NAD!!! All-Tube Content!!

VanillaThundah · #1 02-26-2013, 08:55 AM

[PLEASE READ ENTRIES BELOW!]

Ok so maybe this is a LITTLE pre-mature, but I know it's coming tonight!!!

Was browsing through Guitar Center's used gear section online (can't say enough good things about it) and found something I've been DYING to find for a very long time....A Traynor YBA200 amp.

I called them up to ask for some details, since the picture they posted looked amazing. The amp used to belong to an employee of the place and he only sold it because he purchased an SVT II non-pro amp and didn't need the Traynor anymore. The guy on the phone was saying he knew the guy personally and knew he took care of his stuff....we shall see. The price was $429, which was a STEAL IMO.

All original, no tube swaps or anything else funky done to it. The last one I bought had a tube swap on the preamp section and had the logo taken off. The person also painted the grill and top part this crappy white paintjob. This one is like it came straight from the factory and will go perfectly with my Kasino 2x15s cabinet.

Pics, and hopefully audio, will come later tonight when I come home and get it hooked up. Eventually I want to do the 12AT7 swap in preamp tube v2 to get more clean headroom and volume from it. Any suggestions on a good tube to do this with? I'm inclined to JJ or EHX, but found a JAN Phillips one for $9.99 on tube depot. I can't wait!!!

godblender · #2 02-26-2013, 10:00 AM

Congrats! I'm very interested to hear your impressions on this amp. Have fun.

mpdd · #3 02-26-2013, 10:06 AM

good price, everybody was trying to get me to pay 600

**mjac28** · #4 02-26-2013, 10:07 AM

Congrats on a really nice amp I would look at some NOS Sylvania's also contact this guy he is a tube guru http://www.dougstubes.com

B-string · #5 02-26-2013, 10:11 AM

Go with the JAN Phillips! New production tubes are not anywhere the quality of the old production. JAN stands for Joint Army Navy and have met military spec requirements.

VanillaThundah · #6 02-26-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godblender

Congrats! I'm very interested to hear your impressions on this amp. Have fun.

Thank you! I've had one before, but it will be awesome to hear some of my new basses through it. Anxious to play my Squier CV 60's P and custom P bass through it

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

Go with the JAN Phillips! New production tubes are not anywhere the quality of the old production. JAN stands for Joint Army Navy and have met military spec requirements.

My thoughts exactly

boamedt · #7 02-26-2013, 02:06 PM

Damn that was u....I was disappointed to not see it on there yesterday.....congrats

Alex1984 · #8 02-26-2013, 02:22 PM

That's the very model that started me on my tube adventure. I'd say you're in for a treat.

VanillaThundah · #9 02-26-2013, 07:17 PM

So here's the update on this tube ordeal....

When I open it up, I see that familiar black grill at the top that covers the preamp tubes greeting me. I've already taken down my Carvin BX500 and unhooked it, ready to plug this thing in right away and start on the demo video that I promised my girlfriend...when something seems out of place. No power tubes? Surely this must have been a mistake...oh wait! There they are! Somebody wrapped all of them up and left them outside the amp?

So I started counting and wondering how I was going to know which ones go where...then that became the least of my worries.

SHATTERED...FREAKIN SHATTERED!

One of my 6550 power tubes was completely obliterated while the other 3 were fine. My first question is WHO ships tubes outside the enclosure like this with nothing more than a little mini bubble wrap??? So after the runaround for about 4 times on the "blame game", I finally get Retail Relations on the phone and the guy PROMISES me the buck stops there. He called the store nearest to me and told them to make it right on this and make sure this head was working when I left.

Now hang on just one minute...I DO have their pro coverage plan (thank God I purchased that), but it doesn't cover tubes going out. I'm not trying to slander anyone, but lets be honest...the EE's aren't working at Guitar Center doing amp retubes so I'm wondering what qualified technician is going to be taking care of this adequately. IOW, if somebody should by some chance have these tubes in the wrong sockets, have the bias set incorrectly for the tubes their replacing it with, or just flat out screws something else up, then I'm eating the cost on the tubes (4 x 6550s). I plan on getting my local amp tech to check it out, but like hell am I going to walk out there with a set of 4 groove tubes or reject mesa boogie tubes in my head.

I'm sorry for venting, just needed to get this off my chest to somebody. Would you guys take it to get checked out even after they place the tubes in there and "test it"? I have been dying for one of these amps and this is literally like somebody dragging a kid away from Disneyworld when they get right to the gate.

Any advice or sage wisdom on this is appreciated

JimmyM · #10 02-26-2013, 07:36 PM

I wouldn't necessarily poop on Groove Tubes. The only real problem I have with them is their rebranding and charging more. Otherwise I've had pretty good luck with them. You likely won't get any better tubes than what's in it, though. And would I take it to a tech and get it biased if it's working properly? Depends on how long I'd have to leave it with them.

recreate.me · #11 02-26-2013, 08:22 PM

I have owned a YBA200-2 for a couple years now, and it sounds great. I do remember reading in the manual that they recommend shipping and transporting the amp with all of the tubes seated and in place to reduce problems. Maybe you could point that out to GC and tell them they did not follow manufactures directions or something...

