Should I trade my Sunn Beta Lead for a Traynor?

[Piecutter]

I have a Sunn Beta lead head and 412 cab to match. I posted it on CL for trade to see what kind of bites I would get. One guy wants to trade his ygl-3a mark 3 for my head and cab and another guy has a yba-1a that he wants to trade head for head. The ygl is a little on the worn side compared to my Sunn and the yba is nice. I know the ygl is loud af but what about the yba compared to the beta lead? Thanks.

[ognoy]

Never tried a Beta Lead, but I love my YBA-1.

[Davin]

I can’t compare to the Sunn, but the old Traynors are freaking tanks. I’ve had a YGL3 Mark 3 2x12 for years. It’s like a Fender Twin but with a master volume so can can get a bit of overdrive (some say it’s a little bit Marshall) at slightly less than ungodly volumes. It’s a killer amp. I love the trem and, on mine at least, the reverb circuit actually adds a bit of distortion ... because I think it’s actually a little broken but I like it that way so I’ve never bothered to have it fixed.

P2P wiring, loud and full and clean. Makes a great amp for pedals with the headroom, but even the base sound is awesome.

Guess it depends on what you want from an amp, but those old Traynors are great, super reliable and under appreciated.

[frigid midget]

Another YBA-1 owner here. I'd marry that amp if it was legal. Stays clean at high volumes, growls when you put a booster in front of it.

It's called "bassmaster" for a reason btw. The low end could destroy a smal village if you're not carefull with the volume control. And not even in a whooly muddy flabby kinda way, it's actually a great amp for baritone guitars or even bass.With the bass control rolled back a bit you end up with something that sound a bit like a vintage plexi, without the overly glassy highs.

[Piecutter]

“I’d marry that amp if it was legal.” Haha
Thanks Traynor owners for your input.

[lordgalvar]

Beta lead is a great all arounder.

I'd keep the beta lead. It's been a pretty dang good amp for me. Never played a traynor but have had sovtek, Randall, Peavey, ampeg, other sunn, etc and wouldn't ever sell my beta lead.

[jirodreamsofdank]

In terms of value, I don't think either is a great deal. Beta Lead heads alone seem to sell for more than the Traynors.

[digi2t]

YGL-3A in a heartbeat. And twice on Sunday. Hand's down, bar none. Just make sure that it's in proper working order. If so, jump on it. YBA-1 is nice too, but the 3A is a bit more flexible.

Personally, as long as the transfos are good, I would still take the 3A even if it needed some work. Of course, I can fix them myself, so OK for me. Should be noted that I'm Traynor biased. I plan on having my YBA-3 buried with me when I go tits up. That, and my Burny Black Beauty.

[odontophobia]

Have had a Beta. It’s nice but I’d rather have the t00bz.

[fuzzisokiguess]

Traynor owners unite! If I had to guess I would have thought there’d be more Sunn love here.

YGL-3 owner- if you want all the sound (and weight) of a twin without the cost, you’re in luck.

Yeah, and it’s not uncommon to find original tubage in Traynors. And the Hammond transformers are as good as it gets.

[MechaGodzilla]

sell beta, get two traynors?

[crochambeau]

No. Don't get rid of amps, get more amps!

I'd love to have a Beta Lead, but I wouldn't trade my Traynor (YBA-3) for one.

[Piecutter]

YGL-3A in a heartbeat. And twice on Sunday. Hand's down, bar none. Just make sure that it's in proper working order. If so, jump on it. YBA-1 is nice too, but the 3A is a bit more flexible.

Personally, as long as the transfos are good, I would still take the 3A even if it needed some work. Of course, I can fix them myself, so OK for me. Should be noted that I'm Traynor biased. I plan on having my YBA-3 buried with me when I go tits up. That, and my Burny Black Beauty.

The guy with the Ygl said it was serviced this past year and has new jj’s in it. Said he wouldn’t sell it for under $800. What would you sell yours for if you had to?

But I don’t think I can do the trade cuz he wants my head AND cab...

[Piecutter]

In terms of value, I don't think either is a great deal. Beta Lead heads alone seem to sell for more than the Traynors.

Jirodreamsofdank - that name is awesome. I’m a Sushi Chef and that movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi was great!

Seems like the Yba - 1a is a beast and has tubes. I’d think that vintage tube is a little more expensive than ss?

[jirodreamsofdank]

In terms of value, I don't think either is a great deal. Beta Lead heads alone seem to sell for more than the Traynors.

Jirodreamsofdank - that name is awesome. I’m a Sushi Chef and that movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi was great!

Seems like the Yba - 1a is a beast and has tubes. I’d think that vintage tube is a little more expensive than ss?

Beta Lead heads are pretty in demand for examples with no issues - when I was looking the ones that didn't need work were going for $600-700.

Traynors on Reverb are more like $450-600. Not a huge difference but I wouldn't want to swap a Sunn head and the cab straight up for one.