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Traynor vs Ashdown?

Which Head?

  • Traynor YBA200-2

    Votes: 15 37.5%

  • Ashdown ABM 500 EVO II

    Votes: 25 62.5%
  • Total voters
    40
  • Poll closed .
maevinj

maevinj

Feb 10, 2008
498
18
ALB!
#1
So here's my situation:
Currently running a ampeg svt350h with svt410 and svt15e. The head seems to be alright with 1 cab attached, but when running both is very quiet and doesn't sound good.
I need something with more headroom and preferably a better tone.My band plays mainly alternative/indie/punk kind of in the realm of Fugazi/Superchunk/Hot Water Music/Trail of Dead. Most of the places my band plays are shows that will be under 500 people but some maybe outside. Based off of reading reviews and my budget (700-750.00) I've narrowed my selection down between an ABM 500 EVO II and a Traynor YBA200-2. My biggest problem right now is I live in BFE, and there isn't a decent music store that I know of within a 3 hour drive of me, which means I'll have to order over the Internet. So here's the fun part. You guys get to decide what I buy. I'm placing a poll and what ever wins is the choice I'm NOT getting. It's about the best option for deciding I have now. Any other suggestions would be great.
 
#2
They're kind of different than each other. Have you ever played thru an all-tube head before?
Either one would be fine for you. Just think about the pro's and con's of of tube/solid state and make your decision with that.
I have the Ashdown, I like it alot. I used to have (and wish I still did) an SVT. I like those a lot too. Just different reasons for each one.
 
#4
maevinj said:
Sorry, I guess I should have mention. I've only played through SS amps.
Click to expand...

if you want loud, muddy and boomy bass then stick with an SS head...if you're looking for clarity with coloration and creamy tone then go for a tube head.

I really like tube heads (i own the Traynor and LOVE IT) ever since I first played out of one. The growl and thick tone are just unbeatable in my opinion and they only sound better the more you turn them up. But you gotta be gentle with them and give them time to warm up and other little things like that. If you have the money, go out and look for a Traynor head, because if you seriously do want good tone and want to play loud then tube would be your best bet...it only sounds better the louder you turn it up :bassist:
 
#5
If you can try and find a used yba-3 i used to play a traynor yba 200 with the stock 6550's, and it was a good amp. Then i stumbled across a 1973 yba 3 on craigslist and bought it and instantly fell in love with it. Something about those el 34's.
matched with new tc8x10 it is bliss, at least for the style of music i play in ( hardcore punk) and the tone i like.

but yeah try them both out, sound is subjective, pick the one you like them most
 
#7
I've always found tube heads to be a little...hrm. Slow? compared to solid state. It feels like they're sluggish, oftentimes. Even the top quality ones. They sure sound great though. I wouldn't say solid state is muddy by definition, and would tend to associate tube heads with mud more than solid state.

I voted for the Traynor 'cos I've played it a lot and like it really well. Sounds awesome with grindy preamp settings through 12s.
 
#11
I'm currently playing through an Ashdown ABM 500 (not the II version), with an ampeg 810 and the svt15e, and I'm really pleased with it. It's got a really nice smooth sound to it, and with the ability to mix the solid and tube pre sections, you have a huge variety of tone you can dial in. My personal preference is to split it 50/50 (input mix at noon), and it adds a nice little growl onto your sound. It sounds a lot closer to a true tube head than everything else I've tried, and still has the wattage to compete with bigger guitars or loud drummers.

+1 on the Ashdown
 

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