Combo Amps

buzzby · October 2005

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

guitar3456 · October 2005

They are nice units. I work on them under warr, the only thing bad is the tube replacement is not an easy user task. There is an entire shroud that covers the tubes and internal components and you need to have good knowledge and assembly/reassembly skills. Something to think about. The tone of the amp is great. It's put together well but is not point to point which may lead to noise isssues. Be sure your guitar is properly shielded.

buzzby · October 2005

Thanks for the info g3. I used to be an electronics tech, so that shouldn't be a problem. From what I understand, the stock Sovtek tubes aren't the greatest, so they may have to go.

I hear a lot of good things about these amps. I hope to give them a sound test some time this week.

dmock66 · October 2005

I have the YCV40WR - I REALLY dig it! I got the High Gain replacement tube package from Bob Pletka at Eurotubes.com and it really brought the amp to life! The stock Sovteks aren't good.

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

buzzby · October 2005

Thanks Dave

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!

dmock66 · October 2005

I played my Traynor through my 2x12 cabinet last night at the Youth Worhsip sevice. It's one AWESOME sounding amp!!! I REALLY like the YCV40WR a lot and it just sounds better the louder you crank it! Also it sounds amazing through larger cabinets. I have to believe the 50Blue is the same way only with the EL34 vibe as opposed to the 6L6. Traynor makes good stuff. I think you'll be happy with either amp!

buzzby · October 2005

Well, I gave them both a listen, and I came home with the YCV40WR. They are both nice little amps, but the 40 had a nice Fendery clean channel. Unlike most Fenders, the drive channel sounds good too.

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.

guitar3456 · October 2005

Sounds good ! I think Yorkville did right by re-engineering these. The only thing I don't care for is the difficulty to do basic maintenance. Cleaning controls and all will require a lot of disassembly. being a warr center for Yorkville I can tell you that for sure. I do like the fact that the components are sealed and shielded. So , one con for a lot of pro's. Nice trade off.. Go with the JJ's if you decide to switch out tubes. The Sovteks will do nicely but JJ's will make it chime.

dmock66 · October 2005

I think you're going to like the YCV40WR!!! It's a GREAT amp in it's own right!

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!!!!

buzzby · October 2005

Dave--did a little playing with it on '5' today. Had a big grin.

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.

Both channels sound great, and the Celestion Vintage 30 just wails. I thought I liked a Greenback sound, but I'm really impressed with the V30. Great sound, good efficiency, and a bulletproof 60W rating. One minor gripe--the eq seems a little lackluster.

dmock66 · October 2005

That's awesome that your GNX was dead quiet in the FX Return. I don't know if I just had a faulty GNX or what. I heard the same thing through headphones - with all three of my guitars - and I don't hear it with other gear, so I believe the GNX had something wrong with it. However, I evolved to just hating to bypass the Traynor preamp!!! So, I ended up with the GNX in the loop for a while for the effects and volume control, but again, the buzz was still there and the effects weren't distinct and clear. When I put the GNX before the Traynor I couldn't ever EQ the shrillness out. After spending hours tweaking I became frustrated. I plugged in some modified Boss pedals (SD-1 and DS-1). I tweaked for two minutes, immediately dialed in tones that I find compelling, and play for hours!!!

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

Combo Amps

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