What kind of reputation do SWR amps have? I have an idea of what rig I want from them, but I don't want to get it if it's total crap.
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SWR Amps
- Thread starter bassmanbucko
- Start date
SWR has a great reputation - i still use an electric blue head
they're not as in vouge as they were 10 years ago because a lot of other boutique manufacturers have come along
SWR started biulding just amps and had eden make their cabinets, but the 2 split ways after a while
In general i would avoid the workingman's series of cabinets as they really dont seem to be anywhere as good as the professional series - the workingman's amps are ok, but i'd stick to the pro series as well
(one exception would be the workingman's 12 and workingman's 15 combos which are excellent if you want a small combo)
I've also heard that the stuff built before steve rabe left the company is more reliable, but i can't confirm or deny that rumor
the only other input is i'm not sold on their Mo' series of heads - it seems like they tried to cram too much stuff into one package - i'd much rather have an sm-900 with a couple of goliath cabinets
they're not as in vouge as they were 10 years ago because a lot of other boutique manufacturers have come along
SWR started biulding just amps and had eden make their cabinets, but the 2 split ways after a while
In general i would avoid the workingman's series of cabinets as they really dont seem to be anywhere as good as the professional series - the workingman's amps are ok, but i'd stick to the pro series as well
(one exception would be the workingman's 12 and workingman's 15 combos which are excellent if you want a small combo)
I've also heard that the stuff built before steve rabe left the company is more reliable, but i can't confirm or deny that rumor
the only other input is i'm not sold on their Mo' series of heads - it seems like they tried to cram too much stuff into one package - i'd much rather have an sm-900 with a couple of goliath cabinets
IvanMike said:...i'd much rather have an sm-900 with a couple of goliath cabinets
That's pretty much the rig I was looking at
thanx!SWR has it's own sound. Only your ears can tell you if it's right for you.
There are SO many great mfgs. to choose from these days- Ampeg, Eden, etc...
I own a post Steve Rabe rig, and have had no problems. I admit tho- I don't gig very heavily anymore. But then again, if I were gigging heavily, I wouldn't be bringing a boutiqe rig to the places around here. I'd have stuck with my GK(head) & Peavey(cab) setup.
There are SO many great mfgs. to choose from these days- Ampeg, Eden, etc...
I own a post Steve Rabe rig, and have had no problems. I admit tho- I don't gig very heavily anymore. But then again, if I were gigging heavily, I wouldn't be bringing a boutiqe rig to the places around here. I'd have stuck with my GK(head) & Peavey(cab) setup.
Was in a progressive country showband that had financing. Everything from lighting/pa/everyone's backline and instruments. Yes it was too good to be true since the bandleaders didn't know a thing about booking. Yes-DOH.
They told me to go out and pick my "dream rig". I'd already put a Modulus Quantum5 on layaway. Filled the rig out with powered Bagend top and bottom. Rack/mounted SM900/ wireless/compressor/BBE/tuner...theshiznaz. Dunno whether it was the SM or the Bagends, but I was very unimpressed with what I saw as an overated SM900. I now run two Trace Elliot stacks and couldn't be happier. Everyone is blown away by the tone/warmth/power/visions of God. You just have to spend thousands of dollars a pop and MAKE SURE TO PLAY IT OUT LIVE before deciding. Noreally-It's kinda like that since many retailers don't typically rent out hi-end/powered rigs to let you run em thru the paces. Good luck hehe
They told me to go out and pick my "dream rig". I'd already put a Modulus Quantum5 on layaway. Filled the rig out with powered Bagend top and bottom. Rack/mounted SM900/ wireless/compressor/BBE/tuner...theshiznaz. Dunno whether it was the SM or the Bagends, but I was very unimpressed with what I saw as an overated SM900. I now run two Trace Elliot stacks and couldn't be happier. Everyone is blown away by the tone/warmth/power/visions of God. You just have to spend thousands of dollars a pop and MAKE SURE TO PLAY IT OUT LIVE before deciding. Noreally-It's kinda like that since many retailers don't typically rent out hi-end/powered rigs to let you run em thru the paces. Good luck hehe
IvanMike said:...the only other input is i'm not sold on their Mo' series of heads - it seems like they tried to cram too much stuff into one package - i'd much rather have an sm-900 with a couple of goliath cabinets
I'm of the opposite viewpoint - with my Mini Mo', I have the classic SWR preamp sound, all the efx's I used before now integrated into one solid package with a built-like-a-brick s'house footswitch, and they've given me the option to use the power amp of my choosing. On the other hand, give me an SM-900, and while I love the tone, it'll take me 3 weeks just to find it - just too many tone-shaping options for my personal taste. Although we're both on the same wavelength on Goliath's, so there's some overlap on our feelings.
