Traynor K4

The flexibility of this amp is a major selling point. Stereo input channels, stereo XLR outs, tube/solid state option, 300w power, sub out, headphone out, kickback design, all add up to one kick *** amp.

This amp was purchased about a year ago from East VIllage Music in NYC.

I play in a 4-5 piece band and perform solo in venues ranging from 100 - over 1000 people. This has handled everything perfectly.

I use a variety of patches with physical behavior modeling. It reproduces the high quality samples faithfully.

I trust this amp with my tone, performing double-headers, and several nights in a row, and being comfortable trusting your gear to perform as hard and as reliably as you is crucial. Full marks. No questions.

Have not had the need to service the unit yet. But judging from the 2-year warranty, I won't have to worry about it for a while.

Have not had to use them yet.

Fantastic amp, would replace if stolen. I love how I can hear myself over the guitars/bass.

I wish Traynor made a matching sub for it.

The K4 amp by Traynor is called a "keyboard" amp, but it is MUCH more than that! It is not a new model. Rather, it is the current state-of-the-art in self-contained stereo rigs. I have used it for guitar, electric bass and acoustic bass with equally satisfying results.

It has balanced TRS and XLR connections, so it is "all-pro and good-to-go." You do not need a separate DI box. You can run long signal lines to a snake or a board or a powered speaker with a common mic cable.

I have even examined the schematics, parts list and looked inside. Traynor really builds quality stuff! They don't skimp on hidden details either. This thing actually has gold-plated jacks for superb signal-flow and minimal corrosion.

It does not have an effects loop, because it was designed for keyboards that have internal effects. No problem! That makes it perfect for guitarists who use modeling pre-amps.

I usually play Jazz guitar through this thing using a SansAmp Psa1.1 and a TC G-major. The mono-summed bass with tri-amped mids and highs provides true stereo that makes effects and imaging gorgeous!

I have also plugged my guitar straight into this for clean Jazz gigs, added a little of the tube saturation ( which is adjustable ) and it sounds wonderful just as it is.

Mega-distorto guitarists would not want to use this by itself, but they could easily plug their favorite pedals or noise-boxes into it.

Speaking of noise... it has almost none. Traditional design and quality components throughout reduce unwanted background hiss to near studio specs.

Just remember, it is designed to cleanly reproduce whatever you put into it.

It does not give you "rock guitar" distortion.
It does not have internal effects.

I have used Traynor stuff for decades and never had any manufacturing defects or design flaws.

Once, as a teenage rocker, I blew up a Traynor speaker through my own insanity... but that was thirty years ago in a Traynor guitar combo.

I have had no other problems otherwise.

One look at the spec-sheet or inside the box and you will see, this is made to last.

This amp is great for keyboard but I just wanted to let other guitarists know, it works great for clean guitar sounds and with preamps. It is not intended as a "guitar-amp" per-se.

And it sounds absolutely awesome for acoustic upright bass!

I haven't had to get support for any problems, but the technical people there were easy to get on the phone and answered my questions fast. They did not have to look up anything on a computer. They both knew the product and specs off the top of their heads.

I have been playing music since the 1960's and been a professional studio and touring musician since 1975... that's over thirty years! (ouch... I hate being old!)

Anyway, I have OCEANS of experience, and WAY too much gear to list here. Suffice it to say that; as a studio musician, I absolutely must have good gear. I get to work in the world's best studios, with great musicians and engineers. I cannot afford to have failures. I cannot be embarrassed by cheap gear or weak tone. I spend a lot of time researching and experimenting with audio equipment before I buy it.

The reason I wrote this review is because I know there are a lot of other guitarists and acoustic bassists out there who would love this amp to use with their favorite pedals or rack gear. It is like having a mini-PA in a box. ( Yes, you can plug a mic directly into it.) It does not have phantom power though.

Perhaps, if enough people get hip to this well-designed, versatile amp, our Canadian neighbors would redesign it with effects loops and phantom power.

Other than that, the only complaint I can think of is that I wish it had wheels and a extension-handle. As it is, that's not a big issue because i use a hand cart for it and other gear. I don't need phantom power for any live mic I use. If you do have to power your pet condenser mic, you can get that from a mixer or an outboard voltage supply.

I would definitely get another one, if lost. I might get another one anyway, I like it so much! The K4 completely smokes Roland, Behringer, Barbetta, Motion sound.... all of them. For studio pros or Jazz cats who just want quality reproduction in a portable package, this is a great solution. It is small enough to fit in a New York cab or the back of your German Coupe'.

Traynor doesn't LIE about their specs by using bogus "program" or "peak" power-ratings. Nor do they use Low-ohm speakers. When they say 200 watts into a 12" driver, they MEAN it. They state true RMS ratings into 8 ohm loads.

This little monster eats other so-called keyboard amps like chili-dogs. And for those who want a mini-PA, look no further. This is a ton better than those weak, low-ohm, "acoustic amp / PA" rigs we see popping up everywhere. When you consider all this amp can do and how well it does it in such a convenient, well-planned design, the price is VERY reasonable.