Trace Elliot TA40R

1998 TA40R
2 Channels good for insturments and vocal mic. Active or piezo pickup settings. Nice reverb and a direct out.

I use this amp for my violin. I use a pickup from NewZealand that is very sensitive, but I also use a pre-amp/volume pedal, so I can use either active or piezo setting. The sound is very natural and does not distort. I do wish it was a bit louder, however with the DI I can go direct to a board and sound fine. Very nice match.

This thing is a brick house.

Do not even try to get support. Gibson now owns them, I have called them in Britian, but they told me to call in the U.S., they were no help at all.

If you need an amp for smallish venues and play any acoutic insturment, buy this amp.

This Amp is very little but not in the Sound quality. Has 2 Channell Acoustic, Shock Proff Reverb Tank, Pre Shaping Sound. Everything is very nice, just Lack of HeadPhones.

This Amp sound very smooth, even when I try by using some cheap electric guitars, It does smoothes the original sound. For the noise is very Little near to Zero. But There's a Little of Hiss, but when I Touch The Notch switch it dissapear, maybe the quality of the electricity in my country is not good. But when I use this amp to Distortion Pedal TubeKing-999, It sings well but with lack of Power. But that's allright Since it was designed for Accoustic.

I Don't Know Since I buy this amp 4 months ago, untill now no trouble

I have'nt dealt with the manufacturer since there is no Trace Elliot Reps in My country.

I Prefer using Roland Jazz Chorus Accoustic series but it worth much for me, But in this price range is very good bargain to have such clean AMp like this

Two channel solid state acoustic guitar amp with spring reverb and phase inversion switch. This amp is very simple in layout and features. Amp has plenty of power for my use (personal monitoring), and is small and light - it sets on top of my rack, which sets on a keyboard stand. For my use, it has all the features I care about.

Guitar is a Carvin Bolt with Roland GK-2A pickup, driving a Roland VG-8. Music style is Christian praise and worship and Christian country/pop. This amp mates up with the VG-8 very well, reproducing every sound with accuracy and clarity. Even electric guitar sounds are sweet, as the VG-8 is designed to reproduce them through a full-range system such as this. The amp is very quiet, in fact, nearly silent at all volumes. Because of its design, the distortion questions are irrelevant. It does reproduce the VG-8's distortion voices with excellent fidelity.

So far, this amp has been perfectly reliable. I do use it without a backup, though I can always run directly into the PA if the amp goes down.

Warranty is one year parts and labor. Trace Elliott is no longer under the Kaman banner and has returned to England, so service may be a concern should it be needed.

I've been playing a little over 30 years. Guitars owned include a Carvin Bolt hardtail, Fender American Standard Strat, Peavey DynaBass, and Ovation Legend Ltd. Amps owned include a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, Peavey KB/A-60, and Peavey Envoy 110. Gear in the rack includes a DigiTech 2101 Artist, BBE 462, ADA MicroCAB, and Korg tuner.
I would definitely buy it again if I could find one. I like the sound and the packaging, and haven't seen anything else like it.
I love the sound, size, and portability.
In the store, I compared it sound-wise to a Peavey KB/A-60 (which I also think highly of) and was surprised at its sound quality. With those little 5" speakers, you would not expect the fullness and depth this amp produces. I feel it is no worse than equal to the Peavey, although the Peavey has more tonal control and more features.
This amp is ideal for personal monitoring, for those of us who plug into bigger sound systems. Despite being rated at only 40 watts, it is plenty loud for this purpose. However, this is not a very loud amp, and will not fill up the stage with sound.

The TA-40R has 2 Channels and enough features for a coffee shop gig. The channels and reverb incorporate tone controls. The TA-40R also has a balance control if you want to emphasize one channel over the other. My only qualm with the product is that it lacks an effects loop and XLR jack for a mic.

The TA-40R was tested with Takamine Acoustic-Electric guitars (6 and 12 string). Sound quality was very good. The reverb was good, but I prefer using an effects processor to obtain desirable sustain and depth. Most stock reverbs, on any amp, still don't cut the mustard for my style of playing. For the size, it packs a lot of good sound.

The TA-40R is a rugged little guy using modern day composites and the highest quality components available. Design and construction uses the latest technology. The reverb's coil spring is shock mounted. Since the unit is small and light, you are less inclined to bang it against walls, doors, and other objects as you transport it to your next gig.

When it comes to acoustic amplifiers, you can't go wrong with a Trace Elliott product. The TA-40R is perfect for the musician that wants overall good sound, features, and reliability in a compact, portable package. Trace equipment is generally spendier than most, but there is good value. I like the fact that Trace is incorporating today's technology in the design and construction of their products; while everone else seems to push the retro-design stuff.