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Peavey VB-2 vs Traynor YBA200-2

JumboFriendly

JumboFriendly

Oct 24, 2007
314
0
Mobile, AL
#1
I'm looking for some input from folks on these two amps, hopefully from someone who has played or owned both. I haven't been able to locate either of these near me yet, so I don't have the option of playing them myself.

Sorry if this has been covered a lot before, me and the search function don't get along so well.

*EDIT*
I play mostly classic and southern rock, with passive basses (T-40 and P basses).
 
#3
I just got back from test driving both of these heads out (at 2 diferent stores) and All I can say is :eek::eek:

WOW! These were the first two pure tube bass amps I've ever played and instantly fell in love with the power, al the different tones I could get, the power, the simple, yet elegant designs of both heads, and did I mention power?:p

Strictly my viewpoint only:

Traynor: Canadian made:D, 200 solid watts, the scoop and resonance knobs would take a bit of investigating to use them to theire full potential. It's nice to have the DI interface on trhe front where you can eqasily access it on a dark stage. Fan cooled. Would be plenty powerful in my situation and would probably sound great with my Marshall 410 and GB 212. Fairly lightweight as far as tube heads go. Second generation head (improved power tubes)- hence the "-2."

Peavey: US made;). 225 watts (Would I actually notice the extra 25 watts? Yes!) I was turned off of all things Peavey in the 90s (I called it the Fisher Price of bass gear), but this amp has turned the page for me. Great looking amp, as corny as it sounds but a killer sound! The Peavey's presence and resonance knobs seemed to alter the tonal sound more than that of the Traynor's did. Even though the DI controls are on the back of the head, there are more options (like ground lift, pad, and DI gain control) I'm not so sure about the separate clean and overdrive (push-button) channels. I didn't like the overdrive channel that much as I could "overdrive" the clean channel by cranking the gain. No built in fan, so I noticed it ran a little hotter - whether or not this is good or bad??:confused: Solidly built, but a tad heavy. First run, first generation head - bugs, loose wires or screws, missing pieces???

The Peavey was just over $1000 CDN thanks to our lousy loonie, but can be had cheaper thru Musicians Friend. I was like a moth drawn to the glow of those Peavey tubes - mmmm tubes!:bassist:
 
#4
kissmybASS01 said:
I didn't like the overdrive channel that much as I could "overdrive" the clean channel by cranking the gain.
Click to expand...

I agree with the above statement. I haven't tried the Traynor yet but the overdrie channel of the Peavey leaves me underhelmed. It is a "phoney" sounding overdrive. Not for me I don't think but the head overall is pretty cool. As kissmybASS01 has ponited out the VB2 has more features than the Traynor. The common element I have read about the Traynor is that you have to upgrade the preamp tubes to really get the head to sing. So added cost right off the bat.
 
#7
LAG said:
I don't own and have never yet played a Traynor, but my Vb-2 always amazes me. It really moves some air and shakes the room.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way. I have lots of other stuff to play, but I am always amazed at how "right" this amp sounds. I never really warmed up to my Mesa Boogie 400+, but this head does everything you could ask a tube head to do. It's powerful, fast, punchy and "tubey." It doesn't weigh as much as I do, and it can drive my Mesa Powerhouse 1000 to painfully loud levels! It's a great amp!

Of course, YMMV
Greg
 
#10
Well....I broke down and bought the VB-2! I got a pretty good deal and even managed to let me extend the return policy to about 1.5 weeks:) I told them that I have a gig on Boxing Day weekend (Dec 26-27) and then one on New Years Eve. Two different venues, one small-ish, and the other larger.

I'll know if this rig has enough power for my needs after these two gigs. If it doesn't cut it, it can be returned:smug:

I know, I know, no pic, no rig.
 
#11
Geddyfleaharris said:
It is a "phoney" sounding overdrive. Not for me I don't think but the head overall is pretty cool.
Click to expand...

I know you used the quotation marks and all but i am laughing pretty hard at this concept - an all-tube amp with a "fake" sounding OD.

I think relatively few bass players get what overdrive even means anymore

not directed at you, and i dont like the sound either but its definitely "real"
 
#14
dholowach,

If you got a Long & McQuade, St. Johns Music, or Mothers Music (Gordon Price Music) around you might be able to get a smokin deal on either of these two. Here in the Peg, St Johns and Mothers carried the VB2, while L & M and another local shop had the Traynor. As well, check out the Peavey Canada website to see if any of the stores are in your area. That's how I got mine the cheapest.

Or...you can always go to the States and find one of their Guitar Centres and buy a dirt cheap PV if there's any left in the whole US...
 
#15
Luckily I have all three of those shops here in Saskatoon, it looks like I'm going to be spending more time shopping for my amp on Monday...

Your sure St. Johns and Mothers carry both Traynor and Peavey? I know L&M does.

Edit: I checked the Peavey website and both St. Johns and Mothers carry them. But according to the Traynor site only L&M does. I'll give the shops a call to make sure.

Thanks for the heads, up.

PPS: kissmybASS01 could you give us your impressions of the amp? What your liking/disliking about it, along the lines of that, I'm just having a hard time deciding. I'm leaning toward the VB-2 because of the extra power but I know that I shouldn't buy it just because it has more power.

(I'm a amp n00b, this will be my first upgrade from my small Fender Rumble 10 practice amp so any help and explanation is appreciated)
 

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