What is a good head for an SWR 2x10?

Kerwin Tsang · #1 08-28-2011, 09:09 PM

Hi there. I'm sorry if the answer to this question seems obvious but I have an SWR 2x10 200W cab that I typically use as an extension cab for my SWR 2x10 combo amp.

However I am looking for an amp head so that I can use the 2x10 cab as its own rig without relying on the combo to function.

So, in a nutshell, whats a good head for an SWR 2x10 cab?

Gearhead17 · #2 08-28-2011, 09:41 PM

Any! Carvin, Ampeg, Markbass and many others all make light weight heads if you want to go that route. Do you like the SWR sound? If so:

SWR headlite 400W Bass Amp Head With Tube Preamp: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

About 200 watts into an 8 ohm cab - you have an 8 ohm 210 right?

Try a bunch out, then look for it on Craigslist.org. Save some money and meet another bass player!

TheRealKong · #3 08-28-2011, 09:42 PM

I have a similar problem. As my SWR Redhead fadet out unreparable, I now use the cab of the combo. My tech managed to install a poti that reduces the power of the tweeter, which is originally controled by a knob on the back of the Redhead.

First I tryed out a SWR Redface - nearly he same sound as the Redhead! No wonder, as the Redface is nearly the same amp as the Redhead...

Second Try: A Markbass LM II. This one does not fit at all to the cab - in my opinion. I couldn't dial in any sound, that suited me. The ported cab goes too low, I couldn't dial in the mid shape I wanted. Astonishing, because I like the LM II a lot if played over a 2x12 Workinmans cab.

Third try: A Peavey T-Max. This one is beautiful with that cab! As the ported cab goes down to the deep end and up to the highs a lot, it misses nice mid frequencies. This is, what the T-Max produces: Nice, growling mids. So this was the best combination.

As the sound of the Peavey comes quite near to what they call "SVT-Pro - Sound" (solid state amps, you know it...) I think, that it will sound fine with a SVT 3 Pro or SVT 7 Pro. I couldn't test it by myselfe, because I just got me today a SVP-Pro preamp. I already have a suitable poweramp, so I will give it a try when having the SVP at home.

I think, that any amp with stronger midrange is suitable to a SWR poted cab. As well - I think that any SWR - amp suits to it...

Kerwin Tsang · #4 08-28-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

Any! Carvin, Ampeg, Markbass and many others all make light weight heads if you want to go that route. Do you like the SWR sound? If so:

SWR headlite 400W Bass Amp Head With Tube Preamp: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

About 200 watts into an 8 ohm cab - you have an 8 ohm 210 right?

Try a bunch out, then look for it on Craigslist.org. Save some money and meet another bass player!

Thanks! I was looking to get this one actually, but I was uncertain because I get confused about matching amps and heads in terms of ohms and power handling. Yes the cab I have is the 200w 8ohm 2x10 cab : http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4456400010

eastcoasteddie · #5 08-29-2011, 08:59 AM

I used to have an older Goliath II Jr (1996 0r so) and used it with a Carvin BX500. Had a really deep sound to it, I loved it.

RickC · #6 08-29-2011, 11:05 AM

I used a Goliath III Jr with a Thunderfunk TFB-420 for several years and that was an excellent matchup. The TFB replaced an SM-400 that I was originally using with that cab; I like the TFB *much* better. The controls on the Thunderfunk are similar to the Redhead so you should feel right at home.

/rick

chaosMK · #7 08-29-2011, 12:07 PM

If you can find a good deal on an Electric/Baby Blue head that would probably be a great souding match.

T. Alan Smith · #8 08-29-2011, 01:53 PM

Although I owned and operated an SWR 350 head with my Goliath Jr, the best head I heard thru it was a vintage(1940's) all tube 10 watt general purpose musical instrument amplifier. It was the yin to the Goliaths hi-fi yang. The richest, most glassy tones...ahhh...

silvertone · #9 08-29-2011, 01:58 PM

I bought a used Genz Benz Neo-Pak 3.5 Amplifier via the TB classifieds from Marcus Willett that I plug in to a 2x10 XLT and it sounds incredible in my opinion.
I play a '96 Fender Deluxe American Jazz Bass and get plenty of growel and warmth out of this rig... Totally recommended combination.

silvertone · #10 08-29-2011, 02:00 PM

I guess I misread the thread - the 2x10 XLT is an Eden Product - but I still wouldn't hesitate to recomend the Genz Benz Neo-Pak 3.5 Amplifier.....