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Pre Fender SWR's
- Thread starter Eric Swaim
- Start date
I have a very early SM400 (probably early to mid 80's); it was made before they had the transparency control and Steve added that for $35 if I paid the shipping!
They also did a full test while it was on the bench at it made 455 watts RMS while maintaining their distortion figures.
I stopped using the amp and didn't even get around to the mod.
I brought it to a gig and the opening band (who I know) were asked not to raise the bass control or the parametric EQ as the amp is really designed as a laboratory amp and has very little (if any) HPF.
Speakers were hurt, there's a bass player I don't need to speak with since word got back to him, and the idea of dropping some $$ on an fDeck HPF was enough for it to stay in its' case.
They have virtually no resale value.
Anybody need one; it's never been outside of a case.
They also did a full test while it was on the bench at it made 455 watts RMS while maintaining their distortion figures.
I stopped using the amp and didn't even get around to the mod.
I brought it to a gig and the opening band (who I know) were asked not to raise the bass control or the parametric EQ as the amp is really designed as a laboratory amp and has very little (if any) HPF.
Speakers were hurt, there's a bass player I don't need to speak with since word got back to him, and the idea of dropping some $$ on an fDeck HPF was enough for it to stay in its' case.
They have virtually no resale value.
Anybody need one; it's never been outside of a case.
This was the last Big SWR rig I used a few years ago. SWR Bass750 with two SWR Goliath II's
I started usin SWR in 91, wit a Redhead. I was hooked. I used their gear from then on, only straying occasionally. I have used SWR rigs of every vintage, and still today own, and gig more than regularly, a Super Redhead, a Son of Bertha, a Stereo 800, and the king, my SM-400s. I have a bunch of close friends here, we all play, own lotsa different gear. A few SWR users, but every major brand and style are here. Heavy. Light. Old. New. Ampeg, Eden, GK, Mesa, TecAmp, Thunderfunk, Genz, Markbass, Fender, DNA, Epifani... Th SM-400s bridged into my SoB will keep up with any of them. I worked at an SWR warranty repair center, and have a lot of experience with the realities of the Company's gear. And history. I love my SWR as much as my basses. I use it in all styles, at a variety of volumes and situations. It has never let me down. I own a Demeter pre teamed with my Stereo 800. As a reference? It's great. But in my real world? Nothing I have tried represents my tone better. Or, sounds in a room as accurate to my basses acoustic tone. The sound off the fretboard. All gear is pretty good. I can use anythin. SWR is inexpensive. True. So? Heh. I can leave a great soundin, powerful, reliable rig in every room I play. And never have to lift anythin. Heh. But, seriously... SWR has been great to me, and for me. Pre Fender, Post Fender, any vintage. It just works.
I ran that rig for a while - Very good sound - not enough punch for the tonnage. I get more punch using my Genz CN112 and just about any head!
Where and how is that actually proven, and not just a perpetuated statement?
The SWR sound changed way before fender. It was when the SM400S and Goliath 2 were replaced with SM500 and Goliath 3. Thats when I got off the train. But SWRs are still better than a fair share of the new light cheap "fake plastic tone" stuff.
Owned two SM400 heads and a Fender SM900. The 400 heads were as reliable as hell but really had to work hard to get a decent sound, IIRC advice such as "never use the aural enhancer" and "do not boost bass as it sucks the power" abounded on Talkbass at the time as members struggled to get their tone. I just found the 400 quite bland, but then I am not into slap. The sm900 was a piece of sh*t, I bought it new and it was never reliable - I ended up having to resolder just about every joint on the board then sold it on.
Owned several Goliath 2, 3 and junior speakers. All were solid as rocks, never let me down in years of touring in an old truck and sounded great with any amp I put on them - from SVT to GK.
Owned several Goliath 2, 3 and junior speakers. All were solid as rocks, never let me down in years of touring in an old truck and sounded great with any amp I put on them - from SVT to GK.
Did you have scratchy pots that did not respond to cleaning and had to replace them? This will be my third try. I love my Studio 220 but it is relegated to occasional use at this point.
I owned a workingman's 8004 years ago and it was just a fantastic amp.
But tired of carrying around a 60lb head.
Don't see them much if at all where I am.
But tired of carrying around a 60lb head.
Don't see them much if at all where I am.
I have owned a WM's12 (S/N 36), 350 Bass, Super Redhead (pre chrome grill), and a Bass Monitor 12. I have used lots of their other amps and preamps over the years, and some Goliath cabs, too. Here is my BM12 and a pair of Goliaths with my own amp.
If I have some photos of my other SWR gear they are on film (not scanned to CD or on my HD).
I no longer own any SWR gear, great stuff in it's day but heavier than I want to handle, these days.
If I have some photos of my other SWR gear they are on film (not scanned to CD or on my HD).
I no longer own any SWR gear, great stuff in it's day but heavier than I want to handle, these days.
Green face, green line, which ever it is, I like it.
Actually, I recently changed the strings on my P bass from flats to rounds, and I like it even more. The bass sounds like a cannon when I need it to, but it plays nice too, and the amp is right there with it.
I think I may need a new tube, soon, though...
I experimented with JJ 803S reissues and loved the sound. But, because I run stereo (ERB work w/effects, etc) I found that the tubes aged at different rates and got noisy. I went straight back to my tried and true matched GT ECC83/7025 tubes. Perfect. IMO, Steve may have designed his circuits around this tube. I used to own a couple of GT Studio Bass Preamps (think SWR Studio 220 w/o the power section) and their user manuals recommended that tube.
On another note, a Studio 220 or a bridged SM400s through a Henry 8x8 sounds great. The Studio 220 combo is great for recording and practice or smaller venues. The 400s w/the Henry really speaks.
I have a pre-Fender Workingman's Tower, and it is awesome! It's a hair smaller than my old 810e and 25 lbs lighter.
