Has anybody out there ever had a chance to compare the two side by side ? How did the Traynor fare ? Also interested to know if anyone has looked inside the MOD1 ? How was the quality , components etc ?
Yes and yes.
I compared it to a JCM800 I had borrowed a year or two ago. The 800 was either harsher/higher gain or cleaner/more head room - depending on which input you used. The Mod1 seemed to have more of a cross-over region with it's two inputs, volume controls and the gain structure - and it was a bit more like I remember the pre-JCM800 Marshalls to be. I am admittedly much more a fan of the JTM style Marshalls than the 800. I never really bonded with that amp, although it does get better at very loud levels, IMO. But I thought the Mod 1, even without the 'pull series' option, did better at that 70s rock, Marshall kind of tone. The 'series' option is just icing on the cake, even if you never use it (and I hardly ever do).
I also stripped mine down - I had plans of changed the internal resistive voltage divider/PPIMV/"attenuator" circuit for different steps (the same power settings the short lived predecessor had). It looked at least as well made as my DRRI and other Fender reissue amps, and I think the transformers and chassis were even better. Good PCB construction and an amp I would take on the road. For the less than half the money of a DRRI or similar, it's a hell of an amp, IMO.