Trace Elliot TA60CR

Mine is a 1996 model, bought used in 2003 from Elderly. I was originally looking for a TA70CR (which I later got), but felt the 2x8s in this were much better than the 2x5s in the new models. Features as listed by others. The spring reverb is great, the chorus is a bit cheesy.

I use this with a Steinberger electric 5-string violin and a Boss GT-3 fx board playing pop/rock/folk. The tone quality with this setup is not bad, but I was happier to finally get a TA70CR - the latter's 1x10 + 2x5s give a fuller sound than the 60CR's 2x8s. Still, the 60 projects a lot better than the new model T50R.

Have to give this a lower rating because I'm still trying to get it fixed after it blew the output stage during a gig 6 months ago! The tech found that it had NO fuses, and the the heat-sinking was inadequate. Unfortunately the blown parts have been very hard to come by or substitute for - he's just recently found a European source for them. I've asked him to add a user-replaceable fuse in the chassis for future reference.

Gibson seems to be losing interest in this line - there are still manuals available on their site but not easy to find. They did tell me from whom I could get replacement knobs.

I've been playing violin 20+ years, and amplified in live performances for about 2 years. Since getting two TA70CRs I'm probably going to sell the 60CR when it eventually gets back from the shop, since I like that model better (except that it's heavier than the 60). Still, if the choice were between this and a guitar amp, the TA60CR would definitely win.

I wont get into all the features that this amp has because the other reviews have already done this. But I will say that the features that this amp has certainly makes it the best amp in its class, the reverb (with presence) and chorus (with depth and speed)work great, I have a piezo pickup and when I click on the piezo on the amp, wow, the amp sounds really clear and natural, it is an amp that is very easy to get attatched to. The notch filter, gain, and pull master volume really help to make this amp an outstanding little amp.

As I said above the piezo does a fantastic job in bringing out a really nice tone. My music style is really varied (Punk, rock, blues, jazz, surf, alternative country) alot of fingerpicking, heavy chord strumming, and pick attacks are all handled well by this amp at high volume, and believe me the Ta-60cr is plenty loud for most uses, I use it at home alot and even small venues of about 200 people, no worries. I have several acoustic amps currently, a fender acoustasonic, fender 30, peavey 112, marshall as80, and a Trace Ta100cr concert model (I am a conessieur of amps, and have a decent collection). The Trace amps sound the best when played side by side with the other amps, there is no comparison actually, though the other amps are all good amps also and have there own unique sound. But for the money Trace is the only way to go, invest in quality, don't sell yourself or your guitar short. The Ta-60cr can handle high volumes with no feedback problems, even when you are sitting directly in front of the amp at a very close distance. I plan on getting rid of my other acoustic amps, and only keeping the 2 Trace amps, I really don't need 2 Trace amps, but once you find a quality Trace amp, do not sell it, now that Gibson owns them, they are going to increase in price, besides they are hard to come by, most good musicians are smart enough to hang onto quality gear when they find it.

This amp is built like a tank, yet very lightweight and portable, very durable, and a high quality amp in all respects. I have never had even 1 problem with this amp, but that is what Trace brings to the table, great amps.

I have spoken to Gibson on a few occasions, and they are a pleasure to deal with, easy to reach, polite, and very knowledgable. I needed to have something shipped to me, and they shipped it across the country for for free , and I had the part in less than 3 days, I was impressed, and it gave me confidence in their company, seems they care about their customers, they don't try to push your problems off onto a local dealer in your area (like fender) who may or may not be able to help you. Gibson will treat you right.

I have been playing for about 15 years now. If the amp were stolen, I would cry, and then I would buy another one, that is if I could find one, they seem to be a hot commodity and hard to come by. I am just impressed with this amp. I can't think of anything negative to say about it, and I would if I could, but I can't. If you find one....BUY IT.

Previous reviewers have described the features well

Sweet and accurate tone with Fishman transducer type pickups

Very well made. Rugged.

Never had to deal with them.

