Do all features and functions work ok?
If it serves your purpose and you are pleased with the sound, then I'd say it's a go. (keep in mind I have a thing for SWR gear, and that one is cute as a button)
Everything seems to work fine - its loud enough for what I need. I still need to test out the direct out into the console, but apart from that, seems solid.
Sound-wise, I compared this against a Fender Rumble 40, Hartke 50, and Ampeg BA110. The Rumble seemed “soft” while the Hartke seemed to “punch” the best. I tried two different Ampegs and one sounded good while the other seemed just so-so. Thought I’d really go for the Ampeg, but that could have just been mental association with the brand. I think to get xlr out in anything new, it was putting me over $200 and that killed those more than anything.
The SWR seemed to punch like the Hartke, but have slightly less of an edge to it - not sure if that makes sense (I probably dialed everything in at noon on both, just as a rudimentary comparison.) Anyway, for price, sound, and a direct out, it seemed to fit the bill.
I just don’t know how well the SWR stuff holds up - read about a few of them cooking themselves, but that may have been with an extension cabinet configuration at lower impedance. I won’t run it anywhere near its design limits.
That’s actually a pretty good little combo.
I still have one with an extension cab in my pile of retired stuff.
Seems like “weight” is the main thing retiring this older gear, at least in the “portable” packages. Or did you just find a sound you liked better, or needed larger setup?
