Fix my SWR basic 350!

[Scott Lynch]

So a couple of years ago my SWR redhead blew up on me, mid-gig. I have been happily using my ag500 ever since. However, I am uncomfortable to go to a gig without a backup, as my aguilar goes into overcurrent mode every once in a blue moon for no reason. In addition, the SWR would be awesome as a recording channel, or just something to tinker around with in my free time.

The catch with the SWR is that the preamp still works. When the amp went at the gig I was still sending a signal through the DI to the FOH; I just wasn't powering my speakers. The amp is really old. The poweramp puts 240w into 8 ohms and 350w into 4. I would love to throw a more powerful power section into this baby, as I have intentions of purchasing a GS 412 or similarly sized cab soon.

So my questions: Since technology has advanced so much in the last 10-15 years since this amp was manufactured, do I have the option of upgrading the power circuitry in this amp, say, to something similar to the power circuitry in the 550x? Or is this amp fixable at all? And if so, who should I take it to in the Philadelphia area to get it fixed?

 

[Jim Carr]

So a couple of years ago my SWR redhead blew up on me, mid-gig. I have been happily using my ag500 ever since. However, I am uncomfortable to go to a gig without a backup, as my aguilar goes into overcurrent mode every once in a blue moon for no reason. In addition, the SWR would be awesome as a recording channel, or just something to tinker around with in my free time.

The catch with the SWR is that the preamp still works. When the amp went at the gig I was still sending a signal through the DI to the FOH; I just wasn't powering my speakers. The amp is really old. The poweramp puts 240w into 8 ohms and 350w into 4. I would love to throw a more powerful power section into this baby, as I have intentions of purchasing a GS 412 or similarly sized cab soon.

So my questions: Since technology has advanced so much in the last 10-15 years since this amp was manufactured, do I have the option of upgrading the power circuitry in this amp, say, to something similar to the power circuitry in the 550x? Or is this amp fixable at all? And if so, who should I take it to in the Philadelphia area to get it fixed?

As far as power upgrades are concerned, I don't think you would find it worth it to have it mod'ed to that extent.

Here is what I would do:

1) have it fixed and keep it as a spare.
2) use the pre-amp as a pre-amp, when needed.

As you probably know, you can take the effects send and route it to most any effects return of another head or to the input of a dedicated power amp. They are a good pre-amp, if you know how to (not) use the enhance knob.