bassmanbucko - you might want to do a search on SWR gear in general, but I'd take the post-Fender buyout complaints with a grain of salt. It did take a bit of time to incorporate the company's structures which led to some customer issues regarding parts and such - SWR themselves admit that. But those issues have been addressed and several people have reported much improved customer service. I had to special-order my Mini Mo', and the process went as smooth as can be.
What kind of rig exactly are you looking to build?
bassmanbucko said:
I like 'em. I've owned several and still say that the Goliath 4x10 is one of the best sounding cabs ever made. The pro series stuff is tough as nails. I never had a problem with any of them going down or giving me any problems. Rain or shine they always worked.
Like the other posters have said, you've gotta use your ears to decide if they are right for you. But as far as quality goes they've got my vote.
I have an SWR Mo' Bass and I'm very happy with it. I agree, the construction of the knobs isn't all that, but I never had any problems with it (bought new in 2000). Regular gigging, once a week sometimes more often.
I use it with 2 Gol Jr's and 1 SOB. The power amp section of the Mo' Bass is more than enough to drive these cabinets. I don't use the effects all that much, only for a couple of songs on a gig.
I briefly had the floorpedal too but that broke down on me and so did the replacement... RMA and money back.
I use it with 2 Gol Jr's and 1 SOB. The power amp section of the Mo' Bass is more than enough to drive these cabinets. I don't use the effects all that much, only for a couple of songs on a gig.
I briefly had the floorpedal too but that broke down on me and so did the replacement... RMA and money back.
When I was to buy my latest Rig, I tried a SWR SM-400.
It really disappointed me. I can't really describe what is was, but I was looking for a Rock N' Roll Sound and it wasn't there.
Ended up buying EBS Fafner TD-600 with a 6x10" BigSize Cab.
My advice: When buying, try as many desired setups/rigs as possible. Then narrow it in.
Always trust your instinct, but don't hessitate to ask dealers or clever TB'ers
I hope you find your rig, no mather brand or price!
It really disappointed me. I can't really describe what is was, but I was looking for a Rock N' Roll Sound and it wasn't there.
Ended up buying EBS Fafner TD-600 with a 6x10" BigSize Cab.
My advice: When buying, try as many desired setups/rigs as possible. Then narrow it in.
Always trust your instinct, but don't hessitate to ask dealers or clever TB'ers
I hope you find your rig, no mather brand or price!
I use a 750 into a workingmans 8x10. I use to use a workingmans 4004 amp but it has become my backup. The 8x10 cab is not too bad. I wouldn't mind trying out a set up like Mo'Bass is using with the 2/ 2x10 cabs and the 1x15. I bet that's a great combination and not too hard on the back. My 8x10 cab is easier to transport than most 4x10 cabs.
I have the same cabs as Mo' bass...2 Gol Jrs and 1 SOB. I'm using a Workingman's 8004 head with these cabs. Don't worry about SWR's reputation, they're durable, reliable gear. Whether they fit your needs or not is up to you to decide.
I got lucky because I honestly didn't do much brand research went I went amp shopping. I knew I needed a new one (ahum, now I know it's called GAS ) Anyways, I had in my head that I wanted an SWR, it was only a question of which one. As the Mo was just released in the USA and not even available at that time in the Netherlands I couldn't listen to it, but it looked cool. I briefly played through an SWR 350 at the local shop, decided I liked the sound and ordered the Mo. I love it but it could easily have gone the other way. If you can, compare amps from different brands side by side.
Oh and the cab setup me and Nickelseye have is very portable and modular. Thats the reason I bought 2 2x10 instead of 1 4x10.
) Anyways, I had in my head that I wanted an SWR, it was only a question of which one. As the Mo was just released in the USA and not even available at that time in the Netherlands I couldn't listen to it, but it looked cool. I briefly played through an SWR 350 at the local shop, decided I liked the sound and ordered the Mo. I love it but it could easily have gone the other way. If you can, compare amps from different brands side by side. Oh and the cab setup me and Nickelseye have is very portable and modular. Thats the reason I bought 2 2x10 instead of 1 4x10.
