Traynor YBA200-2 info?

TC.65 · #1 09-08-2012, 05:38 PM

Hey guys I walked into a local music store today and the first thing that jumped out at me was one of these amps. I played through it some and really liked the tone. The EQ on this thing seemed pretty flexible. I'm looking for all the info i can find on this amp. I've never owned an all tube amp before so I need all the help i can get. Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

RickenBoogie · #2 09-08-2012, 05:39 PM

Well, there are numerous threads on these amps, if you search, you'll find plenty of info.

chuck3 · #3 09-08-2012, 07:38 PM

I got one used. Haven't really figured out what to do with it yet. But I wanted to give a tube amp a try.

Grabow · #4 09-08-2012, 10:34 PM

try out the Traynor YBA 300, better eq, gets stupid loud

rodl2005 · #5 09-08-2012, 10:40 PM

Good amp. Just make sure it's got a load (plugged into correct impedance cab), warm up for a cuppla mins before use & treat as it has glass inside.
Enjoy!

TC.65 · #6 09-09-2012, 11:47 AM

Ok so I did do a search but didn't really find what I was looking for. So here are a few questions that I have.

How reliable are these amps?

How do they compare to the Ampeg V4 or V4B in tone and clean headroom?

Do these amps sound better through sealed or ported cabs?

How do they compare to other 200 watt all tube heads in clean headroom?

The head that I tried said it had KT88 power tubes. Can these be swapped out with 6550's and if so which is better for more clean headroom?

If anyone can or will help me I would very much appreciate it.

rodl2005 · #7 09-09-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC.65

Ok so I did do a search but didn't really find what I was looking for. So here are a few questions that I have.

How reliable are these amps?

How do they compare to the Ampeg V4 or V4B in tone and clean headroom?

Do these amps sound better through sealed or ported cabs?

How do they compare to other 200 watt all tube heads in clean headroom?

The head that I tried said it had KT88 power tubes. Can these be swapped out with 6550's and if so which is better for more clean headroom?

If anyone can or will help me I would very much appreciate it.

Ok, I'll do my best.

1. Very reliable. The -2 model is supposed to be better than the original that I had. It was/is still going great.

2. Only regularly played a V4BH, the Traynor easy beat it. Still a fair bit louder than a V4 they same cab

3. I like em best thru sealed cabs, but they do fine thru ported too

4. Similar ime.
5. Didn't make much difference when I swapped em in mine.
afaik you can swap either/or in this amp.

TC.65 · #8 09-09-2012, 12:53 PM

Thanks rodl2005 I'm going to be heading back over there tomorrow to pick this head up. It really had a big and full sound to it. Can you tell me how the range and resonance knobs affect the tone in this amp?

Calaverasgrande · #9 09-09-2012, 04:01 PM

if you contact a reputable tube dealer they can often cater a set of tubes for early or late breakup. Though tubes that breakup later tend to give more apparent headroom, they also sound harsher when breakup does kick in.
triode electronics http://triodeelectronics.com
and the highly opinionated Lord valve are both good.
I will say that 6550 tubes are super pricey the last couple years. I swear for every 25 cents added to the price of gas, 6550 tubes go up by $10 each.

TC.65 · #10 09-10-2012, 07:46 PM

Well I picked this amp up today and I am really loving it. I now know what people mean when they talk about the feel of an all tube amp. There seems to be a variety of tones in this amp. I've not really figured out the range and resonance controls yet but I will in due time. I have it hooked up to a 4ohm ported 410 cab and to me there seems to be plenty of volume on tap. I just want to say thanks to rodl2005 for your input you were very helpful.

rodl2005 · #11 09-10-2012, 10:05 PM

No worries TC.
BTW- the RANGE & RESONANCE buttons on the YBA200/-2 (even on my YBA300) are basically - tone suck, or use me & I'll make your nice bass sound turn to guff - buttons. Best left alone.
Range -actually can alter the range of the EQ on the YBA200- I forgot that. Still, I found it best to find where it works best then leave it.
The resonance button loosens up the bottom end - suopposedly making it sound more vintage or sumthin' again leave it OFF!!!!
& IIRC the YBA200 also has a mid scoop button.- LEAVE that one alone too.

