As this amp has become an essential part of my pedal testing, I thought I'd pass on some of its particulars here. That way I don't have to re-type the same stuff over and over in my various pedal reviews.
I've owned this amp for nearly 20 years, but it wasn't until recently that I got my hands on a manual for the Traynor Group One/VC guitar amp. I bought it used at a music shop which rented these babies out. In case you aren't familiar with the name, Traynor equipment has a reputation for being sturdy. As I would later discover, this particular shop (which became a Canada-wide chain) had a close relationship with the fellow behind the Traynor name.
That's not important here. If you're interested in Traynor equipment, there are some great sites out there dedicated to vintage Traynor amps. And while I'm talking about Traynor, if you're looking for a great value in a new tube amp, check out the current Traynor line. I've tried out a few of their 40 watt combo amps, and the sound is simply amazing.
If you're a vintage Traynor fan, you'll lose interest once I tell you that my amp is solid state. It pumps out a very loud 50 watts through two 12 inch speakers, and I've never been overly fond of the sound, although certain pedals could make this amp sing.
Once I got the manual (many thanks to the great people at Yorkville Sound), I learned some interesting things about the amp. The most interesting was that it's possible to bypass the preamp and plug directly into the power amp. This means that the amp is not coloring the sound at all. This makes it an ideal way to check out the true nature of any pedal, as well as items such as the POD. Even the volume is totally dependent upon the item being plugged in, as none of the amp's control work. So if I'm plugged into a loud pedal, I have to beware that the walls don't come tumbling down.
I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures of it that I can post. A Google search turned up nothing on this amp, so I guess it's a rare bird. The fact that's it been in perfect working condition for over The fact that's it been in perfect working condition for over 20 years indicates that it's also a tough bird. 20 years indicates that it's also a tough bird.
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