Chef
In Memoriam
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SWR Baby Blue II
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After a spell with a few amps I plugged in my 2x8 BB earlier today. What hit me immediately (after the others) was the warmth that this thing had. Don't know what it was as I have never really noticed before but it was warm, punchy and fluffy all with the EQ bypassed. It sounded like an ampeg kind of tone but more articulate.
I was well impressed.
I was well impressed.
Finally pulled the trigger. Found a clean one on ebay.
..Holy crap. This thing sounds great. I A/B'd with the WM12, and it outdoes the 12 for volume. The physics of the 2x8 cab are clearly different, but the extra wattage of the head really solidifies the tone at higher volumes. The tone, though, the tone..
The detail is the thing. Every nuance is presented directly and exquisitely. Each different bass really sounds like itself. Demeter VTBP-like in its accuracy, though the Enhance knob perhaps makes it apples/oranges still. No complaints, the Enhance knob on this seems much more musical than that on the WM12.
Man, here's to handbuilt quality. I feel that my suspicions are confirmed, that this is an amplification system into which the same care was put as the instruments which might be played through it. It is truly Worthy.
Oh, and therrre's the heat sink..nestled away from sight, below the grille on top. Nice work.
..Holy crap. This thing sounds great. I A/B'd with the WM12, and it outdoes the 12 for volume. The physics of the 2x8 cab are clearly different, but the extra wattage of the head really solidifies the tone at higher volumes. The tone, though, the tone..
The detail is the thing. Every nuance is presented directly and exquisitely. Each different bass really sounds like itself. Demeter VTBP-like in its accuracy, though the Enhance knob perhaps makes it apples/oranges still. No complaints, the Enhance knob on this seems much more musical than that on the WM12.
Man, here's to handbuilt quality. I feel that my suspicions are confirmed, that this is an amplification system into which the same care was put as the instruments which might be played through it. It is truly Worthy.
Oh, and therrre's the heat sink..nestled away from sight, below the grille on top. Nice work.
Glad you like your new amp, but don't remember if I saw that auction or not, is it a BB1 or a BB2?
I've had both versions, a BB1 that was mostly used as a practice amp but kicked ass live with 8-Ohm extension speakers, but which was sold after I couldn't get a tone I liked in the studio, and a 2 that went bye-bye shortly after I joined my current band and got drowned out by the drummer.
I blame the 8s.
They're great amps...both versions sounded incredible in my living room but tended to run hot with a band bthough they never hiccuped when run hard. The vents built into the 2's chassis helped a lot with the heat, IIRC.
I've had both versions, a BB1 that was mostly used as a practice amp but kicked ass live with 8-Ohm extension speakers, but which was sold after I couldn't get a tone I liked in the studio, and a 2 that went bye-bye shortly after I joined my current band and got drowned out by the drummer.
I blame the 8s.They're great amps...both versions sounded incredible in my living room but tended to run hot with a band bthough they never hiccuped when run hard. The vents built into the 2's chassis helped a lot with the heat, IIRC.
I never cared for the 8's, but the head sounds great with many cabs and works great as a preamp.
Chef
In Memoriam
I have the BBII 2x8. Owners manual says it will run fine at 2 ohms, and I do sometimes run a 4 ohm extention under it.
The head is gerat for studio work. As you noted, it's very clean, kinda warm, and represents you and your intrument well.
It's only so loud, and expecting it to keep up with a band that's "not repsectful of volume and dynamis" is unreasonable.
I use mine for DB and electric a lot, with a 5 piece jazz/blues/r&b band, but these guys are great dynamiclly, and we never approach "rawk band" levels...
The head is gerat for studio work. As you noted, it's very clean, kinda warm, and represents you and your intrument well.
It's only so loud, and expecting it to keep up with a band that's "not repsectful of volume and dynamis" is unreasonable.
I use mine for DB and electric a lot, with a 5 piece jazz/blues/r&b band, but these guys are great dynamiclly, and we never approach "rawk band" levels...
Chef
In Memoriam
I looove the 8's! You just have to respect that "that's a little cab."
I have a Henry 8x8 that *kills* for big venue work. Yes, the BBII head does push it well!
