New cab day! Now I'm in BIG trouble.

[hdracer]

This is a long story involving GAS, money and tone.
A ad was posted on CL Friday, the guy was selling a SWR 550X head and a SWR Goliath Senior 610 cab. He had them both priced to sell fast (needed rent money). The head went in about three hours ($300). I held my gas down and didn't get the cab Friday night and slept on it (hoping the ad would be gone Saturday morning). It was still there and I went and got it.
I had to pinch the money from a stash I have been saving to do some work on my truck. I have to put new front U-joints in it and new tires before winter. My well thought out plan was, if I really like the Goliath Senior I would sell my 2 212's and come out ahead, or if I didn't care for the cab I would resell it for more than I paid or at least break even. My gear money is about gone for the summer. I got my VB-2 and was planning on selling my SWR 350X (to offset the cost), I never touch it sense I got the tubes.

When I get back with the cab (u-joints clattering the whole way) & plug it into the VB-2. I got all my basses out and tried them all through it, playing with the tone controls and volumes. I spent about 20-30 minuets with each bass (6) to see how it sounded. I would switch back to the 412's just to compare. After more than 3 hours I decided that that cab with that head sucked. The 12's sound so much nicer with that head and way louder. No problem I'll sell the SWR and make a few bucks.

Then I remembered the 350X sitting all alone unused sense the VB-2 showed up. I wondered how that would sound like through the SWR cab. I was never real happy with that head and the 12's, had the usual SWR complaints-scooped mids. So I plug it into the cab and and grab my SG. OMG!! It sounded SOOO good! The mudbuckers never sounded so nice! It was... musical, grab the Jazz-WOW modern, clear- grab the Cirrus-NEVER sounded so good, The frettless Jazz and the Dano were the only ones weren't anything to brag about. This is one serous modern rig and unbelievability loud for a 350 watt ss head.

So here I sit with two rigs that I love. To me, I have the perfect "old school" tube rig. Warm & mellow or over driven tube growl. And to me a great "modern" rig, clear & articulate. They are so different, I love them both. Now I have to figure out how I am going to replace that money so I can get my truck ready for winter........

I know, no pics no rigs.

[paganjack]

i saw that cab too, it looks pretty sweet. I guess it makes sense that it pairs better with the 350X than the VB-2 although it's a surprise that it's such a big difference. I'd probably dig the 4x12 tube rig a little more, but that's just my taste.

What kind of jazz is that? It's beautiful!!

[hdracer]

It's a nice cab, pre Fender in great shape. I can't believe the difference in tone. I sounds so bad with one head and so good with another.
Japan market Aero 32" Jazz

[lowend range]

Sweet deal. Now just put the Peavey head on the Goliath to even out the height difference

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Originally Posted by lowend range

Sweet deal. Now just put the Peavey head on the Goliath to even out the height difference

I'll put the Peavey on the 12's & the Rack on the SWR. I just have to get the overhead crane out to move the Peavy. That was fun getting up there!

[anderbass]

Your post is a very good lesson that some cabs do indeed pair better with some heads.
I was kinda wondering if you'd tried turning the SWR's tweeter off while using your tube head?

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I tried it off and on. Sounds great with just a little & the SWR head

[RickenBoogie]

You just need to put on the brakes, and start re-saving for the U-joints. Having 2 full bass rigs is almost always a good idea, especially 2 so different. I haven't gigged at all this year, playing with 2 different bands just for fun, but not giving up my 2 big rigs, even though I've got 3 or 4 smaller bass amps that would work. I've only got 3 basses, but 6 bass amps, (+ 2 guitar amps, and a keyboard amp).It's a disease, but far better than alcoholism. Just roll with it.

[Krügmeister]

Nice score!
That Jazz is OFF THE HOOK!

[mulchor]

I was at an open-air concert this weekend. Twice the bassist's amp quit dead. After second time, they took an early break and switched out the gear.

Good to have a backup.

[hdracer]

After spending more time with both rigs yesterday, I can't sell ether one of them. I'm just going to have to find the money to fix the truck somewhere.I am hoping for a nice long fall with no snow so I can keep riding my Harley. Hoping for three more months of riding weather.