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View Full Version : Calling out the old Traynor (s) experts...

fabulusfab777
11-01-2011, 03:10 PM
Hey guys,

Question to the folks that know a lot about old Traynors. I recently got a Bassmaster Yba4 in a partial trade. It is a 1978 (ish) combo with one 15' speaker that was mainly intended as a bass amp but like other Bassmaster can be great for guitar as well. I've own a couple of Traynor's in the past, a YGA (same as YBA but with tremolo) a early YBA and some others. First, the YBA4 is a monster.... no seriously! I've never tried a combo with a 15' before and i had read mix reviews about it. Well not sure what is special about this one but it sound HUGE. My main two questions are first : For that type of circuit (ie Plexi, Bassman kind of) would it be a good idea to have it mod with a PPIMV. I will try an attenuator soon with it when i receive it. This thing is crazy loud, I've had loud amps but this one is CRAZY. Also i was surprise with how much gain it had. Plugged into high input normal channel i get a great crunch even at 2 on the volume. My second question was : I know a lot of guys changed the value of the volume pot since they have like almost no effect on actual volume, it's off or CRAZY loud. I don't want to spend too much on it but seriously this is one hell of a tone machine with a ridiculously low price tag.


Any help/advice will be much appreciated !!
JDW3
11-01-2011, 04:52 PM
Hard to believe is has a lot of crunch at 2. Maybe it has a bad pot? I'm sure it is crazy loud. I had a YBA-1 with a bad pot and it was getting metal type distortion. Too bad I fixed it, haha.

I'd try a master volume, considering it's a combo amp with one speaker. I can't imagine it holding up if you're cranking it. Does yours have the flip top?
fabulusfab777
11-01-2011, 05:06 PM
Hard to believe is has a lot of crunch at 2. Maybe it has a bad pot? I'm sure it is crazy loud. I had a YBA-1 with a bad pot and it was getting metal type distortion. Too bad I fixed it, haha.

I'd try a master volume, considering it's a combo amp with one speaker. I can't imagine it holding up if you're cranking it. Does yours have the flip top?

No it's the later version. I've read that the pre-amp is wired a little bit different then the YBA1a, giving it a bit more gain. Now at 2 it's not crazy gain, but more then i would have suspected and say, at 4 or 5 it's major crunch ! The first thing i'd like to do is change the pot since i would like a more gradual volume and gain control. I'll try the attenuator way before but a PPIMV will be an option as well.

Any other thoughts ?
tommc
11-01-2011, 05:12 PM
When I had a YGM-3, I used to get some good info from folks in the Yahoo Traynor group: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/traynor-amplifiers/

Also, under misc American Amps on the Vintage Amp forum, may be useful:
http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/index.php?sid=0082ec013640264cb66516bc75902cd7
Mr. Crow
11-01-2011, 06:49 PM
About two weeks ago I got a late 70's Traynor YBA-4 combo. I would guess it's the same time frame as yours, late 70's with the black grill cloth.

It had been sitting in a music store's corner for about three years collecting dust. It's in great shape, but the previous owner had re-wired it to make one of the volume controls into a master volume, and it really doesn't sound so great.

It was such a good price I couldn't say No, so I bought it figuring I'd get it back to it's original form, or better if I can get some info. I'm looking forward to seeing the advice you get.

My biggest issue is the weight- this thing is incredibly heavy. I know I'm not getting any younger, but man this thing is an anvil
fabulusfab777
11-02-2011, 05:41 AM
About two weeks ago I got a late 70's Traynor YBA-4 combo. I would guess it's the same time frame as yours, late 70's with the black grill cloth.

My biggest issue is the weight- this thing is incredibly heavy. I know I'm not getting any younger, but man this thing is an anvil

I know what you mean, it is definitively one (if not the) of the most heavy amp I've owned for sure. The master volume is really the last thing i will try, since it plays more with the circuit.

I'll let you know if i collect some valuable info, i'll look at the links posted above as well.
LowWatt
11-02-2011, 09:23 AM
You lucky bastards. I've been trying to find a trade for a YBA-4 here in Toronto for a few months with no success.
fabulusfab777
11-02-2011, 09:56 AM
You lucky bastards. I've been trying to find a trade for a YBA-4 here in Toronto for a few months with no success.

I'm sure you'll find one, but i'll admit they are harder to find then the YBA1.
Primakurtz
11-02-2011, 11:07 AM
A installed a LarMar PPIMV on my YBA-1a, and it is terrific.
What are the current volume pot values? Something around 470 ohms gives a smoother sweep.
fabulusfab777
11-02-2011, 11:21 AM
A installed a LarMar PPIMV on my YBA-1a, and it is terrific.
What are the current volume pot values? Something around 470 ohms gives a smoother sweep.

No idea, i'll remove the chassis and take a look. The Lar/Mar PPIMV really peaked my interest, i've read on it and i think it could be great with that amp/circuit.