Traynor YCV20
Hi Skip,
After playing this amp I just loved the versatility I was able to hear with it as I put this amp thru some experiments in the store.
a great price too...
The tone I want, crunch if I want, clean channel was so nice and the warmth of tone I wanted is right there for me but I was playing in an enclosed practice room trying to get some volume to no avail as the culprit is feedback as usual. Using a 520DX and a Buchanan hammer low impedance stick mic I am into feedback very early. 50% max on gain/volume knobs.
since I really like the amp so much I have a deposit on it so my question is do I...
1) use an anti feedback pedal of some description?
2) right away use different tubes..if so which ones?
These are the manufacturers specs I'm starting with...
- 12" Classic Celestion speaker
- Spring reverb
- Master 3-band EQ
- Independent gain and volume on both channels
- Brightness on channel 2
- Effects volume
- Included footswitch switches channels and activates boost
- Effects loop
- Channel, boost, power, and standby LEDs
- Long Accutronic spring reverb
- 15W Class A power
- 3 Sovtek 12AX7s
- 2 EL84s
- DC filaments on preamp tubes eliminate hum Regulated power supply with rectifier emulation
Thanks for your help.
This is a Canadian made Amp by Yorkville.
John
I changed both the preamp tubes to 12AY7 and I'm super happy with the results.
I happened to have a 12Au7 tube as well so after some investigation I went ahead and used it in the Phase Inverter position.
I am now able to dial up the amp to good volumes and good gain settings With some nice results. Not sure that is 100 percent correct using the 12Au7 there As I see varied comments both for and against. initially I'm where I was trying to get to and let the experimentation begin. Do you recommend (not maybe) this tube change for technical reasons or I'm on the right tone/feedback path.
Feedback is now very manageable, and again I will get better at that.
John
Ho John- Way to go! I advise against trying the 12AU7 for two reasons. First, you are happy with the sound you are getting so now it's time to just play, play, play! Second is that the 12AU7 can cause overheating of certain resistors in the amp circuit, and replacing them is very difficult on a modern printed circuitboard amp like the Traynor.
After trying it I do find it's working ok but I now realize the issues it can potentially cause. It is now apparant that the 12At7 or 5771 is better In that spot. I will experiment and make sure I don't cause overheating which I think I can feel on the handle. However I did the first Pro Blues Jam with it today.man it was so excellent and yes do I ever have experimenting to do to dial it in. I am very lucky that where I play has a very pro sound board with an excellent pro running it every time. I feel lucky and privileged to have that, awesome people to play with and people like your self to help steer in the right direction.
Thank you.
JohnnyHarp
(sometimes others give you a stage name..so that happened too)
After trying it I do find it's working ok but I now realize the issues it can potentially cause. It is now apparant that the 12At7 or 5771 is better In that spot. I will experiment and make sure I don't cause overheating which I think I can feel on the handle. However I did the first Pro Blues Jam with it today.man it was so excellent and yes do I ever have experimenting to do to dial it in. I am very lucky that where I play has a very pro sound board with an excellent pro running it every time. I feel lucky and privileged to have that, awesome people to play with and people like your self to help steer in the right direction.
Thank you.
JohnnyHarp
(sometimes others give you a stage name..so that happened too)
Hello John- Thanks for writing. I would say go for it if you like it that much! The only things I would consider changing are the speaker and the preamp tubes. The Celestion is known for it's brightness, which you don't need. The 12AX7 tubes are easily subbed with lower-gain versions which should make a big difference in the overall gain of the amp. And yes, one of the well-known anti-feedback pedals will reduce feedback, but pros will tell you that it isn't a cure-all.
Be prepared to spend a LOT of time experimenting with different settings on the amp, and also be prepared to adjust on the fly because everything might sound completely different at the first gig!