I've played a couple of instruments through it--both Nylon acoustic, steel acoustic, and electric bridge piezo systems, and it is about as accurate as you can get, IMHO. I tried PA speakers before this, but Trace makes the best acoustic amplifiers I have heard. I listened to the SWR amps, and they were nice, but I prefferred this--I think it is more natural sounding

This is a Medium sized combo from Trace Elliot. It features 2x8" Celestion speakers and is 60Watts solid state. It has a footswitchable reverb and chorus. Two channels both featuring an active/electric switch, gain, bass, treb., notch filter. There is a master volume and also a slider to provide more or less volume b/t channel one and two. The master volume is push/pull and provides a shape that essentialy boosts the bass and treb, ala monty mcgomery. On the back it has a 1/4" D.I. and a footswitch jack. I believe this amp to have a great acoustic tone, it is full and quiet loud. Its not as loud as a California Blonde but it has a more natural acoustic sound. The California Blone is a great amp but it really makes all acoustics sound very similar. The Trace Does not. Volume was a concern for me and though I haven't gigged with it yet I have had full band (Bass, Drums) rehearsal in a small room and it is plenty loud enough. If your in a very loud setting you might want to put it on an amp stand. It can amazingly go to full volume and almost full gain with no distortion at all, even with my bass heavy Fishman Equipped (acoustic natural matrix) Gibson. It is about as loud as my old Deluxe Reverb 22 watts (tube) w/ one 12". I do wish the reverb sounded better, it's o.k. But the chorus is unusable I think. Also, an XLR D.I. would be better. Now that I think about it more an XLR input on one of the channels would be nice too. I have a pretty nice P.A. and the trace sounds nicer than the P.A. I mostly bought it for stage volume/control it will be D.I.ed to the house mains and the floor monitors as well so tons of volume isn't a big issue, in fact most places I've played want as little stage volume as possilbe. But again this thing honks pretty loud and sounds very very good. Better than all other acoustic amps I've tried, Crate, SWR, Fender, Peavy, Ibanez. Pick one up.

Again, sounds outstanding. Very well voiced. Would be nice to have a midrange control, but the notch filter can kinda be used as one. The notch filter by the way works very well.

Seems very dependable, get a case or cover for it. (for all nice instruments and amps) No problems yet.

I know this ones discontinued and Trace is owned by Gibson now. I called asking questions before I bought this one and they were very helpfull.

I've been playing for 10 years or so and own lots of vintage fender amps, guitars, basses etc. I'm defintly into TONE. and the Trace fits right in. It's light 22 lbs. by my scale, clean sounding, very acoustic-y and looks nice as well. If you see one pick it up. Trace amps are only going to get more and more expensive.

Made in '98. 2 channels with a slider switch to balance between them. I play surf music and jazz. I got this amp for a Godin LGXT piezo output. I play through a Rocktron Intellifex, but the TA60CR has beautiful chorus and spring reverb. 50 watts, two 8 inch celestion speakers. Has an effects loop, DI out, notch filter, phase switch.

I used to have its baby brother, the TA40CR, but it seemed a little thin and insubstantial for my tastes. I decided to trade it for a Roland Keyboard amp, the KC-300, thinking maybe I would get more bass definition, but having done this, I lost something I wanted back that had to do with the accuracy, and shimmering harmonics that were there before. I auditioned the Crate Acoustics, which were nice, and the SWR California and Strawberry blondes, and the Roland acoustic, and the Fender Acoustasonic. The Fender was good, but had too much of its own personality. The Strawberry blonde was no match for its big brother, Which I thought was the best of the bunch, until I heard the TA60CR. Then I knew I had found what I was looking for. This amp has the full range tone definition and accuracy I wanted. The California blonde is a close 2nd, but the attack is just a little too bright for my tastes. You never notice that with the Trace. The Roland acoustic is good, better than the KC-300,but pricey.

Very durable, but the tolex has a tendency to curl at the edges.

unknown

Now that Gibson owns em, they'll get a lot more expensive. But for now they can generally be found a good discount prices. If you want crisp, clean, full-bodied and accurate, this is it. I would have gotten the SWR if the price for this had been higher, but at this price it simply can't be beat.