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SWR Cabs? How do they rank?

Andy Brown

Andy Brown

Commercial User
Jul 23, 2004
5,675
312
Rhode Island
www.winginstruments.com
Disclosures
Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
#1
It looks like GC is going 50% on SWR cabs this month. How do they rank with the likes of Bag End, etc..? I was originally going to splurge on a S15-D for my GK MB150, but if the SWR's are less expensive and equal quality or more expensive and better quality, I may check them out. Looks like list is about $570 or so for a 1x15.
 
#2
I really like my SWR SOB 1x15 but I have to say SWR quality has dropped off over recent years.

Examples - the name plate on my SOB fell off. I had to glue it back on.

My Bib Ben 1x18 has two speakon jacks on the back but only 1 has ever worked. I check the wiring and can't see anthing wrong, maybe the plug is stuffed ?

the above cabs were built in late 2002 / early 2003

Contrast with my Goliath III built in 1999, it has been abused to the max but has no faults and minimal wear.

If you are buying I'd only look at the pro series gear and then I'd reject anything with any faults.
 
#3
SWR stuff I've come across lately has been pretty rank indeed. Sounds good in the store at meek little volumes, but the amps don't seem to have half the power they're rated at and the cabs can't handle the power they're rated at. Maybe an all SWR setup would be OK, but probably still quiet. If you like the tone and use your amp as an on stage monitor, with the PA being the thing that gets you heard, it could be OK. Of course lots of people swear by SWR. I like things loud and built rugged.
 
#5
SWR isn't bad, I've had my Senior for a while now & it gets a different tone, great for punk, ska, alternative & slap. I did a side by side with a 4x10 from SWR & Eden and didn't see a really significant difference. Whats your playing style? I think that question is omitted way too often around here because that makes all the difference in even giving you a thoughtful opinion.
 
#10
cb56 said:
Rumor has it they are coming out with a new line of cabs. Working pro or something like that. Don't know if that means they are discontinuing a line or not.
Click to expand...
Apparently FMIC is.

I went into GC today to see what I could do toward getting a Goliath III in 4-Ohm, but it's ONLY the MIM Workingman's stuff that's on sale, not the MIA Pro line. :hmm:
 
#11
Check around for used cabs. Used SWR stuff is selling at super low prices these days. Just make sure you check out the speakers to make sure they are in good shape. The replacement PAS10's for SWR cabs are $130 each.
 
#14
You want to hear a nice cab? Go play an SWR 4x12...righteous, I tell you.

One of these days I'll get around to replacing my Trace Elliot cabs with two Sons of Bertha, to go along with my SWR 'Stella/Power 750 rig.

BTW, this setup is quite loud, I assure, you...
 
#15
I've been using SWR products for a while and haven't had any problems with it. SWR just announced a new line of amps called the Working Pro series . I don't know if it's going to replace the Workingman Series. It's on their website.

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#18
cb56 said:
Check around for used cabs. Used SWR stuff is selling at super low prices these days. Just make sure you check out the speakers to make sure they are in good shape. The replacement PAS10's for SWR cabs are $130 each.
Click to expand...
I've been looking for a 4-Ohm Goliath III for some time with no luck. Quite a few 8-Ohms, but no fours... :hmm:
 
#19
Yes, GC is advertising "half-price" but check out what that really means. They are selling SWRs for more money than the online guys. But you do save on the shipping. But you have to pay sales tax at GC. It's up to you. I buy a lot of stuff at GC and a lot of stuff online too. So I try to keep everybody happy.
 
#20
I've played on their Goliath III's, and I wasnt too impressed, the Son of Bertha is a really nice cabinet though. I would never puchase an SWR amp head. I've tried a few and just couldnt get any sound worth keeping out of them. All of that aside, I'm currently using a 4 year old SWR Megoliath (that is their 8x10 pro cabinet) and I make no plans of ever purchasing a different cabinet. The sound of this monster is amazing and has tons of power to spare, whoever said that SWR gear is weak, I've found that to be true in their amps and smaller cabinets, I guess I just got the diamond in the rough though, as the fella says. Just purchased a Genz Benz 600, havent had the chance to pair them up yet, but I'm really looking foreward to it.
 

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