Mo' bass said:
OK here's the deal. You have to tell my wife that I need this set up. Tell her how good it sounds and throw in stuff about my bad back. Really sell her on the idea. I can't do this alone.
That's why I went with the 350 head. It sounded great with everything flat. So EQing was an option and not a necessity. 
I want gear that has great sound...not lots of options. My 350 does one thing...really well.
I want gear that has great sound...not lots of options. My 350 does one thing...really well.
"Dear Misses Edwcdc. Your husband 
is in serious need of a modular SWR cabinet setup. It will be much better for his back and it will sound so good that he will get a lot of compliments on his sound. That will make him very happy. 
Which in the long run is also good for you. So misses Edwcdc, it is in your own best intrest to make sure your husband get's his new SWR speakers as soon as possible!"
is in serious need of a modular SWR cabinet setup. It will be much better for his back and it will sound so good that he will get a lot of compliments on his sound. That will make him very happy. Which in the long run is also good for you. So misses Edwcdc, it is in your own best intrest to make sure your husband get's his new SWR speakers as soon as possible!"
Mo' bass said:"Dear Misses Edwcdc. Your husband
You're the best. Keep your fingers crossed!
Thanks
Ed
So, did it work?
Anyways, I probably should start a new thread about this, but
Last saturday I had an outdoor gig and decided to bring the whole setup. I started experimenting a litte with different connections and I discovered that my Mo'Bass sounds much **MUCH** better in bridge mode than in stereo mode. I was subbing for another bass player and the guitar dude had already commented on the looks of the Mo' but hadn't said anything about the sound. About 1 sec after I connected only the 2x10's to the mono output and set the switch to mono he suddenly said it sounded very good.
I emailed SWR and the tech dude wrote back that it there was more clarity and headroom in bridge mode but I think that the difference in sound quality is way too much.
Way back when I first gigged with the Mo' I already noticed that my sound was much clearer when I only used the 2 2x10. I attributed that to muddiness from the 1x15. Now I'm not sure about that.
Anybody here who knows the effects on sound quality between stereo and bridged?
(ps, I know a lot of people dissed the Mo's clean tone... maybe they only heard it in stereo mode)
Anyways, I probably should start a new thread about this, but
Last saturday I had an outdoor gig and decided to bring the whole setup. I started experimenting a litte with different connections and I discovered that my Mo'Bass sounds much **MUCH** better in bridge mode than in stereo mode. I was subbing for another bass player and the guitar dude had already commented on the looks of the Mo' but hadn't said anything about the sound. About 1 sec after I connected only the 2x10's to the mono output and set the switch to mono he suddenly said it sounded very good.
I emailed SWR and the tech dude wrote back that it there was more clarity and headroom in bridge mode but I think that the difference in sound quality is way too much.
Way back when I first gigged with the Mo' I already noticed that my sound was much clearer when I only used the 2 2x10. I attributed that to muddiness from the 1x15. Now I'm not sure about that.
Anybody here who knows the effects on sound quality between stereo and bridged?
(ps, I know a lot of people dissed the Mo's clean tone... maybe they only heard it in stereo mode)
Mo' bass said:
I have noticed that on seperate different occasions with my SM900. Just the left side running was ok, but bridged it came alive. The band didn't notice any change in volume but commented on the "feeling" of the bass. Maybe it's the headroom, or that anything the preamp throws into the poweramp, it just throws into the speakers without flinching (20 to 20k).
I love my set up, but I have heard rock guys say they got barried in a full band setting. My guitar players have 1X12 combos so I can out volume them if I can't fit into the sonic sound space.
Big Benner said:I have noticed that on seperate different occasions with my SM900. Just the left side running was ok, but bridged it came alive. The band didn't notice any change in volume but commented on the "feeling" of the bass. Maybe it's the headroom, or that anything the preamp throws into the poweramp, it just throws into the speakers without flinching (20 to 20k).
I love my set up, but I have heard rock guys say they got barried in a full band setting. My guitar players have 1X12 combos so I can out volume them if I can't fit into the sonic sound space.
I love wattage.
