The never ending amp quest

[father of fires]

I've been having trouble making my amp sound good but every other amp I try has been instantly usable. It really makes me wonder if there's anything wrong with my amp at all.

I have an SWR SM400s that I've had as a back up for years. It has always been a solid work horse with unparalleled flexibility in the power section. It's my only amp at the moment and I thought I'd be good to go for my new project. Recently though, it's been leaving me a little flat and I've gone searching for something new. Not even anything fancy. Just something different.

I know SWR gets some flak but some of my favorite bassists have used them and even I used to swear by them. I guess tastes really do change.

No real questions or anything. Just venting a little.

Peace!

[father of fires]

I'm thinking about trying the AE bypass mod and maybe trying some new preamp tubes.

But how much can that really change the character of this amp.

Then there's preamps and outboard eq's I could try.

Why must there be so many damn options!!!!!!

[Muckaluck]

A preamp tube swap significantly changed the voice of my Genz Benz. I went from a sovtek 12AX7 to a NOS Mullard 12AT7. The Mullard's are still relatively affordable and widely available.

[Alex1984]

There was a mod that involved some component swap that gets rid of the mid scoop and makes the response almost flat. But I feel it kind of does away with the whole SWR sound. I liked SWR for what they are, with the scooped mid backed by a nice amount of tight low-mids giving it a very full-sound. Having said that, I use my Ampeg almost exclusively now.

[wave rider]

SWR Aural Enhancer Bypass

Lots of talk about the AE modification, almost all very good. I'm thinking of doing it with the addition of a switch to set it back to its stock setup.

=wr=

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

There was a mod that involved some component swap that gets rid of the mid scoop and makes the response almost flat. But I feel it kind of does away with the whole SWR sound. I liked SWR for what they are, with the scooped mid backed by a nice amount of tight low-mids giving it a very full-sound. Having said that, I use my Ampeg almost exclusively now.

I haven't done the mod yet because I like a nice mid scoop.

Flat isn't always better!

[Mcrelly]

what amps have you tried that you like?? swr was dry for me. I really liked eden amps when I rediscovered them.

warm and fat and loud!

[woolysock]

I replaced the 12AX7 preamp tube in my SWR 400s with a Philips JAN 12AX7WA.
Gave a nice creamy tone.
You probably have a tired cheap tube in there...
Suggest you also try various positions on the Aural Enhancer knob. Try 10 o'clock, noon and 3 o'clock and see what you like best.

If you want a new amp with major mojo check out the Genz Benz Streamliner 900.
Cheers!

[father of fires]

Lets see. In the last week alone:

Hartke HA2000
Hartke LH500
Ashdown MAG300
SVT-CL
Skunkworks SVT
SVT 7-pro
SVT 4-pro
Ampeg BA115
Walkabout Scout
Peavey Mark III
GK 400rb
SWR Workingman's Combo
Orange AD200
PJB Combo (don't remember which one)

I'm sure there are more but this is what I remember.