Heading down the Canada made amp rabbit hole...

[nico]

Just spent an hour playing my YGM-3 (with a JBL D123) -- I hate how heavy and bulky it is, I love how it sounds and records.

 

[dukewellington]

My name is Wooly Fox and I have GAS for another tube amp.

The story so far...

I own a 50W custom tube amp (633 Engineering Groove King Custom) and have it paired with my Quilter Toneblock 202 in a wet dry setup with the Quilter being the wet amp and tube as the dry.

To be honest, I don't like the Quilter doing anything other than super clean as any distortion pedal sounds too crackly and not to my taste in comparison to my tube amp. I mean it compliments the tube amp's girth but it's not what I'm looking for. Before anyone mentions it, I have tried the Quilter going through 200W bass speaker and my JBL loaded 2x12 and I can live with it but it doesn't inspire me to play.

I decided with a budget of C$1,000 to find a decent tube amp and Traynor keeps coming up as a valid alternative to the big names, especially up here in the Great North.

Now I have tried out various amp in my search to narrow down my budget and voicing I like (Vox, Marshalls, a Sunn Model T, Dr Z Z Master etc.) but they all cost a lot for the badge when all I'm looking for is something clean, sounds good with distortion pedals or boosting into it for breakup and is well built.

I am looking at YBA-1s and YBA-3s though the ones available seem to be strong money so what other models should I consider? There is a pristine YGL-3 languishing on FB Marketplace for C$2,000 but it's a head and cab combo.

Then there's Garnet amps, I know very little about these but a couple are available in Vancouver for sub $700 so need some insight on how good they are and whether they would suit my setup.

I'm a Brit so the Canadian amps are a new one for me so any recommendations would be excellent.

Re: quest of the OP. Traynor made a few dynamite (IMO) amplifiers, and a few not so dynamite amplifiers. They also have some drawbacks. On YT, Lyle at Psionic Audio gives a few of his opinions about Traynor that could be worth your time if you’re considering a Traynor. He’s reasonable when he describes why he doesn’t agree with a manufacturer’s choices in the design or construction of an amplifier. I’m a Mesa player and he’s not real fond of their design choices… but Inagree with him! YMMV. You might try emailing him about the others. He’s seen a lot of equipment and is quite thorough m.

 

[Wally]

Re: quest of the OP. Traynor made a few dynamite (IMO) amplifiers, and a few not so dynamite amplifiers. They also have some drawbacks. On YT, Lyle at Psionic Audio gives a few of his opinions about Traynor that could be worth your time if you’re considering a Traynor. He’s reasonable when he describes why he doesn’t agree with a manufacturer’s choices in the design or construction of an amplifier. I’m a Mesa player and he’s not real fond of their design choices… but Inagree with him! YMMV. You might try emailing him about the others. He’s seen a lot of equipment and is quite thorough m.

Does Lyle at Psionic Audio focus his criticism on the vintage Traynor or the modern Traynors? or both? I have a little experience with one certain modern model and would not put my money into one of those amps.

 

[dukewellington]

Does Lyle at Psionic Audio focus his criticism on the vintage Traynor or the modern Traynors? or both? I have a little experience with one certain modern model and would not put my money into one of those amps.

He had some comments on both IIRC.

Years ago I bought a used Traynor head with a massive transformer in it that sounded fantastic. But my experience was less then than it is now and I can’t comment too deeply on my experiences with it… probably not very helpful for this discussion. I remember I traded it for a guitar.

I tend to appreciate Lyle’s commentary on the wisdom or lack thereof that companies make in their choices with regard to circuit design. Sometimes these make the amplifier more reliable or less, sometimes dangerous, sometimes not able to be serviced beyond a warranty replacement… there is a huge variety of amplifiers and a lot of grey area in understanding what’s true about them when we (myself included ) get on the internet and describe them with seemingly absolute descriptors like “best” “fantastic” “Marshall clone” etc and his videos and live streams have helped me learn more about what’s between the lines of the myths.

 

[Wooly Fox]

I would still like a Traynor YBA-1, does anyone have any experience with the reissue ones? I see few come up for sale now and again and usually for similar money as a vintage 70s TBA-1 (small transformer).

Or should I look out for more Garnets (Session Man head unit is of interest) or look out for a decent Traynor YGM or YSR head?

 

[dukewellington]

A few links.

YGL Mk. III via Psionic Audio


YBA-1 Bassmaster via Psionic Audio




YBA-3 Custom Special via Guitologist


Johan S. demos a YGL-3


‘74 YBA-3 vs. ‘66 Bassman vs. Super Bassman via Unknown YouTube Bassist
https://youtu.be/ERpAz6ldDd4

…and if you were wondering why some (some) of the old Traynors had big guitar tone, those big transformers certainly help. Some were bass amps…

Okay. Coffee break over.

