SWR - worth it?

[four eyes studios]

Okay guys, so I know that a lot of folks are pretty unhappy with the current state of SWR amps. Once upon a time, I had a pre-Fender Workingman's 15 that I adored. I am now in the market for a combo again, and find myself drawn to the SWR stuff. I found a Black Beauty and a Workingman's 15, each on craigslist, for $500 and $350 respectively. My questions is:
a: Should I even be considering these amps, considering they are both newer Fender-made SWR's.
and
b: Which of these is a better deal?

I do mostly acoustic rock/pop playing, with the occasional upright jazz gig, and I want one amp that will do it all. I really liked the sound of my old SWR on my P-Lyte, and my Jazz V, but I'm worried that I'll be disappointed with the new ones, and should save my money and get something else entirely....

Help?

ah

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I don't know if you're looking for a combo amp specifically, but I have the SWR 350x (newer chrome-face one) I picked up about 3 years ago on a Green Tag sale for $350 at GC. I would totally recommend it!
It's the most reliable head I've ever owned (and I have the BLACK CLOUD of bass amps - just ask my band). This thing never clips out, never overheats, incredibly consistent and I use it almost everyday. Most importantly it BOOMS. I have it paired w/ an SWR Goliath III 2x10 cab and an Orange 15" cab for more BOOM. But standalone w/ the 2x10 its more portable and sounds great! GO BOOOM!

 

[Nick Ioannucci]

if you can find something pre-fender as far as heads go. i have the chrome faced 350 pro that is still pre fender and it is awesome. i also have the fender made goliath jr. which is great as well. the newer heads arent that great though imo

 

[RickenBoogie]

I've never played any of the "newer" stuff, but as you already know, an older Workingman's 15, or 12 even, is an awesome combo amp. You should be able to find one of the originals for pretty cheap. If it's SWR you want, that's what I'd do.

 

[four eyes studios]

Is there anyway I can tell from the pics if it's pre-Fender? I know the grill is black (on the Black Beauty) unlike the new ones on the SWR website, where the grill is silver. Should I just ask the seller? and if so what question should I ask him to be able to determine if its Fender or not?

ah

 

[JimmyM]

Ask him if it was new before 2003 or after. I'm pretty sure it was 2003 when Fender bought them out.

 

[IAmTheDood]

older swr 350's are around.. i got a smokin trade where a guy really wanted a schecter custom 5 string bass .. i couln't sell it outright for $400 .. but he offered me his pre fender basic swr 350 chrome and a trace elliot 4x10 .. that's my main rig now and it rocks!

 

[four eyes studios]

Isn't there something with the city where it was made or something? Maybe Fender moved production, and so the "xxxxxx, California" changed during the switch-over? (I'm just trying to remember stuff I've read in other threads....)

ALSO, should it matter? I mean I know that pre-Fender would be a better amp, and thus a much better deal, but if not, should I look elsewhere? Is there THAT much difference?

ah

 

[COOL AND DEADLY]

I have a post-Fender 550x, post-Fender 2-10 Goliath III, and a pre-Fender 1-18 Big Ben. I love my rig. Two years heavily gigged, only problem is the effects loop tends to pop. I just plug directly into any pedals I may be using at the time.

 

[JimmyM]

NEVER buy equipment based on opinions on Talkbass. Read them, take them seriously if you wish, but use your own tastes.

 

[Kael]

Heretic! Burn him at the stake! All GAS purchases should be based on heresay and conjecture garned here at talkbass. He must be a guitard infiltrator. Get 'em!

I have an old (pre-Fender) SWR Bassic Black combo that sounds far better than I thought it would when I bought it. Honestly, it is fotrunate that it is so depressingly underpowered or my thunderfunk/EA rig would be in dire jepardy of being moved. Well, probably not, maybe, nah.... damn GAS.

NEVER buy equipment based on opinions on Talkbass. Read them, take them seriously if you wish, but use your own tastes.

 

[unclekebm]

IMO the Black Beauty is way above the WM15, i've owned and gigged w/both...
forget the pre Fender, post Fender bull! I've owned both and they all worked fine
go play with them & buy the one you like

 

[projectMalamute]

Isn't there something with the city where it was made or something? Maybe Fender moved production, and so the "xxxxxx, California" changed during the switch-over? (I'm just trying to remember stuff I've read in other threads....)

ALSO, should it matter? I mean I know that pre-Fender would be a better amp, and thus a much better deal, but if not, should I look elsewhere? Is there THAT much difference?

ah

SWR Engineering stuff (pre sale of the company buy Steve Rabe) will say Sylmar or Pacoima, CA.

SWR Sound Company stuff(after the exit of the founder but before the Fender buyout) will say Sylmar or Sun Valley, CA.

Stuff made after the Fender buyout will say Corona, CA.

This is all in regards to the American made stuff. The Workingman's line are from Mexico now, I do not know where they were made prior to the buyout.

 

[four eyes studios]

SWR Engineering stuff (pre sale of the company buy Steve Rabe) will say Sylmar or Pacoima, CA.

SWR Sound Company stuff(after the exit of the founder but before the Fender buyout) will say Sylmar or Sun Valley, CA.

Stuff made after the Fender buyout will say Corona, CA.

This is all in regards to the American made stuff. The Workingman's line are from Mexico now, I do not know where they were made prior to the buyout.

Thank you so much! That is the info I've been looking for. I will try to ask him that specific question.

NOW as for the second part of the original question, is the Black Beauty a FAR superior amp to the Workingman's 15? I think that will all the tonal options, the BB would be a great deal at 500, but that thing weighs like 95 lbs. Any thoughts?

ah