orange or swr? a dilema in haste..

haggai · #1 07-11-2008, 10:37 AM

here's a dilema i have - maybe someone can help me out (please..):

Well, I play acoustic DB and sing lead in a traditional Ska band in Israel. In 4 days we're leaving out on a 3 week european tour, renting amps (an DB) over there, and i still havn't chosen the amp i'm going to rent. I basically have 2 options - either an SWR Basic Black (which I gather has a 1x15" + tweeter with an on/off switch), or an Orange Bass, with 4x10" + 1x15" speakers - I've never played niether one.. what's more, i havn't chosen my rented DB yet - I'll only get to know my options when I get to Europe (but that dosen't worry me - the luthier i rent from seems very trust-worthy, his name is Lucas Suringar, in Holland). From what i gather- the SWR seems like quality tone but low power (we will play festivals etc.. some stages might be quite big, and since I sing lead, I am allways at a distance from the amp).
the orange - though all i know is from the web - seems all rock-n-roll, not fitting for our style.. (or for DB at all?) but then again - stronger. My tendency is towards the Basic Black. Am I right to think so? Please advise.
thank you.
Haggai

juuzek · #2 07-11-2008, 10:55 AM

I just sold my Basic Black. Great amp, but I had problems dialing in a nice tone for my DB.
On the power end, it was only 100w, but has a balanced line out for the house. It was definately enough for me to use as a monitor on it's own, but in a ska setting with a drummer, you might want to go for the big rig.
Good luck,
Mike

haggai · #3 07-13-2008, 03:23 AM

a monitor is al it is required to be. I\ve decided to go with the basic black. Thanks, juuzek!

Gearhead43 · #4 07-13-2008, 05:23 PM

I think SWR amps can sound very good with the DB, just make sure you leave the aural enhancer off (or maybe just a touch) as it can make it too boomy. Mine has a semi-parametric mid control that works very well to dial in the tone.

When you say Traditional Ska, you mean like Skatalites type Ska, with the big band and all? Very cool. You must be a Lloyd Brevett fan. What is the name of your band?

mattfong · #5 07-13-2008, 10:08 PM

The Skatalites win. A couple friends and I played Guns of Navarone for our final solos in music class. I played trombone in class though, not bass.