• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New SWR Redhead

Chef

Chef

In Memoriam
May 23, 2004
41,814
18,945
65
Columbia MO
Disclosures
Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine
#1
I had one of the pre-fender Super Redheads.
Very nice rig, great in the studio, excellent for both DB and electric...not overwhelmingly loud, and, pretty heavy and bulky. Not a powerhouse, but very nice.

I'm curious if anyone has the new one, and can compare to the old one; especially in terms of the power upgrade.

When I sold mine, I went to a TFB420 and a Schroeder 1210...which has now been replaced by a 1212L. This makes for a very portable, very loud and sonically pleasing package.

Can the new Redhead compete?

thanks for any first hand user info...
 
#3
The powerplant has been kicked to from 350 to 450 watts with the internal speeks, and from 450 to 600 with an extension (at 2 ohms).
The speeks were changed from PAS to Eminence.

At any rate, Super was nice, but the improvements are long overdue, by me.
 
#4
i just dumped my super redhead for a eden wt-800 and 2x10 xst. i had redhead,super redhead and all of them blew. i went to eden never had a problem, then i slinked back to swr for portability guess what...........boooom! i don't trust em. they finally added a compressor and eminence speakers after 1,000's of PAS speakers kept blowin' and they kept takin bass players money. i don't trust em
 
#7
Chef said:
The powerplant has been kicked to from 350 to 450 watts with the internal speeks, and from 450 to 600 with an extension (at 2 ohms).
The speeks were changed from PAS to Eminence.

At any rate, Super was nice, but the improvements are long overdue, by me.
Click to expand...

IMO and IME, the wattage was not the issue, but rather the very anemic sounding GIII that was used as the cab for that combo. My guess is, the new one wouldn't even be in the same volume universe as the 1212L, and still weighs a ton.

I agree they sounded great for low volume gigs, but looking at the 'upgrade', this combo seems WAY behind the times regarding volume, weight, price and general performance IMO.
 
#12
The new Redheads are very nice with the increased power. The sound like an SWR with more punch than the first phase and are quite competitive with the current power setups. It is still much heavier than your 1212L or a GB shuttle...
 
#15
I have never played any SWR amps since the move to Arizona...I have loads of Sun Valley and Sylmar stuff.

I do know the original Redhead was made primarily for small gigs and studio work...It was made with tone in mind.It was never intended for high volume or large shows, Steve made the 400, then the 900 for that.

A lot, well most of the weight came from the massive magnets on the 10s and the thick sturdy plywood used, both with tone in mind.
 
#19
pickles said:
Agreed, they seem to have adopted an anti-negativity policy the last few years.
Click to expand...

Jumping on the derail: BP used to provide a more frank rating of products. I suspect that as competition for advertising dollars has heated up (guess who's the competition! ;)), they have had to keep advertisers happy by avoiding clearly negative reviews. :eyebrow:

Back to the Redhead: I don't see a change from 350 to 450 watts as very significant. Does it seem to you more like a quickie way to say "new and improved?" Me? I'm wondering... :p

Wish SWR would add better and lighter speakers, a lighter redesigned cab, 700 watts into 4 ohms, and an easily removable head. IMHO those would be real improvements.

When I want to lift 90+ lbs in one package, I carry my goliath II. :D :D :D
 
#20
I have a Super RedHead 350w. I have been using it at all volumes for about 3 years now with NO problems. You have to remember that the active jack has a much lower volume output than the Passive jack. So.... if you want more volume simply go through the passive jack. The HiFi tone coupled with My Sadowsky basses is absolutely killer! at 80lbs it is heavy for sure. But it is as dependable and solid as a rock. I toyed with the idea of getting a mark bass combo which sounds good and is half the weight but how will that light weight construction hold up after a few years of pounding bass gigs? IMO it's not worth selling the SWR to find out. As for the new SRH it is even heavier (89lbs) but thats due the the steel reinforced cabs and bigger magnets in the beefed up speakers for those who want Loud. As someone said, this amp isn't supposed to be a "rig". It's for smaller to mid sized rooms. Add a GolliathIII 4x10 at 600 watts you have no worries. If you still need more volume you need a PA system. If I do sell my SRH it will be to get the new SRH. When it comes to combos I think SWR SRH are among the top out there. No complaints.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back