TRAYNOR YGL1 GUITAR AMPLIFIER

All tube, all the time

FOR: Classic guitar tones. Traynor has been making classic tube amps since the early ’60s, and the YGL1 clearly demonstrates the company still has its mojo. The player-friendly design incorporates a number of smart features that immediately jumped at us. The front panel features the traditional array of controls augmented by a three-way switch toggling among the USA, Pure (tone stack bypass) and Brit modes—all equally tasty. The Belton Digi-Log reverb circuit is another smart addition, drenching anything inserted into the effects loop in a pool of lush vintage-style reverb tones. Don’t let the 15-watt rating fool you—a pair of EL84s pack plenty of power.

NOT FOR:  History haters.

–Doug Doppler