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YBA 2 Help
YBA 2 Help
I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
Re: YBA 2 Help
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
Keep the old tubes also...
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
Keep the old tubes also...
Re: YBA 2 Help
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
See if your tech can do this:
http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
(BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
soldered)
-DC
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
See if your tech can do this:
http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
(BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
soldered)
-DC
Re: YBA 2 Help
In article <h55h14t2klaenah2rqvmuti0lgbp2c1854@4ax,com >,
Dave Curtis <dbaudiotech@roderunner,com > wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
> <blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>
> >I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
> >$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
> >opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
> >and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
> >what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
> >suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
> >order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
> >restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
> >tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
> >myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
> >asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
> >then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
> >not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
> >it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>
> A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
> See if your tech can do this:
> http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
>
> If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
>
> (BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
> soldered)
>
> -DC
Nice pix, Dave.
Reminds me that although the old YBAs usually clean up quite nicely,
their Achilles' heel is that if there has been a near catastrophic
failure in their past, the eyelet board is subject to real burn damage.
The board is made of uncoated hardboard (a step down from Masonite) and
if there have been any overheated components, there can be some charring
in the vicinity of the connections. That can make a repair strategy a
little more of a creative exercise. I've seen cases where the eyelets
have completely detached from the board before.
--Mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Schway | [Picture your favorite quote here]
mschway@nas,com |
--------------------------------------------------------------------
In article <h55h14t2klaenah2rqvmuti0lgbp2c1854@4ax,com >,
Dave Curtis <dbaudiotech@roderunner,com > wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
> <blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>
> >I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
> >$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
> >opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
> >and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
> >what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
> >suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
> >order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
> >restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
> >tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
> >myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
> >asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
> >then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
> >not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
> >it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>
> A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
> See if your tech can do this:
> http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
>
> If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
>
> (BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
> soldered)
>
> -DC
Nice pix, Dave.
Reminds me that although the old YBAs usually clean up quite nicely,
their Achilles' heel is that if there has been a near catastrophic
failure in their past, the eyelet board is subject to real burn damage.
The board is made of uncoated hardboard (a step down from Masonite) and
if there have been any overheated components, there can be some charring
in the vicinity of the connections. That can make a repair strategy a
little more of a creative exercise. I've seen cases where the eyelets
have completely detached from the board before.
--Mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Schway | [Picture your favorite quote here]
mschway@nas,com |
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: YBA 2 Help
On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:48:58 -0700, Mike Schway <mschway@nas,com >
wrote:
>In article <h55h14t2klaenah2rqvmuti0lgbp2c1854@4ax,com >,
> Dave Curtis <dbaudiotech@roderunner,com > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
>> <blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>>
>> >I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>> >$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>> >opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>> >and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>> >what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>> >suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>> >order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>> >restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>> >tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>> >myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>> >asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>> >then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>> >not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>> >it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>>
>> A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
>> See if your tech can do this:
>> http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
>>
>> If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
>>
>> (BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
>> soldered)
>>
>> -DC
>
>Nice pix, Dave.
With a crappy cam & creative use of a magnifying glass. Thanx. I got a
better one, now.
>Reminds me that although the old YBAs usually clean up quite nicely,
>their Achilles' heel is that if there has been a near catastrophic
>failure in their past, the eyelet board is subject to real burn damage.
>
>The board is made of uncoated hardboard (a step down from Masonite) and
>if there have been any overheated components, there can be some charring
>in the vicinity of the connections. That can make a repair strategy a
>little more of a creative exercise. I've seen cases where the eyelets
>have completely detached from the board before.
>
>--Mike
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Schway | [Picture your favorite quote here]
> mschway@nas,com |
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
Good point, that stuff ain't the greatest, huh?
Speaking of masonite, I have an old homebrew in the wings that was
made with a formica "circuit" board. He used it for the faceplate,
too. Someday I'll stick that thing on the bench and re-frankenstein
it.