I also have an LDS 2x8+5 cab with Don's long throw 8's in there. It impressed me so much that I put LDS long throw 8's in the BBII, along with a new poly coned mid driver that's a little brighter andnmore efficient/louder than the stock one. The hot rodding worked out very well. It's deepr, higher, and louder now...all without changing the transparent nature of the overall sound. Cost was about $100...
I have a Henry 8x8 that *kills* for big venue work. Yes, the BBII head does push it well!
I also have an LDS 2x8+5 cab with Don's long throw 8's in there. It impressed me so much that I put LDS long throw 8's in the BBII, along with a new poly coned mid driver that's a little brighter andnmore efficient/louder than the stock one. The hot rodding worked out very well. It's deepr, higher, and louder now...all without changing the transparent nature of the overall sound. Cost was about $100...
I recently switched out the stock Groove Tube for a JJ and the improvement in tone is significant. Something you BB owners may want to try.
It's a BBII. Found a 1998 model, original owner, etc. in great shape, just has some of the silkscreened lettering worn off of the control panel here and there. It's got essentially brand-new drivers in it, too.. (direct from SWR)
Definitely has a max. usable volume, just like any box of any size does. What I noticed right away though was that vs. the WM12 when you get it up near the headroom limit (used it at rehearsal with a loud drummer, in a garage) it maintains the thickness of the notes, where the WM12 thins out and really sounds like it's trying too hard for its own good. I have a first-run WM12 (black face, white logo) that has the 80watt power amp. The extra 40watts (120w in BBII, a 50% advantage) is sonically substantial. With the WM12, it worked much better to throw a PA monitor on top as an extension, to keep up with the drummer. It didn't sound strained this way. The BBII seems to manage ok on its own, it has just enough more to do the job.
I haven't tried it with an extension yet....or as a preamp into my Berg stack...
For higher volumes than that rehearsal (the loudest one I currently attend), I would use a bigger amp, but for all else it's the perfect one-piece solution. It's not the smallest amp (taller than the WM12, though it has a slimmer footprint), but it's small enough. This one's a keeper.
I imagine having two speakers arranged one above the other does more for the output than that extra 40 Watts does, but that's just a guess. Also, it's just a much better amp than the WM12, IME.
If you think you like it now, wait 'till you try running an efficient extension speaker...
If you think you like it now, wait 'till you try running an efficient extension speaker...
If you think you like it now, wait 'till you try running an efficient extension speaker...
Sounds killer with a Bag End 15!
Reefer, you been spying on me? Was playing this setup last night.
Take his advice folks, it ain't no lie.
Take his advice folks, it ain't no lie.
I found that combination 15 years ago and haven't heard a better cab yet for the Baby Blue head.
Chef
In Memoriam
Does anyone know the current ebay market for these? I have seen them go for as low as 300 to around 600.
I own a WM12 (post fender) and I think the BBII is my real dream amp. I am worried about volume...
Can you still get the replacement speakers from SWR?
I own a WM12 (post fender) and I think the BBII is my real dream amp. I am worried about volume...
Can you still get the replacement speakers from SWR?
AFAIK SWR doesn't have any replacement speakers but recone kits can still be had by speaker repair shops.
If this is truly your dream amp, pm me. Will warn you though, it ain't gonna be cheap. Saw that one on ebay go for $3?? and just about fell out of my chair. Normally go in the $625 range.
Was just playing with a Lakland 44-02(active). DANG, that sounds sweet! Hmm....
And to whoever said those S-15's don't go low enough, you should hear this. Plenty of bottom and just enough highs but not zingy. With a fiver I can't say for sure but with a four, this is pretty cool.
When I bid on mine, there were two available - one for $500 with a knob missing and torn upholstery, and a cherry one for $675. I'd been set on the specific model for so long that I figured it better to cough up the dough and be happier with the one which had been better cared for. So far, the extra dough was money well invested.
On the volume concern, Zildjian106, if you are satisfied with the output of the WM12, I think you will be just as functional with the BBII. You'll just have way better tone
On the volume concern, Zildjian106, if you are satisfied with the output of the WM12, I think you will be just as functional with the BBII. You'll just have way better tone
Well, for the most part I need something with a little more volume than the WM12. Sure, the WM 12 is great for light stuff, but I need something with a little more umph.
That is why I am skeptical about the 2x8 config...It may just not be enough.
That is why I am skeptical about the 2x8 config...It may just not be enough.
