Traynor vs Fender

Dodger

Joined: Oct 27, 2020
Posts: 31
Sweden

Posted on Aug 16 2023 11:49 AM

I have a Traynor YGL3-a mkIII head and are now thinking about switching it out for a Bassman, Showman or a Bandmaster Reverb.
Is that a good idea or should I stick with the Traynor.

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 16 2023 03:02 PM

Do you have a spring reverb tank? If not, invest in one of those first and see how you like the Traynor.

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Aug 16 2023 04:13 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:33:25

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 16 2023 04:41 PM

Thanks for the support Tqi

Also consider getting a Blossom Point pedal from Surfy industries.

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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Dodger

Joined: Oct 27, 2020
Posts: 31
Sweden

Posted on Aug 16 2023 05:27 PM

Tqi wrote:

So it's a massive honking EL34 amp with a whole EL84 to drive the reverb single ended with no transformer? I have no idea why you would want to give that up, it sounds awesome.

I'm with Danny. It's almost never the amp, it's rarely the guitar - reverb and playing style are the most important things. And to be fair, the built in reverb sounds great - I just listened to someone testing it with a Jackson and I even heard some dripping. You shouldn't ever need a different amp for sound. There's certain surf sounds you won't get without something like a Surfy Bear in front, but your built in reverb and bias-wobble trem should do you proud for most things.

What a great sounding amp.

Yes, I love the sound of it. I was just thinking that since I have a Mosrite the Ventures guitar from 1967 and a Fender 2x12 cab from 1966, a fender head shold fit in more perfect than the Traynor. Therefor I was wondering if a Fender would sound as good as the Traynor or if I will be disappointed

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Aug 16 2023 07:44 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:33:19

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Redfeather

Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 887
3 Download Pins

Posted on Aug 16 2023 09:52 PM

I say keep the Traynor as well. They're the muscle car of guitar amps.

I have a YBA-1A mkII and it's a beast. There's more scoop to it than an old (brownface) Fender so I'd reckon it's more similar to a blackface era Fender (which I wouldn't trade it for) but regardless what else it might sound like, it sounds like itself and that's a damn good sound! Your amp is different than mine, of course, but from what I've heard, they all sound good.

I like that Traynor, created by an amp tech, basically didn't give a rat's ass about speaker impedances. Through their various offerings, they implicitly said that it doesn't really matter--just hook it up to whatever and go. I remember seeing some kind of brochure on their amp and cabinet rental offerings and there was no consideration given to matching any this's to any thats. I trust the guy who tests his builds by throwing them off a roof.

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3806
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Aug 17 2023 08:08 AM

Definitely keep the Traynor imho. As everyone has said, they are great sounding, super solid build, and are made in Canada.

Rev

—

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Aug 17 2023 11:49 PM

I wouldn’t worry a bit about being on brand. I’m a Fender fan, and have been for a long time, but they are not the only good amp for Surf. I got some great Surf sounds from a friend’s Peavey Delta Blues. It’s not what comes readily to mind as a Surf amp, but it had a solid sound.

I’m not an expert on Traynor, but what little exposure I’ve had to them has been positive. They have an excellent reputation for quality and durability. My advice would be to find its Surf voice, and let it sing.

The Surfy Bear is a great suggestion, and I don’t play so much as a single note that isn’t piped through a Blossom Point.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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Dodger Joined: Oct 27, 2020 Posts: 31	Posted on Aug 16 2023 11:49 AM I have a Traynor YGL3-a mkIII head and are now thinking about switching it out for a Bassman, Showman or a Bandmaster Reverb. Is that a good idea or should I stick with the Traynor. Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Aug 16 2023 03:02 PM Do you have a spring reverb tank? If not, invest in one of those first and see how you like the Traynor. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Aug 16 2023 04:13 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:33:25 Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Aug 16 2023 04:41 PM Thanks for the support Tqi Also consider getting a Blossom Point pedal from Surfy industries. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
Dodger Joined: Oct 27, 2020 Posts: 31	Posted on Aug 16 2023 05:27 PM Tqi wrote: So it's a massive honking EL34 amp with a whole EL84 to drive the reverb single ended with no transformer? I have no idea why you would want to give that up, it sounds awesome. I'm with Danny. It's almost never the amp, it's rarely the guitar - reverb and playing style are the most important things. And to be fair, the built in reverb sounds great - I just listened to someone testing it with a Jackson and I even heard some dripping. You shouldn't ever need a different amp for sound. There's certain surf sounds you won't get without something like a Surfy Bear in front, but your built in reverb and bias-wobble trem should do you proud for most things. What a great sounding amp. Yes, I love the sound of it. I was just thinking that since I have a Mosrite the Ventures guitar from 1967 and a Fender 2x12 cab from 1966, a fender head shold fit in more perfect than the Traynor. Therefor I was wondering if a Fender would sound as good as the Traynor or if I will be disappointed Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Aug 16 2023 07:44 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:33:19 Top
Redfeather Joined: Jul 30, 2016 Posts: 887	Posted on Aug 16 2023 09:52 PM I say keep the Traynor as well. They're the muscle car of guitar amps. I have a YBA-1A mkII and it's a beast. There's more scoop to it than an old (brownface) Fender so I'd reckon it's more similar to a blackface era Fender (which I wouldn't trade it for) but regardless what else it might sound like, it sounds like itself and that's a damn good sound! Your amp is different than mine, of course, but from what I've heard, they all sound good. I like that Traynor, created by an amp tech, basically didn't give a rat's ass about speaker impedances. Through their various offerings, they implicitly said that it doesn't really matter--just hook it up to whatever and go. I remember seeing some kind of brochure on their amp and cabinet rental offerings and there was no consideration given to matching any this's to any thats. I trust the guy who tests his builds by throwing them off a roof. Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3806 North Atlantic	Posted on Aug 17 2023 08:08 AM Definitely keep the Traynor imho. As everyone has said, they are great sounding, super solid build, and are made in Canada. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Aug 17 2023 11:49 PM I wouldn’t worry a bit about being on brand. I’m a Fender fan, and have been for a long time, but they are not the only good amp for Surf. I got some great Surf sounds from a friend’s Peavey Delta Blues. It’s not what comes readily to mind as a Surf amp, but it had a solid sound. I’m not an expert on Traynor, but what little exposure I’ve had to them has been positive. They have an excellent reputation for quality and durability. My advice would be to find its Surf voice, and let it sing. The Surfy Bear is a great suggestion, and I don’t play so much as a single note that isn’t piped through a Blossom Point. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top

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Traynor vs Fender