-DC
On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:48:58 -0700, Mike Schway <mschway@nas,com >
wrote:
>In article <h55h14t2klaenah2rqvmuti0lgbp2c1854@4ax,com >,
> Dave Curtis <dbaudiotech@roderunner,com > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:49:58 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
>> <blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>>
>> >I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
>> >$25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
>> >opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
>> >and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
>> >what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
>> >suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
>> >order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
>> >restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
>> >tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
>> >myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
>> >asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
>> >then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
>> >not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
>> >it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>>
>> A cap job and a 3-wire cord wouldn't hurt.
>> See if your tech can do this:
>> http :// www .flickr,com /photos/8993818@N05/sets/72157600381416831/
>>
>> If so, he should be able to make it sound great.
>>
>> (BTW, the new ground should be lugged under a tranny nut, not just
>> soldered)
>>
>> -DC
>
>Nice pix, Dave.
With a crappy cam & creative use of a magnifying glass. Thanx. I got a
better one, now.
>Reminds me that although the old YBAs usually clean up quite nicely,
>their Achilles' heel is that if there has been a near catastrophic
>failure in their past, the eyelet board is subject to real burn damage.
>
>The board is made of uncoated hardboard (a step down from Masonite) and
>if there have been any overheated components, there can be some charring
>in the vicinity of the connections. That can make a repair strategy a
>little more of a creative exercise. I've seen cases where the eyelets
>have completely detached from the board before.
>
>--Mike
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Schway | [Picture your favorite quote here]
> mschway@nas,com |
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
Good point, that stuff ain't the greatest, huh?
Speaking of masonite, I have an old homebrew in the wings that was
made with a formica "circuit" board. He used it for the faceplate,
too. Someday I'll stick that thing on the bench and re-frankenstein
it.
-DC
Re: YBA 2 Help
I took it to my guitar tech today, and while he says that his
knowledge of old tube stuff is limited, he does have a tech who he
sends that stuff out to. He's going to have the guy take a look and
let me know what kind of ballpark I'm looking at to get it running.
Didn't think to ask for the tubes, but I'll be talking to one or the
other techs to authorize any work, so it should still be an option.
Don't think it really matters though, I pulled the cover off today and
the power tubes are definitely done for. As for a grounded plug, that
mod was already done at some time in the past. As for any other mods,
I might look at it, but I'm more interested right now in getting the
amp running. What was done to the one in the pics, anyway? I'm not
familiar enough with this kind of work to know... Also, mine is the
older combo model... Thanks for the advice. I'm really looking forward
to hearing this beast. One more question... I've heard that some of
this series sound pretty good with guitar... Is this one of them? I've
personally always liked the sound of a guitar through a bass amp, but
I'd love something that will drive as well, something like a Bassman
(I know, nothing sounds like a Bassman :-)
I took it to my guitar tech today, and while he says that his
knowledge of old tube stuff is limited, he does have a tech who he
sends that stuff out to. He's going to have the guy take a look and
let me know what kind of ballpark I'm looking at to get it running.
Didn't think to ask for the tubes, but I'll be talking to one or the
other techs to authorize any work, so it should still be an option.
Don't think it really matters though, I pulled the cover off today and
the power tubes are definitely done for. As for a grounded plug, that
mod was already done at some time in the past. As for any other mods,
I might look at it, but I'm more interested right now in getting the
amp running. What was done to the one in the pics, anyway? I'm not
familiar enough with this kind of work to know... Also, mine is the
older combo model... Thanks for the advice. I'm really looking forward
to hearing this beast. One more question... I've heard that some of
this series sound pretty good with guitar... Is this one of them? I've
personally always liked the sound of a guitar through a bass amp, but
I'd love something that will drive as well, something like a Bassman
(I know, nothing sounds like a Bassman :-)
Re: YBA 2 Help
On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:55:08 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I took it to my guitar tech today, and while he says that his
>knowledge of old tube stuff is limited, he does have a tech who he
>sends that stuff out to. He's going to have the guy take a look and
>let me know what kind of ballpark I'm looking at to get it running.