Otherwise congrats!?

VanillaThundah · #12 02-27-2013, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recreate.me

I have owned a YBA200-2 for a couple years now, and it sounds great. I do remember reading in the manual that they recommend shipping and transporting the amp with all of the tubes seated and in place to reduce problems. Maybe you could point that out to GC and tell them they did not follow manufactures directions or something...

Otherwise congrats!?

Oh yes, I will most definitely be pointing that out to them lol. It just seems like common sense to me, I don't know in what situation that would be the best option for shipping...especially when there are metal retainers for the tubes in the amplifier.

At any rate, I'm excited about at least HAVING the amp and will be taking it up to them tonight to get it squared away. Do you guys think it is necessary to have the amp checked out after they put the new tubes in? I'd like to avoid this if at all possible, but if it will cost me more in the longrun (to the tune of $140 or so for a new set of 6550's), I'll play it safe and get it checked out. If it's an issue with any other part of the amp, the pro coverage plan will take care of it. Tubes aren't covered though, hence my caution and paranoia lol

coreyfyfe · #13 02-27-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

At any rate, I'm excited about at least HAVING the amp and will be taking it up to them tonight to get it squared away. Do you guys think it is necessary to have the amp checked out after they put the new tubes in? I'd like to avoid this if at all possible, but if it will cost me more in the longrun (to the tune of $140 or so for a new set of 6550's), I'll play it safe and get it checked out. If it's an issue with any other part of the amp, the pro coverage plan will take care of it. Tubes aren't covered though, hence my caution and paranoia lol

The YBA-200 should have user bias controls right? Print out the manual and follow those instructions and you should be good to go. Who ever packed the amp is a total moron, and it's their fault the tubes broke, so they should be replacing at least a matched pair if not the whole quad.

That said, whenever I ship a tube amp/receive a tube amp I think it's probably a good idea to have it given a good once over by a tech to make sure nothing was damaged from drops during shipping. If it's working right once they replace the tube and rebias then you should be golden, but I'd expect if it took any serious hits you may have a loose connection or two worth a looking over.

VanillaThundah · #14 02-28-2013, 08:24 AM

OK, so update on the ongoing crushed tube saga....

Last night, as instructed by the store manager I spoke to on the phone, I brought my YBA200 up there with all the tubes. Expecting to get this mess over with and taken care of. I couldn't recall them ever stocking 6550's, but I assumed a store manager would know what they have in stock or would acquire them by some means.

I assumed...

So as I walk into the store with my amp and the guy at the door tells me they don't service amps, I told him exactly why I was there and he flagged somebody down. Once I told the guy what was going on, he goes "So you want to return it, right?". "No...I bought this amp because I WANTED it, not because I wanted to drive an hour up here to return it. Your manager last night said to bring it up here and we'd have it working that night and I would be walking out with it the same day." So he looks to see if they have any 6550s or KT88s in the store...zilch, not even groove tubes. So he decides to call the store in Arlington (the one I ordered it from) and they tell me I can either return the amp or stick it up my ***, in a roundabout way. They aren't paying for replacement tubes, they aren't finding an amp tech in my area to work on it, they are telling me to completely disregard my paying for the crappy shipping of this amp (which is why I'm in this situation to begin with) and wasting 4 hours total of driving up to this place.

I wasn't about to have any of that and said that I am either leaving with tubes in this amp or a brand new set entirely. When the guy asked me why I need 4 when only one is broken, I told him exactly why. "You guys don't cover tubes and I don't know how badly the other 3 were damaged. I'm not taking the chance that they STILL won't work and have to play the blame game on who screwed up here...you're going to get me a new set." So after some "We can't afford to do that!" and me reminding them that I am no fool, I know they have crazy markup on their stuff and it isn't coming out of his pocket at all, he finally decided to "try" and get me a full set. Nothing on their website is able to be ordered except for Groove Tubes. I was pissed beyond belief at this point, so I said "If you're going to stick me with those tubes, I'm getting gold series ones...you're not pawning the cheap silver-grade junk on me." Following that statement and some heated arguing, we found that the gold ones were able to be ordered and he was going to get me a set of 4 gold series groove tubes, 2 matched pairs like I asked.

I kept asking, "You are going to order me a replacement set and ship them to me...CORRECT?" Then I got hit with ANOTHER caveat. "Well, we can't GUARANTEE that these tubes will come in. We'll have to tell you in 2 days or so if we can get them." Hot under the collar beyond belief I ask, "How do you show you have PLENTY in stock, but you 'aren't sure if [you] can get them?', and you still haven't told me if you'd ship them or not." This is where more of the BS and strings attached came in..."Well the way it works is if we can get them, it will be about 10 days for them to come in and then you'll have to pick them up. I can't guarantee we'll ship them to you." I'm seeing red by now and am just completely pissed off beyond belief that a stupid packing decision is costing me time with this amp and burning up gas money to drive back and forth to this place because they don't feel like shipping this stuff to me. I understood having to bring the stuff up there initially to prove that it was busted, but all this runaround with "we MAY be able to ship it to you" just ticked me off something fierce.

