Cannot get the right sound... amp problem? help pls

[Killer Of Giants]

Excellent! That's the TB way of doing things!!!

I know that there is no replacement for a rick. but I was able to dial in close on this edb not a rick but pretty close

 

[Matt B]

Of the 3 times I have borrowed SWR redheads over the years nasally would be a fair description of them. I never once had them sound decent to my ears...

 

[Jim Carr]

...I just cannot get that full, round, warm sound I wish to find...amp is an SWR redhead I series 240W.. I really love it but still, I cannot get a FULL, powerful sound. It keeps giving a nasal sound and kinda of veiled like a velvet curtain is in front of it... the strange thing is that sometimes seems to me to sound right...
...the pre-amp clip green light is now just on... ...after I switched off the amp, the light turned and stayed off again....

Those saying you can't get a good warm round sound from this amp are misinformed.

0) replace the tube—the following suggestions assume the tube is the issue—if it isn't get the amp serviced.
1) set gain, aural enhancer, and master to 0, all EQ knobs to 12 o'clock, and horn attenuation to 12 0'oclock (if applicable).
2) be certain aural enchain knob is off (set to 0) and no effects are plugged in.
3) plug in instrument (turned up full), power up amp.
4) play open string firmly and bring gain up to where clip light occasionally flickers.
5) raise master volume a modest amount.
6) with instrument set to normal EQ, use parametric mid range to boost, NOT cut low mids.
7) add bass (1 or 2 o'clock to start).
8) drop treble to taste
9) goto 5 until approximate desired sound is achieved, plus raising the gain a little more into the clip zone may help.
10) apply finishing touches to tone with instrument EQ.

This amp is a good sounding classic studio/small club amp. It is not super loud, but with that great cabinet, it will kick the snot out of most GK, Fender, and, Ampeg combos with similar power ratings, plus that little head can drive another pair of 10's, IIRC. Look for a used 8 ohm SWR goliath Jr., II.

 

[Jim Carr]

I thought could have be something electrical. I'll definitely bring it to someone. Any suggestion about the EQ? can I "add something" to get a richer and less nasal sound? Or... Should I just change amp and start the endless quest of finding the perfect sound?

Once this amp is in working order, I would suggest adding a tech 21 VT bass pedal, or possibly an EBS multi-comp pedal. The VT Bass is nice for a warmer/thicker tone. The multi-comp compressor (instead of the VT Bass) would allow you to squeeze a little more volume out of the rig.

If this amp is not loud enough, you are in the unhappy position that all bassists who only own a combo amp will eventually find themselves in when they need more volume. You can try adding an other cabinet keeping in mind your power limits. Eventually, you will likely buy a new amp head, and one or two more cabinets.

In that regard, rather than buying an extension cabinet, skip a few steps and get a used micro head with ~800 watts into 4 ohms and the best used light cabinet you can afford. Keep the Redhead for practice. It is not really an endless quest. Stay focused on the music, not the gear.

 

[ahc]

Those saying you can't get a good warm round sound from this amp are misinformed.

0) replace the tube—the following suggestions assume the tube is the issue—if it isn't get the amp serviced.
1) set gain, aural enhancer, and master to 0, all EQ knobs to 12 o'clock, and horn attenuation to 12 0'oclock (if applicable).
2) be certain aural enchain knob is off (set to 0) and no effects are plugged in.
3) plug in instrument (turned up full), power up amp.
4) play open string firmly and bring gain up to where clip light occasionally flickers.
5) raise master volume a modest amount.
6) with instrument set to normal EQ, use parametric mid range to boost, NOT cut low mids.
7) add bass (1 or 2 o'clock to start).
8) drop treble to taste
9) go to 5 until approximate desired sound is achieved, plus raising the gain a little more into the clip zone may help.
10) apply finishing touches to tone with instrument EQ.

This amp is a good sounding classic studio/small club amp. It is not super loud, but with that great cabinet, it will kick the snot out of most GK, Fender, and, Ampeg combos with similar power ratings, plus that little head can drive another pair of 10's, IIRC. Look for a used 8 ohm SWR goliath Jr., II.

This ^^^^ !!! I had one of these amps for years. Sounded great. Only sold it cause it was too heavy for my surgically repaired back.

 

[varcingetorige]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW You're all great guys!!! Thak you soooo much for your kind and helpful support sorry I can thank you all only now, but you know... time zone...

Ok, I'm starting to have an idea about all this thing now. I'll definitely check over the electronic and do every single step you suggested. I do have a Zoom M 60B wich I currently run directly wich I quite understand it is not really the right way (I've never been into those things), but I should run it through the FX loop right?? I don't quite like it, since... I don't know... but to me sound it has a kind of "digital influence" on the sound, even in bypass mode... I'm really picky with gear, but I've to keep calm otherwise I would have to work at night as well of the day in order to buy stuff and buy food for my family

That type of tone can also come from damaged speakers.

I seriously hope not... is there any way I can undertand if the speakers are damaged by myself?

If you want a thicker sound from the Red Head try to track down an SWR Big Ben.

Look for a used 8 ohm SWR goliath Jr., II

I was already thinking about getting a Goliath or a Son Of Bertha did not think about the Big Ben

This amp is a good sounding classic studio/small club amp. It is not super loud, but with that great cabinet, it will kick the snot out of most GK, Fender, and, Ampeg combos with similar power ratings, plus that little head can drive another pair of 10's, IIRC.

