Traynor YCV40WR

Hoss

Joyfulnoiseologist
tell me all about it...i see that bob at eurotubes also has a several retube kit options for it as well (including some KT77 kits!)...interesting!

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Re: Traynor YCV40WR

i owned this amp for a while. it's a nice amp, but not very much gain. not even as much as the fender deville or hotrod deluxe. the sound is good and it's a solid performer, but to me it just seemed to lack that shimmer and sparkle that you might expect in an amp like this. you should definitely change the stock tubes, IMO. for the money it's pretty good. i think you can get them around 400-500 new on ebay.

the vintage 30 speaker is nice, but i definitely prefer the ycv50
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

high gain isn't necessarily needed...i've been playing a blues jr...i don't really play anything that requires high gain...i play clean to classic rock to pop rock tones.

i'm just looking for more headroom and something that takes pedals as well as my jr.

i planned on a retube anyways.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

i didn't mean high gain unless you consider the deville high gain. the problem with the gain on this amp is that it's kind of squasy and muddy sounding. if you like a real soft, plyable, mushy kind of light gain, you might like it. if you're accustomed to a fender amp, you probably won't be as satisfied, IMO
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

exactly. i think a tube change improves the sound a little, but it's more like a working-class amp or whatever you want to call it. the cleans are good, not great. with a pedal, i think this amp comes alive, but if you prefer amp gain, it's not anything impressive. the reverb is ok, but not great either. overall it's a decent amp and pretty affordable, but if i had to choose, i'd rather get the hotrod deluxe.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

i'll get my dirt and od from my pedals...i usually don't use amp distortion that much...although i like to have a bit of it as an option.

as far as reverb...it can't be worse than a blues jr's reverb?!

also the one i'm looking at has a MV mod and a JJ retube kit already in it!?
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

I really like this amp. The cleans are a bit different than fender cleans . . . maybe a little brighter, and are very nice. The distortion channel is great for slightly dirty blues all the way up to classic rock (if you throw a boost infront of the channel you can do much heavier sounds, but I wouldn't call it a metal amp by any means.) The reverb is usable . . . but doesn't sound as deep/watery as the Fender style reverb (like what you get on a Deluxe Reverb). If you're thinking of getting this amp, shell out for the extension cab. It's worth it, and really helps the sound of the amp (more lows, tighter feel when you're playing). I think that this amp outshines the hotrod deluxe/blues deluxe amps quite a bit . . . and I A/B'd them a lot before buying.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

i keep forgetting about the Traynor's as well!

The YCV40 has great cleans and decent overdrive, they're LOUD, and they're reasonably priced. I got mine off eBay for $305, in new condition. I keep GASing for a Celtic, but I can't justify when this thing does everything I really need from it.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

I really like this amp. The cleans are a bit different than fender cleans . . . maybe a little brighter, and are very nice. The distortion channel is great for slightly dirty blues all the way up to classic rock (if you throw a boost infront of the channel you can do much heavier sounds, but I wouldn't call it a metal amp by any means.) The reverb is usable . . . but doesn't sound as deep/watery as the Fender style reverb (like what you get on a Deluxe Reverb). If you're thinking of getting this amp, shell out for the extension cab. It's worth it, and really helps the sound of the amp (more lows, tighter feel when you're playing). I think that this amp outshines the hotrod deluxe/blues deluxe amps quite a bit . . . and I A/B'd them a lot before buying.

+1 on the extension cab, but you should still consider the ycv50 blue because i think it's just an overall better amp and the difference in price is marginal. i've never heard a modded one. i'd be interested in hearing what it sounds like
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

+1 on the extension cab, but you should still consider the ycv50 blue because i think it's just an overall better amp and the difference in price is marginal. i've never heard a modded one. i'd be interested in hearing what it sounds like

The blue is actually the same amp but with a single swapped resistor, a different set of tubes, and a master volume knob. One of the techs at Traynor who was emailing me told me that. (Just change R78 from 39K to 22K in the red amp to have the same circuit as the blue amp.) Figure if I ever get bored with my amp I'll give that a shot.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

Hey guys, I've been gigging pretty steady with this amp as well. It's a solid amp and would agree that it comes alive with a tubescreamer on the clean channel. I use a modded Maxon OD9 only on this amp and it get plenty loud with pretty good tone. I agree with you on the reverb, usable but not great. Change the tubes out for JJ's or whatever you like. I didn't change the speaker. Sounds good to me.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

I have a YCV80...

Changed the 6 year old stock tubes this month (EHX 12AX7s/Ruby 6L6GC-Ms)

Picked up 2 eminence tonkers from Antihero on this board!

Besides the harshness and noise from the stock sovteks and the lack of low end from the Celestion 70/80s...This amp is amazing. and since the above mentioned changes I'm happy with it!

The clean channel has a black face fender vibe. But it indeed doesnt quite nail it. The bright switch is a little too over the top and adds a bit of grit to your presence. The expander switch adds a nice faux acoustic texture. But overall its a great clean with alot of versatile sounds...

Really sounds great with my Sparkle Drive...

The OD channel is very much like a JCM800 in its gain range. Just gets a bit muddy when you try and saturate it on its own. But on around 5 with your master up it does Back in Black and the S/T danzig record. Think a 2204 Marshall with alot less bottom and more sparkle...

The Scoop switch kind of does what you would think boosts low end chunk and cuts mids...kind of makes it sound too big and takes alot of its cut away IMO

The Boost switch/function is pretty neat...Adds some bottom and mids and leaves the highs alone. it effectively reminds me of a cranked up overdrive pedal...it prety much boost the gain up 3 notches...turns your crunch into a lead channel. but the volume gets louder. it really is great to push your leads up front or to get more crunch for heavier stuff.

The reverb is somehow tied into the master volume. ITS NOT FOOTSWITCHABLE! at a bedroom level the verb is weak and flakey...but with the master at 3 and above the tank really comes to life and sounds very fender springy...makes me wish i had the YCV20...

The effects loops indivual level controls for the send and return are annoying to get the right level in the loop...its **** annoying

YCV's will never do modern metal due to it being lower gain but Blues, Classic rock and Jazz and country are all great possibilities...

A great amp! that has lasted me and continues to suprise...
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

The reverb is somehow tied into the master volume. ITS NOT FOOTSWITCHABLE! at a bedroom level the verb is weak and flakey...but with the master at 3 and above the tank really comes to life and sounds very fender springy...makes me wish i had the YCV20...

I forgot to mention this, but it deserves mentioning . . . this amp likes to be played loud. Don't buy it just for bedroom practice. Until you get the volume up (not deafening, but at least to shouting level) it sounds kinda thin and crappy.
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

don't act too quickly. i've seen them new for $400-500 on ebay before. at the least, you can get them in new condition for around $400
 
Re: Traynor YCV40WR

true...but this one's in really good condition and has had a MV mod done to it...plus i can get a matching celestion loaded 1x12 closed back cab with it for just a bit over $400 total shipped for both?!

plus i already sold my Blues Junior...plus i'm not very patient...plus i'm excited...plus i wanna type NEW STUFF ROCKS!!! LOL!!!
 
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