peavey or swr

[JDHolmes]

I'm looking at buying two different amps, Peavey BAM and the SWR Workingman 2x10C. I've read excellent reviews of the BAM here but there is less on the 2x10c though a lot on SWR in general,mostly discussing cheap combos.

BAM I can get for $400 and the SWR for $350. I know like most other stuff on here, amps are a matter of preference and I'm not interested in starting a dispute. But if you had to buy one of the two, which would you buy and why?

I generally buy based on a cost to value comparison. I just don't know enough about amps or have experience with either of these to make a comparison myself. And yes, I've been to both sites and read their info/specs and have read reviews of both.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I don't view the Workingmans line as "real" SWR, personally. If you really want SWR, look at the Redhead, Black Beauty or Spellbinder Blue, if you really want a combo. Otherwise, the 750 head is still in production and you could pair that with a Golight cab or 2 to keep the weight manageable.
Peavey's Tour Series is nice. Personally, I would look at the 700 head for headroom issues, and it appears as though the price has dropped on the TVX series cabs. If you really want to go combo, it's tough to go wrong with their venerable TNT.

 

[Jaco who?]

The Workingman series isn't the best representation of what SWR has to offer; it's pretty low grade budget oriented stuff. The Bam is from the bullet proof era of Peavey, weighs like 97 lbs or something, and has different gimmicky amp modeling sounds that you'll likely never use.
I'd look for a Peavey Nitro head and a 4 ohm TVX 410, you should be able to get both for not much more than $400, and it'll be much more versatile. Still heavy, but probably half the Bam if you take two trips.

 

[ThunderousFunk]

+1 I agree with trying to get a Peavey TVX 410, and Nitro head. Eventhough I played one with a Peavey Firebass 700 head, I was highly impressed with the cab. And I also agree with SWR's Workingman series not being "SWR" type quality.

 

[JDHolmes]

Thanks guys...looks like I'll keep looking for the time being and pass on both of them.

 

[MNAirHead]

Link us to your local Craigslist.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

Thanks guys...looks like I'll keep looking for the time being and pass on both of them.

Good work.
If you honestly want bang for buck, I'd look at other options. For example, it's tough to get a much better rig new than a GK 700RB atop an Avatar 2x10" if your looking at a 2x10" format.