swr GOLIATH III or IV is there any difference?

safeshow · #1 10-01-2010, 09:06 AM

I am looking to get a GOLIATH III cabinet,,
All of the comments are great on these cabs,,,,,Is there a difference between the III AND the IV?

and on the III are the older ones a black grill? an the newer ones silver??

thanks all

safeshow · #2 10-01-2010, 09:29 AM

it looks like there are different types of GOLIATH III's,,,
The silver grill seems to be the newer version,,,,

There are several silver grill types

1 has the word bigger words "GOLIATH III" across from the swr logo kind of in front of the right speaker,,,,,

the other type has the GOLIATH III in smaller words above the right speaker on the edge of the grill,,,,,,,

anyone know which one is a newer version?

eastcoasteddie · #3 10-01-2010, 10:01 AM

I believe the Chrome grille with large wording is the newer version.

http://www.swrsound.com/support/vintage.php#prospeakers

ErnieD · #4 10-01-2010, 10:26 AM

I bought a new Goli III from GC in the late 90's, the smaller print was in upper left hand corner below the SWR badge. There are also the Working Man/WorkinPro series out there, dont know if there's any issue with those as lesser models, never owned one. I really dug my Goli III. Bought a new SWR SOB 1x15 same time, rarely needed it, made it with just the 410 alone.

Strychnine · #5 10-01-2010, 10:34 AM

I've owned two Goliath III's. My first was bought new, and was a post-Fender (chrome grille) with 1/4" and Speakon inputs. My current one is a pre-Fender (darker grey grille) with 1/4" and banana inputs. The first was paired with a SWR Bass 350. The current one is run by a Hartke 3500 for now. I definitely prefer the current (pre-Fender) one.

safeshow · #6 10-01-2010, 11:14 AM

Yea I just am not sure on which is the newer version I did see that in swr website they have a picture of the one with the bigger letter
But I am not sure anyone buy one of these new lately?

Strychnine · #7 10-01-2010, 11:20 AM

Have you played one of them before?

safeshow · #8 10-01-2010, 11:37 AM

good question,,,No I havnt,,,
I do have the big ben an a 15" hartke an a 2 10t swr cab.,,,,,

Just thought I would stick to the swr I do like the swr sound an this GOLIATH III has pretty good write ups,,,I just thought going with a 4x10 may solve some of my sound issues

eastcoasteddie · #9 10-01-2010, 11:44 AM

I don't think I ever read a 'bad' review of any of the Goliath cabs. I actuallt like them a LOT. I went out and found the older GII series 4x10 because they're smaller sue to the rear port instead of a front shelf port (23x23x18.5) and pack a huge wallup of low end. I am content with mine....I'm also using a GII Jr. 2x10 for a kind of faux 6x10. I know it isn't the same, but it looks cool.
(insert shameless pic post)

Strychnine · #10 10-01-2010, 12:16 PM

If you already have an SWR Big Ben and Goliath Jr., then a Goliath III from any year of manufacture shouldn't let you down. My first one got beat to hell from several years of being loaded in and out of a van 4 times a week. It still works fine today, 7 years later. I don't know the history of my current one since I bought it used at GC, but I've gigged it regularly for 6 months with no issues.

I'd suggest buying one used, and I see them fairly regularly in the classifieds here.

j.kernodle · #11 10-01-2010, 12:19 PM

IMO, you can't go wrong with a Goliath III. They're heavy, but they just pack a lot of force in all the frequency ranges that you want to hear. The low end is very present, but not abusively loud or boomy. Tight, controlled with a deep low end extension. I've played the older black grill and chrome grill versions, and have no overwhelming preference for either.

My old Mesa Roadready 410 that I'm using now, on the other hand is MUCH more mid focused. Cuts through like a knife in a band setting, but seems like more of a one trick pony in comparison, whereas the Goliaths sound seems to be a more versatile.

safeshow · #12 10-01-2010, 12:35 PM

all good stuff,,,,,love this forum

Strychnine · #13 10-01-2010, 12:47 PM

I've never had a problem getting any tone that I wanted out of either Goliath III I've owned, except for when I was using an SWR Bass 350. I was completely unable to get anything resembling an overdrive tone out of it. SWR amps, or at least that particular one, only does things clean and pristine.