Indeed is a great amp, I've tried other combos including Ampeg and markbass, but they didn't sound right to my ears... too muddy. The Redhead is just missing that beefy, full sound that I'm especting to listen to, you know what I mean... besides my technical limits of course.

I'm not a huge fan of GK, I used to have a GK 1001RB (while I was gigging) I've never loved it... a very cold, harsh sounding head IMO. I've never managed to get a sound to happy with. When I stopped gigging, I got myself this combo which it does give me a nice feel... sometimes...

I would be really happy if all of this is just due to a technical issue... but since I'm starting to play (and gig) again I don't really know if I just sell it (after repair of course) and get myself a nice head + cab, starting over with the endless TBS syndrome (as I call it... Try it, Buy it and Sell it).

 

[Jim Carr]

I'd get rid of that pedal, but hey, that's just me. If you must use it, use the effects loop and blend it with clean tone. This SWR head is the predecessor of the SWR redface pro 350. Does it have an effects blend control like the old 350 did? I don't have the specs.

If so, here is how to use it. First dial in a good dry tone (no effects). Then select the effect tone you want and plug the amp effects send into your processor's input (sending signal to the pedal). Connect the processor's output to the amps effects receive (amp receiving pedal "effected" signal). Assuming you DO have an effects blend, you can then balance the "dry" vs. "wet" tone with the effects blend knob on the front control panel. Having a solid core of "un-effected" tone is assumed by many effects. Can't comment on the Zoom.

 

[chadds]

I'm from the SWR school of less is more.

Sort out that tube.

Then set pre to where it flashes a little and back off a hair.

Master to needed volume.

Tweeter to barely on.

Aural Enhancer off or no more than 11:00.

All other eq leave flat.

Do you like this but it needs a little more?

Here's an engineers trick.

Lower treble to get bass. Lower bass to get treble. Nasal has many causes some addressed above.

If it sounded great before and now sounds bad, I agree it's probably the pre tube.

Contrary to popular opinion SWRs can sound fat. Turning that tweeter to barely on, works.

Adding another pair of tens could help as I rarely liked one 2x10 alone. Subjective.

Keep us posted. I gigged 4 Goliath 2x10s for years.

If you are really on the tone quest, do you like the sound of your bass?

A bass that sounds the way you want will sound to a lesser or greater degree the same through every rig.

Asking an amp to make up for your what your bass lacks is an endless quest.

Is it your strings? Tone choices on bass?

(I struggled with a Smith BMT Elite G for a year. Then I read that a studio cat turned his treble and bass eq all the way up on his

Smith. I tried it and the warmest fattest sound appeared.)

 

[varcingetorige]

If you are really on the tone quest, do you like the sound of your bass

That's a nice question... my Manne bass is indeed a great intrument, but lets clarify what kind of sound I'd like to achieve and what I mean for "full, warm, fat" sound
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I'd like this kind of sound growly, fat, present, clear, present... ok.. it's a fodera... I cannot afford it... if there would be just an alternative

 

[Linnin]

That's a nice question... my Manne bass is indeed a great intrument, but lets clarify what kind of sound I'd like to achieve and what I mean for "full, warm, fat" sound


I'd like this kind of sound growly, fat, present, clear, present... ok.. it's a fodera... I cannot afford it... if there would be just an alternative

OK, That Bass and a Fender Super Bassman + your choice of Bassman Pro Neo cabs. Tonequest Done!

 

[varcingetorige]

ahahahahahahah that's great... cannot afford it... tonequest done!

Without "going aside" with the thread, what do you think? which kind of PUP + (eventually) preamp combo, would do the tone job going towards fodera imperial kind of sound? Don't say get a fodera, don't say the sound is in my finger, c'mon...

 

[chadds]

Well it's called Talkbass for a reason. I thought you were after a more difficult sound to achieve. That sound an SWR can do very easily.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Those saying you can't get a good warm round sound from this amp are misinformed.

Yep, those of us who have owned and actually used in gigging situations SWR gear for years are wrong.

 

[varcingetorige]

I thought you were after a more difficult sound to achieve. That sound an SWR can do very easily

Could you please post a link or something to listen to which kind of sound did you though? Talking sound by words is not that easy the link was just a silly reference to explain myself a little bit better.

Well... anyway, then I definitely guess I've serious problems with the electronics on my amp. The sound is dull, "foggy"... I've to change that naughty TUBE on the preamp section of the head ASAP. Any suggestion for the which tube would fit the job?

Thaaaaaaaaaank you guys!

 

[chadds]

Tung Sol Reissue. They can be inconsistent. When you find a good one enjoy. You posted the sound you're after. Fix your tube situation. Start flat and dial in as little eq as you need. Your touch is primary. Strings. Scooped low mids. Up the lows easy on the highs. Tweeter barely on.

 

[Killer Of Giants]

Excellent! That's the TB way of doing things!!!

Ergodyne coming home tomorrow

 

[varcingetorige]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh It is not the TUBE!!!!! Just got a Sovtek tube that take the place of my old Groovetubes.... the same.......

 

[chadds]

Find a reputable shop.

 

[Jim Carr]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh It is not the TUBE!!!!! Just got a Sovtek tube that take the place of my old Groovetubes.... the same.......

Sorry to hear that.

 

[varcingetorige]

The amp is on the surgical table... I'll let you know