>Didn't think to ask for the tubes, but I'll be talking to one or the
>other techs to authorize any work, so it should still be an option.
>Don't think it really matters though, I pulled the cover off today and
>the power tubes are definitely done for. As for a grounded plug, that
>mod was already done at some time in the past. As for any other mods,
>I might look at it, but I'm more interested right now in getting the
>amp running.
That's the correct tact.
>What was done to the one in the pics, anyway? I'm not
>familiar enough with this kind of work to know...
Mainly new electrolytic caps, socket replaced and other than the three
wire cord and the old ground switch reused to open the feedback loop
it's stock.
>Also, mine is the
>older combo model... Thanks for the advice. I'm really looking forward
>to hearing this beast. One more question... I've heard that some of
>this series sound pretty good with guitar... Is this one of them?
Definitely.
>I've
>personally always liked the sound of a guitar through a bass amp, but
>I'd love something that will drive as well, something like a Bassman
>(I know, nothing sounds like a Bassman :-)
Hmmm, wait til you hear it...
-DC
On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:55:08 -0700 (PDT), Razordance
<blinky130@rogers,com > wrote:
>I took it to my guitar tech today, and while he says that his
>knowledge of old tube stuff is limited, he does have a tech who he
>sends that stuff out to. He's going to have the guy take a look and
>let me know what kind of ballpark I'm looking at to get it running.
>Didn't think to ask for the tubes, but I'll be talking to one or the
>other techs to authorize any work, so it should still be an option.
>Don't think it really matters though, I pulled the cover off today and
>the power tubes are definitely done for. As for a grounded plug, that
>mod was already done at some time in the past. As for any other mods,
>I might look at it, but I'm more interested right now in getting the
>amp running.
That's the correct tact.
>What was done to the one in the pics, anyway? I'm not
>familiar enough with this kind of work to know...
Mainly new electrolytic caps, socket replaced and other than the three
wire cord and the old ground switch reused to open the feedback loop
it's stock.
>Also, mine is the
>older combo model... Thanks for the advice. I'm really looking forward
>to hearing this beast. One more question... I've heard that some of
>this series sound pretty good with guitar... Is this one of them?
Definitely.
>I've
>personally always liked the sound of a guitar through a bass amp, but
>I'd love something that will drive as well, something like a Bassman
>(I know, nothing sounds like a Bassman :-)
Hmmm, wait til you hear it...
-DC
Re: YBA 2 Help
Razordance wrote:
> I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
> $25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
> opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
> and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
> what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
> suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
> order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
> restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
> tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
> myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
> asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
> then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
> not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
> it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>
If I were you, I'd bring it to a reputable tech. Don't turn it on again. Ask
to keep all old tubes. My YVM-1 was loaded with Mullards.
Razordance wrote:
> I just picked up an old Traynor YBA-2 bass amp, which I was given for
> $25 CDN because it's not working. No sound from the amp, I haven't
> opened the back yet, but it seems like one of the power tubes is dead,
> and the other is glowing but really struggling. I can't easily see
> what the preamp tubes are or aren't doing. Does anyone have any
> suggestions on where to begin with getting this amp back to working
> order? There are a couple of people I know of around town who are into
> restoring vintage amps, but for all I know it could just need new
> tubes. I'll likely take it to one of the experts so I don't kill
> myself with it, but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? When I
> asked the guy if it had been unplayed for a while, he said yes, but he
> then gave me the impression that he was talking about a month or so,
> not years. He really didn't seem to know much about the amp. I expect
> it will probably need tubes and caps, but other than that...?
>
If I were you, I'd bring it to a reputable tech. Don't turn it on again. Ask
to keep all old tubes. My YVM-1 was loaded with Mullards.
