SWR SM-500 Pre-Fender/Vintage Tube

CactusmanDoug · #1 07-24-2009, 07:46 AM

Although I like this unit, it doesn't get much play time since I got my Thunderfunk. I added a Vintage Tung Sol 12AX7 (not the new Tung Sol but one from the early 60's) and installed Hi-Fi tuning fuses that really open this head up.

The tube totally changes the characteristics of the tone being much warmer without those overbearing "honky mids" so prevalent with the stock Russian or Chinese (or whatever it was) tube.

This hand built tank will provide years of wonderful service while sounding better than any stock SM-500.

$450.00 shipped Con US

dataBASS5 · #2 07-24-2009, 03:19 PM

Any pics to share, my prickly fingered opponent?

Edit 8/13/09 - Pics added by CMD

CactusmanDoug · #3 07-24-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Any pics to share, my prickly fingered opponent?

No pics, oh great Sultan of Snipe; but here's a link to the SWR page with the specifics.

http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4400300010

Mine's in great shape with the usual slight rack rash.

BTW- It will come shipped in a brown box so please refer to your Shroeder cab box pics to see how it will appear coming off the UPS truck.

dataBASS5 · #4 07-25-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

No pics, oh great Sultan of Snipe; but here's a link to the SWR page with the specifics.

Oooo-weeee, I have always said that these pre-Fender SWR units were as solid and mighty as a Saguaro Cactus!

All that nice warm round full sound can be easily dialed in. And it's all in a 2u rack space that's not big enough to cuss a cat. Believe me, if there's one thing we know in NC--it's BBQ, no wait! College basketball! I mean, it's cussing cats!

Eden might have made a better cab (David beats Golliath) but Mr Rabe made the better amps! Yup, that's my story and I'm stickin' with it like hair in a biscuit!

CactusmanDoug · #5 07-25-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Oooo-weeee, I have always said that these pre-Fender SWR units were as solid and mighty as a Saguaro Cactus!

All that nice warm round full sound can be easily dialed in.

They are nice (hand-built in sunny California, no less)...I thought I'd see if I can move this one fast so I can fund more stuff! (possibly another Berg cab) If I hadn't got my T-Funk, this bulletproof head would be staying put.

JOME77 · #6 07-26-2009, 11:08 AM

Bump for a great TB'er and a classic head!

I really dig the parallel effects loop with the blend control on this model. Great price too!

CactusmanDoug · #7 07-27-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

I really dig the parallel effects loop with the blend control on this model. Great price too!

Hey Joe,

How's it going?

I enjoy it's many features and the ability to independantly adjust volume on speakers is cool.

Wish you were out here to check the difference in tone from other SM-500's you've played through.

Have a great week!

dataBASS5 · #8 07-27-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Wish you were out here to check the difference in tone from other SM-500's you've played through.

While most SM-500's are polite, this one will talk back to you in a unique condescending tone. . . much like the owner of this unit.

Unlike the owner of this SM-500, the volume can be adjusted and muted accordingly on this unit.

Both can be "ground-lifted" although throwing CMD is loads more fun than throwing this incredible piece, which is sure to please for years to come!

CactusmanDoug · #9 07-27-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

While most SM-500's are polite, this one will talk back to you in a unique condescending tone. . . much like the owner of this unit.

Unlike the owner of this SM-500, the volume can be adjusted and muted accordingly on this unit.

Although this SM-500 does sound superior to any stock unit, I am strongly led to believe that there will be instances depending on who's playing, where all you will hear are abrasive and phase-incoherent overtones.

dataBASS5 · #10 07-27-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Although this SM-500 does sound superior to any stock unit, I am strongly led to believe that there will be instances depending on who's playing, where all you will hear are abrasive and phase-incoherent overtones.

Translation: You know, Data. . . I'm emotionally closed off to the world as I put cacti in the ground. . . I've always looked up to you as a sort of a father figure. . . Truth is, you've been like a role model both as a bassist and as truly one of the best people I know. . . I can only hope to achieve your level of greatness someday. . . and I'm selling this SM-500 because I play bass kinda like a little girl.

Oh, and!

BUMP for a great seller that's way too much fun to deal with!

CactusmanDoug · #11 07-27-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dataBASS5

Translation: You know, Data. . . I'm emotionally closed off to the world as I put cacti in the ground. . . I've always looked up to you as a sort of a father figure. . . Truth is, you've been like a role model both as a bassist and as truly one of the best people I know. . . I can only hope to achieve your level of greatness someday. . . and I'm selling this SM-500 because I play bass kinda like a little girl.

I shall respond in song..

