Hi Nick... I have had one of these for over twenty years; suburb amplifiers and similar to an original Fender Princeton. As you stated these amps were originally made by Peter Traynor for the hire market, so they were deliberately over engineered to save comebacks from hire clients! :) With regard to the re-issue having slight circuit changes, the lowered HT voltage was to cater for modern valves that are not rugged as the old Phillips, Mazda and Brimars made back in the day. Stick a lot of modern EL84's into an old 70's YGM3 and the amp will eat them and cause them to red plate! The fixed bias resistor, R39, is 22K in the original amp and it is advisable to change that for a 10k resistor and 20k trim pot in series so you can adjust the bias and run modern valves a little colder and prevent red plating. As you will know, if you stick a 1 ohm resistor from pin 3 on the EL84 socket to ground, you can measure the bias current with a volt meter strapped across the resistor (i.e. voltage reading will = milliamps) You want to be looking for about 17 m/a. to keep things running reliably! The tremolo circuit oscillates the bias circuit to make the tremolo to work, which again can cause the bias setting to go 'hot'. Some users disconnect this (or leave it switched off from the footswitch). Like you, I also found that leaving the enclosed back on tightened up the bass response; however I have changed the original Marsland alnico speaker for a more modern Celestion alnico Blue (same as original Vox AC30). IMO this improved the sound. However... a lot of users do like Marsland speakers but I think it depends on who manufactured them! A good idea on changing the phase inverter to perhaps an ECC82 or similar… to calm the output and drive down. For a twenty watt valve amp and when using a more modern and efficient speaker… they are very loud! These amps are secret sleepers (lets keep it to ourselves eh! :) and definitely keepers ^
It's a very well accepted fact (not assumption) that filter and bias caps in tube amps have a service life of 15-20 years. Beyond that they can blow at any time, with absolutely no warning. They may test on spec; the amp may sound fine; but they are time bombs, and in the Guitar Mate C30 and 31 - which get hit with the highest voltage - can burn out the power transformer when the blow. In many amps this isn't just an expensive repair, it has an exponential affect on the amp's resale value.It's unfortunate that manufacturers don't provide service guides, and unless buyers frequent amp forums they probably have NO idea that ths work needs to be done - no matter HOW the amp sounds or the capacitors look. The FIRST thing that is done when servicing a vintage amp is ensuring that the power cord is connected correctly (hot to fuse and switch'; neutral to transformer; ground to chassis) - and next is replacement of filter and bias caps that are over 15-20 years old - or have no date codes. Much of my amp work is replacing blown filter caps (and sometimes power transformers) in amps poor souls purchased over the internet, plugged in, turned on and *poof* (it's most common in amps that have been in storage for long periods, as the electrolytic paste turns to a crystalline material that cooks in second.). If an amp will be played, and isn't a mint-condition showpiece with the original shipping box - in other words will be used for display only and NEVER turned on - it doesn't lower the value to do proper service work and replace those caps. Unless the buyer is a tech, every newly purchased vintage amp should go immediately to a competent amp tech to have them replace the filter & bias caps, and go over the amp to test for other off-spec parts. I found this to be a very disappointing video that does Traynor buyers a serious disservice.
"accepted", by people who don't know anything aside from what they've read on the internet, yes. Everyone else who actually has experience with any amp of this vintage knows that electrolytic caps can FAR outlive their "service life". As the saying goes, they don't make em like they used to. I've got 60 year old Mullard tubes that are beat to hell and still strong as well.