To contrast this situation, when I ordered my Ibanez SRX3EX with the non-functioning treble knob, all I had to do was call the store ONE TIME and request they send me the replacement electronics and they shipped it to me no cost and ridiculously fast. No arguing, no yelling, no telling me to stick the product up my butt or return it. The bass was about $200 and the electronics cost $150!!!. When the guy at my store complained about the tube replacement, I told him exactly how I was treated last time and wondered how a set of tubes for $430 worth of amp is a stretch for them compared to my Ibanez situation. He said nothing more about price after that.

Sorry to rant, but I feel like this stuff needs to come to light. I'm awaiting a call from them, but if I don't hear what I want then I'll be talking to Retail Relations again and demanding this amp be working and serviced within days of that conversation. Not only did I get pro coverage on this, which is pure profit for them, but I put this on one of their credit cards. I would also understand if I was complaining about the tone or that it takes too long for the amp to warm up, but it doesn't take an EE to realize that this amp isn't working and the fix isn't THAT complicated. Anyhow, buyer beware...don't trust the Arlington store.

boamedt · #15 02-28-2013, 08:51 AM

Damn...............I hope this all works out for you. It definitely taught me a lesson....this is all bs and they would resist as much as possible in hopes that u become so frustrated that u just give up and leave. That's att's practice too

VanillaThundah · #16 02-28-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boamedt

Damn...............I hope this all works out for you. It definitely taught me a lesson....this is all bs and they would resist as much as possible in hopes that u become so frustrated that u just give up and leave. That's att's practice too

Yes, I'm just hoping this doesn't happen to anyone else on here when they buy from them. Starting Friday, I will be calling them EVERY DAY until I get those tubes in my amp and working. I'm CERTAIN that the amp was well taken care of while it was in the store. The outside of it is PRISTINE and I've gone over it with a fine-toothed comb. All the knobs are smooth as can be and the thing doesn't even look like its been exposed to dust. That's the part that just makes me so mad, this amp would be immaculate if it would only have been packaged correctly.

boamedt · #17 02-28-2013, 09:31 AM

Crazy. At least it's a nice amp, and has been well treated. I just picked up my trace Elliot v-type head from my local GC(an Hr aways as well) and the head is pretty beat up and tons of dust inside. I can clean her up nice though. And it seems to work perfect...real crap shoot with these used heads huh?

hopefully u will end up with a new quad of tubes for Ur new amp

coreyfyfe · #18 02-28-2013, 09:35 AM

I can't say that's unusual for GC. One hand doesn't seem to talk to the other. They'll tell you anything you want over the phone, but no one has ever heard of you or your issue with them in store and it's a whole different set of circumstances. Hopefully it works out for you.

sammyfallen · #19 02-28-2013, 09:40 AM

I'm having a similar situation with them right now.

I ordered a Ampeg B4R W/ Rack from the Louisivlle, KY store and payed for it via telephone with my card. I forgot that I needed a 4 connector speakon to bridge the amp, so, I gave the store a ring and added a speakon cable at an additional charge of $31.77 to be shipped with the amp.

Well my amp arrived and there was no speakon.

I called the store spoke with the manager named Brian
and he assured me that I would have it on monday.

Well, Monday comes and goes. I gave them another day.
still no speakon on Tuesday.

I called again wednesday and spoke with a girl who was of absolutley no help and she refused to put me through to Brian. She said they'd refund me, but, I needed the order number from the email they sent me. I never got an email of anykind since it was an add on to a previous order. I told them I have the proof of ordering the cable from them via my credit cart statement. But, They would not accept that.

At that point I was very upset and demanded they get the cable to me on Thursday, She said no problem it'll ship tonight. Sure enough no cable on Thursday.

I call the store one last time and talk to Brian once again and explain everything. He assures me that the cable will be at my door Friday morning. He apologizes and gives me a ton of excuses.

Sure enough there has been nothing arrive.

It's been a week now and still no cable. I have to go to Frankort for Shell Aviation Fuels QC training tomorrow. I may just cruise on up and visit the store in person, since i'm out of options.

This has been the worst ordering experience I've had and really have my doubts about ordering from them again.

VanillaThundah · #20 02-28-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyfallen

It's been a week now and still no cable. I have to go to Frankort for Shell Aviation Fuels QC training tomorrow. I may just cruise on up and visit the store in person, since i'm out of options...

Dude! I bet that will scare the pants off them! Wish I could go to the Arlington store and give them a piece of my mind. I will most assuredly be filling out a survey or comment about that store.

In a way I feel bad for the Houston store, but if they stiff me then the only person losing in that scenario is ME. Either Guitar Center is out or I'm out even more money. Stick to your guns, man...they should send you a cable AND your money back for all that crap. I wonder why they didn't just make it a new order? I wish they would have shipped my tubes separately and packed them correctly. Or at least taken the time to write "Fragile" or "Handle with Care" on the box lol

EDIT: In regards to which tubes they "ordered" for me...this is the type we settled on

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Groove-T...64-i1125748.gc

They ordered two matched pairs, we will see if they actually come in and what fresh hell I will have to endure to get these things in my amp. At least they aren't made in China..