SWR Goliath SR 6x10 vs. Avatar B410 Neo

1dcampos · #1 02-21-2011, 09:38 PM

I'm trying to make an educated decision on which one I should buy.

I've heard alot of great things about the SWR, and have had the chance to personally try one myself. I loved it alot. I would never be able to buy one new, but i've seen a few used for around 400-500.

Avatar recently caught my eye though, and i've been really interested in their cabs. I guess there are a couple famous musicians who use them, and i've done a little research on their craftsmanship, and liked what I saw. Apparently they are highly customizable.

I want to hear from someone whose owned or played an avatar (I must admit i'm rather new to the bass scene)

Im looking to replace my GK Goldline 4x10 for something a little louder.

If you have any other suggestions other than I mentioned your welcomed to inform me of what i'm overlooking.

Thanks!

http://www.avatarspeakers.com/

(Thats the link for avatar. Click on Bass cabs, and then the B410 Neo)

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....FYSK4AodDkmDcQ

(Theres the SWR)

dukeisdog · #2 02-21-2011, 10:10 PM

I have an Avatar 2X12, and am fairly sure that the 410 will crush your GK. Haven't played the SWR, but I love my Avatar cab and plan to buy another one in the future.

1dcampos · #3 02-21-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

I have an Avatar 2X12, and am fairly sure that the 410 will crush your GK. Haven't played the SWR, but I love my Avatar cab and plan to buy another one in the future.

Did you get the black tolex? Or pick on of their other colors? What head do you use (just curious).

Thats one vote for avatar hah

spaz21387 · #4 02-21-2011, 10:21 PM

I just got an swr Goliath sr 6x10 cab friday at gcs presidents day sale for 424$ and love it. I have no experience with avatar cabs but I would recommend the swr if you can find one cheap enough i wouldnt pay retail prices for it but its great its loud and sounds clean. I love it I have only gigged it the night i went and picked it up but jammed out on it all weekend after that. so far its worth the money.

1dcampos · #5 02-21-2011, 10:30 PM

Any chance you bought it from the highland park store? I was looking at the same one, and the only other one used is for sale in kansas haha. I was just about to go into the store and buy the thing at it was gone. Congratulations my friend. Congratulations.

Well with one vote for each, it seems im back where I started.

username1 · #6 02-22-2011, 06:58 AM

I have an avatar neo 410 and love it but i would think the 610 would obviously be better.

georgestrings · #7 02-22-2011, 07:55 AM

IME, there's no comparison - that SWR cab is pro-level gear, and one of the best 610s available... I've yet to play an Avatar cab that didn't make me think "meh" - they're OK, but pretty mediocre, IMO...

- georgestrings

Winemule · #8 02-22-2011, 08:12 AM

I've used a B410 Neo for a couple years now, and have come to appreciate the big punch, sturdy build, and relatively small footprint. And the longer I'm at this, the more I appreciate the 65 lb. weight. I know lots of folks think the tweeter is noisy, but I don't use it, so it's a non-issue.

1dcampos · #9 02-22-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

IME, there's no comparison - that SWR cab is pro-level gear, and one of the best 610s available... I've yet to play an Avatar cab that didn't make me think "meh" - they're OK, but pretty mediocre, IMO...

- georgestrings

Very interesting comment, Your insight is valuable seeing as you've played both. I know very little about Avatar, and most GC's dont have any in stock for me to try. I think... that I will just keep trying to find a reasonably priced used SWR.

craig.p · #10 02-22-2011, 04:06 PM

If you do decide to go with Avatar, be aware that their Tolex doesn't take much abuse before showing it. Only reason I mention this is because you brought up "customizable," and I didn't want you to choose Avatar and order something real pretty, only to see it all dooted up six months down the road.

You know you can get two Avatar 4x10s and still have change left over from what you'd spend on the SWR, right?

1dcampos · #11 02-22-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

If you do decide to go with Avatar, be aware that their Tolex doesn't take much abuse before showing it. Only reason I mention this is because you brought up "customizable," and I didn't want you to choose Avatar and order something real pretty, only to see it all dooted up six months down the road.

You know you can get two Avatar 4x10s and still have change left over from what you'd spend on the SWR, right?

Yeah I would never ever ever buy one brand new. I would feel bad owning something luxury wise more expensive than my car. That being said, I've seen some ads here on TB for 500-600 for a used one, and i've seen even cheeper elsewhere. I would defiantly have to try one out before I committed to either though.

Im sure the tolex is terrible for wear and tear, but oooooh it looks so gorgeous...

AdamR · #12 02-22-2011, 04:21 PM

Id love to pick up a Goliath Sr, a bit over kill for what I do though.

georgestrings · #13 02-22-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1dcampos

Very interesting comment, Your insight is valuable seeing as you've played both. I know very little about Avatar, and most GC's dont have any in stock for me to try. I think... that I will just keep trying to find a reasonably priced used SWR.

Well, I've played a Goliath Sr alot, and own a Mesa PH610 and PH810 - so, yeah - I've got a little experience regarding this... I've played every good 610 on the market, and IMO the Goliath Sr runs a very close 2nd to Mesa's PH610 if one is looking for modern tones - lots of highs, tons of lows, and capable of high volume... If you're looking for "vintage" tones, Berg's 610 is definitely the answer...

- georgestrings

onegunguitar · #14 02-24-2011, 05:36 PM

I have a pre-Fender SWR Goliath Sr. and it is a great cab. I run it with my Mesa M6 and get tons of compliments. I wanna buy a Mesa cab but everyone tells me NOT to change a thing,so,I guess I stay with the Sr.(for now anyways

)

georgestrings · #15 02-24-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onegunguitar

I have a pre-Fender SWR Goliath Sr. and it is a great cab. I run it with my Mesa M6 and get tons of compliments. I wanna buy a Mesa cab but everyone tells me NOT to change a thing,so,I guess I stay with the Sr.(for now anyways

)

I've played both cabs ALOT, and although the Mesa is a better cab, it's not by much - I hold the Goliath Sr in pretty high esteem... I had both of them in front of me the day I bought my PH610, and played both side by side for awhile - the Mesa gets deeper, is a tiny bit clearer, and has a more 3 dimensional feel to it - for lack of a better description - but again, the Goliath Sr is no slouch by any means... Turns out, another area bassist bought that Goliath Sr, and I've used it in rehearsals probably atleast 20x - so, I think I've got a pretty solid grasp of both cabs...

- georgestrings

dukeisdog · #16 02-24-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1dcampos

Did you get the black tolex? Or pick on of their other colors? What head do you use (just curious).

Thats one vote for avatar hah

I went with the rat fur. Though I wish I wouldve gotten tolex. Running a Peavey Tour 700 (500 watts at 8 ohms)

spaz21387 · #17 03-02-2011, 12:22 AM

I picked it up at the guitar center clackamas for 424$ on the presidents sale weekend. I love that 6x10 it was also pretty sweet to try it out at the gig that night too. I turned it up as loud as i normally have to for my ampeg 1x15 and it was so loud i had to turn down because we couldnt hear the guitar.

mattq · #18 03-02-2011, 04:04 AM

I only have the Avatar 210, but I had a Goliath Sr for a couple years too. Of course the SWR was much louder, but the tone itself was quite a bit better. And this may seem stupid, but you're gonna love moving a 610 around more than a 410. You just tilt the thing back and you're good instead of hefting a 60lb(?) cab around.