SWR WorkingMan's 12

skaerkrow · #1 04-07-2011, 07:01 PM

I just purchased a ($100 used) SWR WorkingMan's 12 Integrated Bass System. It contains a 100 watt 12 inch speaker with horn and (a 120 watt?) external speaker jack @ 8 ohms on the back. It comes with a balanced D.I for sound board and tuner output jacks as well as passive/active and active input jacks. The amp is adjustable via gain, aural enhance, bass, mid, treble, effects blend, and master. There is also an option for an effects loop on the back. A preamp clip is installed and a limiter, which says (over the effects blend knob) "pull defeat". If common sense serves me right today, I'd assume that turns off the limiter.

I'm not using this amp for gigging, I already have a full set-up. Instead this is for a practice amp at the house at lower volumes. This post is for my own new knowledge, as well as for anyone else searching for another one of these combos, and needed some research on this piece of equipment. If anyone has had any experience with this amp and would like to comment about it, good or bad, by all means indulge. I will post an update with my findings/review later.

Plays_For_Dog · #2 04-07-2011, 07:08 PM

If you find the tone is too bright or too harsh, turn the aural enhancer all the way off. I keep mine off. Don't really understand why SWR has these on their amps. Love everything else about the amp, but that little knob is worthless.

Philonius · #3 04-07-2011, 07:09 PM

I had one for a few years. It was an older ("pre CBS?") edition, and it was very nice. Good sound, and pretty loud for its rated wattage. I think it also had a switch that would cut out the tweeter if desired. With the DI out it would probably be able to handle gigging if you had good FOH and not too high a stage volume.

wave rider · #4 04-07-2011, 07:40 PM

SWR® - STEP UP!™

PDF manual near the bottom of the page...

=wr=

Russell L · #5 04-07-2011, 08:58 PM

I've had one since 1993 or '94, or so. Bought it new for $400 back then. It's a good amp. I have had some sucess with the aural enhacer. But, I found my sound to be fairly transparent too much, and I was always trying to get a "thick" sound. What I, personally found pleasing was how the amp sounded if I turned the volume down on my bass to about 8. That was best. But, otherwise, the amp sounds great, and the D.I. is supposedly very quiet, I hear. The only problem I've ever had with the amp is that the pots got dusty and started shorting out. I cleaned them up by just spraying them. Mine also has the horn cut-off switch on the back. The amp is definitely worth the $100 you've spent.

Here's a funny: My new Markbass CMD 121H has a bigger box, 200 more watts, and weighs less. My Workingman's 12 has become Unemployed.

knappymer · #6 04-07-2011, 11:47 PM

I've had my Workingman's 15 since 2000 or so. Yes I know, not the same amp exactly, but I have to say I will NEVER part with this amp. The Workingman line was one of the best.

spufman · #7 04-08-2011, 09:07 AM

I've always loved the Workingman's 12, it really hit the mark in all aspects - tone/size/volume/versatility/price/construction. Really well built combo. $100 is an incredible deal, even if banged up and ugly. Of all the SWR combos built through time, the Baby Blue (I and II) and Workingman's 12 are my favorites. Oops... I'll add that the Basic 15 was another big winner (not that there are any real losers).

fhm555 · #8 04-08-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plays_For_Dog

If you find the tone is too bright or too harsh, turn the aural enhancer all the way off. I keep mine off. Don't really understand why SWR has these on their amps. Love everything else about the amp, but that little knob is worthless.

It may be wasted on the small combo, but the enhancer makes a BIG difference on my Basic 350 through my Hartke 410XL. A little goes a long way and it's easy to make a mess with this adjustment which is why it's always the last thing I adjust when setting up in a new room. Sometimes I only need a little and sometimes more, but it helps bring out tones that would otherwise be lost, and for lack of a better way to put it, I get a fuller, more even across the range sound with it than I get with it dialed out.

Based strictly on my experience with the SWR head and an old SWR cube combo with a 10" speaker, I've been trying very hard to justify spending the money to get one of the Working Pro combo amps. I love what I get from the 350 and 410, but I HATE lugging the 410 and it's often overkill. The little amp is nice, but it's too far in the other direction from the head/410. I would truly love to have something in the middle, loud enough to handle more than the small amp, but easier to transport than the head/410.

skaerkrow · #9 04-08-2011, 08:08 PM

Well I've come to the conclusion that this amp was definitely worth the $100 I spent on it. Like I said before, my intentions were to use this as just a practice amp and it suits the position just fine. If I turn the volume up even to 9 o' clock, the trailer walls would tremble in fear. I turned it up to noon just to give it a quick whirl, the power was there, but the tone wasn't. The low B was all farty and sloppy sounding. BUT to be fair, I didn't put much time into adjusting the tone at the higher volume, so perhaps there is salvation. It's nothing a Sans Amp couldn't fix (which by the way I'd recommend to EVERY bass player. That pedal is a tonal god.)

To sum it up, I would recommend this amp if you are planning on using it for practice, either by yourself or with another string or 2, perhaps even a drummer. I don't know how well it would handle when jammin with a whole band or even at a live event, but it does pack a punch and with proper adjusting (especially at higher volumes), I'm sure it'll be a power house. Especially with the option of adding another cab.

Try to find one of these amps used and you'll score yourself a good deal.

And yes Philonius, there is an option to shut off the horn on the back.

Michiellll · #10 06-08-2011, 05:30 AM

I can get one of these second hand for 275€ in the netherlands.
Is that a good deal? How much is it worth?

cchorney · #11 06-08-2011, 08:59 AM

My Workingman's 15 is a great amp - nice sound, all the features, etc. Your version is the same thing but smaller, so I would say good find. You can even use it life with PA support (not sure if the 12 will work as a stage monitor if its a loud band, unless you pit it about 5 feet high behind you).

1n3 · #12 06-08-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skaerkrow

Well I've come to the conclusion that this amp was definitely worth the $100 I spent on it.

No kidding. To all the "what's the best amp for under $200" questions here, here's proof of why "buy used" is the best answer, and why it's hard to be more specific than that. You can't say "a SWR WM 12 for $100". Congratulations on your purchase.

Michiellll · #13 06-08-2011, 02:10 PM

anyone ever hook up another cab to it?
it's only 120/160watts so I was wondering about the results?

grinx · #14 08-21-2011, 09:36 PM

i have a wm12 and run the wm 10 extension cabinet off of it (mine's the earlier 100/120w version with the slant head area)

i also have an alembic f1-x preamp that goes to the effects return of the wm12. very loud, great tone. i play in a 3 to 4 piece electric band (see sig) and it works great live. never had to turn it up over 3.

slightly heavy but i use a magnacart to lug it around. it isn't REALLY heavy, i'm just old and ~~weak~~ wussy