 

[lwaun]

Garnets are tanks, as stated. Probably best to avoid a modded one, though. Old Traynors are like other quality amps of the era, reliable and repairable. Don’t know much about the new ones.

(Years ago, when my PRII needed a minor repair, Gar Gillies was still fixing amps in Winnipeg. Anyone could have done it, maybe even me, but the fact that he had his hands and soldering iron on my amp still tickles me.)

If I had my druthers, I would get an amp from Butterfield Amps in Victoria. A couple of years ago, I had him go through the previously mentioned PRII, and he was awesome to work with.

I have the Traynor in picture. It’s my second one. Cabinet is plywood and speaker 12” greenback. Has spring reverb and is 2 channel.

 

[Bass Butcher]

I would still like a Traynor YBA-1, does anyone have any experience with the reissue ones? I see few come up for sale now and again and usually for similar money as a vintage 70s TBA-1 (small transformer).

Or should I look out for more Garnets (Session Man head unit is of interest) or look out for a decent Traynor YGM or YSR head?

Also, YRM-1 for something in the 50 watt range but they don't come up as often. I'd love to get a YGM-3 re-issue chassis for an 80's 212 combo cab I have but given that asking prices for them are the same range (or more), as a 60's - 70's Traynor I still lean towards the originals over the re-issues. Tbh, I expect the originals will have longer service lives, due to the differences in components quality and manufacturing practices between then and now.
I wouldn't turn my nose up at a YCS-50, YCS-50H or YCS-90 either, if I was just looking for a good player. I had a YCS-50 and almost bought it back from the person I sold it to a couple of weeks ago but I'm holding out for the head version.

 

[Wooly Fox]

After a few weeks of use, here are my thoughts in the Lil' Rock head I have.

1) It's a great amp for dual mono, it compliments my 50W amp perfectly as it's much darker and more mid scooped to my ear, very DRRI like. Not surprising considering it's 6V6 powered. Also going through a JBL D120F, it's an excellent combo.
2) By itself, the darkness and scooped tone isn't what I want even with some tone shaping, bright pull is just more fizz which is to be expected.
3) The EQ controls are more set and forget. Going with the method of "point of most change", I get bass just over noon and treble around 1 o'clock
4) It's loud, easily kept up with a drummer and bass player. It's clean up to 3 o'clock on this dial (gain is zero at 9 o'clock which is annoying) then it opens up and sounds pretty gnarly. I wouldn't have issue gigging with this amp volume wise.
5) Not sure what the difference between input 1 and 2, I think 1 is unmolested and 2 is a darker input, similar to a Fender.
6) For such a simple design, it is remarkable how much you can get out of it. Only change I would want for a modern time player is a PPI master volume so I can get the edge of breakup at a more comfortable volume. An attenuator would work but it's just another box I'll have to carry in my dual mono rig.
7) Considering it's got original tubes and similarities in tonal quality, I think you would be hard pressed to find a DR of this vintage for US$500, it makes the Garnet Lil' Rock a steal for getting that DR tone.
8) I'll keep it for a while but I may trade or sell as with all gear for maybe something tweed like or a Marshall or aTraynor YBA-1.

 

[codamedia]

After a few weeks of use, here are my thoughts in the Lil' Rock head I have.

1) It's a great amp for dual mono, it compliments my 50W amp perfectly as it's much darker and more mid scooped to my ear, very DRRI like. Not surprising considering it's 6V6 powered. Also going through a JBL D120F, it's an excellent combo.
2) By itself, the darkness and scooped tone isn't what I want even with some tone shaping, bright pull is just more fizz which is to be expected.
3) The EQ controls are more set and forget. Going with the method of "point of most change", I get bass just over noon and treble around 1 o'clock
4) It's loud, easily kept up with a drummer and bass player. It's clean up to 3 o'clock on this dial (gain is zero at 9 o'clock which is annoying) then it opens up and sounds pretty gnarly. I wouldn't have issue gigging with this amp volume wise.
5) Not sure what the difference between input 1 and 2, I think 1 is unmolested and 2 is a darker input, similar to a Fender.
6) For such a simple design, it is remarkable how much you can get out of it. Only change I would want for a modern time player is a PPI master volume so I can get the edge of breakup at a more comfortable volume. An attenuator would work but it's just another box I'll have to carry in my dual mono rig.
7) Considering it's got original tubes and similarities in tonal quality, I think you would be hard pressed to find a DR of this vintage for US$500, it makes the Garnet Lil' Rock a steal for getting that DR tone.
8) I'll keep it for a while but I may trade or sell as with all gear for maybe something tweed like or a Marshall or aTraynor YBA-1.

