1991 SWR Pawnshop Score

[Texan]

Wednesday night I saw a Facebook marketplace ad for an SWR Redhead for $200 at a pawnshop in a very small, one light town about 25 miles south of my office. Thursday over lunch I drove down to see if it was still there and it was literally at the bottom of a stack or speakers and combo amps. The shop had no electric guitars or basses to try it out with, I ask if they have a cord, they have one that is beat to hell. If figure if I can get him from the cord then at least I know the amp is probably serviceable. The amp powers on, no buzz from the cord at all. No noise from the pots as you’d expect from an amp that has been sitting. I tell the lady, it could be that amp, the cord or both. I rolled the dice, offered $120 and she took it. When I get home I plug it in, hook up my Spector and the amp is flawless. Everything works like it was brand new. I disassembled the head and it’s all original with the exception of a TungSol 12AX7. The date on the inside of the chassis is May 1, 1991. It is every bit as clear and hifi as I remember. Lucky day!!!

 

[agedhorse]

Is it as heavy as you remember too?

 

[Texan]

Is it as heavy as you remember too?

I don’t think it’s that heavy. But I rolled it everywhere and only lifted it twice.

 

[agedhorse]

I don’t think it’s that heavy. But I rolled it everywhere and only lifted it twice.

No problem if you can roll everywhere, but when you encounter some stairs you will feel the full effect.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Is it as heavy as you remember too?

I don’t think it’s that heavy. But I rolled it everywhere and only lifted it twice.

No problem if you can roll everywhere, but when you encounter some stairs you will feel the full effect.

I will never forget just how heavy my Super Redhead was!

 

[joe vegas]

score!

 

[BassicJazzy]

Looks like relatively new speakers. You got a good deal, seems like it was well taken care of.

 

[dmt]

I love my SWR Baby Blue II. Congratulations on the Redhead — the whole professional series were very cool amps. Price was right, too!

 

[OldManNewBass]

That 1U rackmount space is just begging for a rackmount tuner, what with the tuner output jack right there and all...! ;^p

 

[Mosthigh]

I remember reading somewhere the extra rackmount space was intended for a IOD or GP preamp.

If you think the Redhead is heavy, try the Silverado 2x12 combo amp. I lugged one around for years. Without the wheels, I'd probably have a rod in my back by now.

 

[chris1327]

wow that thing is beautiful! congratulations… i’ve always wanted one of those but the stars have never aligned… i’m just gonna live vicariously through you! how do you plan on using it? are you using in a band situation or keeping at home as a practice amp? (i had the silverado 212^ for years [which i played live] and as soon as i plugged it in i forgot all about the weight)

 

[Harpo61]

I used to have one I remember I put it in the back of my 4Runner and when I opened the rear of my hatch rolled out and landed on my foot !

 

[BassicJazzy]

That 1U rackmount space is just begging for a rackmount tuner, what with the tuner output jack right there and all...! ;^p

Based on my old, now demised BB2 and what I've seen of the Redhead, I think that space is needed for air circulation and cooling. SWR amps get hot. Take a look at the aluminum bottom of the head and you will see it is vented. Mount something under there and you may have problems?

 

[SJan3]

I don’t think it’s that heavy. But I rolled it everywhere and only lifted it twice.

...and that was enough.

 

[pbass62]

I set mine up on top of a Goliath 210 back in my much younger days , no wonder my lower is gone
But oh that SWR Tone was killer
Congrats

 

[buldog5151bass]

For that price, you have the ultimate rehearsal room amp.

 

[Texan]

wow that thing is beautiful! congratulations… i’ve always wanted one of those but the stars have never aligned… i’m just gonna live vicariously through you! how do you plan on using it? are you using in a band situation or keeping at home as a practice amp? (i had the silverado 212^ for years [which i played live] and as soon as i plugged it in i forgot all about the weight)

I bought it as a collector piece. I love SWR amps and picked up two Working man’s 15 combos a few months ago, less than $100 for the pair, they just needed the pots cleaned. It’s will be rare that the SWR’s will ever leave the house.

On 98% of my gigs I go ampless with my Fractal FM3, but also have a Genzler Magellan head and Bergantino AE410. However, nothing comes close to that SWR tone.

 

[MegaSwing]

For that price, you have the ultimate rehearsal room amp.

WINNER!!!

I TOTALLY would’ve bought that.

 

[wysiwyg248]

Is it as heavy as you remember too?

 

[darwin-bass]

Is it as heavy as you remember too?

My experience is things get heavier over time! If it was only as bad as I remember that would be a win in my book.