NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Make it loud here.
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mkt3000
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NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by mkt3000 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 5:44 pm

Since we pretty much finished with our hurricane prep earlier today, and I knew of a few gas stations with plenty of fuel, I decided to go around for a drive. My searches on Craigslist told me that used guitar gear in Orlando is usually more varied, higher quality, and cheaper than in Miami.

I decided to hit up a few pawn shops and a used instrument store. I saw a few unfinished MJT partscasters hanging up at the pawn shops (finally got a splinter from a guitar neck), and a Gibson LP Studio I deduced to be a replica... but otherwise, just a ton of crap gear.

Then I arrived at Blackbird Vintage Music, who is specialized in vintage & used gear. They were already boarding up for the storm when I walked in, and most of the gear was put away. However there had a few amps still out. There was a Vox VT Combo, a SEEEEEXY (and way out of budget) 1970s Marshall Bluesbreaker, and this: a 1970s Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4.

They had this amp listed on craigslist and GBase, and I was curious about it since before I entered. Well... after a quick test, the grin on my face was huge, and I bought it.

25 watts through 4x8" speakers. My research says that it's basically a Deluxe Reverb circuit with EL84 tubes. Tonally, it's right between Vox and Marshall, so it's a happy place for me. And it is loud as shit! Definitely loving it.

And now, pics:

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marqueemoon
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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by marqueemoon » Fri Sep 08, 2017 7:01 pm

Sweet. Great shop. I had to go to Orlando for work last year and stopped by there. Ended up talking to the guy for like an hour.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by horseblanket » Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:46 pm

I love old Traynor amps.
The YRM-1 specifically. I am dying to try one of these lower wattage units.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by beauzooka » Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:38 pm

Nice! The 4x8" sounds interesting I bet. What brand of speakers?

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by MechaBulletBill » Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:46 pm

Can confirm that the 1x12 version is a fantastic sound. Never heard the version with 8s

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by mkt3000 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:28 pm

marqueemoon wrote:Sweet. Great shop. I had to go to Orlando for work last year and stopped by there. Ended up talking to the guy for like an hour.
I'm still in Orlando since there's no power or water in my neighborhood in Miami - might stop by again this week.
beauzooka wrote:Nice! The 4x8" sounds interesting I bet. What brand of speakers?
Unsure - I don't have any tools with me here, but if I can get my hand on a screwdriver, I'll open it up and check it out. My car might have a tool kit, so if in the morning it has one, I'll open the amp.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by InLimbo » Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:01 pm

Love my YGM-3! Swapped a Red Coat in it earlier in the year and it sounds wonderful. Nice score dude!

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by pedersenk » Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:27 pm

I swear by my YGL-1, but man I'd love to get my hands on one of the classic Traynor rigs someday. Great buy, I'm sure you'll be real happy with it.
2017 G&L Doheny (Tangerine Metallic)
2015 Fury Fireball (Transparent Red)
2012 PRS Studio (Evergreen)
2011 G&L SC-2 (Himalayan Blue)
2009 Fender Telecaster (Sunburst)
2014 Traynor YGL1

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by StevenO » Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Cool amp! I'd love to get a nice old Traynor one day. I used to take them for granted, but prices are getting up there.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by Lock » Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:02 pm

Awesome. Very cool amp. Take care.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by mkt3000 » Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:15 am

beauzooka wrote:Nice! The 4x8" sounds interesting I bet. What brand of speakers?
They appear to be Philips speakers with 1975 date stamps. The amount of dust they had gave me a bit of coughing attack, so I put them away - will open it up later outdoors to confirm.

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by garyfanclub » Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:29 pm

Oh man, just as I think I've recovered from the vintage Ampeg bug, I see these. :wacko: :fp:

Congrats on the amp! I'm definitely going to have to track one of these down.

Traynor youtube spiral in 3... 2...

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by Marc » Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:19 pm

Congrats they are amazing amps. I have a '73 YGM-3 same circuit as yours only 1x12. They are super cool, well made sound great. If you are finding it a little bright there are a couple of very easy reversible mods that sort it out. I also found the tremelo speed too fast... like way too fast... this can be slowed down to more like a deluxe with a couple of cap changes. There is a very active FB group if you need help with them. They are total sleeper amps and why they are still so cheap remains a mystery. One on ebay UK right now for £350 or offers. If it wasn't 150 miles away and my Gas Limiter switched to "NO"! (my partner - the voice of reason) I'd get another.

Here's the YT walkthrough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLhGeU4wb2U

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by Tepr » Mon Sep 25, 2017 8:10 pm

I have a YGM-3 as well.
A few of the typical mods plus a Creamback M.

Love it!

Would you mind linking the FB group?
Marc wrote:Congrats they are amazing amps. I have a '73 YGM-3 same circuit as yours only 1x12. They are super cool, well made sound great. If you are finding it a little bright there are a couple of very easy reversible mods that sort it out. I also found the tremelo speed too fast... like way too fast... this can be slowed down to more like a deluxe with a couple of cap changes. There is a very active FB group if you need help with them. They are total sleeper amps and why they are still so cheap remains a mystery. One on ebay UK right now for £350 or offers. If it wasn't 150 miles away and my Gas Limiter switched to "NO"! (my partner - the voice of reason) I'd get another.

Here's the YT walkthrough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLhGeU4wb2U

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Re: NAD - Traynor Studio Mate YGM-4

Post by JamesSGBrown » Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:48 pm

Sweeeet. I have a 4x10 YRM reverb master, it's become my only amp.

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