Sung to the tune of;

"For What it's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield

Verse

Somethin' strange a happenin' here
Sounds like Data's had too many beers
You know it's hard to hold down a bass line
When you can't even find your own behind

Chorus

We better stop, hey! shut him down
Slam a cork in that ole Poach hound

Verse

His lame sense of humor is weak
Just 'cause it's free, don't mean it aint cheap
Tellin' jokes that aint got no punch line
No tellin' just what he's hallucinatin' this time

Chorus

Think it's time we stop, hey! shut him down
Muzzle up that ole Poach hound

CrashClint · #12 07-28-2009, 07:31 AM

To add some sanity to this thread I will go back on topic. The SM 500 is a solid amp. The factory tube on these was never its strong point. I changed it out in my Super Redhead and it made all the difference. And reading the thread this has already been done to this amp. This is 500 solid watts of clean power and can be dialed in with the linear EQ to give you many different tones.

At $475 it is a lot of amp for the money.

Now back to the Cacti/Poaching Madness!

droskobass · #13 07-28-2009, 02:39 PM

I'd be so tempted to get this if i hadn't just bought a Glockenklang Heart Rock. I owned one of these for six years before it was stolen out of the trunk of my car. If I ever find the guy that took my SM500 I'd make him wish he was never born.... i.e this is a supreme amp!!

Bump-edy-bump!

and you should put up pics... it'll help get the amp onto a UPS truck!

dataBASS5 · #14 07-28-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droskobass

If I ever find the guy that took my SM500 I'd make him wish he was never born....

Hey Dougie, weren't you just telling me how you "found" this amp outside a bar whilst you were enjoying a Labatt Blue after a hockey game!?!

droskobass, I'll PM you with the seller's address so that you may give him his due justice. . .

CactusmanDoug · #15 07-28-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droskobass

I'd be so tempted to get this if i hadn't just bought a Glockenklang Heart Rock. I owned one of these for six years before it was stolen out of the trunk of my car. If I ever find the guy that took my SM500 I'd make him wish he was never born.... i.e this is a supreme amp!!

and you should put up pics... it'll help get the amp onto a UPS truck!

Yeah Bro., these amps have beauty tone.

If you loved the one you used to own, you'd be nuts over this one. I should post some pics but someone that's familiar with these amps is probably going to jump on this deal.

BTW- When you hear stuff from certain people, you have to consider the stability of the source. I just found an old video of Data back when he used to golf which pretty much tells the whole story.

He's the blond-headed, shirtless golfer in the red trunks.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ideoid=2695004

All the best,

Doug

Funkinthetrunk · #16 07-28-2009, 08:52 PM

A little bumpus for my man Dougie Doug. That's a super deal for that head, plus the vintage Tung Sol to boot? Wouldn't mind having that head myself, but due to the lack of the Prez in my wallet....gotta pass for now.

Also...thanks for the TFunk vid link. WOW is all I can say! Damn, I guess I have to re-think and re-learn what great sounding amps are. This gives me the incentive to sell my SVT....finally.

Jim C · #17 07-28-2009, 09:14 PM

I gotta ask; what is a Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse?

CactusmanDoug · #18 07-28-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

I gotta ask; what is a Hi-Fi Tuning Fuse?

Hi Jim,

Check this link for a review in Stereophile:

http://www.stereophile.com/powerline...ories/907fuse/

The SM-500 has an interesting fuse configuration, a slow-blow power fuse, a hard wired internal slow-blow fuse of higher value in direct line with that fuse and 2 fast-blow fuses to the speakers. All of which must be operational to get any output from your head.

Although you'll get a lot of flak from many calling fuse upgrades "snake oil" and "sucker bait", I've found that replacing fuses in my own stereo and bass amp gear has helped opened up clarity (not drastically but noticeably).

But, in the case of my SM-500, with the addition of the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses and the removal of the interior fuse altogether, I've experienced a much more pronounced openess. The interior fuse is only there for those who think the best way to remedy a blown fuse is by inserting tin foil.

Hope this helps answer your question.

All the best,

Doug

JOME77 · #19 07-29-2009, 05:48 AM

This is still here!?! Well I guess that we are in a recession!

Free bump for a classic amp!

CactusmanDoug · #20 07-29-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

A little bumpus for my man Dougie Doug. That's a super deal for that head, plus the vintage Tung Sol to boot? Wouldn't mind having that head myself, but due to the lack of the Prez in my wallet....gotta pass for now.

Hey Funky Ger!!

What it is, my brutha from anutha mutha?

You shouldn't let a cash flow problem keep you from the gear you want. We do have an easy credit plan designed just for you...half down and the rest NOW!

Anyway, nice to hear from you and yes I do dig the new T-Funk, but that did require substantially more prez power.