@@tenniswilliam Well, a normal blackface YGM3 in good nick will can fetch between £300 - £500; I recon a white face should add another £100 to £150 to that price to someone or a collector who wants something unusual... beware though, some people have had those whiteface panels screen printed (i.e. faked :) ) and swapped the original blackface panel out! I can't remember now why Traynor did a few with the white face, probably to commemorate something; unfortunately not many original people left now at the Traynor (Yorkville) factory and Peter Traynor passed several years ago! I did get to speak to Peter's son some years back and he stated that after his farther retired he became unhappy about the products that the company were importing and badge engineering with his name after he retired. Obviously their heyday was when they were making the original valve amps that were on a par (and sometimes better) than Fender and Marshall. The Traynor amps that Peter designed sort of stood in that middle ground between Fender and Marshall, taking the best from both and in their way were quite unique… with the added bonus that they were built like a tank :) I have several Traynor amps that I have collected and refurbished over the years, Traynor Reverb Master (4x10 combo), YBA1 mk2 (head), YGL3 mk3 (2x12combo) and a YBA 2B head and YC-15 bass cab) and of course the YGM3 (1x12 combo)... these Traynors are a pleasure to work on and are very accessable with info on them readily available. I have also had Vox, Mesa Boogie and Marshall amps in years past; but much prefer the Traynor’s. A vastly underrated amp that flies well under the radar :)
The whiteface models were produced as a special run for a music conservatory I believe in Thornhill a suburb of Toronto. They are referred to as conservatory models for that reason.
Hi Nick. Any way you could help me fix my icharger 4010duo? I am having a balance port issue. #5 reads very low and #6 reads very high. Calibration will not correct the issue. No components look to be visually damaged. I just need to know where to start for an issue like this. Cheers!
See my other post about modern EL84's... an old YGM 3 up to spec will eat a lot of modern valves (back the bias off a bit to make em run a bit cooler!) However, I understand JJ's will do the job; but the amp will quickly eat them if you dime the amp all the time!
Sad news I learnt today... Nick has passed; made me very sad to hear that. The knowledge of the man was outstanding... RIP
Hi Nick... I have had one of these for over twenty years; suburb amplifiers and similar to an original Fender Princeton. As you stated these amps were originally made by Peter Traynor for the hire market, so they were deliberately over engineered to save comebacks from hire clients! :) With regard to the re-issue having slight circuit changes, the lowered HT voltage was to cater for modern valves that are not rugged as the old Phillips, Mazda and Brimars made back in the day. Stick a lot of modern EL84's into an old 70's YGM3 and the amp will eat them and cause them to red plate! The fixed bias resistor, R39, is 22K in the original amp and it is advisable to change that for a 10k resistor and 20k trim pot in series so you can adjust the bias and run modern valves a little colder and prevent red plating. As you will know, if you stick a 1 ohm resistor from pin 3 on the EL84 socket to ground, you can measure the bias current with a volt meter strapped across the resistor (i.e. voltage reading will = milliamps) You want to be looking for about 17 m/a. to keep things running reliably! The tremolo circuit oscillates the bias circuit to make the tremolo to work, which again can cause the bias setting to go 'hot'. Some users disconnect this (or leave it switched off from the footswitch). Like you, I also found that leaving the enclosed back on tightened up the bass response; however I have changed the original Marsland alnico speaker for a more modern Celestion alnico Blue (same as original Vox AC30). IMO this improved the sound. However... a lot of users do like Marsland speakers but I think it depends on who manufactured them! A good idea on changing the phase inverter to perhaps an ECC82 or similar… to calm the output and drive down. For a twenty watt valve amp and when using a more modern and efficient speaker… they are very loud! These amps are secret sleepers (lets keep it to ourselves eh! :) and definitely keepers ^
R.I.P NICK
It's a very well accepted fact (not assumption) that filter and bias caps in tube amps have a service life of 15-20 years. Beyond that they can blow at any time, with absolutely no warning. They may test on spec; the amp may sound fine; but they are time bombs, and in the Guitar Mate C30 and 31 - which get hit with the highest voltage - can burn out the power transformer when the blow.
In many amps this isn't just an expensive repair, it has an exponential affect on the amp's resale value.It's unfortunate that manufacturers don't provide service guides, and unless buyers frequent amp forums they probably have NO idea that ths work needs to be done - no matter HOW the amp sounds or the capacitors look.
The FIRST thing that is done when servicing a vintage amp is ensuring that the power cord is connected correctly (hot to fuse and switch'; neutral to transformer; ground to chassis) - and next is replacement of filter and bias caps that are over 15-20 years old - or have no date codes.
