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Traynor Bass Mate Tubes???

B

blizzard_rw

Oct 25, 2007
8
0
#1
Hi,
I am fixing up an old traynor base mate (I believe it is a yba-15 or somthing like that). It has 2 sets of tubes that I do not know when they were last replaced. one set is a 12ax7a and the other is 6bq5-p. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what to replace them with? I am clueless when it comes to tubes. Also, the amp works now, but is very quiet. could this be a sign of old/bad tubes? How do you tell if tubes are done? Any advise/suggestions would be apriciated.
 
#2
You have to take your tubes into get tested. If they test OK and aren't microphonic (making tinkling sounds when you tap them), then they're fine. Tubes don't necessarily go bad because they're old. I've got tubes over 40 years old that are still going strong.

But if you replace them, I strongly suggest NOS. New tubes can be good, but they're a crapshoot.
 
#3
blizzard_rw said:
Hi,
I am fixing up an old traynor base mate (I believe it is a yba-15 or somthing like that). It has 2 sets of tubes that I do not know when they were last replaced. one set is a 12ax7a and the other is 6bq5-p. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what to replace them with? I am clueless when it comes to tubes. Also, the amp works now, but is very quiet. could this be a sign of old/bad tubes? How do you tell if tubes are done? Any advise/suggestions would be apriciated.
Click to expand...

If the amps works and doesn't make weird noises, the tubes are fine. Worry about replacing them when the need arises, which may be never!
 
#4
Does any one have any idea of what could be causing the volume issues? it is very quiet. I used the amp frequently about 15 years ago, and it was much louder. at full volume the sound would distort. Now the TV is louder than the amp at full volume. I thought the tubes might have been the problem
 
#6
6BQ5 = EL84. 12AX7a = 12AX7a....

The original tubes (which you probably have) were usually Phillips, and were pretty good. Some of the Phillips tubes were actually rebranded Mullards, so don't toss them.

The tech suggestion is a good one.

js
 
#7
I had one of these as my first bass amp back in 72. Not much volume on tap as
I don't think it was even pushing 30 watts with the two EL84/6BQ5's. In fact the
Bassmate made a better guitar amp than it did a bass amp imho.

Go get it checked by a tech as it could be anything all the way to the output tranny
but most likely it will be something simpler.
 

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