Im still relatively new to playing bass been, playing close to 3 years now. A friend of mine had convinced me to buy an swr workman 8004 with an 8x10 cab. I was wondering if someone one could give me a good starting point for a fat rock type sound. I play an Ibanez 5 String with humbucker and an active pre amp any help in greatly appreciated
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Swr workman question
- Thread starter Randomite
- Start date
Hi! Welcome to TB.
Unless you've convinced your friend to sell it to you really really cheap, I think you can do better with something lighter, smaller, newer, more reliable. That is a lot of amp and cab to be moving around. Do you really need all that? Or are you married to the idea of that specific amp and cab?
No suggestions at this point, and nothing specific against the SWR. But being as you are fairly new to this, I suggest stepping on the breaks a bit and do more research, shopping around and asking more questions.
Check out the classified ads here. Good place to start for finding out what can be had these days.
Good luck.
Unless you've convinced your friend to sell it to you really really cheap, I think you can do better with something lighter, smaller, newer, more reliable. That is a lot of amp and cab to be moving around. Do you really need all that? Or are you married to the idea of that specific amp and cab?
No suggestions at this point, and nothing specific against the SWR. But being as you are fairly new to this, I suggest stepping on the breaks a bit and do more research, shopping around and asking more questions.
Check out the classified ads here. Good place to start for finding out what can be had these days.
Good luck.
Yeah would avoid that. SWR has been out of business for over a decade. You can do better with modern amps, and don't have to worry about blown speakers or parts availability.
When I'm thinking fat rock type tone, the last thing I think about is SWR. And, as has been pointed out, the company is dead so repairs down the road would likely be iffy.
I'd suggest that there's no real demand for that amp/cabinet. I hope you're stealing it because resale will not be good.
I'd suggest that there's no real demand for that amp/cabinet. I hope you're stealing it because resale will not be good.
I bought it for 600 for the whole rig being as I'm using for playing for church I honestly probably won't be able to afford anything like an ampeg or something along those lines but thank you anyways my post was meant to get a starting point for sound not whether or not my setup sucks thanks!
OK. Slight misunderstanding here.
I took your comment to mean you had not yet purchased the amp/cab. Just that your friend had talked you into doing so, but you hadn't yet pulled the trigger.
From that I also misunderstood you to be looking for a recommrndation for a bass amp that might give you a fat bass sound.
I don't think anyone suggested that your amp sucks. Just that if you had a choice (which is now clear that you don't) you might have wanted to look into other options.
Perhaps if, instead you had said something like, "I just bought such-and-such amp and cab. How do I go about getting a fat bass sound out of it?" That would have prompted different responses.
Anyway... who knows how to help the OP get a fat bass tone out of his SWR Workman 8004 and an 8x10 cab?
(BTW, just for clarity, Which cab?)
Thanks and sorry for my misunderstandings.
I do apologize I had seen this and realized i should have been more clear with my message I want to say it's the megalith cab? I know on the back there is an adjustment control
Only YOU know exactly what it is you're going for. I suggest simply spending some time with it in order to "dial in" your desired tone shaping.
Just keep in mind that what sounds great in your house may not work well playing with others, in a different room.
Just keep in mind that what sounds great in your house may not work well playing with others, in a different room.
Must be a large church. The Church where I played a SWR Workman 115 150 watt combo, was total overkill and that sanctuary sat over 800.
If you have not purchased this, there are better more suitable options. Check out Guitar center used gear online. Lots of stuff there. You may want to consult the one that does sound at your church as well for guidance.
If everything is healthy, that rig will sound excellent! I have used SWR since 1990 or so, and continue to gig with my Workingman's 212 cabs because they are as light as any current 212 and sound just as good, but I can buy 4 of em for the price of 1 current cab.
The heads are strong. And also sound excellent, tho not quite as rich as the pro models. I use the aural enhance sparingly. I strike a harmonic at my 12th fret A string, and turn the knob from 0, slowly, til I hear it first change the note. Usually ends up just above a 1/4 turn, say 9;30 on a clock. I use hardly any eq on these, but I would strike notes, move each slider individually thru its full range, to learn what each does to the sound of the note. Then, take that knowledge and shape my tone for the situation. Using the rig at one location is an advantage here, as its response will be consistent when experimenting, and you can really dial it in to what you want.
I play a lot of rock an metal, and getting a fat tone is always my goal. But your tone has as much to do with your bass and how you play it as it does with the rig you choose and how you run it. Great tones have been recorded and produced by all kinds of rigs, not just modern, light stuff. Great tone was not invented last year. And masters of our chosen instrument know that they can get their tone thru any rig. Try lots of combinations, learn how your rig works as diligently as you learn how to play the bass guitar, and that rig should serve your purposes very well. And last forever if you use it moderately. Good luck! And congrats on your purchase.
The heads are strong. And also sound excellent, tho not quite as rich as the pro models. I use the aural enhance sparingly. I strike a harmonic at my 12th fret A string, and turn the knob from 0, slowly, til I hear it first change the note. Usually ends up just above a 1/4 turn, say 9;30 on a clock. I use hardly any eq on these, but I would strike notes, move each slider individually thru its full range, to learn what each does to the sound of the note. Then, take that knowledge and shape my tone for the situation. Using the rig at one location is an advantage here, as its response will be consistent when experimenting, and you can really dial it in to what you want.
I play a lot of rock an metal, and getting a fat tone is always my goal. But your tone has as much to do with your bass and how you play it as it does with the rig you choose and how you run it. Great tones have been recorded and produced by all kinds of rigs, not just modern, light stuff. Great tone was not invented last year. And masters of our chosen instrument know that they can get their tone thru any rig. Try lots of combinations, learn how your rig works as diligently as you learn how to play the bass guitar, and that rig should serve your purposes very well. And last forever if you use it moderately. Good luck! And congrats on your purchase.
Welcome to TB
I have nothing more to add beyond the previous posts. The advice you’re getting is solid, reliable and sincere help. Unfortunately, prices for gear have jumped significantly over the past three years but there are still some great deals to be found with a lot selections. For me, it can become selection paralysis.
I’ve absorbed a lot from at least five of the members above over the past nine years. This is one of the best online communities I’ve found.
Good luck with your hunt and post pics once you find what you’re looking for.
Cheers
I simply thought my 8004 was great.
YET, it must be stated that the watts are a tad overstated. The contour control was previously called the Aural Enhancer, often referred to as the "suck" control. One would be well advised to seriously leave it alone.
YET, it must be stated that the watts are a tad overstated. The contour control was previously called the Aural Enhancer, often referred to as the "suck" control. One would be well advised to seriously leave it alone.
I found it and I'm blown away it almost feels like I won't ever need any distortion or overdrive pedal
