Go Back   TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Amps [BG]
Register Rules/FAQ/CUP Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read



Supporting Membership
Thank You

Latest Supporting Member
Donate to Upgrade Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 09-30-2011, 12:11 PM
father of fires's Avatar
THE RIFF AGRICULTURIST
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BALTIMORE CITY
Supporting Member
The never ending amp quest

Sign in to disble this ad
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!
  #2  
Old 09-30-2011, 12:21 PM
father of fires's Avatar
THE RIFF AGRICULTURIST
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BALTIMORE CITY
Supporting Member
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!!!!!!
  #3  
Old 09-30-2011, 12:37 PM
Muckaluck's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Supporting Member
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.
__________________
Wick club member #132
  #4  
Old 09-30-2011, 02:56 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Vancouver
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.
  #5  
Old 09-30-2011, 03:40 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
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=
  #6  
Old 09-30-2011, 04:00 PM
father of fires's Avatar
THE RIFF AGRICULTURIST
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BALTIMORE CITY
Supporting Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex1984 View Post
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!
  #7  
Old 09-30-2011, 10:48 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Minnesota, USA
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!
__________________
Gig-Rig #1: Eden WT-550, Bergantino HT112 + EX112 + Aggie GS-112NT
Home-Rig #2: Thunderfunk TFB550b, Aguilar GS-112 Rig #3 Yorkville 50b combo
  #8  
Old 09-30-2011, 10:57 PM
woolysock's Avatar
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Vancouver Canada
Supporting Member
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!
__________________
Gigging and digging Fender AVRI 62 P & Jazz basses w Lollar pups.
www.woolysock.com
  #9  
Old 10-01-2011, 07:58 AM
father of fires's Avatar
THE RIFF AGRICULTURIST
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BALTIMORE CITY
Supporting Member
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.
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Follow TalkBass on Twitter   Visit TalkBass on Facebook  

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:28 AM.




Copyright 2011 Talk Music Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Play guitar? Visit our new sister site TalkGuitar.com [beta]
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.12
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.