That amp rocks. I have the 350x, little brother to it, and that and my older red face 350 are my favorite amps for everything. Great for rock, funk,jazz, you name it! I haven't found anything else with tone I like better
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SWR 750x tone?
- Thread starter ajbuell97
- Start date
Class D Heads
Tube preamps are in red, solid state preamps are in blue, ones that I recommend are underlined, ones I wouldn't recommend are italicized. From what I gather the "SWR Sound" is going to be closer to the Carvin, GK MB (non-fusions), GB Shuttles, and Markbass Little Mark heads than some of the others listed here. Full disclaimer, this is all IMO and feel free to argue or disagree, also, I'm sure I've forgotten some offerings, please feel free to add/correct. Also disclaimer, I have owned several of these amps at one time or another, I have put a X behind those amps.
Ampeg PF350, PF500, PF800
Very popular, the 500's HAD reliability issues which I hear are now resolved, I've never really cared for the tone but that's just me
Carvin BX500, BX1500X, BX1600
Very reasonably priced, somewhat large in size, lots of EQ options, good clean tone but lacks "personality"
GK MB 200X, 500X, 800X
Very small, very light, great tone, great reliability, I'm a big fan, the 500 (boost feature) does OD much better than the 800 (two channels), the 200 is the best amp in the world IMO (exaggerating, but seriously it's a great piece of kit)
GK MB Fusion 500, 800
Very popular, costs more than non-fusions, people love it, frankly i prefer the MB tone but many apparently do not
GB Shuttle 3.0, 6.0, 6.2X, 9.0, 9.2
Very well built, no longer in production, clear and precise character, not very fat but very musical sound, not a lot of OD on tap, 3.0 & 6.0 have slightly different voicing
GB ShuttleMAX 6.2, 9.2X, 12.2
Larger than shuttle series, two preamp channels (FET & Tube), much more flexible, lots of knobs, pricey and rare, same tone as Shuttle series but much more flexible
GB Streamliner 600, 900
Has baked in tone that is perhaps more rock-ish than other GB's, quite popular, a bit pricey, People seem to love the tube tone on these, I've never used or heard one so I can't speak to them beyond that
Kustom KXB500
Inexpensive, small, very simple layout, some claim it has surprisingly beautiful tone, I'd love to try one but haven't had the chance yet
Markbass Little Mark I, II, III, F1, Big Bang, tube 800
A bit overpriced IMO, clean/clear tone but always felt a bit too sterile to me, many like them but I am not one
Orange Terror Bass 500 or 1000
Great grindy/rock tone, lots of OD available, a bit pricey, great with rounds and a pick, I love the sound of them but it's a one-trick-pony IMO and a trick I don't need ATM
Warwick LWA1000
Harder to find, dual channels (identical), fairly clear tone, Heard one once was neither impressed or displeased, they seem like a decent enough amp
Tube preamps are in red, solid state preamps are in blue, ones that I recommend are underlined, ones I wouldn't recommend are italicized. From what I gather the "SWR Sound" is going to be closer to the Carvin, GK MB (non-fusions), GB Shuttles, and Markbass Little Mark heads than some of the others listed here. Full disclaimer, this is all IMO and feel free to argue or disagree, also, I'm sure I've forgotten some offerings, please feel free to add/correct. Also disclaimer, I have owned several of these amps at one time or another, I have put a X behind those amps.
