NCD: SWR Henry the 8x8

[Nathanlwbc]

Just picked this guy up from GC's used inventory.

My first impression is that it's louder than I expected, easier to move than I expected and takes all of the dirt I'm throwing at it from my amp (TH500)/board extremely well.

Trying it out with my noisy rock band tonight!

 

[Bodeanly]

I have been wanting one of these since I was born.

 

[Mvilmany]

Nice! Classic cab. I love the sound of old SWR cabs!

 

[Razman]

Great cab! Don't treat it like a sub. It is a great cab for metal. I don't care for SWR's piezo tweeters, but it isn't terrible. Enjoy it!

 

[e-flat]

I ran one of these for about 18 years with an early SVT II (non Pro) fed by a '76 Jazz Bass. Man those cabs go DEEEP. In a 5 piece rock band I could slay Marshall half stacks, but I had to dial out some of the lowest low end to cut through a bit better. Incredible versatile cabs with the right head. Enjoy!

 

[mindwell]

Truly great cab with its own voice.

 

[Bufalo]

Gorgeous. I love when I have the chance to gig with mine.


Also, get an SVT style towel bar handle for the back, and it becomes even easier to move. The recessed handle always feels awkward.

 

[Chef]

I ran one of those with an SWR Bass350 for a long time.
Good stuff.

 

[Chef]

Totally right on, on the rack handle.

Gorgeous. I love when I have the chance to gig with mine.


Also, get an SVT style towel bar handle for the back, and it becomes even easier to move. The recessed handle always feels awkward.

 

[johnpbass]

My favorite SWR cab! Cool pairing with the TH500 too!

 

[Nathanlwbc]

Wow. This thing absolutely slays. I'm still blown away by the volume and amount of air the cab moves (I'd read a bunch of threads on TB complaining the cab was not all that powerful).

I'm really enjoying the punchiness, and the lows are very clear. I'm scooping my mids a bit to account for a guitar player who is rocking a Marshall-esque setup very much centered in the low mids, but my lows were very present and the highs were smooth and grindy with the tweeter defeated.

Side note, I don't think I like tweeters very much. I always seem to like cabs better without them.

Thanks for the hand rail tip. I'm schlepping it to a show for the first time tonight, so I guess I'll get a good idea of the practicality. I have a feeling I'm going to install that sooner rather than later...

Overall, I couldn't be more pleased. It's taking everything I throw at it like a champ (lots of dirt and modulation) while still giving me a super solid bass sound. I had been thinking of selling the TH500, but after pairing it with this cab, I think I like it

 

[scuzzy]

very jealous. I occasionally scan the GC used for these, but they don't come up often.

 

[Bufalo]

I run the tweeter on mine fully off. There is enough high frequency extension to still have good thick tone. I also think the tweeter is susceptible to being damaged more easily than the 8's themselves. Mine has handled far above its 480W rating with the tweeter off.

 

[e-flat]

Agreed: tweeter off.

 

[armybass]

One of the best ever!

 

[johnson79]

I remember seeing a band running one of these. Cool stuff!

 

[Doner Designs]

Not sure if those are still made or not. I think Markbass had a 4x8 and one time.

Also, Audiokinesis has a current model called the Birdhaus which is a 4x8 where two of the drivers are on the side.

 

[scubaduba]

Sweet! I love SWR cabinets (and amps). I don't have need for that big of a cabinet... but they are sweet for sure. I do use a SWR Son of Bertha and Goliath Jr. III with a SWR Headlite and Amplite. Love the tone and I've been through some of the newer stuff out there. I just like SWR.

 

[jumbodbassman]

love mine though it is a little big for some venues. every time i use i am amazed at how good it does low end. i think it sounds better than my squareback most times.

 

[Life of Brian]

Lets just say I bought a certain bass from a retailer bc I was testing it through that cab. I returned the bass after playing it through my rig at home thinking the bass didn't sound anywhere near as good as it did in the store. Lightbalbs went off doh!.