Traynor YCS 50 Head and Combo Retube Kits
Price range: $113.00 through $174.00
Full Retube Kits for the Traynor YCS 50 Head and Combo Amps
The Traynor YCS 50 Head and Combo. The kits we offer here are the most distinctive in tonal character, forged from many years of research. Every kit is configured to provide a specific sound/experience.
The YCS Head comes with EL34’s while the Combo version comes with 5881’s. Both amps can use either 6L6 or EL34 type tubes. All of our Retube Kits here accommodate both amps.
These amps are compatible with EL34 and 6L6 type tubes. All you need to check and adjust the bias is a Multimeter. Bias notes are below.
EL34’s, EL34II’s, E34L’s, KT77’s, 6CA7’s and 6L6GC’s should all be biased between 35mA to 40mA. The JJ 5881’s should be biased between 32 to 36mA.
The default power tubes for all the Traynor YCS 50 kits are the JJ E34L’s. Thru the years the JJ E34L’s with their added punch and articulation have become a favorite here at Eurotubes and with our customers. They are very tight with an extended low end over a standard EL34. You can also use the following JJ EL34 type tubes. The JJ EL34’s are known for their mid range bloom and have a slightly looser feel when compared to the E34L’s. The JJ EL34II’s are not as aggressive as the E34L, but they are a little fuller in the lows and low mids than the EL34’s. elect the JJ E34L’s, the JJ EL34II’s, the JJ KT77’s or the JJ 6CA7’s. The JJ KT77’s have an extended frequency response with big/chunky lows (even deeper than the E34L’s) and chimey/present highs. The mids are very smooth for an EL34 type tube and when driven they’re extremely rich and complex. The JJ Big Bottle 6CA7’s have big lows (on par with the KT77’s), an emphasis in the lows mids, and very round/natural highs. This gives the tube a very thick and round character that’s as close to crossing a standard EL34 with a 6L6 as you can get..
You can also use 6L6 type tubes. The JJ 6L6GC tubes which follow the classic 6L6GC sonic archetype with big lows, smooth mids and crystalline highs. What sets them apart is their low end clarity, mid-range detail and very clear highs without being overbearing or harsh. The JJ 5881’s are a Classic 23 watt 5881 in a traditional stubby bottle. “Jangle” for days and a very warm full tone. Right in-between the JJ 6L6GC and the JJ 6V6S in power. If you’re looking for that early-breakup “tweed” era character these are it.
The Standard Retube Kit is as close to OEM as possible. Maintaining the amps stock level of headroom and gain while providing a warm but even handed overall sound. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ E34L’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V3, closest to the power tubes), and two Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2.
The Gold Pin Retube Kit uses the JJ ECC83S Gold Pin variants to provide a smoother, creamier, and more singing overall sound. This option is less aggressive and has less “teeth” when driven hard. If you like a classic raunchy gritty overdriven tone, we recommend looking to the Standard or High Gain option. If sweet, open, and more refined is what you’re after this kit will do it. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ E34L’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S Gold Pin for the phase inverter (V3, closest to the power tubes), and two Standard JJ Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V1 – V2.
The High Gain Retube Kit uses our hand picked high gain selected JJ ECC83S’s. If you’re looking for maximum crunch and grind this is where you want to be. Sonically this setup is very similar to our Standard Retube Kit but with a little extra gain on tap. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ E34L’s by default, one Balanced High Gain JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V3, closest to the power tubes), and two High Gain JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2.
The ECC803S V1 Option Retube Kit uses the Long Plate JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ Long Plate ECC803S has a little lower gain with big thick mids and a little more sparkle in the highs. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ E34L’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V3, closest to the power tubes), one Standard JJ ECC83S for V2 and one Standard JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin ECC803S V1 Option Retube Kit uses the Long Plate Gold Pin JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ Long Plate ECC803S has a little lower gain with big thick mids and a little more sparkle in the highs. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ E34L’s by default, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V3, closest to the power tubes), one Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for V2 and one Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).
The 50 watt amps use 2 ohm resistors and Traynor recommends 75mV + or – 10mV. This is a little low. When comparing tubes with a bias probe we have found that to get 35mA the test points need to hit right at 100mV. So the test points are not real accurate.
