Trace Elliot ‘Elf’ Bass Head as an amp

[Jeff Spencer]

G’day all. Was wondering if anyone has had experience with one of these as a steel guitar amp. Maybe a good option for an ‘away’ gig. I play an Anapeg, Zum and Shobud Pro3. I do have a Peavy 112 with a TT, a Nashville 400 and a Little Walter 50E so this is not replace any… just as an option for travel.

[Chris Bauer]

This has been my main gigging amp for around town for a couple of years now and it’s great. Mine tucks into the back of an open back cab with a twelve inch Black Widow and off I go. Light, easy, and you can put an EQ pedal in front of it if you want more tonal control. My back and my ears like it a lot.

[Dale Rottacker]

There's a video somewhere of Travis Toy demonstrating it on Steel ... I've trie it, but not seriously like Chris. I do however use it with a 10" Trace Elliot cab for bass in Church. I put the amp in my Fender Jazz case, hand the cabinet to my wife and away we go. They go from the DI straight into the board and I use the cab basically as a monitor. Works great, and like Chris says, it sure is easy on the back.

[Jeff Spencer]

Thanks so much Dale and Chris. Thats exactly the info I needed.
Appreciate the time taken to give me that. I will order one now.

[Tommy Shown]

I did see a demo at music store in Walker, La.,with a Peavey rep a couple years ago, when this first came out, I was impressed with size and how it brings the sound. In fact with all the manufacturers down sizing their products and lightning up their products, the tube's are beginning to be obsolete. Unless you find them on E - bay..

[Rex Magee]

I know these posts were back in May of 2025 but I bought the Trace Elliott Elf combo. I love this amp. My 200watt amp is built in the cab. It’s the 10inch speaker. It makes easy to gigs. I just have my steel , pack seat , and Elf that’s it. They sound great and have lots of power for any gig. Has XLR out with ground and headphone jack and external speaker as well. Everyone take a look at this amp.

[Gordon Hartin]

I've used an elf a couple times for a gig, plenty of power for sure, not as crisp on the hi-end compared to guitar amps in my opinion. If that is the only amp you have with enough power for you, then sure. But, a great backup amp just in case, and super small and light.

Gordon

[Dennis Detweiler]

Similarly, I have a lightweight TC Electronic BQ250 that fits perfectly. 250w, sounds like a tube amp, bass, treble and two mid controls. The tone stack is very close to a Session 400. Bass:80hz, high mid: 800hz, treble 10K. It sounds great with a 12 inch bass speaker. It also has built-in controllable compressor if desired. Add the mini Nux Damp reverb pedal and it's compact.

[Larry Dering]

Dennis, I just received a TC Electronic BQ500 and put it to the test. You posted the frequency of all but the low mid. Would you happen to know where it sits? Also send me a shot of your settings. I tried it with a TT 12 but it sounds better with a Texas Heat 12. I have some 15 inch cabinets with Black Widows to try. Thanks for the tip on this amp. It took nearly 3 months from Sweetwater.