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SWR vs GK

#21
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#22
40Hz said:
I've got an SM-400. Two suggestions:

1. Download and read a copy of the manual. It's not the world's most intuitive amp for dialing in the sound you're looking for. It's a knob twiddler's delight compared to most amps. Once you get your head around it's overkill level of flexibility however, it makes more sense and becomes easier to get the sound you want.

2. Put a high-pass filter in the effects loop and dial out everything below about 150-200Hz. (I use a Broughton Audio HPF. Highly recommended.) Your sound will be better and the amp will run considerably cooler. I was about to toss my SM-400 into a dumpster until I found that tip in an SWR user forum.
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+1...That HPF trick (wherever you choose to set it) is feature that should have been in the amp in the first place IMHO.

Oddly enough there are knobs and sliders on that amp to adjust everything you can imagine except the one thing that improves its performance the most - go figure! I use the fdeck's HPF-Pre Series III in the effects loop and it is brilliant. It works in line between the bass and amp input as well.
 
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#23
Al Kraft said:
+1...That HPF trick (wherever you choose to set it) is feature that should have been in the amp in the first place IMHO.

Oddly enough there are knobs and sliders on that amp to adjust everything you can imagine except the one thing that improves its performance the most - go figure! I use the fdeck's HPF-Pre Series III in the effects loop and it is brilliant. It works in line between the bass and amp input as well.
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Yes indeed. Once you remove the ridiculous low end frequencies the amp is pumping out, and which very few bass speakers or (maybe any?) instrument cabs are going to be able to reproduce anyway, the SWR SM-xxx Series are actually pretty nice sounding amps. Then you just have to remember not to use the "enhancer" - and get an outboard compressor if you use one - and Bob's your uncle.

I was surprised to discovered the quasi-parametric graphical EQ is actually quite useful with active 5-strings once you get how it works and dial it in for your own instrument. But only after you get a HPF and eliminate those freaky uktra lows.

And I'll agree, I think both a hi and a low pass filter should be standard (and built in) on every bass rig. Especially since everything below 300Hz is pretty useless to begin with when playing live.
 
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#28
I played SWR for years (350 - SM400 - Mo' Bass) with any combination of Goliath and Big Ben cabs. Also Workingman 15 and Natural Blonde combos. I play GK now (a Series I 400rb and matching cab) and am as happy with my tone as I have ever been. If the 1001rb has too much grit for you, or is simply getting "fuzzy" and in need of repairs, I would not limit yourself to an SWR head. The SM500 was a decent head for its time. But, it is not anything special by today's standards. If I were you, with those Eden cabs, I would be looking for an Eden WT550 Traveler to complete that set. Eden heads and cabs sound awesome together. My 2 cents.
 
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#30
funkytoe said:
I played SWR for years (350 - SM400 - Mo' Bass) with any combination of Goliath and Big Ben cabs. Also Workingman 15 and Natural Blonde combos. I play GK now (a Series I 400rb and matching cab) and am as happy with my tone as I have ever been. If the 1001rb has too much grit for you, or is simply getting "fuzzy" and in need of repairs, I would not limit yourself to an SWR head. The SM500 was a decent head for its time. But, it is not anything special by today's standards. If I were you, with those Eden cabs, I would be looking for an Eden WT550 Traveler to complete that set. Eden heads and cabs sound awesome together. My 2 cents.
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No surprise there either since SWR and Eden had roots in the same garden and there was a lot of cross pollination in the early days of the companies.
 
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#31
The Regulator said:
I used to own one and loved it. Not only did it sound great, but it was loud as hell. I could imagine what two would sound like. As I got older the weight was a bit too much so I got rid of it.
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When I was looking for a head and cab back in the day I was researching so much before I pulled the trigger on the SM-500 and Goliath Senior. I am glad I did not get sucked into buying an Ampeg 8x10 as those are refrigerators and needed 2 people to carry those up stairs. At least I can carry/maneuver the Goliath Senior and, like you said, EXTREMELY loud. :D
 
#34
My "big" rig nowadays is an SM400 into a Goliath Sr. I run Fdeck's HPF in the loop. It's loud, clear, fat, and cuts through dense mixes easily. I used to run a 900 into the cab but it was simply too loud for all of my applications.

I recently scored an SWR Engineering era Bassic Black combo (150W into 1 15") and it's a beautiful little amp.

SWR gear is relatively inexpensive on the used market and easy to work on so repairs are not prohibitive. As others have mentioned, tone is subjective so make sure you like what it puts out before shelling out $$.
 

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