Much of my amp work is replacing blown filter caps (and sometimes power transformers) in amps poor souls purchased over the internet, plugged in, turned on and *poof* (it's most common in amps that have been in storage for long periods, as the electrolytic paste turns to a crystalline material that cooks in second.).
If an amp will be played, and isn't a mint-condition showpiece with the original shipping box - in other words will be used for display only and NEVER turned on - it doesn't lower the value to do proper service work and replace those caps. Unless the buyer is a tech, every newly purchased vintage amp should go immediately to a competent amp tech to have them replace the filter & bias caps, and go over the amp to test for other off-spec parts.
I found this to be a very disappointing video that does Traynor buyers a serious disservice.
I checked my 55 year old Traynor and the caps are still in great shape. Amp sounds good too.
"accepted", by people who don't know anything aside from what they've read on the internet, yes.
Everyone else who actually has experience with any amp of this vintage knows that electrolytic caps can FAR outlive their "service life".
As the saying goes, they don't make em like they used to.
I've got 60 year old Mullard tubes that are beat to hell and still strong as well.
The Who! Class!
Love your amp repair videos Nick - but get a camera stand mate !
I have a ygm 3 from 1969 conseevatory model whiteface - really good amp
Blimey... those whiteface amps are rare... collector will rip your'e arm off for them! :)
@@Jammoko ok i believe you - what do you think it is worth - good condition and Fender Eminence speakee
@@tenniswilliam Well, a normal blackface YGM3 in good nick will can fetch between £300 - £500; I recon a white face should add another £100 to £150 to that price to someone or a collector who wants something unusual... beware though, some people have had those whiteface panels screen printed (i.e. faked :) ) and swapped the original blackface panel out! I can't remember now why Traynor did a few with the white face, probably to commemorate something; unfortunately not many original people left now at the Traynor (Yorkville) factory and Peter Traynor passed several years ago! I did get to speak to Peter's son some years back and he stated that after his farther retired he became unhappy about the products that the company were importing and badge engineering with his name after he retired. Obviously their heyday was when they were making the original valve amps that were on a par (and sometimes better) than Fender and Marshall. The Traynor amps that Peter designed sort of stood in that middle ground between Fender and Marshall, taking the best from both and in their way were quite unique… with the added bonus that they were built like a tank :) I have several Traynor amps that I have collected and refurbished over the years, Traynor Reverb Master (4x10 combo), YBA1 mk2 (head), YGL3 mk3 (2x12combo) and a YBA 2B head and YC-15 bass cab) and of course the YGM3 (1x12 combo)... these Traynors are a pleasure to work on and are very accessable with info on them readily available. I have also had Vox, Mesa Boogie and Marshall amps in years past; but much prefer the Traynor’s. A vastly underrated amp that flies well under the radar :)
The whiteface models were produced as a special run for a music conservatory I believe in Thornhill a suburb of Toronto. They are referred to as conservatory models for that reason.
@@tenniswilliam thanks for this information 🙏
Those philps are original. And they are mullards. The first digit of the serial is rhe year
Hi Nick. Any way you could help me fix my icharger 4010duo? I am having a balance port issue. #5 reads very low and #6 reads very high. Calibration will not correct the issue. No components look to be visually damaged. I just need to know where to start for an issue like this. Cheers!
Tune the guitar
How much do these amps go for ? They seem interresting !
Which of the preamp tubes runs the reverb?
Wondering if u could tame the treble & increase the mids?
Pat furlan has a series of videos that have some useful mods !
Just got one of these great amp! Can anyone recommend good nos power tubes and what footswitch can I use for the tremolo input Thnks!
See my other post about modern EL84's... an old YGM 3 up to spec will eat a lot of modern valves (back the bias off a bit to make em run a bit cooler!) However, I understand JJ's will do the job; but the amp will quickly eat them if you dime the amp all the time!
I wish someone would do a vid on how to slow down the tremolo :/
That's a 1974.
Lewis Jason Brown Larry White Donald
I have one for sale