Traynor Bassmaster

Gabeja15 · #1 09-01-2010, 03:28 PM

Ok, so i managed to find a vintage traynor bassmaster tube head with the matching 2x15" traynor cabinet for the seemingly too-good-to-be-true price of $550.

I know almost nothing about traynor's, but this seems like a steal. Anyone know anything about these rigs? and do you think that its cheap enough to offset the price of a re-tube and tune up?

*on a further note, I'm pretty sure i won't be keeping the cabinet due to it being the size of a small bulldozer. If anyone has a use for it, send me a message

62bass · #2 09-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Those old Traynor tube heads are sought after. Which model do you have?

I've used the 50 watt a number of times at a rehearsal and the 100 watt once. Nice sound with a bigger bottom end than a comparable Fender. Not a huge amount of power if you want a clean bass sound but nice for lower volume things in a small room. Sounds like you did OK.

You'll probably be able to get rid of the cabinet locally fairly easily.

taurus1 · #3 09-01-2010, 04:17 PM

incredible heads for guitar, they were always known as a cross between a Marshall and Fender around here (Canada). the circuit is apparently extremely close to a JTM-45 Marshall. for bass it won't have tons of headroom, at least the YBA-1 won't (45w), the YBA-1A is 90w I believe. great bass amp for low volume gigs, recording, or if you like overdriven bass tone. Doug Pinnick (Kings X) has used on for years in his bass rig, i think he runs it into a dummy load and out to power amps. I own three of them and they hang with any amp I own. easily one of the best amps ever made imo.

BassmanPaul · #4 09-01-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I've used the 50 watt a number of times at a rehearsal and the 100 watt once. Nice sound with a bigger bottom end than a comparable Fender.

That's because of the huge Hammond transformers they used. About twice the size of a comparable Fender model.

Paul

JoshuaTSP · #5 09-01-2010, 04:28 PM

I've got the YBA-1A head and it's spectacular.

I don't gig with it, but I use it for an amazing guitar head, and a clear bass practice head.

It's built extremely well, and provides plenty of tone flexibility.
The 2 channels are different too. The bass inputs are darker and fatter then the guitar inputs. You can link the channels to get some snap, bite and gain if you want.

I wish it were louder.....I'd love to use it as my main amp!