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Got my SWR Interstellar Overdrive today!!!

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by jasonbraatz, Oct 2, 2001.

  1. Oct 2, 2001 #1
    jasonbraatz

    jasonbraatz Supporting Member

    Oct 18, 2000
    Milwaukee, WI
    WHEEEEEEEE! it's been a good day!

    Got my IOD this morning, here's what i think.


    Tone: with the blend control, it can either sound just like my old bass 350, or like an all tube bass 350. then with the drive control it can be anywhere from demeter fat and clean to SVT growly. haven't really spent a lot of time with the distortion, seeing as how i can't think of a time when i'll need it, but it's there nonetheless.

    with my DCM1000 and the blend on all tube, you couldn't tell i was using a solid state poweramp, it sounds that good. this is exactly what i wanted tone wise. something fat, warm, and clean.


    construction is top notch, the back control panel is a thing of beauty (looks half vintage amp/half military)

    and i was expecting cheapy chinese tubes, but what do i find in there but Ei's!




    ok, so stuff i don't like:



    the EL84's are secured in place with springs from the access panel. it looks like they got jostled around during shipping, and i'll definitely have to be careful with it in the future.

    SWR forgot to put in a power cord and manual along with the preamp. no biggie, but it's still kinda gay. they're on their way.

    i would have ended up paying about 40 bucks less ordering thru bass northwest. i paid the same where i bought it as they were selling it for, but i had to pay shipping AND instate tax. :(

    and the biggie: the tubes are really noisy. now...would this be a result of the tubes rattling around during shipping? cos...i KNOW it shouldn't be this noisy. would this be covered by warranty? or should i just order new tubes? if so, are the Ei's in there the best? or should i put some Teslas or Philips in there? would that require rebiasing? PLEASE someone help me out with this.


    any other questions? let 'em fly and i'll tell you what i know. for now, it's off to play!


    jason
     
  2. Oct 2, 2001 #2
    rexspangle

    rexspangle

    Feb 16, 2001
    Ontario, Canada
    I would definatley let the store know about the rattling tubes, but I guess you do have a warranty anyways.
     
  3. Oct 2, 2001 #3
    jasonbraatz

    jasonbraatz Supporting Member

    Oct 18, 2000
    Milwaukee, WI
    ok....something wierd. i plugged my goliath jr into the speaker out of the IOD, and it was silent as a lamb, even with the blend to all tube.



    peculiar. oh well, it seems to be less crackly after the tubes warm up.


    jason
     
  4. Oct 2, 2001 #4
    rexspangle

    rexspangle

    Feb 16, 2001
    Ontario, Canada
    cool :)
     
  5. Oct 3, 2001 #5
    Tapp

    Tapp

    Aug 29, 2001
    USA, Mississippi
    Thanks for the lo down Warwick; you've really got my interest peaked now. I really want to try one of these.

    As far as the tubes go, older production Ei's are notorious for being noisy and microphonic but I hear the newer stock (since the embargo) are better. You could have a noisy tube in there and it's really no big deal, the warrantee should cover it. You'll have to do some swapping around to find the culprit or the store may want to handle it. I've installed older Ei's that squeeled like a pig in old Fender amps. The consensus among many guitarists is that the Ei's have tremendous harmonic detail and are desired as far as tone goes so you may want to stay with them.

    Tapp
     
  6. Oct 3, 2001 #6
    jasonbraatz

    jasonbraatz Supporting Member

    Oct 18, 2000
    Milwaukee, WI
    i just read that the speaker jack is pre-enhancer, EQ, and master volume. would that mean that it's pre 12AX7A as well?


    does that mean that if theres no noise when using the speaker jack, and noise when running the line out, that it's my 12AX7A that is the cluprit?


    jason
     
  7. Oct 4, 2001 #7
    jasonbraatz

    jasonbraatz Supporting Member

    Oct 18, 2000
    Milwaukee, WI
    update: i used it in a band setting last night, with the DCM1000 running into an OPTIMUS PA speaker.


    and it sounded incredible. i can't wait to get my triad back to see what this bad boy can really do.



    so...in summary, if you want a preamp that can give you super clean tone, fat tube tone, growl, and any combination or mixture of those, this is the preamp for you.


    Fin.



    jason