Designed in the U.K. and produced in the U.S.A., the TA-100 features Trace Elliot's signature Shape circuit and built-in auto-compressor on both channels, as well as customizable DSP effects with parameter and setting adjustment with separate reverbs that can be assigned to each channel. This versatile amplifier includes two modes of switchable features for presets and performance variable controls, all of which are also conveniently footswitchable using the supplied six-function foot controller with 25-foot cable. New FET circuitry ensures switching is extremely quiet and not audible during a performance.
Light Weight and Very Powerful!
Pros: Light weight and very loud!
Cons: A little bulky for it's size.
I took the Trace Elliot TA 100 out for a spin last night. I used it at our regular Tuesday night jam which is in a fairly large, somewhat noisy bar with 2-6 other musicians playing at any given time. I used my Peche a la Mouche pickup. So far, here are my impressions: -CRAZY LOUD! It's rated at 100W, but as many of you know, the wattage rating doesn't tell you much about real world volume. I never turned it up past 2, and it was blasting away at levels that required ear plugs. I can only imagine what it's like up above 5. Definitely louder than an AER compact 60, which is a major achievement, as the the Compact 60 is generally regarded as the most efficient of the smaller micro amps. It's way louder than the Phil Jones CUB, which is also rated at 100W but doesn't produce nearly as much volume. -Relatively Transparent Tone: This unit only has 2 small 5" speakers, so you can't expect a full range frequency response. But it does pretty well. It's somewhat midrangey and colored, but not nearly as much as the Compact 60 which sounds much more boxy. The Phil Jones CUB is actually a little more even, with a better bass but only slightly so. -Very Light Weight: It's actually heavier than listed in factory the specs which say it's 13lbs. I weighed it, and it's just shy of 17lbs which is still over 1lb lighter than the Compact 60 but about 3lbs heavier than the Phil Jones CUB. But still very portable and the carry bag it comes with is great! The overall dimensions are noticeably larger than both the AER and Phil Jones (both of which are more bicycle friendly.) The TE is wider and a little bulkier, but still surprisingly light weight. I'll have to try it with some other pickups. My guess is the AER will do better with a piezo, but the Trace Elliot has a graphic EQ and a notch filter, so you could probably dial out some of the problem frequencies that piezo pickups suffer from. 'm
Submitted by: Michael on 10/30/2013 12:11:43 PM