Traynor-wreck

[stompjunkie]

I've got a chance to get a Traynor yab-1 at a pretty good deal. I know it'll probably be pretty cool as is, but I was wondering if this might be a good platform to mod to a wreck. Do any of you have any advice (pro or con) on if I should try or not? Could I even get close, or should I keep saving for parts to do a better clone?

Thanks!

[M Fowler]

I've never seen a Traynor yab-1 amp but arn't they suppose to be very good amps?

[JamesHealey]

I know i butchered an old carlsbro into a wreck but a traynor is a sought after amplifier and very well thought of with a killer tone.

Personally I wouldn't do it.

[Zippy]

Buy the Traynor - tweak the input stage and tone stack (it's a bass amp) before you just gut it as a donor. They can sound great. Really solid iron.

If you look at the schematic (http://schematicheaven.com/bargainbin/t ... r_yba1.pdf), it is already much closer to a Rockster 66 (see RJ's thread - it's a Rocket with octal outputs) with its cathode follower >> tone stack topology.

[Blindog]

They are great amps. Here's some pics of my '68. With just a few tweaks you can go Tweed Bassman or Marshall Plexi. I've got mine to Marshall 1987 specs (give or take). I just put in a PPMV and a passive loop so I can use my D'lator with it. Really nice Hammond iron. Buy it!...but I wouldn't Wreck it

Mark


[IMG768]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/ ... ng/025.jpg[/img]
[IMG768]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/ ... ng/026.jpg[/img]
[IMG768]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/ ... ng/027.jpg[/img]
[IMG768]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/ ... ng/028.jpg[/img]

[M Fowler]

It looks like they come with some good hefty iron

[geetarpicker]

I read SO many threads on the forum of folks building wrecks on non standard chassis and/or using non standard layouts and then having issues with them of all sorts. It's almost like a broken record here. Either noise issues, stabilty issues or both. Let alone sometimes folks report they don't sound right. IMHO you would save yourself some time and trouble by building a Trainwreck circuit with the orignal layout Ken used. I'm sure some have had good luck with the concept, but it seems on average most that go this route end up in a fight with it.

[JamesHealey]

I 2nd Glen's idea here it's far easier to use the original layout, I've managed to stabilize mine and it sounds fantastic in the carlsbro layout but it wasn't an easy affair and anyone would find it difficult.

[Zippy]

I read SO many threads on the forum of folks building wrecks on non standard chassis and/or using non standard layouts and then having issues with them of all sorts. It's almost like a broken record here. Either noise issues, stabilty issues or both.

True for the Express and Liverpool, I am sure.

The Rocket is a much friendlier design to build in that regard.

[Richie]

It can be done using the Traynor or fenders etc.. but.. probably by an experienced builder. Knowing what needs to be done. If not, as has been posted, it would be easier to build and follow the tried and true design.


traynor stuff..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8MbdHcI ... re=related
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[M Fowler]

Yes it would appear that one should just keep that Traynor as is but work on getting the tone you want with simple tone stack changes and it should be as good as any amp in that class.

A Wreck should be built on the platform Ken intended to get it somewhat right and I am not sure what that is exactly I like my new Express for what I am getting out it classic Rock ala ZZ-top with perfect bass and when I hit the bright switch country twang with the volume on guitar down, using a Les Paul not a strat/tele.

Just my 5 cents worth (inflation)

[stompjunkie]

Thanks for the all of your opinions + the photos!

thats pretty much what I'd thought. ....I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to be exactly what I'm going for.... oh well, it'll still be a cool amp.

I just found out this morning that it's a JVM model.....

Oh, looking on the ol web I saw the name Jay Belinski tied to many a wrecked traynor/fender. Anyone have any info on him or his mods?

We'll I guess I've got some saving to do till I build a "real" clone.

[sliberty]

I built my first Express on a Univox chassis (those big old blue amps), and perhaps because my layout was extremely close to standard, it wokred out really well.

Having said that, a traynor YBA-1 is such a cool amp (the Univox wasn't) that I would hesitate to rebuild it as an Express. As was already said, it is already so close to the Bassman, JTM45, Plexi (depending upon the year) that you should either play it as is, or apply the minor tweaks to convert to one of those amps (and they are minor).

If you do decide to convert to an Express anyway, just expect to have to cope with some noise when the build is initially finished, and if you diligently work to eliminate the noise, the amp will probably sound really good. It might not be just like other Wrecks due to the iron, but it should sound great anyway.

[JamesHealey]

main problem with doing this also is the OT is never right and the voltages will probably be off from the PT.

The OT on a wreck express should be 6.6k which is way off from the 3.5k usually used on most EL34 based amps.

[mojo]

I've come into a Traynor YVM-1 Voice Master. It NEEDS to be converted into something - and its a perfect configuration to become a high gain monster - its 2 EL-34s, with four 12AX7s and plenty of knobs and interior space to work with. I keep going back and forth on the plan. Four possibilities as I see it - please give me some input on what you think makes the most sense.

1. Daisy chain the 12AX7s and adjust the values to taste, keeping most of the circuit stock
2. Make a Komet Concorde like preamp using 3 of the four tubes and adjust the power amp values close to Concorde values
3. Buy some SLO Clone boards, change to 6L6s, and build a SLO (either adding a new tube socket or using Mosfets for the cathode follower stages)
4. Order some already populated boards for a Dumble clone from Nik at Ceriatone and build a Dumble clone

Take your time on the responses - I doubt I'll get around to this for at least 6 months.