Ampeg PF350, PF500, PF800
Very popular, the 500's HAD reliability issues which I hear are now resolved, I've never really cared for the tone but that's just me
Carvin BX500, BX1500X, BX1600
Very reasonably priced, somewhat large in size, lots of EQ options, good clean tone but lacks "personality"
GK MB 200X, 500X, 800X
Very small, very light, great tone, great reliability, I'm a big fan, the 500 (boost feature) does OD much better than the 800 (two channels), the 200 is the best amp in the world IMO (exaggerating, but seriously it's a great piece of kit)
GK MB Fusion 500, 800
Very popular, costs more than non-fusions, people love it, frankly i prefer the MB tone but many apparently do not
GB Shuttle 3.0, 6.0, 6.2X, 9.0, 9.2
Very well built, no longer in production, clear and precise character, not very fat but very musical sound, not a lot of OD on tap, 3.0 & 6.0 have slightly different voicing
GB ShuttleMAX 6.2, 9.2X, 12.2
Larger than shuttle series, two preamp channels (FET & Tube), much more flexible, lots of knobs, pricey and rare, same tone as Shuttle series but much more flexible
GB Streamliner 600, 900
Has baked in tone that is perhaps more rock-ish than other GB's, quite popular, a bit pricey, People seem to love the tube tone on these, I've never used or heard one so I can't speak to them beyond that
Kustom KXB500
Inexpensive, small, very simple layout, some claim it has surprisingly beautiful tone, I'd love to try one but haven't had the chance yet
Markbass Little Mark I, II, III, F1, Big Bang, tube 800
A bit overpriced IMO, clean/clear tone but always felt a bit too sterile to me, many like them but I am not one
Orange Terror Bass 500 or 1000
Great grindy/rock tone, lots of OD available, a bit pricey, great with rounds and a pick, I love the sound of them but it's a one-trick-pony IMO and a trick I don't need ATM
Warwick LWA1000
Harder to find, dual channels (identical), fairly clear tone, Heard one once was neither impressed or displeased, they seem like a decent enough amp
Keep it simple for now and try to find an Ampeg SVT-CL.
It's an all tube amp that the majority of music stores who carry Ampeg should have in stock.
Since you mention you want clean headroom I would stick with SVT's over the V4B (300w vs 100w) as it will give you more headroom.
They can be found pretty easily on the used market for significantly less money than they go for new.
If you like the SVT-CL pretty much any all tube SVT will be a good fit for you. There are small differences between all of the various models but they all basically sound like an SVT.
I'm not sure what a bv4 is. Do mean a V4B?
If you mean the V4B, then yes. It's got a tube preamp and a tube power amp making it all tube
Solid State: No tubes
Hybrid: Tube preamp and SS power amp or SS preamp and tube power amp
All tube: Tube preamp and tube power amp
John Myung (of Dream Theater) used to use SWR gear exclusively. It is pretty evenly voiced and works well. I would just suggest using a Fdeck or similar high pass as the SWR has quite a bit of subsonic signal that can overexcurt speakers and sap up power making the amp seem less efficient.
FWIW I used to own the 750X and I loved it. Plenty of headroom. It was heavy though, and these days there are too many options under 10 lbs for me to consider buying one again. Currently in heaven with my Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 (4 lbs).
I vote v4b. I own a new reissue and love that head. It is very loud for 100 watts. It starts to break up at band practice volume for me.
I still use a Bass 750. Its a great amp and gets LOUD Loud. The tone is excellent.
I would look for a non-X model. They are under $400, which makes them a helluva deal.
World class tone and quality.
I would look for a non-X model. They are under $400, which makes them a helluva deal.
World class tone and quality.
My 2 cents. I play SWR amps because I personally like the sound better than any other amp I have ever played or owned and that's been a crap load. I prefer the Pre-Fender SWR. You will notice or should notice no hissing from these amps. They used great components . I have owned most of the professional line heads and cabs except the SWR SM900. You will be happy with one if you decide to buy one.
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I know this is an old post, but to help others looking at this amp here is my two cents.
I have been gigging heavy for 2-3 years (country, blues, metal) with a SWR 750x.
Never used the overdrive or subwave.
It IS heavy. I have it in a carry rack with a power conditioner, tuner and BBE.
Tone is neutral (like previously mentioned) so it is easy to "tweak" it towards various personalities, but it will never quite get there. I don't mean this in a bad way, just that you can get close to a (your favorite amp here), but it will still sound like itself. It is punchy, tight, and clean. It seems that this amp doesn't flavor the sound like other amps can. There is a quality that I can't quite define - not "thin"... The opposite of muddy. Sharp, crisp. Few undertones. But that makes it that much more punchy and "bitey".
