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Picked up a YBA-1 off Guitar Centers used section and after a quick trip to my local tech for some new tubes and a pot cleaning I finally got to try it out last night. This thing is LOUD and I love it. Just one question about the headroom though. I barely went past two on the standard side low gain and it started to break up. This isn't a complaint because I pretty much always had either my Elements or Musket on using my Fender Deville but I just wanted to see if this is common since the amp isn't new. Also I know patching channels is the way to go with these are there any combos I should avoid I've never had this option so again don't wanna screw anything up. I'll post some pictures up after I can figure out how to get them off my phone since I haven't seen many of this version of the amp. I'm assuming its a later model from the length of the serial number and the fact that the head itself is longer with the channels inputs being next to each other rather than on top. Thanks in advance for the help

Unless there are some odd mods, jumpering the channels should work fine any which way. If you're having headroom issues, though, not jumpering the channels is probably a good idea since you probably don't need the extra preamp gain.

Have you tried easing back on the output of your dirt pedals? My Rat and my Akai Muff clone have very hot outputs that could probably overdrive most any preamp independent of the distortion or fuzz generation. Tweaking the volume so they're closer to equal volume output on and off might give you a better idea of the amp's actual headroom.

No mods that I know of so maybe ill test the waters jumping channels tonight just for laughs and maybe a pleasant surprise. I was running through my pedal board but nothing on which is why the gain surprised me again no complains just wasn't expecting that much so quick and was hoping this was common and not an issue with the head. The band I'm playing with now only really needs loud distorted guitars and reverb for one song so maybe my board just got a little lighter haha

For what its worth, I sold mine because of the lack of headroom, and general feedback issues.
Mine wasn't that loud either. Maybe I'm deaf.

From what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong) they're fairly easy to mod. If you don't mind putting a bit of money into it, maybe you could fix these problems? I don't know. I sold mind when abother good deal on another amp came up.

My yba-1 hardly had headroom. Any volume knob by 2 was already driving the amp. Specially with a hot pickup. I also didn't find it as loud as other people, but it sounded FANTASTIC. I also ended up selling mine and picking up a YBA-3 for more headroom and volume. YBA-1 is a fantastic amp, though. Definitely jump the channels and turn up. All you'll need is a fuzz for "more"

chillerthanmost wrote:My yba-1 hardly had headroom. Any volume knob by 2 was already driving the amp. Specially with a hot pickup. I also didn't find it as loud as other people, but it sounded FANTASTIC. I also ended up selling mine and picking up a YBA-3 for more headroom and volume. YBA-1 is a fantastic amp, though. Definitely jump the channels and turn up. All you'll need is a fuzz for "more"

Awesome Fuzzy and your comments about the lack of headroom being normal made all my worries go away. This is the first used older amp Ive ever bought so I didnt want to push to hard incase there was an issue. Psyched to have a full practice and really crank it.

I'll assume you're playing guitar with it. I was using a tele and a jag at the time with lower output pickups and it STILL broke up really early.
I think I'm just too used to higher watt clean amps.

l probably should have put that in the first post sorry! Im using a jag and a sg through a Marshall 1961A 2x12. The one that is the size of 4x12 but a 2 speaker baffle. I was originally using a 4x10 Fender Deville with the cab to get some extra low end. My last band had a variety of clean and dirty parts which made the Deville ideal. Now I'm playing with a heavier group in the vein of bands like Cursed and Trap Them so the clean factor isnt an issue. I havent had a full practice with it yet so the volume factor you brought up is a little nerve racking. The other guitarist is currently waiting for his V4 to come out of repair which will probably be the true test. Glad to know that the headroom isnt a circuit issue since my tech told me two of the three pre amp tubes were incorrect when I bought it on top of my lack of knowledge on tube amps made me a little nervous to really push it until I had a few opinions.

I also play in a Cursed / Trap Them type of band and my YBA-1 couldn't keep up in volume unfortunately. I also didn't have an 8 ohm cab at the time, though. I would play it out of a 16 ohm cab which decreased the volume. I imagine it would have been just fine with the right cab. Try playing it out of higher decibel rated speakers. I have an open back 2x12 loaded with EVM-12L speakers and it's just as loud, actually LOUDER, than most 4x12's. It'll make a 45w amp sound like an 85w amp easily. We also tend to play pretty loud when we have our full gear / line up though, which again is why I sold it for something louder to just not attempt to barely keep up. It depends what volume you guys play at.

What I love about the YBA1 is how dark it can get yet still be articulate in the chords. I recently played and recorded with my buddies YBA1, years after selling mine, and I actually really missed it. Great amp.

I just checked out your bandcamp and im really into the songs you have up! Im running through an 8 ohm cab so hopefully i can keep up if not maybe ill run my Deville in stereo through my cathedral to give some more volume. Your good words about it are helping me push for whatever i can out of this head. Hopefully i can get a full practice in this week and see what it can do in our situation. This is the first check off of amps I've been looking for so I'm hoping for the best.

Thanks man, I appreciate that. We're a three piece and play two amps each. If you're doing a stereo rig then you'll most likely be fine. I hope you enjoy it!