Trace Elliot Elf

ToTal GuiTar february 2018
104
P
lenty of guitar players
also dabble in bass, but
one of the biggest
struggles facing part-
time low-enders is the
fact that while the ability to join
the rhythm section will open up a
world of dep gigs, it also increases
the amount of gear you own. The
Elf, by bass amp big shots Trace
Elliot, is part of a new breed of
lightweight, small-footprint heads
that have become hugely popular.
It might surprise you, given that
you could sit a couple of these in
the space of an iPad, that this head
is packing a maximum output of
200 watts. How’s it done? Well, it
uses a digital power amp, which
means that not only is it able to t
in a much smaller form factor, but
it’s light too, weighing in at just
730 grams. The onboard layout is
simple: gain, three-band EQ and a
master volume plus headphone
socket on the front, and a speaker
and DI outputs on the back.
Impressive as that all sounds, it’s
all moot unless it sounds good.
Tonally, the Elf is classic Trace:
clean sounds are the order of the
day, and while the sound of our
Jazz Bass is almost too bright with
the EQ set at, there’s a lot of
versatility in the EQ section. The
mid control is strong and can
denitely add some more fat
‘vintage’ rock character to your
sound when boosted, or remove
clutter for pleasing slap tones
when cut. Dirt players will need to
use pedals for their gain, and while
it’s loud enough for small-
medium gigs, you’ll be using the
DI to the PA for larger venues.
The Elf represents a great little
platform if you need versatility in a
small package. Rivals from the
likes of TC Electronic and Fender
oer more specs, but we love the
size and sound of The Elf.
Stuart Williams
Trace ellioT elf
Heavy bass tone in a lightweight package
Type: Bass amp
OuTpuT: 130 watts
(8 Ohm), 200 watts
(4 Ohm)
COnT rOls: Gain, bass,
mid, treble, volume
sOCkeTs: Input,
headphone out,
speaker out, DI XLR
Weigh T: 730 grams
DimensiOns:
[HxWxD] 35 x 170 x 105
mm
COnTaCT:
Barnes and Mullins
aT a Glance
£ 295
The elf is classic Trace: clean
sounds are The order of The day
th
e g
as
s
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a
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overall raTinG
SuMMarY
value for money
Build QualiTy
feaTures
sound QualiTy
usaBiliTy
TGR302.gear_quick.indd 104 03/01/2018 11:56