Traynor Custom Special 100 YCS100

This is a 2007 model amp, extremely simple and versatile. 3 channels, ch 1. voiced for super high gain (Rectifer, Soldano), ch 2. voiced for high gain (Marshall JCM, Hiwatt) and ch. 3 for clean or lightly overdriven (Fender, Vox). And there is no daunting array of dials whose functions cross channels, just three strips, one for each channel. Master controls for presence, resonance (bass responsiveness). Two effects loops, one controllable on each strip, one global. headphone jack, tuner mute, tons of power, class A 30 w or class A/B 100 w switchable. Cab is top of the line, birch plywood, solid as a rock with 4 x 12" Celestion Vintage 30's. Footswitch has one button per channel (why everybody doesn't do this, I'll never know) and a boost button, level is selectable in the global controls of the head.

I use a Godin LG Signature with a Bill Lawrence L500XL in the bridge and a Duncun Custom in the neck. The distortion is absolutly sick, on both ch 1 & 2. Premium distortion here. I run an Aphex Type C2 Aural Enhancer with an ART 15 band EQ in the global loop to really beef things up, and I have found my sound. I use the neck pickup in split position for clean and it is big and warm. NO NOISE, standing right in front of the amp in high gain, amazing!! I play I guess what you call groove metal, like C.O.C, Down, Brand New Sin, this amp is perfect for that stuff.

Built like a tank, and Yorkville/Traynor are legendary for their toughness. I have 100% faith in this amp, would gig without backup no problem. All components are top notch, how they are costing this thing is beyond me.

Never had to deal with them, and likely never will, the dealer support network in Canada offered by Yorkville is second to none, so I simply take it back to my dealer, its taken care of, not that I have had to take it back. Nor do I think I ever will.

I have been playing for decades, I have owned just about every amp or guitar known at one time or another. If this were stolen or lost, I would replace immediatly. I love the style of it, kinda retro looking in a sci-fi way, but mean and intimidating, nice classic logo, metal grill on head and cab is awesome. When lit up, it looks very imressive with all the LED's. I hate nothing about this amp. No-brainer over Marshall, Mesa, Soldano because its is all of these, and a fraction of the cost. I wish it had effects on/off on the footswitch, but hey, can't have everything. Buy one, you won't be disappointed. If I could give a 14 rating here I would.

Three versatile channels which let the user set each up for differing styles of music. I really like the gain and volume on each channel plus the master for all channels plus the solo control. Using the footswitch executes these features very well. After using racks, processors and Boogies with 23 knobs, this amp's simplicity and direct approach is really refreshing. I choose to have the head next to me when playing and the cab behind me. With this arrangement, the controls are easy to see and change. I give it a 9 because I would like a couple more buttons on the LED-indicated footswitch which has a button for each channel and one for the solo feature. For tech junkies, the large toroidal power transformer is impressive. DC on the tube filaments helped seduce me. It has a 30/100 watt switch on the back.

I was looking for something along the lines of a Twin Reverb with more flexibility. The tone is there and, as I play country, blues, jazz and classic rock, I am able to cover those styles with no outboard gear besides the speaker cab. I have a custom-built Tele, Strat and several dual-humbucker guitars. I can set channel 3 for bright chicken pickin', channel 2 for a warm clean jazzy tone and channel 1 for a light overdriven tone for blues that really works. The amp is quiet and well-behaved and then is extremely loud as needed. For clean, I run ch. 3 gain on about 9 o'clock, volume on 3 o'clock and master on about 1 o'clock. It sounds great. On ch. 2, I run gain at about 11 o'clock and volume about 2 o'clock for jazz. For blues, I use Ch. 1 with gain about 2 o'clock, volume at 12 o'clock and the Boost switch IN. Reverb sounds good with minimum of mechanical springy sound and each channel has its own control.

