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Author
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Topic: What about Traynor?
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Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 19 September 2002 02:46 PM
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Anybody ever used Traynor amps for steel? They're made in Canada, wear like iron, all-tube--I was thinking about trying either the 4-10 or 2-12 model. Both are about 80 watts or so. Maybe some of you Canadian guys? |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 19 September 2002 04:00 PM
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Steve.That may be your problem.Quit wearing your amp.Now, don't that feel better?  -bb |
Doug Seymour
Member From: Jamestown NY USA
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posted 19 September 2002 06:03 PM
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I have an old Bloc bass amp that I think may have been made by Traynor in Canada. I use it
w/a Boss digital reverb as a 2nd amp w/ my old LTD. Not too bad. I remember the Traynors, but never used one?[This message was edited by Doug Seymour on 19 September 2002 at 06:04 PM.] |
Marty Pollard
Member From: a confidential source
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posted 19 September 2002 06:45 PM
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I've played through one at the music shop where I teach. It doesn't have the bass response I'm used to from my Session and it would be easy to overdrive accidentally.At low/moderate levels it has a nice frequency response and is very warm and pretty. Naturally the 4/10 has more depth and dispersion but the 2/12 seems to handle the lows as well if not slightly better. I really like them w/my Tele but as they're priced the same as the new Fenders, I'd probably get the Fender myself. I compared side by side w/the 4/10 DeVille and the Traynor seemed to have more clarity throughout the spectrum. But there was some intangible quality in the Fender that I preferred. Perhaps the NAME?!
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KENNY KRUPNICK
Member From: Grove City,Ohio
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posted 20 September 2002 12:00 AM
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I had a Traynor about 20 years ago that I played a Sho~Bud LDG thru that I owned at that time,and it didn't sound bad at all.I think it had 4 tens in it. |
Billy Morgan
Member From: Talladega, Alabama
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posted 20 September 2002 08:44 AM
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I used a Traynor Bass Head with a Black Widow for a while when my Peavey Session 400 needed repair. I was playing with a guy from Canada who wanted me to try it on steel. He sid I would be surprised with the sound. It was all tube and turned out to be a very good sounding amp for steel with plenty of power. It had a warmer sound than the Peavey and I liked it so much he gave it to me. I still have it but haven't used it in a while because some of the tubes need replacing. |
Michael Brebes
Member From: Northridge CA
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posted 20 September 2002 12:57 PM
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I have one of the circa 70's Traynor Mark 3 with two 12's. Loaded with EVM12L's it makes a killer steel amp. When I bought it in '73 it sounded better than the Twin and cost me a couple hundred less.
I don't know about the new Traynor amps, but usually you can find a Mark 3, either in "Twin" configuration or alone as a head, for around $300. |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 20 September 2002 05:36 PM
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Bobby, why are you picking on me? I wear my amp, because, after buying stuff to make me sound like a steel playerr, I can't afford even a barrel. Not even one like Buddy's!
BTW, are your lessons cheaper than Bagwell's?
Does anybody make a permanent press amp? |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 21 September 2002 12:59 AM
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Steve I had a Session 500 that was permanent press.  I don't know what Mike charges.I was never accepted to the Mike Bagwell college of steel guitar.  You have a GREAT teacher.I only wish I could have had a teacher that knew 1/10 of what Mike knows.As a matter of fact I've never had a lesson.Sure could you use one though..-bb |
Matt Steindl
Member From: New Orleans, LA, USA
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posted 21 September 2002 09:01 AM
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One of my guitar players has a Traynor twin. I think he did some kind of Dumble-ized mod on it, because it sounds super sweet. I have heard very little negative stuff about these amps, and you can find em cheap used.------------------
Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 22 September 2002 08:56 PM
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Bobby-
I'm on the phone with Mikey even as I write this. He says you can start lessons as soon as you turn your pedals around---3.00, and you buy the Flonase! |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 22 September 2002 09:55 PM
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Oh that hurts.  Turn the pedals around for a lession?That's like showing a steelers feet in a teaching video.Never saw the need for that.  Did you get the Traynor amp yet? I had a Trailer Park amp once. But that's a long story. |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 23 September 2002 05:40 PM
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Naw, I went out and found a Christmas Tree Amp! Come on down, help me decorate it---Can anybody help with the Emmons vs. Day tinsel set-up? |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 24 September 2002 05:55 AM
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Maybe one out of a thousand steelers uses a Traynor amp. Doesn't that tell you something? |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 24 September 2002 10:19 AM
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Which one? |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 24 September 2002 01:04 PM
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Don't know yet...I've only met 693. |
Jerry Hedge
Member From: Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
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posted 29 September 2002 06:16 PM
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The Traynor YBA1-A bass amp was one of the finest PSG amps I've ever played through. At a store I used to work at I had a customer who had 2 of them. He would bring them in for retubing or routine service and I would do the work in my home shop. I loved doing the final testing & tweeking as I would play steel through them. The original Traynor amps failed in the marketplace because they were TOO CLEAN SOUNDING for the guitarist of the late 60's. He used transformers about twice the size of a Fender of the same power
rating. I would like to get my hands on a Traynor Custon Deluxe head sometime (160 watts from 4 EL34's) That should be a great amp more than enough power for the average gig.[This message was edited by Jerry Hedge on 29 September 2002 at 06:17 PM.] [This message was edited by Jerry Hedge on 29 September 2002 at 06:19 PM.] |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 02 October 2002 04:45 PM
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The YBA Bass amp that Jerry speaks of came in 2 versions...One put out about 50 watts, and the version that had a fan put out about 70 watts...They are very heavy, and you need to run good tubes in them or cheap tubes will burn up....The clean channel is very much like a Blackface Fender Bassman...Very clean, with plenty of punch and Fender sparkle..The 2nd channel is why guitar players buy them...They are called "the poor mans Plexi"....They have an early Marshall Plexi tone in the 2nd channel that will flat out amaze you !!...They are indestructable !!...
