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BGRA: Trace Elliot BLX-80
| Manufacturer |
Trace Elliot |
Model |
BLX-80 |
| Reviewer |
Matt Schmill schmill@cs.umass.edu |
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| Experience |
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Item owned |
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| Review Date |
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Price paid |
$450-550 new, ~ $350-400 used |
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Dimensions | about 2.5' X 2.5' X 1.5' |
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Wattage | 80 |
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Speaker(s) | 1 10" |
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Effects | Effects loop, pre-amp in & out |
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Controls | above, plus pre and post gain |
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I picked up the BLX-80 used at a local shop for $375. I wanted
a nice combo to kick around with, so I checked it out.
This combo uses TE's GP7 preamp (minus compression) and couples it
with an 80 watt power amp, driving a single 10" speaker. The speaker
it is loaded with seems to be an 8ohm 10". The power amp will put
80 watts through a minimum 4ohm load, so there is potential for an
extension cabinet.
The amp has amazing loudness and bottom for a 1X10. I've rehearsed
with a 5-piece band on this amp and was able to be heard. However, I
wouldn't want to push the amp any louder without another cab. Playing
low B with my 5 and 6 strings seems to strain the limits of the amp.
The BLX80 has almost too much bottom. At times, the amp is "thuddy"
sounding, and I have to fiddle for a while to get something I'm
satisfied with. I have noticed that if I want to go to "Jaco mode" by
rolling off the treble on my bass and panning out the bridge pickup,
I have to bypass the EQ and Mid Pre-shape to get a satisfying sound.
All in all, the BLX-80 delivers quite good sound for reasonably mellow
rehearsals and practice time. With the addition of a 1x15 extension,
the BLX-80 has potential for a small-gig/rehearsal amp.
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| construction |
 | (94%) |
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| clarity |
| (87%) |
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| value |
| (86%) |
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| overall |
| (88%) |
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