Mark Bass compared to Traynor YBA-3A

[jimnto]

I have the Little Mark 450 and it runs through an SWR Goliath III 4X10.

I was on a gig, plugged into the same circuit as the guitar player, and when he whacked his guitar I found I didn't have enough oomph! My buddy suggested that old tube amps had big transformers that made up for this situation.

So I got the Traynor. And all of a sudden something makes sense. I used to turn the Mark Bass up (lot's of power there) but it wouldn't get me what I needed. Well using the Traynor - all of a sudden I had this extra lowness, smoothness and oomph that occupied a lot more low (not muffled lows - I don't like mud) and all of a sudden i could be heard much easier and I wasn't conflicting with the guitar player.
Wild!! I think I am on to something!

Opinions? Insights?

[kraigo]

Is this the old 4x EL-34 model or the big guy with the odd power tubes? I had a 1973 with the 4x EL-34 tubes and a master volume. Great amp. I think yours is it's big brother.

You are experiencing what all of the tube aficionados have been going on about for years. Tube amps just seem to slot in nicely. P-Basses do too. Put them together and the mix takes care of itself.

KO

[username1]

You are experiencing what all of the tube aficionados have been going on about for years. Tube amps just seem to slot in nicely. P-Basses do too. Put them together and the mix takes care of itself.

KO[/quote]

+1 I have always found tube amps seem to fill a room better. I dont really think it has as much to do with the transformers so much as the power tubes. I also agree about the p bass, mine seems to cut through alot more with better deffinition than my jazz.

[megadan]

It's the TUUUUUUUBBBBES.


Yes, tube amps are awesome, and just sound better. We don't know why. Just run with it. Great amps, I've been looking for a YBA3 for years.

[Crabby]

I have one 4 sale!!!! Feel free to PM

[JimmyM]

though i love tube amps, i'm sorry, but i'm not buying that an sa450 can't hang when a yba-3a can. having ab'd an lmii vs an svt many times, including during a gig, i not only feel that it can hang, but it's not all that far off the mark tonally. remember you have eq knobs

[Rick Auricchio]

I suspect low line voltage is the cause.

Many SS amps, especially the small heads, will suffer from weak power lines. Your guitarist is right, but not using the right words. The linear power supply in a tube amp has a big power transformer and heavy capacitors that provide some power storage; this supply is very forgiving of power sags. (It's also where 50% of the weight and size are!)

At a gig, you have no idea if the venue has refrigerators or other equipment on the same circuit.

Bring a cheap line-tester and maybe a cheap voltmeter, and you'll know when you're getting insufficient line voltage.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by megadan

Great amps, I've been looking for a YBA3 for years.

My very first bass amp was a YBA-3! Should have kept it but being a teenager at the time ............. who knew?