There are stories of the owner dropping them down stairs and off of the back of trucks etc... They could have had a slogan "even UPS can't hurt us "......They're also very cheap
The average head is about $250....Jim |
Jerry Hedge
Member From: Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
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posted 02 October 2002 06:09 PM
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James, the high powered version was the YBA1-A. The YBA1 was the low powered amp. Pete Traynor perfected an output section getting 80 watts out of 2 6CA7-EL34 tubes by running the plates at 540 volts compared to the 450 volts Fender and most other builders used. The reason the amps were so sturdily built, Pete Traynor would get on the roof of the Long & McQuade music store,in Toronto and throw amps to the ground. If they would survive this they were good enough for the Traynor name. As a former pro bass player he realized the abuse gear gets in the REAL WORLD!!! I would like to see amp builders do tests like this today. I don't think a lot of gear would SURVIVE!!! |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 03 October 2002 06:53 PM
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Jerry,
You are correct on the plate voltages, hence the need for quality tubes...The new EH EL34's work very well in these amps..The higher powered version has (in small letters) mk II written on the faceplate..It also has the fan in the side of the head...HUGE Hammond transformers round out this HEAVY little head
I keep 2 of the 50 watters, and 2 of the 70 watters on hand...Channel II has a killer early Plexi tone.....Jim |
Larry Chung
Member From: San Francisco, CA, USA
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posted 05 October 2002 05:25 PM
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Just wanted to add to this post as I'm a recent Traynor convert - I just purchased a used Traynor YBA1-A Bassmaster Head and 1-15 cab for super cheap - would you believe less than $100 for the whole lot - I ran my ZBs through it and really like the sound. It's not a zillion watts, but has ALOT of power and sounds warm and breathy - really Fender-like when clean but with more headroom. The built-in fan is just too cool.I fear for my neighbors . . .
(: ------------------
Larry Chung
ZB D-10 8+4; ZB Custom S-11 4+4; ZB Student Model 3+1 Yeeeeahhh, Bay-Bee.
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Jerry Hayes
Member From: Virginia Beach, Va.
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posted 07 October 2002 06:36 AM
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Hey Stephen,
I have the all tube twin 12 version you mentioned. I bought it to use for lead guitar and I've got to say it's one of the best I've ever heard for that. It's got the same face plate configuration as a Fender Twin with the two separate channels and all. I love the tremolo in the thing too. While I had my Nashville 400 in the shop a couple of years ago I did some gigs with this amp for steel. It's OK for smaller venues but just doesn't have the bolitas for steel when you need the power and punch. But that said, it's still one killer lead guitar amp, very well made and solid as a rock!!! I bought mine used 10 or 12 years ago and haven't had one bit of trouble with it. Hell, I didn't even change the tubes until about two years ago when I used it for that short time on steel.....------------------
Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.
[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 07 October 2002 at 06:40 AM.]
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Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 07 October 2002 01:10 PM
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That's what I wanted to hear, Jerry. I'm thinking about the 4x10 version, and I don't play anywhere, anyway. My playing's terrible.
