Traynor YCS90

Brand New July 2009 Long&Macquade $1075
90/25 watts
2 Channel
2x12
Lots of tonal options

Excellent on both channels.
Channel 1 is the dirty channel.
Channel 2 is the clean. In this channel you have 2 modes (push button):
US & British. The amp is cleanest in this mode, even with humbuckers and the volume cranked.
The Brit mode will get crunchy with humbuckers.
I tried this channel with distortion pedals (Govn'r, Dist+, Rat) and it seems to take all great.
Boost sucks (terrible tone)...you will still need an external boost.
I never use effects loops so I can't comment on that.

2 year warranty

Awesome amp, especially for the money.
The only other amp that came close tone wise in a 2x12 is Marshall Vintage Modern, which is $700 more and only has one channel. Although that amp does kick ***, the SC90 has way more tonal options and does sound just as good. And it's very light for a 2x12

Too many to list, all great, go to Traynor web site for details.

I have had the amp since Aug 08. When I bought this amp I had a JCM 900 2x12 and a Fender Super 60 head and 1x12 closed cab, they have both been sold beacause it was pointless to have them since the Traynor sounds that much better. I play country gospel all the way to metal and there is no tone I can't recreate. I always run it in 90w as there is alot more definition and in the Brit setting. The info says that the USA/Brit switch is for the clean channel but it works on the OD channel too. I learned this from a Traynor tech at a Gibson/Traynor show. I have also replaced the tubes with TAD 6L6 GC STR's and EH 12ax7, this also improved tone and volume ( as if it needed more volume). As for as the boost compaints that I have read, the tech said that it was designed as a gain boost, not volume boost and it does this very well, smoothing out gain for creamy leads. If you want a volume boost for solos, get a boost pedal (I use MXR CAE 402) and run it in the series loop, this works amazing. I have it set for 5db boost and its crazy loud for solos. I can honestly say that I can make this amp sound like a JCM 800 on steroids, a high gain Boogie, Fender Twin and Vox AC 30. This amp is also super quiet at even the highest gain setting as long as you use the effects loops for noisy pedals, not in front. The only thing that I found runs nice in front are wahs.

Ah, the stock tubes! When I got it one power tube was already blown, I went back and they replaced it with another Sovtek 5881, and it worked fine after that. I researched this amp before I bought it so I already knew that the stock tubes were hit and miss, so I was planning to replace them anyway. Now it sounds even better with 6L6's. After you change the tubes I don't think there will ever be anymore issues with reliability. Rated 9 only because of tubes.

Excellent from the dealer to the company techs, I talked to them on the phone and in person and they were super cool and nice to boot.

I have been playing the Eastern Ontario bar circuit for about 15 years and this amp rules for giging. I also run it into a Randall MTS 2x12 cab with Vintage 30's, this ads to low end and pushes alot more air. The three other guitarists that I play with (three different bands) use a Epi Custom 30, Fender HR deluxe and Randall tube half stack. They all have ******* that my tone kicks there asses.

An update for the Traynor - I had written a review previous - now with some updates as the amp is fully broken in and used a few times a week...................

I have to retract what I said about the lead channel not being loud enough. Once the thing broke in, I find I have to TURN DOWN the lead channel. I have made a few other discoveries along the way. The expander switch on the clean channel is PRICELESS. I use to switch it but after listening to a few live gigs, I leave it on all the time. It really lets my strat cut nicely with the rest of the band. When I play "soft" it fills, when I play "hard" it shines through. And if you are playing in places where size varies, the 25/90w output setting is perfect. Basically, when we are indoor, its 25, outdoor 90.

Has not broke yet, but hey, its only about 1 yr old.

No issues. I did have to contact Trayor tech support. A very personable and knowledgeable tech helped me.

Again, I have been at it for 25+ yrs. As a matter of fact, after I had been using the thing for a while, the other guitar bought bought the Trayor YCV50 blue as a backup amp. He has used it for smaller gigs outright and the keyboard player went out and bought a Trayor keyboard amp. Another fine piece of gear....

