Swr..?

Sgt Baker · #1 04-22-2011, 01:23 AM

Hey dudes, I'm looking for my first legit solid state head, and Swr is a company ive really over looked. I know mike Gordon used to use them, but has since switches to Eden. You guys know much about them as far as models, tone, versatility..? Thanks bros in advance

bassteban · #2 04-22-2011, 01:31 AM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search...archid=7077413
Personally, I love the looks of SWR but their mid-scooped tone is the absolute opposite of *my sound*, and I've always found them to be rather underpowered for their stated rating. Try them, though- I'm not normal.

JimmyM · #3 04-22-2011, 01:37 AM

swr makes nice stuff. not as up on their current models, but i used to own an sm-500 and played sm-900's occasionally. they tend to be midscooped if you set them flat but you can eq it out on most of them if it's not your thing. these days there's stuff i like better, but they still make a nice amp.

**JxBass** · #4 04-22-2011, 04:25 AM

Years ago my friend and I both owned SWR Basic Black combos (he got his on my recommendation). We both had reliability issues with the amp section and after several attempts to repair eventually gave up.

I haven't heard many negative comments about SWR reliability so I assume we were just two unlucky folks. Too bad, it was a really great combo - it would have been among my all time favorites if it weren't for the issues.

EDIT: I should add that my friend (bravely) moved on to a SWR Workingman's 15 and never had a single issue with it over hundreds of gigs.

vstrings · #5 04-22-2011, 04:31 AM

My RedHead certainly contributed to my perception of SWR gear being underpowered.
I bought an SWR Stereo 800 power amp and lived happily ever after.

It's true, when Eden came out, most SWR users jumped on the Eden bandwagon.
I still liked my 2x Goliath IIs and my ears could never really justify the cost of switching.

Now there is clearly a pre-Fender and post-Fender SWR mystique... I would suggest shopping around and let your ears be the judge?

Happy shopping...

Denny Coon · #6 04-22-2011, 04:40 AM

Ive used an SWR SM500 for a while. When I played it through an Ampeg 8x10 it was less than impressive. After ditching that cab and going with a Mesa Boogies Diesel 4x10, I couldnt ask for anymore. The amp has a tube driver wich lets it get pretty gnarly and the EQ is simple. I love the tone. Plenty of lows, plenty of power, and have had no reliability issues. The only complaint I could have is sometimes the fan is loud enough I can hear it on stage. It may just not be able to cool off enough in my rack. You can find good deals on these too. I would reccomend one to anyone. The newer SWRs, I have only played through the 350 and I personally didnt like it. When you cant get a good sound with a Spector Euro says alot to me!!??

georgestrings · #7 04-22-2011, 04:58 AM

Love most of their cabs except for the cheaper stuff, don't care much for their heads...

- georgestrings

Plays_For_Dog · #8 04-22-2011, 05:05 AM

I've played exclusively through SWR for the last 10 years. Love their stuff. However, I've decided its time to try something new. My SM-500 head has lasted me the entire time with no issues what so ever. It's true, the higher quality line is good, the budget line is... meh... The company is love or hate for most people. My long love isn't over, I'm just looking for a gear affair

username1 · #9 04-22-2011, 05:39 AM

I love the SWR headlite. Besides its portability you can defeat the aural enhancer for a nice warm unscooped sound. I dont believe you can totally defeat it on other models.

Russell L · #10 04-22-2011, 08:11 AM

The only negative thing I can say about my early 90s model Workingman's 12 is that the pots became scratchy after awhile (like ten years or more). Dust, I presume. It's never had a cover, so...

ducatiman · #11 04-22-2011, 08:59 AM

great cabs....i own goliath I and II, henry jr 4x8, Henry 8x8, 6x10

my Bassic Black holding up well, i've beat its brains out.

Von Felgenhauer · #12 04-22-2011, 09:03 AM

I've been rocking my SWR Bass 750 now for 2 years with a 2 ohm load and has yet to fail me. It surpassed my peavey T-Maxx head in the tone I was wanting. It is on the heavy side with it not being a tube amp though.

jaywa · #13 04-22-2011, 09:09 AM

Stay away from the WorkingPro heads. Icky, clacky sterile sound and distressingly little volume for the advertised wattage. Easily the most regretted purchase of my musical career.

nightcityburn · #14 04-22-2011, 09:18 AM

SWR is good bang for your buck, mainly because they don't carry the same resell value as an Ampeg or other more highly sought after brands.

That being said, I owned several of them and never really settled in on any of them having the sound I really wanted. I've had 2 heads that haven't made me want something else, out of the dozen or so I've had in about 6 years.

Sgt Baker · #15 04-22-2011, 09:59 AM

Well this is all very interesting, where would you guys rate them against GK?

bassteban · #16 04-22-2011, 10:10 AM

I've never had a reliability issue w/the couple of SWR maps I've owned, or the few I've played fairly regularly; same goes for GK. SWR- again- IME is underpowered & the general tone is not my cup of tea; GK is(IMO)the absolute opposite(VERY loud for stated wattage, very pleasing tonally- admittedly a matter of opinion

).

Ewo · #17 04-22-2011, 10:22 AM

I've owned an LA-15 combo for several years. It works well as a practice amp; no reliability problems. It has a rounder, less scooped sound than a Redhead I've rung out pretty thoroughly at my local music store.

IMO the smart move is to audition whatever amps you can, and take some time getting clarity about your tone goals. Every brand has its signature sound--and when you get into combinations of cabs and heads, you're looking for them to complement each other.

(Quick example: my pair of Aggie GS-112 cabs work nicely with my Markbass F1 head, because the warmth of the head fills a mild mid-scoop the cabs have. But I don't particularly care for that same amp with my 2-10 EA cab, which has the reputation of being flat, almost like a studio monitor.)

Phendyr_Loon · #18 04-22-2011, 10:34 AM

Underpowered indeed Bassteban. The MoBass head I owned for a few months was a complete disappointment. The bridged output sounded nowhere near 900 watts.
On top of that the face was just too busy with knobs, and the preamp controls were stratchy. I only really used 2 effects out the 6 or so that were on the head, I could get them to sound ok but footswitching them mention that I had to buy that behemoth floor board to use only two effects.
On the plus side a friend of mine who has been playing for about 10 years swears by his Triad cab.

jimbilly · #19 04-22-2011, 10:41 AM

I've got a Basic Black, no issues with this one (great sounding amp).
If you buy an SWR used (they are very affordable), chances are you can play it for quite a while and not lose any money on it.

**Mulebagger** · #20 04-22-2011, 10:42 AM

I played SWR for years and felt they were underpowered too, but I liked their EQ features. In general I think they are pretty reliable. I definitely liked all my SWR gear better than any Eden or GK stuff I owned or played.

More than power being an issue, I felt it was more of a headroom issue.

Try one and put it through it's paces. I was a big fan of the triad and henry 8x8 cabs. except the drivers always crapped out in the 8x8. Also had a great Baby Blue combo and 12 combo that rocked.