Traynor YBA 1 - thoughts, opinions, experiences...

[fungalattack]

I was perusing craigslist for tube amps and came across this JTM clone. I have been enticed by the idea of a amp with a lot of clean headroom that handles high gain pedals very well. Any opinions? Is this a good deal? Should i hop on it? Anyone have any experience with this amp?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/3480768493.html

[rot gut]

price is a little high, but my friend swears by his.

[theavondon]

I'm a fan.

[amorphous]

Great amp! I would not hesitate!

Headroom for days, lots of low end!

[tchen]

Old Traynor's are awesome; I've had several. $500 is maybe a little high, but it's still worth it. Probably just what you're looking for.

I actually have a YBA-4 right now that I'm looking to sell. It's the combo version with a 15" speaker.

[amorphous]

maybe a little high - depending on service - if the owner has records and receipts of a current retube, different story....still talk him down!

[devnulljp]

Those are awesome amps. I haz two. Loud and proud.

[fungalattack]

Im going to look into the history of this pup. Anyone have experience slamming it with high gain pedals?

[amorphous]

Im going to look into the history of this pup. Anyone have experience slamming it with high gain pedals?

yes!

and it slays.

It provides a true wide range reproduction of what you are putting through it! What i recall liking best about mine was the lows, just really thumping!

[Fuzzy Picklez]

Had one. It was alright. Liked it, but didn't love it.
That price is a bit high though. If you wait it out, you can probably get one for about $100 cheaper. Maybe even less.

[devnulljp]

If it has the tube rectifier, go for it -- those are awesome.
Not a clone BTW, but a very similar circuit. Makes a great bass amp (although a bit underpowered by today's standards) and a really awesome guitar amp.
Takes pedals well, sounds great on its own too.
For $500, I'd buy it.

That serial# puts it at 1970 BTW, so might be ss rectified. Not a deal breaker, but the tube rectified ones sound best.

[Arcane]

Killer amps! As devnulljp pointed out, not what I would recomend for a stage amp for a bass player. Plenty of volume for guitar though and they take pedals like a champ. Just make sure there are no mystery mods and that it hasn't been hacked up. Lots pf people like to mod these but they sound fine stock.

[fungalattack]

I would mainly be using it for guitar with a butt load of distortion. I'm going to ask him if it has a tube rectifier now.

[Arcane]

The rectifier shouldn't be a big concern. It would be a little more collectable with a tube recitifier since it would be a very early model but a solid state rectifier is not a deal breaker. It has been a long time, but if I reclall correctly, tube rectifiers actually drop the voltage and therefore lower the amp's output volume for a tiny bit on the peak notes. There is the whole "sag" debate and what that does for your tone but really that's just a big worm hole to get into. The YBA-1 sounds great with both recitifers.

The big concern is if the amp has its original transformers - that is of paramount imortantance. Also of concern is if it is in good electronic shape and hasn't been hacked up. Who has been providing the amp's maintenance and how regularly?

Open the amp up and have a look around. Are there any signs of a burnt componet/socket/etc on the board anywhere? Have the filter capacitors been changed recently or have they ever been changed? How old or how many hours are on the tubes? Has it been sitiing around for a long time unplayed or used regularly? There are probably alot more questions to ask but those are all very important factor in my opinion.

If the amp looks like it has a sketchy mod or does not have the original transformers I would run away. If it needs new tubes and/or new filter caps you can get a better price because it will need servicing. If there is a question about how old the tubes and/or filter caps are I would recommend getting the amp serviced before you start playing it regularly.

[fungalattack]

Thanks for the thorough explanation! I appreciate it a lot. Now I must barrage him with questions!