But thanks! |
Michael Brebes
Member From: Northridge CA
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posted 08 October 2002 08:31 AM
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Jerry, you might want to try some EVM 12L speakers in that amp. It makes it sound even better and gives you quite a bit of extra power. The original speakers in those amps were just okay. If you can't handle the weight, the Celestian Vintage 30's are another great choice. I've never had a problem of not being loud enough with that amp, on either guitar or pedal steel. Someone was talking about EL34 tubes for the Traynors. About the best sounding EL34's I've been able to find are the Svetlana tubes. |
Tom Althoff
Member From: Greenwood Lake, New York, USA
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posted 20 November 2003 05:32 PM
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Ok...time for the annual Traynor survey...How many steelers own a Traynor today? I think we're up to 2 or 3 in a thousand. I happen to have the 4xEL34 Mark III (Custom?) with 2 channels with 2 inputs per channel. Also have 4x10 cab. It was originally for my bass. I also have an Ibanez Soundwave 65 that I use to practice with. But when I want to really sound good I play through the Traynor with just a pinch of the mechanical reverb. Sweet! I retubed it for yucks a couple of years ago. The only thing that has failed was a 12AU7 on one of the line inputs and the phono-fan motor had to have the gunk cleaned out of it and oiled a couple of times. I Paid $200 for it and don't ever plan on selling it. For the money it's hard to beat something this reliable and tough. It is heavy though. I don't move it around from room to room....that's what the Ibanez is for. Oh..when I first was offered the amp I thought the guy said he was selling a "Trainer Amp" and I almost told him..."Naw...I don't need a trainer amp...I want something really LOUD!." I'm glad I took the time to drive over his house to check it out. It was love at first sight! |
John McGann
Member From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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posted 20 November 2003 06:21 PM
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Traynor Custom Reverb head, mid-70's, came w/ 6-10 hernia poppin' cabinet I schlepped around in high school, now run through a Vox 2-10 cab. Sounds warm and wonderful but not quite enough there there for C6th- E9 sounds great with it. An unsung hero of the amp world. |
Andy Greatrix
Member From: Edmonton Alberta
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posted 20 November 2003 11:45 PM
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I have a Trayner Custom Valve 80.
It has 4 6L6's and 3 aw-etc. pre-amp tubes,
with 2 celestion 12's.
It has an XLR and quarter inch out from the pre-amp which can go directly to the PA or to another amp. If I need extra power,
I can run it out to a Yorkville B bass head
that has 400 watts at 4 ohms.
I hook up the bass head with a 4 ohm
Peavey speaker.
Trayner is a Yorkville product.
the down side of this set-up is all the lugging and I have a hernia. |
John Floyd
Member From: Somewhere between Camden County , NC and Saluda S.C.
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posted 21 November 2003 03:18 AM
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Jerry
You should also recall that that Traynor amp put you in the hospital for a 5 way bypass operation too. Not the lightest amp in the world, but sounded great. Stephen, saw you a couple of times at Saluda this past weekend, but didn't get a chance to introduce myself. Recognized your name from the Forum, was busy with the Sound
Duties.
------------------
 [This message was edited by John Floyd on 21 November 2003 at 03:21 AM.] |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
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posted 21 November 2003 12:50 PM
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The old Traynor Bass Master YBA-1 head is a killer, lightweight, rugged tube amp. Great guitar amp modelled after the old Tweed Bassman or Marshall Plexi. They're affordable and super-duper-rugged. 80 watts of very clean tube power. I want mine back.Brad Sarno |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 21 November 2003 02:52 PM
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Well, brother John, you sure did a GREAT job with the sound. I started to say something, but you had it going on, and I didn't want to jinx anything! Hope you'll be there for Newman in February.
And, by the way, where'd you get that ring? |
James Morehead
Member From: Durant, Oklahoma, USA
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posted 21 November 2003 02:57 PM
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I have a new 30 watt SS Traynor with a 10" speaker, does that count? I love it for a practice amp----or should I say my wife does!! It has a headphone jack--why I bought it. Gave about a $100 new. It is the Reverb mate 30. Has a line out, too. >>>Got news for ya'll. The new Traynors are made in China, not Canada. They are only distributed by Yorkville of Canada now-a-days. I don't know about the older models, or if it's all models, but that's what's printed in plain English on the back of my traynor. When did they go to China? |
John Floyd
Member From: Somewhere between Camden County , NC and Saluda S.C.
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posted 21 November 2003 09:19 PM
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Stephen
Got it from Jerry Hayes, he had it in his pocket and one night when I got knocked on My A$$, he said , put this on and it will make you feel better. It worked ------------------
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Murnel Babineaux
Member From: Jennings, Louisiana, USA
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posted 27 November 2003 11:49 PM
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Pete Traynor designed these amps. The power and output transformers are built to military spec, that's why the size of them are so large. These tranny's will be working in my next lifetime. Personally, I have a YBA-1A bass head. It's sounds good at low volume levels, but I wouldn't take it to a medium to large stage. MB[This message was edited by Murnel Babineaux on 28 November 2003 at 07:56 PM.] |
Tom Callahan
Member From: Dunlap, Tennessee, USA
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posted 28 November 2003 01:36 PM
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Well folks, for what it is worth. My wife who is learning to play bass guitar got a Traynor bass amp (Brand New) for a present today. Sounds pretty good on a steel too. Oh well, a gift is a gift. |
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