Loud. I usually play it through an 8 ohm Fender Bassman 4x10 with horn. With larger gigs I add a Bassman 1x15. I also have a Hartke 4x10 and 1x15 (same stack, different vendor), but the Hartke 4x10 has a blown horn, and I don't like it as much with the SWR.
My typical application (which may explain my tone description) is I set gain around 12:00 (no clip lighting, just before that) and then raise the master for volume. I turn the Aural thingy to 2:00, or leave it off, depending on the style of music. Turning it up makes the sound "fuller", but with less definition. Limiter off.
I run the BBE through the effects loop so I can adjust to suite the room. A little goes a loooong way. It really beefs up the under-the-floorboards boom factor. I highly recommend a BBE (stomp or rack) for this amp. I used to run the BBE between bass and amp, but prefer it in the fx loop.
I use it with a Fender P-Bass (passive) and Schecter Stiletto 5 string (active). It does well with both.
I may be selling it, however. I just found an Ampeg SVT 3pro that I bought. I would classify them as in the same league, and the SWR is a lot more power, but I've found I personally prefer the Ampeg tone for what I'm playing. So, I bought the SVT (at a good price) knowing I would (re)sell one of them. Its still a toss-up, but leaning towards keeping the Ampeg.
To let you know how I feel about the SWR - I may cry when I sell it.
I have been gigging heavy for 2-3 years (country, blues, metal) with a SWR 750x.
Never used the overdrive or subwave.
It IS heavy. I have it in a carry rack with a power conditioner, tuner and BBE.
Tone is neutral (like previously mentioned) so it is easy to "tweak" it towards various personalities, but it will never quite get there. I don't mean this in a bad way, just that you can get close to a (your favorite amp here), but it will still sound like itself. It is punchy, tight, and clean. It seems that this amp doesn't flavor the sound like other amps can. There is a quality that I can't quite define - not "thin"... The opposite of muddy. Sharp, crisp. Few undertones. But that makes it that much more punchy and "bitey".
Loud. I usually play it through an 8 ohm Fender Bassman 4x10 with horn. With larger gigs I add a Bassman 1x15. I also have a Hartke 4x10 and 1x15 (same stack, different vendor), but the Hartke 4x10 has a blown horn, and I don't like it as much with the SWR.
My typical application (which may explain my tone description) is I set gain around 12:00 (no clip lighting, just before that) and then raise the master for volume. I turn the Aural thingy to 2:00, or leave it off, depending on the style of music. Turning it up makes the sound "fuller", but with less definition. Limiter off.
I run the BBE through the effects loop so I can adjust to suite the room. A little goes a loooong way. It really beefs up the under-the-floorboards boom factor. I highly recommend a BBE (stomp or rack) for this amp. I used to run the BBE between bass and amp, but prefer it in the fx loop.
I use it with a Fender P-Bass (passive) and Schecter Stiletto 5 string (active). It does well with both.
I may be selling it, however. I just found an Ampeg SVT 3pro that I bought. I would classify them as in the same league, and the SWR is a lot more power, but I've found I personally prefer the Ampeg tone for what I'm playing. So, I bought the SVT (at a good price) knowing I would (re)sell one of them. Its still a toss-up, but leaning towards keeping the Ampeg.
To let you know how I feel about the SWR - I may cry when I sell it.
The Bass 750 to my ears is clearer sounding than the X models. I think the effects circuitry affects the overall tone. They are a good buy. Other suggestions on this thread are good. You should buy what you like not what we like. 
If you get the SWR your fellows here can walk you through getting the most tone and volume out of it.
If you get the SWR your fellows here can walk you through getting the most tone and volume out of it.
Sorry, I awoke an old thread. It was posted in 2015, so he's prolly already bought it if he was going to
My bad, I was just adding my take on how this amp has treated me for anyone else looking at one.
Re-reading this, don't tell anyone I actually said "my bad".
My bad, I was just adding my take on how this amp has treated me for anyone else looking at one.
Re-reading this, don't tell anyone I actually said "my bad".
