Trace Elliot AH250 GP12 SMX Head

First of all, I don't like long reviews, so I will try to keep it short and sweet.
I don't know what year my amp is. It's a late 1990's, I'm pretty sure. Like most Trace Elliot users, I was introduced to the brand by Mark King of Level 42. The amp is PERFECT for pecussive, slap style playing. She also sounds great as a hard rock bass. I love Rush, and fusion, and the Trace Elliot is GREAT for that style of music.
Effects loop, active/passive switch, no headphone jack. I have a practice amp for that.
Honestly, this amp is perfect. It has more features than I know how to take full advantage of.
I use this amp for jams. I used to play out live a lot, but now not so much anymore. She's LOUD !!!!
I like the EQ, pre-shaping, and solid state/tube feature.

I play a Peavey Cirrus, and I used to use a Kawai FIIB.
The TE is great with the Cirrus. I play funk, fusion, and prog-rock.
It's a little noisy, and has a hiss, so I am more inclined to use an SWR combo at home.
The amp is almost too much for me. I've always used AH150 GP11's. They are just right for almost all occasions. The AH250 SMX is a PRO LEVEL amp, and sounds great, overall.
No distortion at all !! Clean sound, LOUD !!!!!

I got mine on EBAY, and it was packed horribly. It was ruined during transport, and had to be overhauled. It's never been the same.
Otherwise, it's great. I don't like the hiss !!!!

I've been a Trace Elliot user for 20 years. I like the older AH150's better.
I've come to appreciate the "simpler" amps like SWR. The TE looks and sounds great ! It's a little too much amp for a hobbyist.
I LOVE the sound of TE's. If I were a pro on the circuit, I'd play a TE without question. For my bedroom, and jams, I like the SWR workingman.

250 Watt @ 4 ohm
Back in 1994, the GP12SMX preamplifier was one of the most advanced pre unit available:
12 band equalizer (+ - 15db) with 2 pre shape
continuously variable control for solid state/tube pre
2 way compressor, never seen on any other device 8 years ago, and a control between bottom and high ends
2 apeakers output (no crossover)
send return for effect
d.i. output (unlike older Trace heads, there?s no switch for pre-post eq d.i. out)
ground lift
tuner output
Like any other Trace Elliot stuff this head looks damned cool with its green backward light (which is not only cool but very useful indeed, if you?re playing in a dark room you can easily identify any control, no lighters needed!!)
i?m giving only 7out of 10 because of the following lacks:
no phones output
no crossover for speakers output
no pre-post eq d.i. switch

This head can really be whatever you want it to be; every playing style, every kind of music, even with the worst bass guitar you can imagine: tweak for a few minutes here comes an amazing sound.
You will need some time to fully understand the real possibilities of the GP12 SMX pre; while it?s very simple to obtain a good sound, day after day you will be improving it.
I used to drive it with a Trace Elliot 1048h (and an Ampeg SVT 410 HE when needed), obtaining an excellent sound, defined lows, punchy mids and bright highs (the head seems much more powerful than the 250 Watts declared).
So what?s the reason for 7 out of 10?
The sound is very good, but only after some tweaking, and you have to use the graphic eq. and/or one preshape.
This is not an Hi-Fi, the Trace Elliot has its own distinctive tone; if you?ve invested a lot of money for a high level bass you will probably want to hear the sound of your bass with the highest fidelity.
My old Ibanez SR800 was a really good axe with the AH250SMX, my new Warwick Streamer LX sounded well, but i wasn?t able to get its own sound unless i bought a second hand SWR SM400 S.

It?s been around since 8 years, and all that i?ve had to do for maintenance was?.nothing!! The Trace Elliot followed me everywhere, I?ve played from the hottest stage to open snowboard festivals (down to 17? C below 0) and this tank ever do the job, that?s why i think i?m gonna keep it as a backup.
I know other bass players using other Trace head and cabinets, no one of them have ever had a problem.

E-mailed them once for a technical suggestion, the only answer was the Return Receipt (one mount later!!)

The AH250SMX is a very good head; back in 1994 this was one of the most innovative amp around.
I think everyone should try to plug in his favorite bass, as i?ve told before this ain?t an hifi such SWR or Eden, but this is also true for Ampeg, GK, EBS, Hartke and so on; more over the Trace Elliot sound is very pleasing, punchy, defined and well balanced (but remember that you have to use the eq.; the flat sound is quite bad even with the best bass guitars). The Trace Elliot 1048h is the perfect match for it.