Traynor YGL3 Mark 3
Repair & Overhaul
Built around '73 or '74
When I purchased this as a "working" amp, all 4 EL34s were red plating. I immediately switched it off, once I had played a chord or two to determine it just about worked. After a thorough visual check, I replacing a couple of burned out and crumbled 10 Watt resistors and rewired the speakers back to 4 Ohm. The main Mallory "cigar" 40uf + 40uf caps were replaced with a JJ 50uf + 50ufs and the added on 32uf was discarded. Well that stopped the red plating.
Although the old valves were working, there was a horrible sounding under-note being generated, especially on a low b. Time for a new set of Tung Sol EL34s. Unfortunately they didn't work until I figured out someone had put a 58k in the bias supply. It was running about -58V. Should be around 37.5V. I changed this for the 18k on the schematic, and checked the voltage again (37V about half way on the trim pot) I set the bias quit cool (120mA for 4 el34s) and WOW! I discovered the most amazing amp I have ever played through! Fender clean spanky and loud from chanel 1, and Marshall crunch from channel 2 with the gain up full. There's a great clip on You Tube of someone playing a Les Paul through one of these along with Pink Floyd. Who needs a tube screamer!
The reverb is just like my old Fender Twin and the the Tremolo is gorgeous. What about that brass plate on the back? This is really a special amp. Most owners of these say they are difficult to overdrive, but this one has it in spades, at least a low volume. I haven't had chance to crank it yet.
Since these pictures were taken I have replaced all the electrolytics. I haven't noticed any change in tone, but I know everything is good for another 20 years or so.
When I purchased this as a "working" amp, all 4 EL34s were red plating. I immediately switched it off, once I had played a chord or two to determine it just about worked. After a thorough visual check, I replacing a couple of burned out and crumbled 10 Watt resistors and rewired the speakers back to 4 Ohm. The main Mallory "cigar" 40uf + 40uf caps were replaced with a JJ 50uf + 50ufs and the added on 32uf was discarded. Well that stopped the red plating.
Although the old valves were working, there was a horrible sounding under-note being generated, especially on a low b. Time for a new set of Tung Sol EL34s. Unfortunately they didn't work until I figured out someone had put a 58k in the bias supply. It was running about -58V. Should be around 37.5V. I changed this for the 18k on the schematic, and checked the voltage again (37V about half way on the trim pot) I set the bias quit cool (120mA for 4 el34s) and WOW! I discovered the most amazing amp I have ever played through! Fender clean spanky and loud from chanel 1, and Marshall crunch from channel 2 with the gain up full. There's a great clip on You Tube of someone playing a Les Paul through one of these along with Pink Floyd. Who needs a tube screamer!
The reverb is just like my old Fender Twin and the the Tremolo is gorgeous. What about that brass plate on the back? This is really a special amp. Most owners of these say they are difficult to overdrive, but this one has it in spades, at least a low volume. I haven't had chance to crank it yet.
Since these pictures were taken I have replaced all the electrolytics. I haven't noticed any change in tone, but I know everything is good for another 20 years or so.
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