Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve

After doing some online/in-person research into a new amp I decided to take a close look at this one. Music Castle in Berkley, MI had all three variations of this amp in stock and ready to play (2 Tube 10s, 1 70/80, 1 Vintage 30)
I liked the sound of the 2x10 version slightly better than the other two and paid $545 for the unit.

Simple controls! No digital effects, no MIDI, just everything you need; effects loop, 2 channels, reverb.
It is loud AND has good nearfield projection - nice widespread sound, no beaming.
Solid construction and a beautiful cab. Plus you can add a matching ext cab without loosing the use of the internal speakers.
The reverb is subtle. Other reviews mention how you have to turn it up to get a lot of effect; duh ? I like that if its set low I get only the tinyest bit of verb and set high I get a lot, makes sense.
Dual footswitch included!

The extension cab jack is hard to get to. The Boost seems to deliver a bit too much low end, can sound muddy if the Bass is past ½ way.
The owner's manual tells you the wiring on the TRS connector for the effects loop, however after reading it I had no clue. BUT it works, perhaps Microsoft writes their manuals.

Birch plywood construction seems solid and not as heavy as some MDF constructed units I looked at. The Tolex/vinyl is of Fender quality and the application seems neat. Tubes seem conservitivly shielded and held in place with lots of spacing. While carrying around the reverb 'boings' but I don't notice this while playing.
Overall I get the impression of quality workmanship and the warranty it comes with backs that impression up.

Bottom line. Add an RP200 if you need digital effects. A Hot Tubes will give you all the low volume overdrive you'll ever need.
For the money you're not goin to get a new amp with as many quality components or ones as well matched. Don't like the exact tone? Try different tubes or replace 1 of the speakers with a Delta Demon.
Traynor's are kind of rare which is neat, any they offer the best warranty that I could find. Their dealer offered a fair trade -in on my old amp.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i bought it at my wonderful local music shop simply music in huntingdon (england) my first valve combo £475 (would have bin 500 but was the display model) thats about $789

the tone is absolutely fantastic, i havnt tried a twin humbucker gibbo style guitar through it yet but my classic series strat does damn well, hendrix tones/ritchie blackmore and even led zeppelin if you drop back the highs and push the mids, makes a strat sound beefy, and distorts enough to make you sound fantastic, without making you sound like you need to gain to stop you sounding crap, damn loud

the spring reverb can make a hell of a noise if you knock the amp by accident, but some people like doing that, its also a heavy beast apart from that its gorgeous


pretty solid ply construction, stands up to gigging very well havnt had any problems and im told the valves have a good lifetime

if you want an affordable valve combo for classic rock, blues, reggae, 70s style punk, not particularly modern sounding but thats never been my thing

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Amplification tube, 40 watt settings "eq" simple and independent for each channel.
Loop, effects available but do not do that, the real trick is to plug the pedals in series and then the guitar input.

UTILIZATION

Not need the manual unless ortho. The sound, it is obtained immediately with the settings "eq" at noon, the rest it depends on your preference but I recommend extreme settings (especially with the low eq will be scolded the speaker). We can turn the volume up to 7, after it's rough but it will be because you'll be deaf visited this volume there. On stage, you can move it away from us and he responds very well. In local repeat, I lead him to two and everyone complains about his power

SOUNDS

Yes it is perfect for my style to Sonic Youth ... the canal is hallucinatory lean tellment it keeps its purity even after having eight pedals connected in series. This is serious. I love, I play with my Jazzmaster USA, incredible. It responds better to humbuckers than single coils in my opinion ... I do not use the distortion channel, too cliche for my taste. I bought this amp after testing a Hot Rod Deluxe as its clean channel is superior (who would have thought!) Is obtained from Crystal clear but according to your pedals, you can do screaming sound.
The integrated reverb is not great either, I prefer my Boss RV-5.

Recently tested in the studio, my amp sounds great even at low volume.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since July 2006 on the local scene and repeat and I do not would sell for anything in the world. I have a Blues Junior and a Supersonic 22 but I always return to my Traynor, it is my "main" amp, made my home in Canada.

Excellent value for money, make this choice if you can, it has nothing to envy the Fenders, it's built to last.