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want new tube amp

Lword
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Lword
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04/22/2002 9:36 pm
I've been playing guitar for about 2 years, and I'm at the point where I do nothing but play guitar. I play in a band, we gig about once a month. I'm looking for a nice tube amp, 50 watts, or about that, hopefully under $1000, and the lower the price the better, I don't have a lot of money to spend.

I was looking along the lines of a Mesa Boogie Nomad 55, but I heard that they've got zero reliablity (tubes breaking constantly, transformers blowing, the amp itself blowing up). has anyone here had these problems?

I play lots of bluesy rock and roll, but I also play a wide variety of other stuff, so I'm looking for flexibility
Reverb, and multi-channels if it won't involve a huge price jump.
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# 1
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/24/2002 3:58 am
OK, so I'm Canadian. I happen to believe that the Traynor YCV40 from Yorkville Sound is the best bang for the buck.

And I hope I don't have to get into another long rant about how you can't hear the difference in loudnes between 40 Watts and 50 Watts.
Lordathestrings
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# 2
fendermonkey77
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fendermonkey77
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04/24/2002 1:33 pm
I would highly recommend a nice Fender amp. I've played Fender Vintage and the new stuff and I love em...I play blues, rock, country, jazz...etc, and Fender's never let me down.

I would look for something used as well. I got a good 1978 Fender Pro Reverb for 500 bucks at a used place...look for good used dealers.
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# 3
pstring
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pstring
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04/24/2002 1:35 pm
OK, so I'm a Hillbilly, all I can say is that their are alot of amps in the $1000-under category, too many to list here, but you'll probaly want to stay on the higher side of your price range, and don't be afraid to take a look into the used amp market, I see alot of $1300-1500 amps going for less than $900, Amps are 1/2 of your sound, and no one knows how you want to sound better than you, their is just a huge glut of amps in the 50 watt range so keep your eyes and ears open, Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
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# 4
Lword
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Lword
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04/24/2002 9:35 pm
lordathestrings; I was actually playing that amp today, I just got home from the music store, and I'm glad to see that someone also finds it a good amp.
It blew me away, the sweet highs, the crunchy rhythms.

I can get it for $717.00; what do you think of the price?
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# 5
Incidents Happen
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Incidents Happen
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04/25/2002 12:50 am
Fender Deluxe Reverb - $800


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# 6
albo
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albo
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04/25/2002 10:17 pm
I have been playing Mesa for a while and I have had no trouble besides tube problems...which are inevitable. I don't know how good of a product Mesa makes for under a 1000 dollars though.
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# 7
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/25/2002 11:00 pm
Originally posted by Lword
...I can get it for $717.00; what do you think of the price?
With federal and provincial taxes that comes to $825CDN out the door. Yorkville gives you a 2-year "even if you break it" warranty. You will not do better for less, without buying used... and then you don't have any waranty, or the tonal flexibility. Unless another shop can give you the same amp at a lower price, I'd say take it home and make your neighbors crazy!
Lordathestrings
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# 8
pstring
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pstring
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04/26/2002 5:05 am
I believe the Traynor YCV40 is on Yorkville's website for like $429.95, thats a great buy at that price, I'd like to test one out but I can't find one around here.....
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# 9
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/26/2002 5:10 am
Originally posted by pstring
I believe the Traynor YCV40 is on Yorkville's website for like $429.95, thats a great buy at that price, I'd like to test one out but I can't find one around here.....
That's US dollars = about $650CDN, plus shipping. I think the website has a listing of dealers, though there are not a lot of them stateside.
Lordathestrings
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# 10
pstring
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pstring
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04/26/2002 5:52 am
I think I can count the number of Traynors I've seen on one hand, and have about 3 fingers left over, hopefully that'll change some day...........
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# 11
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/26/2002 5:31 pm
The first tube amp I ever used was a Traynor Bassmaster (I still think it sounds like a fishing lure :) ) with a 2x12 cabinet. They were originally modelled on the Fender amps (same as early Marshalls), and soon developed a reputation for sound quality and road-worthy durability.

I've met some of the people that work at Yorkville. They are serious about building their gear for working professionals.
Lordathestrings
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# 12
fendermonkey77
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fendermonkey77
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04/26/2002 7:59 pm
Originally posted by Incidents Happen
Fender Deluxe Reverb - $800



Drooling.......
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"The pursuit of easy things makes men weak."

David O. McKay
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# 13
Steve Lindsay
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Steve Lindsay
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04/27/2002 8:15 am
I have had a Mesa Boogie Mark 3 for nearly ten years (1986 model) and have gigged it every weekend since then. No problems with reliability apart from changing pre amp tube on 1st gain stage every few months.

I found that Mesa tubes are not the best to buy as they are made in eastern Europe and are basically bog standard tubes with a Mesa label on them. I got in touch with a specialist tubes retailer and bought valves made by Phillips instead. Huge difference in tone, relaibility and less noise too. Have been using the same preamp valve for 2 years at no extra cost.
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# 14
pstring
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pstring
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04/27/2002 1:32 pm
Every time I hear someone comment on the old Traynors, I usally hear the phrase "Built Like a Tank", I hope they keep that reputation, I'm afraid alot of amps being built today by the big amp companies, are not going to last long enough to ever become vintage.
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# 15
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/28/2002 2:10 am
Originally posted by pstring
Every time I hear someone comment on the old Traynors, I usally hear the phrase "Built Like a Tank", I hope they keep that reputation...
I believe this should answer your questons.
Lordathestrings
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# 16
Raskolnikov
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Raskolnikov
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04/28/2002 2:21 am
Originally posted by pstring
I think I can count the number of Traynors I've seen on one hand, and have about 3 fingers left over, hopefully that'll change some day...........


I owned the one Traynor I've ever seen. It was definately of a very solid build, and far too heavy for the sixteen year old that I was at the time. I traded it for a Fender Bassman 60 which (I found) sounded a lot worse, and went to crap very quickly.
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# 17

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