This is a new amp built in 2008. I bought it new from a dealer on ebay. It was hard to find one at a decent price. It is a 2 channel, all tube with a extra "boost" channel for leads. It is 25/90 watt output selectable. I bought this amp for 2 main reasons, switchable wattage and the lead boost. I have been playing on and off for about 30 yrs. Currently I am playing in a 60's 70's 80's 90's cover band and we play alot. And the size of the places varies greatly. I needed an amp to accomodate all situations - this one works and works well. In the 25w mode, its perfect for bars and night clubs. For large outdoor (we have many in FL) setups, switch to 90w and as the last guy said, it will rip your face off. To that I say, just after it removes a few of your limbs. It can re-due someones hair at 50 paces.

The only reason I did not rate it a 10 is because I was a little disapointed the boost channel wasn't louder. It is loud but getting a strat to cut for leads is a tough project. It does however cut, I just thought it could be even louder. OK, as far as the amp, let me start with the clean channel. You have a Marshall? Johnson? Peavey? Open up the dumpster and toss them in. With the exception of Mesa or maybe Vox, the others are not even on the same planet. It is BY FAR the best clean channel of any amp I have used. Truely awesome and VERY versatile. I have discoverd new purposes for using this channel. The money I paid for this amp, the clean channel alone was worth it. Just try one and explain where I have went wrong. Not gonna happen.
The dirt channel is very much a standard over-driven sound channel with 2 exceptions. The Resonince setting makes the channel unique to the amp and the tone settings really make a HUGE difference. Its as good as any I have played and in some ways, better. The satuation is very good at any volume level and at both output watt setting. And another thing, this amp is very quiet even at big volumes. This is and will be my main gig amp until I can find a better. I don't think I will have much luck. It's perfect.

Had it about a month, no issues and its build like a tank. The light weight speakers make it lighter that most amps in its class but trust me, one the speakers are broken in, they sound just as good as any top notch brand with the heavy magnets.

When I first had the amp shipped to me, one of the output tubes (5881) was broken. I could not find a 5881 local so I called tech support. An office in Canada a? I got thru fast, and the tech was very helpful and he suggested until I could get a 5581, use just any basic 6L6. So I did. And it worked just fine.

If it was stolen, lost or whatever, I would have a new one the next day.
The engineer that designed the features of this amp must of had my exact situation in mind because it works great for everything. I have a few pedals and it plays nice with them as well. An OCD and a Whah. I wouldn't miss them, this thing does it all and for active booking gigs person its really the only way to go.

Bought this amp at MusicStop (L&M) in NB in 2008. Same features as the YCS50. This rocks. Been playing a Marshall JCM2000 TSL60 with 1960A cab. The Traynor is a 2x12 combo all tube with power switchable from 25W class A to 90W class A/B.

The speakers in this thing alone are priceless (IMO) not to mention the toroidal transformers and so on. Celestion G12 Century speakers with neodymium magnets. Lightweight and incredibly responsive. I like to play very loud and this thing on the low power setting will do on half master that my Marshall would do on master = 8 (on class A/B 60W). No question at all about this thing. It will tear your face off.

Using an Ernie Ball Musicman Silhouette with EMG's (B= 89 w/ coil tapping, M=EMG SA single coil, and N= EMG 81). Other main guitar is an American strat with hotrail in the bridge. Works well with both guitars. I use alot of pedals and this amp really sparkles on clean and is very rich on overdrive. It responds nicely with delay. I use a Boss DD-2 in the parallel loop and a Line6 DL4 in series with all my other pedals. I am a rock player and this amp suits me just perfectly. Buy this amp and you will be impressed.

Had about 3 months but with a warranty like Traynor's, there should be no issues.

They are very prompt in returning emails. I have not had an issue to deal with just was requesting information. Cannot really comment.

Will use this amp as my main amp from now on. My Marshall half stack will be my backup from now on. Awesome amp for an awesome price. Buy one.