Trace Elliot
23Also known as: Trace-Elliot, Trace
UnclaimedTrace Elliot is a British manufacturer of bass guitar amplification originally founded in Romford, Essex, England. The brand grew out of The Soundwave Bassplace, a music shop opened in 1978 by Fred Friedlein, whose team — including sales manager Alan Morgan and design engineer Stuart Watson — began developing a dedicated line of bass amps built around MOSFET output stages and large, high-effici...
$259.00 - $349.99
in Bass Amplifier Heads Rank
$485.00
in Guitar Amplifier Cabinets Rank
$1,699.99
in Bass Amplifier Cabinets Rank
$289.00 - $399.99
in Bass Amplifier Cabinets Rank
$239.99 - $349.99
$795.00 - $966.00
in Bass Preamps Rank
$189.00
in Harmonica Amplifiers Rank
Trace Elliot is a British manufacturer of bass guitar amplification originally founded in Romford, Essex, England. The brand grew out of The Soundwave Bassplace, a music shop opened in 1978 by Fred Friedlein, whose team — including sales manager Alan Morgan and design engineer Stuart Watson — began developing a dedicated line of bass amps built around MOSFET output stages and large, high-efficiency cabinets. The shop rebranded as Trace Elliot and relocated to larger premises in Witham, Essex, in 1985 to meet growing demand.
Trace Elliot became known as one of the first amplifier companies to focus exclusively on bass guitar, pairing graphic EQ-driven preamps with powerful solid-state and later valve power stages. The range has included flagship models such as the GP11 and GP12 series heads, the AH (Anthony Hart) amplifier line, the V-Type all-valve amps, the 4x10 and 1x15 cabinets that became fixtures on pro stages, and the Commando combos. More compact offerings include the ELF micro bass amp and cabinets, and the Transit B preamp/effects pedal, alongside the Trace Acoustic line for acoustic instruments.
The brand passed through several owners — Kaman Music acquired it in 1992, and in 2005 Peavey Electronics took over distribution and later production, operating Trace Elliot as a dedicated bass brand under its umbrella. Early and long-standing users have included John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Mark King of Level 42, and Andy Rourke of The Smiths.
Trace Elliot has 76 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Bass Amplifier Heads, Bass Combo Amplifiers, and Bass Amplifier Cabinets. Their gear is featured by 41 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Stuart Zender, John Entwistle, and Patrick Dahlheimer. Trace Elliot's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.
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