SWR Workingman's 4004 Setup Help

Ginsly · #1 04-01-2010, 02:42 PM

Hi Everybody - this is my first post, but I have been helped many times by the advice given by this community. I have a (pre-Fender) SWR Workingman's 4004 that I play through an 8-ohm 4x10 cab (about to add an 8-ohm 600watt 15 to get the full 400 watts), and it's been faithful to me for more than 7 years. I'm starting to get a little confused when it comes to dialing things in and setting up my gear. I added a Sansamp BDDI for some warmth, a Fulltone BD for some grit, and a rotating cast of fuzzes for all-out mayhem (Mastotron, Wattson Superfuzz, Green Sovtek Big Muff). I'm having trouble getting things set up for a stoner rock band I just joined. I'm not sure if I should put the Sansamp through the effects loop, and then use the Fulltone BD and whatever fuzz in front of the amp, or just put all three of them in front. I'm also having a bit of trouble balancing the Gain, Limiter, and Volume. I'm tired of setting things up well (I think), and then seeing the Preamp clip light go on, or having my cab sound farty (in a bad way). I'm playing louder than I used to, so I really need some help concerning what to adjust first, second, and so on, when it comes to Gain, Volume, Limiter, pedal volume, etc. I play a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass (usually in passive mode - the Sansamp makes the active switch a little unnecessary (any thoughts on that too?). The 15 cab might help things a lot, but we'll see. I realize this is a long (and kind of vague) post, but I really hope someone here will help me with their two cents. Thanks guys!! -Matt

fdeeptone · #2 06-09-2010, 08:46 AM

Hi Matt.

I have the same head and i have found that it is best to keep the 4004 eq settings flat when using a DI like the sansamp or an mxr m-80 which is what i use.
I set my gain first and normally set it hi then my master vloume second to obtain the output i want then match the pedal volume as close to the amp volume as possible that way i can switch off the pedal if i wish and not lose alot of volume.
It wont hurt the preamp clip light to flash occassionally, its basically showing you that you are getting full use of the amp. Adjusting your limiter or reducing the gain and adjusting the mastervolume wil eliminate the preamp clip light if it bothers you.
I play thru 2 8 ohm cabs myself a 410 and a 15, plenty of power even at 2 on the master volume with the gain at like 2 or 3 o clock.
I am only going by my own experience but this is how i have worked it out for me.
I really like my MXR M-80 over my sansamp due to its separate distortion channel and its ability to blend the distortion with the clean channel. Hope this helps some.

Mark

fdeeptone · #3 06-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Oh and as for pedal sequence I have read that the best order is to have your gain pedals first in the chain because they effect the volume of the signal going into your
modulation pedals (FILTERS,LIMITERS ECT) soory caps lol. The your delays chorus ect
last in the chain. Alot of people beleive that chain order is to the discrecretion and ear of the player which i agree but i found this a helpful place to start and made sense to me.

Ginsly · #4 07-11-2010, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the advice! I got a VT Bass pedal, and I'm trying to figure out whether or not to plug into my SWR's effects loop to bypass it's preamp. Still have some testing to do I guess.

Son of Bovril · #5 07-12-2010, 01:40 AM

hmmm... the SWR's have a naturally scooped tone and the VT tends to have a slightly scooped tone naturally as well (obviously depends how you set it...), so maybe not good to chain them although you could always just compensate with either the amp EQ or VT mids, or you could possibly even prefer it scooped like that... just try them out in different ways and see what you prefer...

Alex1984 · #6 07-12-2010, 10:36 AM

I agree with using the effects return jack, but don't use the effects send as input on your BDDI. Instead, just hook up the fuzzes, and other pedals in front of the BDDI and run the output into the effects return.

Also, if you really want to use it in front like a stomp box, then you should use the level knob for adjustment and plug into the low gain/active input jack in the front and boost the mids to make the SWR flat.