So far I am impressed with the rugged construction and the metal grille both front and back which protects the tubes. This is a modern amp and manufactured with modern techniques and components and should not be compared to a Dual Showman Reverb head of the '60s. I predict that it would not tolerate being dropped from moving vehicles as well since it is more complex, with relays for switching and other modern features. I have no experience with customer service but purchased it from Musician's Friend and expect that my warranty will be honored. I'm rating it at 8 because I believe it to be less rugged than an old Fender head.

I have not dealt with the company nor has it needed repairs.

The warranty is 2-years Unlimited and transferrable. The owner is not required to register it.

I am an optimist, so I will give it an 8 based on the unlimited warranty. I know that Traynor (Yorkville), a Canadian company is aggressively trying to compete in the US market and I predict that they will be pretty easy to deal with.

I have been playing for 47 years. I own 8 electric guitars, a POD XT Live, a POD XT Pro in a custom-built cab with power amp and speaker, Another POD XT Pro in a rack with a Stewart amp, a Boss VF-1 processor in another custom cab with power amp and speaker and have owned Fender, Rivera, Mesa/Boogie, Traynor 80W 212, Music Man and Peavey amps. I also have a Tele, Strat, Hamer, couple of Corts, Ibanez 335-type.

If it were lost or stolen, I would likely get another or might check the Peavey ValveKing head. Maybe a Line 6 Vetta II head.

I compared to the Vetta II head, Valve King head. I liked the 3-channels and the simplicity. I bought it as a "blem" (but it had none) and was discounted. I chose a head to divide the weight between the amp and speakers and to have the controls by my side.

It would be nice if the footswitch had more buttons to access features. The 30/100W switch and damping controls are on the back. Might be nice to have them on the front.

I bought this amp off Ebay new about a month ago. Powered by four EL34???s the Traynor Custom Special 100 has two user switchable
power levels, a true 100-watt class-AB mode for club or concert hall, and a more manageable 30-watt class-A mode, ideal for recording or rehearsal. Four 12AX7A???s are used in the pre-amp stage. To ensure maximum versatility, the Custom Special 100 has an in-line pre-amp send / power amp return for in-line effects, and a footswitchable side chain effects send with individual effects return level controls for every channel.
The master section includes a Master Volume, Presence and Resonance controls. The unique Resonance control actually controls the damping factor of the amplifier???s output stage, and allows the player to take full advantage of the cabinet???s ???tone???.
When used with a high quality and responsive loudspeaker enclosure like the Traynor YCS412, a player can easily ???dial in??? the exact bass response from their head and cabinet combination that they require.
An XLR direct output with speaker compensation ensures the Traynor half-stack can be easily fed to a live PA or recording console without having to mic the cabinet. The headphone output has speaker compensation and its own level control, independent
of the amplifier???s master volume making the Custom Special 100 ideal for recording or rehearsal.
A solid plywood cabinet construction with all-metal chassis protects the Custom Special 100???s electronic components, tubes and wiring, ensuring years of road-readiness and unmatched reliability.
The four-button footswitch allows instant access to any channel with a
single stomp as well as a one tap overall master lead boost level that
kicks any channels up any channel for solos.

I counted up all the amps I've owned over the years and could remember 26 of them. I say this because when I compare the sounds of this amp to another I have owned the other.
The first thing that struck me when I plugged into the YCS100 was the amount of gain it has. I'm more of an old school player (pre-master Marshalls)and found that I could dial-up my usual crunch sound (Ch. 2) but had the option to get into Triple rectifier territory (Ch 1) easily. I am amazed at how quiet this amp is considering the gain available. The 30 watt Class A option doesn't affect the volume like I had wanted. Even then, this is one loud amp. If you turn this amplifier up, it is one of the best sounding amps I have ever played. I read what another reviewer had written concerning the preamp and am wondering if he has tried turning the channel volume down and bringing the master up. When I did this is when I discovered what the YCS100 could do.

Well made, sturdy, and ready for years of gigging.

Traynor has a great 2 year no questions asked warranty. I haven't needed to contact the company.

I've been playing in the clubs since 1975 and will never sell this amp unless....