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Is an SWR 350X loud enough?
- Thread starter strummer21
- Start date
Apparently they're long gone now.
I just got a 350X ($1200 MSRP) for $285, shipped, but that beats it. Amazing what these expensive amps are being blown out at, isn't it?
The SWR golight amps will come out later this year, so the price on current models is a bargain.
The SWR enhancer does nothing different from 1 to 5 except boost your volume a bit, so most people run it on 5. Past 5 (or half way) the 200Hz scoop makes itself felt.
I happen to love the SWR tone, even though it needs a few more watts to get the same apparent volume. For electric bass I'd get SWR over GK any day. But of course, that's just my taste! If you can possibly afford the 550x on these run-out deals get that, and with a 15 and two 10's you'll be able to produce a significant amount of sound. Personally, within the SWR range, I'd go for two 15's or a quad rather than mix the different cabs up, too.
The SWR enhancer does nothing different from 1 to 5 except boost your volume a bit, so most people run it on 5. Past 5 (or half way) the 200Hz scoop makes itself felt.
I happen to love the SWR tone, even though it needs a few more watts to get the same apparent volume. For electric bass I'd get SWR over GK any day. But of course, that's just my taste! If you can possibly afford the 550x on these run-out deals get that, and with a 15 and two 10's you'll be able to produce a significant amount of sound. Personally, within the SWR range, I'd go for two 15's or a quad rather than mix the different cabs up, too.
I have owned both the 700RBII head with a GK410 cab and a Bass350 (one of the chrome ones JUST after the redhead model) with a 410 that I can't remember the make of.
I never had any issue being heard. If you do have issues, your band plays too loud OR you need to eq' where you aren't fighting the guitar and drums.
I never had any issue being heard. If you do have issues, your band plays too loud OR you need to eq' where you aren't fighting the guitar and drums.
I picked up a 350x having a LMII and a GK800RB and I am liking this Amp through a 1x15 and a 4x10. It is getting plently loud into 4 ohms - did not like it set flat - definately had to play with the EQ - but once dialed in - I am getting a great sound from this head - I tried my P/J, My passive P, my Spector P/J (kills) and my 6 String. Great sound all around. I got mine for $245 shipped - so I can't complain - my practice Amp cost me more.
I love my bass 350!!
Its a pre fender head, and while it is very stripped down it preforms wonderfully.... strong pre amp (+-15db) nice tub warmth and its very happy at 2 ohms. I will never sell it.
Its a pre fender head, and while it is very stripped down it preforms wonderfully.... strong pre amp (+-15db) nice tub warmth and its very happy at 2 ohms. I will never sell it.
there is still a new SWR 350x on ebay for 295 shipped .I;,m really liking my new 550x just as much as my Genz Benz 600 GBE and the GK 800 rb . Clean , tube pre and punchy tone.The subwave is pretty cool too , I will use it , kind of an overdriven low octave type tone .
for this price you cant go wrong . I had to fiddle with the knobs a bit to get a killer tone but it is there .This amp would be VERY hard to beat for the price I paid .
for this price you cant go wrong . I had to fiddle with the knobs a bit to get a killer tone but it is there .This amp would be VERY hard to beat for the price I paid .
I just picked up a new 350X for $294 shipped from Rockystreetsounds. I can't believe a US made amp with a tube pre is going so cheap! Strike while the iron is hot I suppose. I've used SWR gear in the past.
I had a Workingman's 4x10 cab and Workingman's 160 watt head (pre-Fender) bought it back in 1999. I toured with it and played about 65 dates with it all over the country and it never quit on me once. The tweeter blew on it but I just shut it off since I didn't like it anyway. At 160 watts, I had no trouble being heard in a swing band playing a passive, piezo equipped Azola Electric Upright bass with an electric guitarist, 3 horns and a heavy handed drummer. I didn't understand tone or EQ back then so I don't remember how it was set. I just twiddled knobs around until it sounded good. Bottom line is that was a low powered head from their budget line and I had no volume issues or reliability issues. I even dropped the cabinet down a flight of stairs once by accident and it was fine.
I had a Workingman's 4x10 cab and Workingman's 160 watt head (pre-Fender) bought it back in 1999. I toured with it and played about 65 dates with it all over the country and it never quit on me once. The tweeter blew on it but I just shut it off since I didn't like it anyway. At 160 watts, I had no trouble being heard in a swing band playing a passive, piezo equipped Azola Electric Upright bass with an electric guitarist, 3 horns and a heavy handed drummer. I didn't understand tone or EQ back then so I don't remember how it was set. I just twiddled knobs around until it sounded good. Bottom line is that was a low powered head from their budget line and I had no volume issues or reliability issues. I even dropped the cabinet down a flight of stairs once by accident and it was fine.
The SWR's are nice and have a certain warmth IMO. I just bought a 350X for $279 shippied on ebay. I wish it had more eq options as found on the GK's (active EQ treble, hi mid, low mid, bass, boost). I had to get it at that price. I've been playing GK's for a while so it will take some getting use to. Initial impression is the SWR's sound a little more articulate/transparent the top end is sweet. I'm not really concerned about volume in my current situation. Hell for that price I can buy another and drive each cab with a separate amp.
Subwave option is cool but I'm not really into effects. SWR should have added a mute switch and few other things in lieu of the subwave option. Like getting rid of the pop when you turn it on and off. I know there is a name for this feature but it escapes me at the moment. Especially in light of the fact that a couple of months ago the 350X was going for about a $999. I never would have bought it at that price.
My 2 cents worth.
Subwave option is cool but I'm not really into effects. SWR should have added a mute switch and few other things in lieu of the subwave option. Like getting rid of the pop when you turn it on and off. I know there is a name for this feature but it escapes me at the moment. Especially in light of the fact that a couple of months ago the 350X was going for about a $999. I never would have bought it at that price.
My 2 cents worth.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
I also ordered one. Don't need it, but for the price, I figured why not have it as a rehearsal / back-up amp. First one arrived not working. Would power up, but no output (pre-amp section worked, but power amp side was dead). The guy @ Wap Drive / Cream City Music said it was the first dead one he has had ever had to replace, so I would imagine that these are reliable (I just got the one and only dead one). They are sending me a replacement. Looking forward to getting it. Got it for $255 new shipped ($275 - Live Search Ebay discount).
I also scooped one of these, as my Ampeg B2 took a big fat dump a few weeks ago. I tried it out for a hair at a local shop, who was willing to sell it to me for the deep discount of $550 (yikes). Waiting for it to get here stinks, as I am ampless until it arrives.
