• 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.

School me on SWR

DaveParker39

DaveParker39

World Heavyweight Champion
Supporting Member
Feb 28, 2022
3,041
6,099
#1
I'm running light class D amps like just about everyone else... but I see seemingly affordable, powerful pre-owned SWR amps popping up a decent amount. SM-900's and the like.
Some of my favorite bass players (like Ian Hill) have blown me away with SWR amps for decades.
What say you?
-Types of tones
-Reliability/servicing (particularly that they are out of production)
-Cabs they like
-Value
-pre-Fender vs. Fender
-Anyone currently using them
-Any other fun facts
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#7
I played SWR for a long time. The joke was that I kept the local store in with them as I went through so much gear. It was great stuff. Still is I suppose. The Bass 350 is indestructible. I had a 750. Baby Blue Combo, all kinds of cabs and stuff. It's heavy compared to todays stuff, but it's cheap used and probably still sound good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum, aus_bass, Bassdirty and 5 others
#9
SWR gear is good $hit. (If you like the tone, of course)

I've played through pieces from the three eras (Engineering, Sound, Fender) and I didn't notice sonic differences. It does seem like the QC on the Sound era stuff is just slightly off on occasion compared to the other two, however. The Fender era stuff gets slagged unnecessarily IMO.

Servicing could be an issue as some parts are no longer easily available, specifically power transistors and early era drivers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum
#10
I'd suggest searching the Amps forum for threads about SWR gear. There are a few pretty long ones that will answer your questions - in fact you'll probably learn more than you ever wanted to know..

I used SWR stuff almost exclusively from about 1988 to 1998, at which point I gravitated toward a different sound. I had an endorsement with them from 1992 until Fender took over, at which point they purged their fairly bloated endorsement roster.

The only SWR piece I currently own is a Mo' Bass made around 2000, which I picked up off CL for peanuts. It's a very quirky head that still has a devoted, but small cult following. It sounds monstrous through my Bergantino NXT 212, especially with a P-bass. That is my #1 "rock" rig at present.

I had a small repair done on the Mo' Bass recently - I found a schematic online and the tech told me parts for it could be found fairly easily if that ever became necessary. I'm not sure that is the case with all SWR amps.

I'm not as familiar with the products from the Fender era, but there was still some good stuff made then, like the above mentioned Mo' Bass and the Marcus Miller preamp. The early stuff seems to be maybe a bit more highly regarded, but I wonder if that's partly out of nostalgia.

Re. value: SWR stuff is definitely high on bang for buck scale, partly because it's opposite what a lot of people are looking for in amps these days. My Mo' Bass is an example of that.
 
#12
Jim C said:
Use the search function as there are numerous threads including one tech thread that had input from former SWR employees.
I've had an SM400 since the mid 80's.
Click to expand...


ad9000 said:
I'd suggest searching the Amps forum for threads about SWR gear. There are a few pretty long ones that will answer your questions - in fact you'll probably learn more than you ever wanted to know..
Click to expand...

I've been doing quite a bit of digging. I guess my hope was to condense 2022's opinion of people into a singular place. There is, as you said, more than I could possibly process.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty, Riff Ranger, ihixulu and 2 others
#16
wysiwyg248 said:
SM-900 plus 6x10 cabinet here. Never had an issue, they work like new.
If you like the tone, they will not disappoint you.
Click to expand...

wyleeboxer said:
I did the Aural Enhancer bypass years ago. Louder punchier and just as reliable. I keep it my practice studio and its been going strong for over 30 years
Click to expand...

I don't suppose either of you have clips of your rigs in action?
 
#17
DaveParker39 said:
Aye... a problem I've had with my Lab Series amps (I've owned 4).
Fortunately they rarely fail.
Click to expand...

lol reminds me a few years ago I met up with some guys to jam. The guitar player was in his 60's and he shows up with this Lab Series 2x12 amp and my jaw dropped. I thought to myself 'this guy has no idea what he has' so after the jam I went to him and said 'man I like that amp, I'll give you $150 for it right now because I just like the way it looks' and he laughed at me and said he would never part with that amp and went on to tell me all about Lab Series stuff. He was great to talk to. That's the only Lab Series I've ever seen in the flesh.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum
#20
mmbongo said:
lol reminds me a few years ago I met up with some guys to jam. The guitar player was in his 60's and he shows up with this Lab Series 2x12 amp and my jaw dropped. I thought to myself 'this guy has no idea what he has' so after the jam I went to him and said 'man I like that amp, I'll give you $150 for it right now because I just like the way it looks' and he laughed at me and said he would never part with that amp and went on to tell me all about Lab Series stuff. He was great to talk to. That's the only Lab Series I've ever seen in the flesh.
Click to expand...
I love mine. You would have to pry my L5 from my cold dead hands.

Topkat13 said:
Ian could blow minds with any amp. It ain't the steak it's the cook. That being said the SWR early stuff was great and the SM900 was/is still a great amp…lots of tone versatility.
Click to expand...
Very true!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back