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SWR Studio 220

P

Precisionb87

Dec 15, 2010
212
85
Philadelphia, PA
#1
I have what I think to be a pre-fender SWR Studio 220. I will be selling it very soon, but I first I need to get some info on it first. (I am not particularly thinking of selling this through talkbass, so please do not flag me)
Maybe somebody can help shed some light.
Judging by the serial number, what year was it made?
Is there a website that can help me identify that?
How much are these things worth these days? (good condition, no issues)
Thanks for all the input.
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#4
Just bought one here on TalkBass for 190 shipped. I saw a later Studio 220 1-15" combo today for $375 in a local shop.
Your amp seems to be later in the production run since it has the detachable power cord.

From my very limited research these seem to be decent amps, but short on power compared to more recent bass heads. People seem to want a lot more power than they used to. I've gigged with a 50 watt amp and had the drummer ask me to turn down. If you can find cabs you like the sound of that are reasonably efficient then 200 watts is plenty.

I'm hoping that "vintage" SWR prices take off like a rocket ship in a few years. 'Til then I'll be enjoying a decent sounding amp.

I would be interested in SWR serial number to year of manufacture info too.

- Paul
 
#5
Hi.

It has the "classic" SWR preamp section and one discrete design SWR "classic" 200W power amp section. The SM 400 had two of those power amp modules.

IME the mfg date can usually be found on either the PCB's or on the transformer. Assuming they're original of course.

Being seemingly low on power can be remedied by EQ:ing the extreme lows down completely or by using a HP filter. Steve's desire to have a Hi-Fi-like amp IMHO worked against every SWR amp as the lows robbed a lot of the percieved wattage.

Since the power amp is of a traditional discretes design, the amp requires a periodical bias check and adjustment. It can creep pretty badly and the result is even more heat than normally and more loss of power.

Being low on power is IMHO moot, especially nowadays, as it's of 19" design, has an internal cross-over, power amps are cheap and 200W is more than enough to drive mids+higs.

I'll probably never sell mine (did sell my SM400 back in the day though :().

Regards
Sam
 
#7
HI.

1n3 said:
The SWR page (second link posted) lists the weight at 13.5 lbs (6.12kg). That's surprisingly low for that era and power. Can anyone confirm this weight?
Click to expand...

Mine's (fixed power cord) 6.15Kg, so at least mine falls pretty close to the claim.

I do have to admit that it's been a sweet while (years) since I used that amp since I'm almost completely a tube kinda guy, but if more versatility, less weight, perhaps more back-line power and/or SS is required, this is the amp of choice for me.

Regards
Sam
 
#10
Hi, Paul.

Here's a link to the "oscilloscope method" for SM400.

http://mhumhirecords.org/DIYpages/schematics/SWR/Bias.pdf

I remember having a less equpment requiring instructions as well, but those have been lost, perhaps someone still has them. That SWR specific link above was posted here at TB, so the credit for the link goes for that orginal poster.

My amps have performed flawlessly on the power amp side of things, so I haven't biased mine, but I do have biased (reluctantly ;)) a few similar topology amps using the "cross-over" distortion method. I'm not 100% certain that the method works on the ST220, it should, but I'll check that in a few weeks.

Regards
Sam
 
#16
Hey Sam,
You seem to be up on SWR history.
Do the post Fender amps have a HPF as opposed to Steve's original designs that act more like laboratory amps?
Am back to using my 1986 SM400 but that low freq thing is what made me send it to backup amp land in the first place.
Amazingly reliable, super well made, great tone (for many), and worth nothing on the used market. go figure
 
#17
This has been my main amp since I bought it in 1988. Mine does not have the detachable power cord and the serial number is 047 0021. I never used the power amp section much. I use the pre-amp out to drive a (BGW 750B) power amp. For low volume use the built-in power amp is more than adequate.

When I bought my Studio 220 I was in the market for a Groove Tube pre-amp but when I found that it wasn't that much more expensive to buy the Studio 220 and get a power amp, too, (pre-amp in the Studio 220 is the same as the Groove Tube which originally was made for them by SWR) I bought the SWR so I would have a lightweight amp alternative and also a back up power amp in the event of problems with my BGW on a gig. BGW amp has been going strong for over 30 years (recently replaced with a Crest CA6) but the SWR is finally in need of a bench check. I always loved the sound of this amp but very rarely use the EQ since I tend to like amps where I can set everything as flat as possible and actually hear the sound of the bass.

The one thing I do not like about the Studio 220 is the DI. When you turn the amp off the capacitors discharge through the DI and if it is still hooked up to the PA and the PA is still on it makes a horrendous shrieking noise. I tried getting this repaired but have been led to believe this is common with the SWR amps. I learned to be careful but finally ended up buying an Avalon U5 and don't use the SWR DI anymore.
 
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#18
Hi.

Jim C said:
Hey Sam,
You seem to be up on SWR history.
Do the post Fender amps have a HPF as opposed to Steve's original designs that act more like laboratory amps?
Am back to using my 1986 SM400 but that low freq thing is what made me send it to backup amp land in the first place.
Amazingly reliable, super well made, great tone (for many), and worth nothing on the used market. go figure
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words.

AFAIK the newer ones do not have HPF's either, and that's a real shame if You ask me.

OTOH, the semi parametric/graphic EQ is IME versatile enough to overcome that deficiency, and if it's not enough, a HPF in the effects loop will take care of that.

I don't get the vintage SWR prices either, at least over here those amps did cost a literal fortune back in the day (the reason I sold mine all those years ago ;)), but nowadays they can be had for peanuts.

Pair any of 'em with a 19" power amp and that'll be more power than anyone should need onstage.

Regards
Sam
 

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