Old Traynor 50w amp for $400.00?

hugo · March 24th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Came across an old Traynor amp 50w. for $400.00 and was wondering if that's a good price? If this helps it's black cloth front with a black face. The name Traynor is fairly large on the cloth and it's in black/silver I think. Anyway, I was wondering what they're like and if I should just buy a larger amp now rather than buying a small practice amp? I'm sure I'll end up with more than one amp but I like Traynor's and this is fairly inexpensive. It'll probably never be worth anything though? Thoughts or mods that will probably be needed? To be honest, I don't really want to have to spend more money switching out speakers etc.

JimiBryant · March 24th, 2008, 10:51 PM

I'd sure consider it for the money.. can you try it out first??

is it a combo, then? reverb or presence, yes/no? speakers are
likely Fanes (my memory, somebody may be able to confirm)
and probably suitable unless fatigued and in need of a re-cone.

old Traynors compare nicely with Marshalls/Hiwatts IMHO

you'll want more amps.. yes. (must. have. more. amps!)

anyway 400 beans for an older tube amp is OK given that's about
what a Blues Jr goes for brand new isn't it?

don't worry about mods - live with it for a while and learn it's true
nature before ya mess with it, that's what I like to do.. frequently,
if it ain't broke then I don't fix it! speakers can be upgraded any ol'
time - they're like tires on a car.

jh45gun · March 24th, 2008, 11:00 PM

Traynors are darn nice amps I would grab it. They used to be a bargain until recently now thanks to fleabay and others the prices on Traynors are going up. Not as high as Fenders but I bet this same amp your looking at for 400 you could have gotten for half that a few years ago.

hugo · March 24th, 2008, 11:01 PM

The question is though will it sound nice at low volumes????

jh45gun · March 24th, 2008, 11:13 PM

I do not see why not. If your looking for break up at lower volumes use a pedal. For years I used amps at lower volumes and never felt I was missing anything. Until I got online and on these forums an amp was an amp and the volume knob took care of all the issues. I never knew about pushing an amp into distortion I always felt that doing that was pushing the amp too hard. Plus for years I never used small amps. I used a Super Reverb for years then went to a Peavey Classic Chorus 212. both of them amps you could not push into overdrive as they got too loud too fast. The term "Bedroom amp" was non existant and so was the concept of a overdriven small amp to get distortion. For me the amp had to be clean and then I used a pedal for dirt if I needed it.

hugo · March 24th, 2008, 11:21 PM

jh, thanks. I learn something new everyday on this forum. I never ever think of pedals, I guess cause I don't have an amp yet and I have lots too learn there yet. I've gotta keep that in mind, pedals,pedals,pedals...

jh45gun · March 24th, 2008, 11:40 PM

I guess what I am trying to say Hugo is some times the info on these forums can overwelm the main objective. Like I said for years I had one large amp and if I wanted low volume that was what the volume knob was for if I wanted dirt I used a pedal. It seems like a lot of folks get hung up on having a small amp for that overdriven tube sound and a larger amp for clean ect ect ect Tweed for a dirt sound BF or SF for clean. Yet I have found my 5e3 I can get both sounds just fine with how I set things just as I could years back with my larger amps and using a pedal if need be for that dirty sound. Now before I get jumped on nothing wrong with using a over driven amp for natural overdriven tube sound I am just saying that one amp can suffice using the vol knob at other volumes besides 10 and a larger amp can work at low volumes and using a pedal to get the sound you want. Some of the nicest dirty sound I have heard was a month or so ago and the guy was using a strat into a Rat Pedal and into a Behringer KeyBoard amp. Not what most would think here would be an ideal set up but it sounded good and the crowd did not seem to care it sounded good to them.

Tim Armstrong · March 24th, 2008, 11:48 PM

Hugo, Traynor made a fair number of different amps, their tube stuff was about as good as it gets, kind of Fender meets Marshall. Do you know what model it is?

I had a 50-watt YBA-1 Bassmaster that was really a fine amp, and I now own a 20-ish watt YGM-3 Guitarmate that I really like...

Cheers, Tim

hugo · March 25th, 2008, 12:22 AM

I'm just thinking for the money it would be a great amp?? On the other hand maybe I'm buying to big? I mean if I ever gig with it, it'll be quite awhile off?
What do you think, Tim? Can I get an amp for that kind of cash that will be equal to what I'm getting in the Traynor? Also, would it be better to spend $800 and get a new Traynor 20wr?

jh45gun · March 25th, 2008, 12:50 AM

If the newer amps are PCB I would stick with the older amps. Easier to fix and repair which would mean cheaper repair bills. I think big is not an issue if you plan some time to gig. Might as well get the amp now learn how to set it the way you like it and what pedals sound good with it and you will be all set when that gigging time comes. Plus you will have an amp you do not have to worry about not being enough amp to gig with with out using a DI box or a Mic to the PA.

Tim Armstrong · March 25th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugo

I'm just thinking for the money it would be a great amp?? On the other hand maybe I'm buying to big? I mean if I ever gig with it, it'll be quite awhile off?
What do you think, Tim? Can I get an amp for that kind of cash that will be equal to what I'm getting in the Traynor? Also, would it be better to spend $800 and get a new Traynor 20wr?

Here's the thing: there's no such thing as an amp that's too loud, if you don't mind using the volume knob! Sure, most amps sound their absolute best turned up past the halfway mark, but that doesn't mean they sound like crap down at more reasonable levels.

