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New to me Amp - Traynor!

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Fishheadjoe, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. Jun 25, 2008 #1
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    I've been running with a Sunn Beta Bass combo since the mid 80's, nice amp, solid state and just not quite warm enough for some sounds.
    One the weekend, I was given, by a family member, this amp:
    http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2144236700103676882LOvFaL

    http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2210965030103676882TNnDgX

    http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2631765720103676882XOqVBy

    As you can see from the serial number... it was definately one of the first group that they made! I have the cabinet coming, twin 15 inch drivers, I just have to get a vehicle big enough, to get it home!
    fishheadjoe
     
  2. Jun 26, 2008 #2
    loendmaestro

    loendmaestro

    Jan 15, 2004
    Vienna VA
  3. Jun 26, 2008 #3
    Sean S

    Sean S

    Apr 15, 2003
    Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
    Nice :)

    I've wanted an old YBA-1 (or a couple :D) for a while now.
     
  4. Jun 26, 2008 #4
    BassmanPaul

    BassmanPaul Inactive

    Aug 25, 2007
    Scarborough Ontario Canada
    It's a 50W amp. It's not going to take you too far for gigging with. The good thing about the old Traynors is that they used Hammond iron that is virtually indestructible.

    Paul
     
  5. Jun 26, 2008 #5
    busmandan

    busmandan

    Feb 12, 2003
    Ft. Worth, Texas
    Beyond that, the circuit is very similar to the '59 Bassman and Marshall JTM45, which means that in-the-know gui****s will be chasing you to get it out of your hands.

    That is a very early YBA-1 with a tube rectifier, so don't let it get away without major compensation.

    -- Dan --
     
  6. Jun 26, 2008 #6
    kraigo

    kraigo

    Jun 21, 2007
    Minneapolis, MN
    I've had four YBA-1's, Two YBA-1A's, two Bassmates, a YBA-3, a Reverb Master and a Guitarmate Reverb. 11 of them over the years. Can I join too?

    I forgot to say - killer looking Bass Master!

    KO
     
  7. Jul 2, 2008 #7
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    Thanks for the feed back folks! I'm surprised that some have suggested that the amp is only 50 watts... I was under the impression that it was 175 watts, based on the info on the back plate. It also sounds about 5 times louder than my 125 watt Sunn head.
    As I know very little to nothing about this head, can anyone shed some light on it's potential value? No, I'm not selling it, I love the tone, but for insurance purposes, I'm wondering what it would go for?
    Also, could you please shed some light on the circuit that the gui****s are going to be interested in? You've peaked my curiosity!
    fishheadjoe
     
  8. Jul 2, 2008 #8
    bassteban

    bassteban

    Aug 12, 2004
    Northern California
    I can only comment on the wattage- I've seen amps w/their consumption- as opposed to their output- listed on the back.
    As for sounding much louder than the Sunn, my experience w/the Beta is that it's not capable of much volume, whereas tubes 'seem' louder for a given wattage. Search one of the myriad tube vs SS flame wars for heated debate on this.
    Congrats on a nice rig.
     
  9. Jul 2, 2008 #9
    62bass

    62bass

    Apr 3, 2005
    The 175 watts on the back refers to the actual power consumption of the amp, not its output power. Output on that amp is 50 watts.

    They're a nice sounding amp-much better than a Fender Bassman. I even like the sound more than the Ampeg V4B. They have some serious solid low end for a 50 watt amp. They won't play all that loud without breaking up (it's only 50 watts despite them being tube watts, which I've been told are now worth 10 times solid state watts. Last year it was 2 times :meh:) But paired with an efficient speaker cabinet they will serve well for lower volume gigs. I used one at a fairly loud rehearsal in a rehearsal room one time running into a 2x15 Peavey Black Widow cabinet and it managed to keep up, but just barely. At lower volumes it sounded wonderful.
     
  10. Jul 3, 2008 #10
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    Well, I picked up the matching cabinet yesterday, it too is in original shape... including I believe, one of it's two 15 inch drivers being dusted.
    I had to wait for a week to get it, as the back window in my GMC Jimmy was jammed and I couldn't fit it in my car!
    As with the head that matches this cabinet, the serial numbers on the back of the box are only four digits!
    I'll try and get a pic up soon!
    fishheadjoe
     
  11. Jul 3, 2008 #11
    john_g

    john_g Supporting Member

    Sep 14, 2007
    Pennsylvania
    How come the only thing my relatives give me are hives?
     
  12. Jul 4, 2008 #12
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    " How come the only thing my relatives give me are hives? "
    I would suggest spending less time with them! Seemed to work very well for me! LOL
    fishheadjoe
     
  13. Jul 4, 2008 #13
    Bulltrout

    Bulltrout Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 13, 2007
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Nice amp. Ive got my eyes open for a nice old Traynor. This link might be of interest to you: Link
     
  14. Jul 4, 2008 #14
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    Thanks for that Bulltrout! (us fish heads have to stick together!)
    Based on that link, my amp/cabinet combo is dated from 1969! As I live literally one mile from the Yorkville head office/factory, I'm gonna stop by and see what they recommend as replacement drivers for the cabinet as one of the 15 inch drives is pooched!
    fishheadjoe
     
  15. Jul 4, 2008 #15
    Bulltrout

    Bulltrout Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 13, 2007
    Edmonton, Alberta
    My pleasure. Keep us up to date on what you do with the cab.
     
  16. Jul 7, 2008 #16
    Fishheadjoe

    Fishheadjoe

    May 5, 2008
    Toronto Canada
    Firstly, sorry, no pics of the cabinet as of yet... took the back off of it as I was told I should expect one of the drivers to be blown... noticed the wiring seemed a little loose, tightened it up and after a brief once over, closed it up, plugged it all in and no noise, buzzing or anything nasty, just a nice warm sound!
    I'm loving it!
    fishheadjoe