Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $835

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp has 3 Sovtek dual-triode 12AX7WAs cranking out rich overdrive from the preamp while a pair of beefy Sovtek 5881WXT beam power tubes boost the signal up to 40 huge watts. This milky, dense signal blooms into truly magical sound when run through the heavy Celestion Red Label 12-inch speaker.

Dual channels, each with 3-band EQ plus Accutronics spring reverb. Effects loop with volume control, gain, and boost on channel 1; brightness on Channel 2; main presence control; and standby switch give the Traynor YCV40 truly professional flexibility. Footswitch included.

The auto-matching tube circuit that maintains bias balance as tubes age combined with the DC filaments on the preamp tubes ensures amazingly hum-free performance.

Rugged Traynor cab features great nouveau-retro looks, plywood construction, black vinyl covering, chromeplated corners, and easy-access rear-mounted control panel with chicken-head knobs. Traynor includes a 2-year transferable warranty with your YCV40 combo amp.

Product specs

Brand Traynor
Model YCV40 Custom Valve 40-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 40
Power Tube Type 5881
Reverb Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What type of music is the Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp best suited for?

The Traynor YCV40 is versatile and well-suited for a range of styles, including rock, blues, and jazz, thanks to its 40-watt tube power and dynamic tonal capabilities.

How does the spring reverb in the Traynor YCV40 affect the sound?

The spring reverb in the Traynor YCV40 adds a classic, warm, and lush ambience to your sound, enhancing the depth and spatial characteristics of your guitar tone.

Does the Traynor YCV40 take pedals well?

Yes, the Traynor YCV40 is known for handling pedals effectively, making it a great choice for guitarists who use a range of effects in their setup.

Is the Traynor YCV40 loud enough for gigging?

With its 40-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, the Traynor YCV40 is powerful enough for small to medium-sized gigs, providing ample volume and presence.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Traynor YCV40's clean and overdrive channels?

The clean channel offers a warm, clear tone with plenty of headroom, while the overdrive channel provides a rich, saturated sound suitable for rock and blues styles.

guitarkis49

guitarkis49

Traynor YCV40 tube amp

Video thumbnail for Traynor YCV40 tube amp by guitarkis49

Traynor YCV40 tube amp

guitarkis49

guitarkis49

Video thumbnail for Traynor YCV 40 Tube Amp w 2021 Gibson Les Paul Studio by Spanky Guitars

Traynor YCV 40 Tube Amp w 2021 Gibson Les Paul Studio

Spanky Guitars

Spanky Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Rugged build with Baltic birch plywood, unlike common MDF construction

  • Great clean tones with Fender-like sparkle using the bright switch

  • Versatile for various genres: rock, jazz, blues, even metal with a pedal

  • Powerful 40 watts suitable for large or small venues

  • Reliable, low-maintenance, and consistently performs well over time

  • Two foot-switchable channels for clean, overdrive, and boost

  • Excellent response to changes in tone and midrange settings

  • Can double as a bass amp, showing its versatility

  • Sounds impressively bigger than its size suggests

  • High-quality sound at both high and low volumes

CONS

  • Overdrive channel lacks the quality of a true Marshall or Mesa sound

  • Volume jump from 0 to 1 is too drastic for quiet environments

  • Boost channel can be too buzzy without adding volume

  • Does not pair well with distortion pedals, better with overdrive pedals

  • Standby switch issue requires technical repair bulletin fix

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp.

Comparisons

  • Described as having a "tweed style sound," suggesting a tonal similarity to Fender amplifiers, particularly in the clean channel.

    Source
  • The YGM-3 is compared to a Deluxe Reverb for its sound, while older YBA models are likened to Bassman circuits, highlighting their tonal characteristics.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock Vintage 30 speaker for an Eminence JS-1250 can improve tone by flattening mids and enhancing brightness.

    Source
  • Retubing with Tung-Sol tubes for clean channels and JJs for dirt is recommended for enhanced sound quality.

    Source
  • Adding a bias pot to a YGM-3 can significantly improve tube life and performance, accommodating tougher tubes like the 6p14p-ev for handling high plate voltage.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the amp’s capability to handle pedals well, especially with a Tube Screamer or compressor to tighten the low end.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Generally sells for more than $260 on platforms like Craigslist and Reverb, indicating a good deal if found at this price.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Described as versatile for clean, soft rock music, especially when paired with hollow body guitars like Gretsch.

    Source
  • Owners find the YGM-3's reverb deep enough for surf music, with excellent tremolo, making it suitable for vintage tone enthusiasts.

    Source

Build quality

  • The YCV20's internal layout is noted as tech-unfriendly, with hardwired speaker cables instead of 1/4" jacks, complicating modifications like attenuator installation.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • For vintage Traynor amps, changing to a 3-prong power cord is essential to prevent electric shocks, especially with older models.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
gary_x_wei

Beautiful, rich tones!

What more can I say other than it's great? I got it for a really awesome price, and mine is black, but it can do some beautiful, rich, luscious cleans with a whole lot of depth, as well as an awesome overdriven tube-saturated distorted fuzz tone straight from the amp. It doesn't pair all too well with distortion pedals, but a good OD pedal will push it right into that heavy range.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Gorry III uses Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp

James Gorry III

...
Verified via Tijuanajesus

seen using live at all ontario gigs since november 2015

See how Owen Allen uses Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp

Owen Allen

Guitarist

Sorry Snowman

...
Verified via YouTube

Owen Allen is seen using the Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp during Sorry Snowman's live performance at Fisher Fest 2020, as captured in the YouTube video by Sorry Snowman.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo Amp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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