how to spell) and tends to rip easy.

I damn good amp considering the price. Every one how has heard the amp cant tell its a hybrid and have been impreseed with the sound. It doesnt quite have the same tone as an all valve amp, but really there not much differences

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

USE

It's very easy to dial in, you only need to plug in, adjust 2-3 things and you've got it sounding!

SOUND

I play mainly metal. With a good guitar, it's amazing.
The clean sound is wonderful and super warm.
The drive is very Brit rock and blues. It's super well-defined.
The boost channel adds gain to the drive channel and it's incredibly good!!
You can also reboost the gain!!!
This amp head is perfect for all kinds of rock and blues. For metal and similar sounds, I recommend you to add a 7-band EQ via the effects loop.
You will be under the impression of having changed amps, the sound is ten times better and much more shapeable.
I used it 3 years with an Ibanez equipped with Rio Grande.
I never used effects!!! (except for the Boss EQ).
Sound is precise, very round and unforgiving with wrong notes.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for 3 years to play rock, blues, jazz, and metal, and it never disappointed me!!! The proof is that I became a fan of Trace Elliot amp heads (even if they are not manufactured anymore) and ended up finding and buying the all-tube version (Speed twin H100).

I used to play Marshall hybrid amps (Valvestate 8080 and 2000), which are good amps, but there's simply no comparison!!! The sound is really impressive for a hybrid amp head!! Even more so considering its like a collector's item!!

I would certainly buy it again if I was faced with the choice!!