Traynor Dynabass 300h

[Gonzo476]

How would you describe the sound of this head? I'm asking because no music shops carry Traynor around my area and I can only buy it online.

[steve_rolfeca]

You'll get a variety of opinions on this, but I've always regarded Traynor as the Canadian version of Peavey. In other words, first-rate build quality and reliability, combined with second-rate, never-quite-boutique-quality tone.

I've used numerous Traynor guitar and bass amps over the years, and they've never let me down. But they've never sounded as good as Aguilar, Eden, Genz Benz, SWR, etc. in my experience.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

You'll get a variety of opinions on this, but I've always regarded Traynor as the Canadian version of Peavey. In other words, first-rate build quality and reliability, combined with second-rate, never-quite-boutique-quality tone.

I've used numerous Traynor guitar and bass amps over the years, and they've never let me down. But they've never sounded as good as Aguilar, Eden, Genz Benz, SWR, etc. in my experience.

I became interested in Traynor because I've always read around here that they're very reliable, but realibility doesn't mean much to me if it doesn't come with a good tone How wold you describe the Traynor sound? Scooped, rich in the mids, clean, growly...?

[benji1138]

I just bought the Dynabass 400h. Sounds awesome! I was going to get a Gk head but after trying out the Traynor with a tube pre I was sold. The tone I go for is similar to the bass player from Rise Against and with my Mim P bass modded with a QP I can get as close as I think I ever will without buying a Mesa.
Being Canadian I've used many traynor/Yorkville products and I consider them the "standard". Not overly amazing, but solid and reliable. And damn if they don't sound pretty sweet.

[benji1138]

I should also note that to get the Rise Against type scooped growl, I set my Eq almost flat.
But some of that comes from the Quarter Pounder.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by benji1138

I should also note that to get the Rise Against type scooped growl, I set my Eq almost flat.
But some of that comes from the Quarter Pounder.

If the Traynor is naturally scooped I'm staying away from it. I like my tone to have plenty of low mid/mid punch.

[solarplexus]

It is not naturally scooped. There is a scoop knob that dips the 400hz freq. That is how you get the scooped sound. Otherwise, you can get a great mid sound with this head.

[Strat Hater]

I have always loved the sound of Traynor gear

[benji1138]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

If the Traynor is naturally scooped I'm staying away from it. I like my tone to have plenty of low mid/mid punch.

Like I said thats the Quarter Pounder at work. It can get pretty damn punchy if you like it. my Hondo P-copy with a fender pickup sounds a bit more traditional with the same settings.

[BuffaloBass]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

If the Traynor is naturally scooped I'm staying away from it. I like my tone to have plenty of low mid/mid punch.

Dont base your opinion on someone's else's description. You may, however, base it on mutilple similar descriptions.

[blindrabbit]

The Dynabass 300 is a different beast than the 400/800. The 300 is a pure solid state head, and the 400/800 is a dual channel FET/tube head. Based solely upon my own testing and shopping in music stores along with comments from other bass players, the 300 is a relatively unremarkable amp - probably appropriate to compare to a "Canadian Peavey" (lets ignore the significant price differences for a moment). On the other hand, the 400/800 has a fantastic tone that I think is best compared to approximating an Ampeg SVT sound, or other big tube amps of old. I've used SWR gear exclusively for over two decades, and have really admired Genz-Benz gear while engaging in my recent shopping trips, but I honestly believe that the Dynabass 800 has the best tone of any amp that I've tried.

I will also add that I've been extremely impressed with trying out a variety of Traynor cabinets, including 2x10, 4x10, 8x8. Here the Canadian Peavey comparison falls down for me, as to my ear they are in the running with SWR, TC Electronic, and Genz-Benz, and flat out beat the pants off of GK, Fender, Ampeg, Peavey, and MB. Furthermore, they can be had in lightweight versions, and seem to be very solidly built. I've not had any opportunity to try Aguilar, Eden, Bergantino, or any of those other reportedly lovely cabinets, so I can't make any comparisons to them.

Overall, if they fall within your price range, I think you'd be well served by giving Traynor a try, as you might be surprised - I know I was!

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by blindrabbit

The Dynabass 300 is a different beast than the 400/800. The 300 is a pure solid state head, and the 400/800 is a dual channel FET/tube head. Based solely upon my own testing and shopping in music stores along with comments from other bass players, the 300 is a relatively unremarkable amp - probably appropriate to compare to a "Canadian Peavey" (lets ignore the significant price differences for a moment). On the other hand, the 400/800 has a fantastic tone that I think is best compared to approximating an Ampeg SVT sound, or other big tube amps of old. I've used SWR gear exclusively for over two decades, and have really admired Genz-Benz gear while engaging in my recent shopping trips, but I honestly believe that the Dynabass 800 has the best tone of any amp that I've tried.

I will also add that I've been extremely impressed with trying out a variety of Traynor cabinets, including 2x10, 4x10, 8x8. Here the Canadian Peavey comparison falls down for me, as to my ear they are in the running with SWR, TC Electronic, and Genz-Benz, and flat out beat the pants off of GK, Fender, Ampeg, Peavey, and MB. Furthermore, they can be had in lightweight versions, and seem to be very solidly built. I've not had any opportunity to try Aguilar, Eden, Bergantino, or any of those other reportedly lovely cabinets, so I can't make any comparisons to them.

Overall, if they fall within your price range, I think you'd be well served by giving Traynor a try, as you might be surprised - I know I was!

I'd love to try a 400h, but I haven't found any European dealers that carry that model; not even internet stores.

[Ben Clarke]

The 300H has a different voicing than all the other current and recent products. It is more neutral, without the scooped voicing that the 200, 400 and 800 exhibit. I gigged the DB300T over a TC112 when I worked there. I never liked any of their other SS bass amps (I've used them all in various situations), but the 350W platform is a winner to my ears. At the time, it was the company president's choice for gigging as well, and he can play whatever the heck he wants.

[diegoholyshize!]

Ben drop kicked this thread out of commission. everyone left to check out the 300 xD

[Gonzo476]

When I get back home after summer I'm going to pull the trigger on this one or a Kustom Deep End head to match a 4ohm cab with 2x15+2x6.5 mid drivers. I'll report back if I finally get the Traynor!