Combo Amps
Does anybody have a Traynor combo, or played thru one? If so, what do you think? I'm thinking of buying either a YCV40WR or a YCV50BLUE.
http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=32&cat=18
http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=32&cat=18
Comments
I hear a lot of good things about these amps. I hope to give them a sound test some time this week.
I've read that the 50Blue is also a really nice amp. Aside from the 10 additional watts, I believe the two primary differences are that it has a Master Volume and uses EL34 tubes where the YCV40WR uses 6L6 tubes. Both have the Vintage 30 speaker which is very nice.
I built a 2x12 cab with V30s in it and the YCV40WR sounds AMAZING through it!
I'd buy the YCV40WR again in a second - unless I go the 50Blue!!!
I changed the tubes myself - I turned the amp upside down, took off the cover plate and viola...
The other thing is I've not found a pedal it didn't like. That's another plus for it. With the tube replacement along with an Analogman modified Boss DS-1 I can get really close to a Sach/Vai tone using the DS-1 to drive the Gain channel in the Traynor - especially when you're pushing a bigger cab.
David
I just made a call, and a store that's kinda-sorta on the way home from work has them both in stock. I might be buying me an amp tomorrow!
The 50Blue had a nice grind to it. If I played a humbucker guitar more often, I might have gotten that one.
How many companies offer a 2 year \"even if you break it\" warranty, and \"hey, don't worry about registering it\"?
I found a cool music store I'd never been to too.
Ok, I'm going to go see how the gnx4 sounds thru this thing.
I got the JJs from Eurotubes.com and have been THRILLED with the results! I got the \"high gain\" package and the gain channel is explosive now. I run a modified Boss SD-1 or modified Boss DS-1 into it to give it just a smidge more punch and shape it just a little. The SD-1 gives it more of a \"brown sound\" flavor where the DS-1 gives it more the Sach/Vai type of vibe.
I've found the clean channel to be very Fender like but to also have some Vox characteristics as well - nice, full mid range.
I never had much success getting tones I liked running my GNX2 with the Traynor. I had the best results running into the FX Return but still had a noticable hum (not a pickup problem - but a similar type of hum) on clean tones. I couldn't get rid of it, even when I changed the output system. It just never sounded quite right. I found the best results going into the Input by setting the Bass, Treble and Presence at \"0\" and the Mid at \"10\" (or near 10). (edit addition) -- or try using the strategy in the G3456 thread called \"Amp modeling and guitar amps\"
However, I've pulled the GNX from my live rig and ever since I've gone from liking the YCV40WR to be LOVING it!!! It takes pedals REALLY well and that amp truly delivers!!!
... if you have any cabinets I'd recommend trying those. I have a 2x12 with V30s that ROARS!!!!
I tried plugging the gnx into the FX RTN and it was eerily dead quiet. There is a very low hum on ch1, add some hiss on ch2, but the gnx into the rtn was completely silent. I was amazed. I had the amp and the gnx plugged into different outlets, and I'm not sure, but they may even be on different circuits. I wonder why you are getting hum. I'll have to re-eq my patches, the celestion sounds way different than my active monitors.
The amp itself is just a gem. I'm really pleased so far, but I admit the honeymoon is still in effect.
I agree - the EQ is a bit lack luster, but I also find it sufficient. True, it would be nice to have a bit more control, but I have found that it does what I want. I get the rest of my tonal variance from my pedal \"tone\" controls or the guitar volume/tone controls.
Wait until you break in the V30 a bit - WOW!!! I built a 2x12 cab with two V30s in it and that sucker BLOWS ME AWAY!!! Think about the tone of that amp but add in SERIOUS BASS RESPONSE. It's awesome!!! I use either of the two Boss pedals to drive the gain channel and it is truly a tone you can play all night long!!! I've concluded that FOR ME (and this is just my preference - I am not bad mouthing the modeling technology) nothing compares to the dynamic response of playing a tube amp. I'm not a tube snob per say, I've just not played a solid state amp that can duplicate tube responsiveness.
Anyway... enough rambling. I'm glad you like the YCV40WR. I like mine more the longer I have it!
David