#7 concerns me.

I haven't read the entire thread... has this amp been serviced recently? If not - due to it's age it needs to be. Some of the points you make could be a result of an amp that is not 100% healthy.

You also mentioned the scooped tone in #1 & #2, then in #3 you say the bass and treble are both over noon. Just like a Fender without a mid control, for less scoop you turn the BASS/TREBLE down to 2 or 3 (9 o'clock give or take a little) and turn up the amp to compensate.

 

[KeepItSimpleTele]

Johan Segeborn taking a Traynor YGM-3 Guitar Mate Reverb though its paces!

 

[Mike H.]

The YRM-1 is rated at 50 watts. Great amp with a lot of versatility.

I had a YRM-1 that was the best sounding clean I've ever heard. I sold it in a gear purge before moving across the country and I've regretted it ever since. I'd love to buy another one, but prices are stupid expensive now.

 

[chris m.]

I had a YGM3 just like the one demo'd above. I liked it, but didn't love it, so I let it move on after working with an amp tech and trying some things. I think in general I prefer open back combos over closed-backs, so that's part of it. If I recall correctly, the "weird screws" for the speaker cabinet mentioned in the video are those little square screw holes that require a perfectly square bit. I did open mine up because I own that bit. IIRC there was a fair amount of insulation batting in the cabinet, and it was some kind of Yorkville speaker. In retrospect a strategic speaker swap probably would have done more to get it sounding more like I wanted than most circuit mods. Ultimately I got a 50W JCM800 combo with a Celestion 80W speaker in it and that was exactly the sound I was looking for at that time.

 

[printer2]

I had a YGM3 just like the one demo'd above. I liked it, but didn't love it, so I let it move on after working with an amp tech and trying some things. I think in general I prefer open back combos over closed-backs, so that's part of it. If I recall correctly, the "weird screws" for the speaker cabinet mentioned in the video are those little square screw holes that require a perfectly square bit. I did open mine up because I own that bit. IIRC there was a fair amount of insulation batting in the cabinet, and it was some kind of Yorkville speaker. In retrospect a strategic speaker swap probably would have done more to get it sounding more like I wanted than most circuit mods. Ultimately I got a 50W JCM800 combo with a Celestion 80W speaker in it and that was exactly the sound I was looking for at that time.

I was wondering what weird square screws they had. Then it hit me, the Robertson screws. Canadian classic, you can hold the screwdriver with a screw on it almost facing down before it falls off. Also holds onto a screw without stripping the head much better than the Philips screwdriver.

 

[chris m.]

Yes-- a Robertson screw is exactly what it is--

 

[printer2]

Yes-- a Robertson screw is exactly what it is--

View attachment 1082767

Short of insulin the best Canadian invention ever.

 

[chris m.]

Ice hockey is up there, too.

 

[joebloggs13]

Best Canadian amps are Kingsley...built by Simon Jarrett in B.C. Kingsley pedals are legend. The one caveat is that the waiting list for one of his amps is about six years. I am on it. Also, they aren't cheap.

 

[KeepItSimpleTele]

I had a YGM3 just like the one demo'd above. I liked it, but didn't love it, so I let it move on after working with an amp tech and trying some things. I think in general I prefer open back combos over closed-backs, so that's part of it. If I recall correctly, the "weird screws" for the speaker cabinet mentioned in the video are those little square screw holes that require a perfectly square bit. I did open mine up because I own that bit. IIRC there was a fair amount of insulation batting in the cabinet, and it was some kind of Yorkville speaker. In retrospect a strategic speaker swap probably would have done more to get it sounding more like I wanted than most circuit mods. Ultimately I got a 50W JCM800 combo with a Celestion 80W speaker in it and that was exactly the sound I was looking for at that time.

The speaker swap is pretty much essential with any Traynor past 1966. The Marshland speakers really were holding them back. Put in literally anything else and instant tone! If Traynor had managed to get Jensens, Celestions, or Eminence across the border back in the day to Canada I think the product would have been much more popular.

 

[printer2]

The speaker swap is pretty much essential with any Traynor past 1966. The Marshland speakers really were holding them back. Put in literally anything else and instant tone! If Traynor had managed to get Jensens, Celestions, or Eminence across the border back in the day to Canada I think the product would have been much more popular.

I agree. Had a pair of Marsland speakers and they sucked enough that I plugged them into the wall. Boy they were loud for a few seconds.