Enjoy it mate. It's a cool amp! Are U using it with the GB cab in the pic or another cab?

TC.65 · #12 09-11-2012, 11:12 AM

No that's not my pic. right now I'm running it through a Behringer BB410 and it sounds really good through this cab. I know a lot of people here hate Behringer but I bought this cab used 4 years ago and it has served me well. However I can't wait to pair this thing with my Hartke HyDrive 410 cab.

One thing I've noticed is this head can be pretty bright so this is how I'm running it right now and it sounds good to me.

Gain:5
Treble:2
Mid:5
Range:0
Bass:5
Scoop

ff
Resonance:5

This thing has a really beefy tone and sounds really good to my ears, but I'm sure some of those settings will change with a different cab in a live situation.

Alex1984 · #13 09-11-2012, 11:28 AM

One thing to note is that it does kick into overdrive a little early, but transitions in nice and smooth, and they sound great pushed. I'd say the volume's similar to my old Ampeg V4.

It's the head that got me hooked on tube bass amps too, you might want to look into the new Traynor YBA-300, great head, huge tone! Sounds great even compared to the legendary SVT.

TC.65 · #14 09-11-2012, 11:47 AM

I will definitely be looking at more Traynor gear later on down the road. I just found out yesterday when I picked up this head that this store has just become a Traynor dealer. Can anyone tell me anything about Traynor cabs? Quality, tone, type of speakers used, roadworthy?

rodl2005 · #15 09-11-2012, 11:59 AM

Traynor cabs are great. Yorkville not so great

Alex1984 · #16 09-11-2012, 12:16 PM

They're the same company, but they rebranded the music instrument amplification back to Traynor while Yorkville is their PA line. They make reliable stuff.

TC.65 · #17 09-11-2012, 07:07 PM

Thanks again guys. I'm looking at possibly pairing this head with a couple of the TC115 cabs later on or a good 215 cab if I can find one in my price range.

rodl2005 · #18 09-11-2012, 10:19 PM

It'll rock big time with a couple 15"s

Let us know how u go.

M. Owen Santy · #19 10-04-2012, 11:16 PM

The Traynor TC1510 Bass Cabinet is perfect - definitely a no-joke tone. Was designed specifically for these heads. 2x10 + 1x15 in one rolling cab makes for quick load in/out and a breeze to set up.

Have been using one on occasion with my 750w Line6 head and sounds great as well - but looking into grabbing the YBA200-2 soon to add to arsenal (Let my old model go...).

As useful as the Line6 is (and is great for cover acts with many styles to cover in one evening), The Traynor's have just got this monster tone & sag - love the damn things!

M. Owen Santy · #20 01-11-2013, 01:31 PM

I know this is an older thread but thought I would re-visit as the information is relevant. I did finally get my hands on a YBA200-2. Great amp, but like some have said broke up a bit early.

Decided to do a bit o hot-rodding and is tip-top now. Spoke with several amp technicians before doing this - and was a HUGE change. Headroom for Days!!!

Change from stock valves to US JAN nos 5751's in the preamp, Genalex 12au7 Gold Lion phase inverter and Genalex KT88 Gold Lion Power Tube "Soft" Quartet. Also has had the 1/4" output jacks changed to 4-wire Speakons.

They are Russian tubes, but they are fantastic at getting wicked clean headroom. Very hi-fi while retaining the warmth of a tube head. Tone is absolutely amazing thru the Wizard 4x10's I use on stage. Reminds me of cleaner tones from an Eden WTB300V.

Definitely recommend these mods to other Traynor YBA200 owners - big fat change from the stock Marshall style gain structure on a head @ 1/3 the cost!