Traynor YBA-3 with a Bassman 2X15" cab

clegg · #1 07-07-2011, 08:05 AM

I'm looking into purchasing a bass amp, and I found this setup off a local seller. Price is within my budget, and he tells me they sound great together, but I figured I'd get a couple of opinions before purchasing.

I'm getting the head for sure, but I'm not too sure the 2X15 bassman will be a right fit.

And opinions on the cab?

Hellbastard · #2 07-07-2011, 09:37 AM

What kind of music do you play? How big are the venues you usually play at? Do you slap a lot?
A 2x15 is great choice for alot of rock based genres and for people seeking a vintage tone and feel. If you're after a more "modern" sound or slap a lot, a 215 might not be a good match for you.
Although if you're looking for a tube head, a 2x15 is a match, with only a 810 being better, IME.

billfitzmaurice · #3 07-07-2011, 10:04 AM

What year Bassman cab? IMO anything prior to 1990 is landfill.

Quote:

and he tells me they sound great together

Try them and make your own assessment.

eyeballkid · #4 07-07-2011, 10:07 AM

yeah, it depends exactly which model of the bassman 215 youre talking about.

clegg · #5 07-07-2011, 11:11 AM

Thank you.

I'm not sure the year of the amp but I haven't read many good things.

The music we play doesn't involve any slapping at all. I mostly play with a pick (think joy Division, Sonic Youth) and the sound I'm looking for would reflect that. Mainly a bluesish rock type sound.

Here's a picture of the cab. I know, not much info, but it's probably a 70s model. And here I was thinking the older the cab the better. I guess I was wrong on this model.

s_mcsleazy · #6 07-07-2011, 11:18 AM

it should be ok but its not gonna be verry great so give it a try and if they fart out then id change the speakers

clegg · #7 07-07-2011, 11:20 AM

Forgot to add, the speakers in this cab are eminence Beta-15A speakers

billfitzmaurice · #8 07-07-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clegg

Here's a picture of the cab. I know, not much info, but it's probably a 70s model. And here I was thinking the older the cab the better. I guess I was wrong on this model.

That's one Oldie that's not a Goodie. Avoid.

s_mcsleazy · #9 07-07-2011, 11:40 AM

normally id stick with tradition rather than technology but i agree with bill on this. see the problem was the bassman head was amazing for guitar AND bass. the cabs however were best for guitar. hence why i use other cabs with mine

clegg · #10 07-07-2011, 11:42 AM

Cool, well thank you for the comments I'll pass on the cab and research a little more.

Anyone have suggestions of a cab with this type of head?

s_mcsleazy · #11 07-07-2011, 11:45 AM

well im not 100% sure what the head is actually like. traynors never really made it over to the uk in large numbers but ive heard they make great tube amps and if your into joy division i recomend a 2x15 anyday.

ive heard nowadays with new order peter hook uses trace elliot 2x15's with a 2x10 so maybe somthing like that would do

Thornton Davis · #12 07-07-2011, 11:51 AM

Is the 2x15 your looking at wired as 4 or 8ohms?

You'll need a cabinet that's 4ohm's if you're going with the YBA-3 Custom Special to get the best out of it.

TD

Corey Y · #13 07-07-2011, 12:02 PM

Have you considered the newer Fender 215 Pro as a cab option? If size and weight aren't that big an issue it could be a good match. They don't get a lot of hype, I think mostly for reasons of not being either an Ampeg 810 or ultra lightweight and small, but sound great IMO.

billfitzmaurice · #14 07-07-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clegg

Forgot to add, the speakers in this cab are eminence Beta-15A speakers

That's considerably better than stock, so I'd try it, but only then consider buying it. The cab will work considerably better with additional internal bracing and lining, but I wouldn't even consider it with the original guitar drivers those were loaded with.

Alex1984 · #15 07-07-2011, 01:04 PM

Why not look for some old Traynor cabs? In the old school category, I remember Sunn had some folded horn 215s, and Ampeg also put out a B25 2x15 cab and the V4B and V6 cabs were also 2x15. The Mesa Diesel 215s are my favourites though!

clegg · #16 07-07-2011, 01:21 PM

^^ thanks.. i was looking for them but nothing was coming up. I finally found this, but I've never seen a cab like it, (made by Traynor) and I can't find any information on this specific cab. Seller mentioned it's 4 ohms with 2X15 late 70s but i can't find anything on it.

Can anyone shed some light on this model?

Seller stated it's a Model # gi-215

Alex1984 · #17 07-07-2011, 01:43 PM

I'm not sure what specific drivers are in there, but Traynor used Marsland speakers for a long time.

Rocker47 · #18 07-07-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thornton Davis

Is the 2x15 your looking at wired as 4 or 8ohms?

You'll need a cabinet that's 4ohm's if you're going with the YBA-3 Custom Special to get the best out of it.

TD

Make sure you check your schematic because depending on the year of YBA-3 the ohms that it likes to see can be different. I have one that shows an 8ohm load.

clegg · #19 07-21-2011, 07:06 AM

So I finally got my YBA-3. I thought the cab was big (this is my first bass amp... been used to guitar amps for years)...

Then I saw the YBA-3. This thing's a monster! I didn't have a chance to play it loud (got it late, wife was sleeping) but I'll be bringing it to the pad on Friday to test it out.
Thanks again for the advice.

Meyatch · #20 07-21-2011, 07:10 AM

I use a traynor yba-2 with an old bassman cab with replacement eminence speakers, and it sounds amazing.