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1973 TRAYNOR YGM-3 Guitar MATE Reverb 1 12 combo TUBE amp
Here is a real keeper folks much like the classic Fender deluxe Reverb amp that came out in 1964 this Traynor YGM-3 model 1-12" combo amp was built from 1969 to 1979 in the Toronto Canada area, the Traynor YGM-3 Guitar Mate Reverb 20 watts with 1×12" speaker combo.
Traynor has been well known for its high build quality using top heavy duty transformers and employing classic point to point wiring, partly due to its birth as part of Yorkville Sound and the Long and McQuade chain. Yorkville and Traynor audio gear is extremely well loved and known to be highly reliable. There was a story that Peter Traynor initially tested the durability of his amp designs by taking them up to the roof off the shop and dropping them over the edge. After being re-tubed, the amp had to just work right back to work.
The YGM-3 Guitar Mate Reverb is based on the EL-84 tube and has the HD bad boys Hammond transformers, delivering conservatively between 20 to 25 watts through its single 12 inch speaker.
The amp cabinet has two sections, open back for the amp head and closed back for the speaker. This configuration may have been partly to increase physical protection to the speaker cone – a lot of these amps were used in the rental market, back in the day and were moved around a lot. The circuitry includes a fender like Tremolo and a lush spring Reverb, using an Accutronics spring reverb pan same as the old Deluxe reverb amp back in the mid 60's.
The YGM-3 Guitar Mate Reverb was offered in two distinct packages. Seen here is an example of the 1969 to 1974 production; from 1974 to 1979 the cabinet and chassis changed to provide a slant-front control panel ours here in is a 1973 and is hard pressed to tell from the newer $1400 Canadian reissue this is a 50 year old original folks in TOP condition yes it unbelievably it was made in 1973.
This amp is in excellent working order, with no noticeable scuffing to the tolex covering and grille cloth is also excellent as is its original logo. These are the sleepers of today as ALL the vintage Deluxe reverbs from 1964-67 have hit an all time high value over $3500 the late drip edge 68-69's DR in the $2500-3000 rande the the 70's in the $1600-2000 range you get the picture these vintage Traynor's are todays great unknown bargains they are big sounding yet great for home studio play and recording and also are Gig worthy miked and EZ on the back at about 46 pounds what more could you ask for in a classic vintage 20 watt point to point sweet sounding combo amp JVG rated WoW!
Contact Joe at JVGuitars@gmail.com
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