Is it a head, or is it a combo amp (an amp with a speaker in it)? If it's a head, you'll need a speaker cabinet, too, so factor that into the price, along with taking the amp to a tech for a checkup/tuneup. Even so, $400 for a hand-wired vintage tube amp is a pretty good price, especially when you compare it to how much an identical amp built today would cost...

Cheers, Tim

teleman65 · March 25th, 2008, 04:07 PM

Traynor had some really good product back when I started out.
A lot of the guys I knew back then had Traynors and as I recall the Bassmaster Traynors were some good amps among others.(I'm not sure but I think some of them had Marsland speakers)
For awhile people couldn't give them away but they've gone up in value.
Whether you expect to gig in the future or not, the Traynor at that price isn't a bad deal and could be moved easily if you change your mind.

March 24th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
hugo Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarnia,Ontario Age: 48 Posts: 812	Old Traynor 50w amp for $400.00? Came across an old Traynor amp 50w. for $400.00 and was wondering if that's a good price? If this helps it's black cloth front with a black face. The name Traynor is fairly large on the cloth and it's in black/silver I think. Anyway, I was wondering what they're like and if I should just buy a larger amp now rather than buying a small practice amp? I'm sure I'll end up with more than one amp but I like Traynor's and this is fairly inexpensive. It'll probably never be worth anything though? Thoughts or mods that will probably be needed? To be honest, I don't really want to have to spend more money switching out speakers etc.

March 24th, 2008, 10:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,579	I'd sure consider it for the money.. can you try it out first?? is it a combo, then? reverb or presence, yes/no? speakers are likely Fanes (my memory, somebody may be able to confirm) and probably suitable unless fatigued and in need of a re-cone. old Traynors compare nicely with Marshalls/Hiwatts IMHO you'll want more amps.. yes. (must. have. more. amps!) anyway 400 beans for an older tube amp is OK given that's about what a Blues Jr goes for brand new isn't it? don't worry about mods - live with it for a while and learn it's true nature before ya mess with it, that's what I like to do.. frequently, if it ain't broke then I don't fix it! speakers can be upgraded any ol' time - they're like tires on a car. __________________ I'm sick and tired of following my dreams, so I'm just gonna ask 'em where they're going and hook up with them later!

March 24th, 2008, 11:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,404	Hugo, Traynor made a fair number of different amps, their tube stuff was about as good as it gets, kind of Fender meets Marshall. Do you know what model it is? I had a 50-watt YBA-1 Bassmaster that was really a fine amp, and I now own a 20-ish watt YGM-3 Guitarmate that I really like... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

March 24th, 2008, 11:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 960	Traynors are darn nice amps I would grab it. They used to be a bargain until recently now thanks to fleabay and others the prices on Traynors are going up. Not as high as Fenders but I bet this same amp your looking at for 400 you could have gotten for half that a few years ago.

March 24th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
hugo Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarnia,Ontario Age: 48 Posts: 812	The question is though will it sound nice at low volumes????

March 24th, 2008, 11:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 960	I do not see why not. If your looking for break up at lower volumes use a pedal. For years I used amps at lower volumes and never felt I was missing anything. Until I got online and on these forums an amp was an amp and the volume knob took care of all the issues. I never knew about pushing an amp into distortion I always felt that doing that was pushing the amp too hard. Plus for years I never used small amps. I used a Super Reverb for years then went to a Peavey Classic Chorus 212. both of them amps you could not push into overdrive as they got too loud too fast. The term "Bedroom amp" was non existant and so was the concept of a overdriven small amp to get distortion. For me the amp had to be clean and then I used a pedal for dirt if I needed it.

March 24th, 2008, 11:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
hugo Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarnia,Ontario Age: 48 Posts: 812	jh, thanks. I learn something new everyday on this forum. I never ever think of pedals, I guess cause I don't have an amp yet and I have lots too learn there yet. I've gotta keep that in mind, pedals,pedals,pedals...

March 24th, 2008, 11:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 960	I guess what I am trying to say Hugo is some times the info on these forums can overwelm the main objective. Like I said for years I had one large amp and if I wanted low volume that was what the volume knob was for if I wanted dirt I used a pedal. It seems like a lot of folks get hung up on having a small amp for that overdriven tube sound and a larger amp for clean ect ect ect Tweed for a dirt sound BF or SF for clean. Yet I have found my 5e3 I can get both sounds just fine with how I set things just as I could years back with my larger amps and using a pedal if need be for that dirty sound. Now before I get jumped on nothing wrong with using a over driven amp for natural overdriven tube sound I am just saying that one amp can suffice using the vol knob at other volumes besides 10 and a larger amp can work at low volumes and using a pedal to get the sound you want. Some of the nicest dirty sound I have heard was a month or so ago and the guy was using a strat into a Rat Pedal and into a Behringer KeyBoard amp. Not what most would think here would be an ideal set up but it sounded good and the crowd did not seem to care it sounded good to them.

March 25th, 2008, 12:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
hugo Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarnia,Ontario Age: 48 Posts: 812	I'm just thinking for the money it would be a great amp?? On the other hand maybe I'm buying to big? I mean if I ever gig with it, it'll be quite awhile off? What do you think, Tim? Can I get an amp for that kind of cash that will be equal to what I'm getting in the Traynor? Also, would it be better to spend $800 and get a new Traynor 20wr?

March 25th, 2008, 12:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 960	If the newer amps are PCB I would stick with the older amps. Easier to fix and repair which would mean cheaper repair bills. I think big is not an issue if you plan some time to gig. Might as well get the amp now learn how to set it the way you like it and what pedals sound good with it and you will be all set when that gigging time comes. Plus you will have an amp you do not have to worry about not being enough amp to gig with with out using a DI box or a Mic to the PA.