Traynor YCV20WR II modifications

[Seakayak]

After using a Traynor YCV20WR for 2 months, I am wondering about doing some modifications, besides new tubes (done) and a different speaker (waiting for a Weber Blue Dog Alnico). I am generally happy with it, but I would like to have more "clean" headroom available on channel 2 (the clean channel), and more musical distortion on both channels, without using a pedal. I have a feeling that this amp has more to offer, with a little work. Maybe its fixed-biased way too cold? Any suggestions (besides getting another amp) would be appreciated.

[Timbre Wolf]

I don't have my YCV20WR anymore, but when I did, judicious tube changes were sufficient to accomplish those goals.

I rand the master fully open, so for a bit more clean "headroom" I used a nice 3-mica black-plate RCA 5751 as the phase inverter.

V2 is the overdrive channel tube, and I found that an early-breakup 12AX7 there helped me get the drive at lower settings on the dial, which sounded more natural and pleasant to me. Tried an RFT ECC83 first, but that's too murky for the cleaner settings. I settled on a '57 Sylvania short gray-plate/square-getter 12AX7, which has the early breakup, low microphonics, and took a little edge off (I found my amp to be too bright). I'd recommend the black-plate version of this Sylvania (from '56) for a bit more dynamics and top-end pizazz. Both those mid-'50s Sylvanias have more clarity than the RFT, but the same level of early-breakup benefit.

You could certainly try to put a nice 5751 in V1, for the clean channel. I used a GE long-plate 6681 (essentially a low-noise 12AX7) because I wanted the rounded-off highs while retaining good clarity.

What EL84 are you using? Ever try NOS Tesla? If you don't have an issue with brightness, like I did, then those might be just the thing for you.

Got a fair amount of change out of that amp without ever lifting a soldering iron!

- Thom

[telemanjam]

I've heard about the bias being off on the YCV20's. I can't remember if the bias was too cold or too hot though. I'd have a tech take a look at it.

[Seakayak]

In response to Timbre Wolf, I'm using a complete set of JJ tubes I bought from Eurotubes. They made a big improvement compared to the Sovtek tubes that came with the amp.
I was considering some GT Mullard reissues, but... I will eventually buy some NOS tubes. I'm still interested in exploring modifications, such as changing the bias.
Anyway, Thanks for your responses!
I'm really enjoying The Gear Page, I guess it's time I made a donation.