Which of These Amps?

[shadven]

ELF

 

[arbiterusa]

How difficult to get repaired? Obsolete components?

As I understand it, and I may well be wrong, most of the components are still out there, difficult to find in some cases but not impossible. The problem is finding folks who still know how to work on them and who know how to find and deal with the myriad of production changes that occurred from year to year.

Their cabinets are the pieces of SWR gear facing a quick obsolescence. You can still get replacement speakers for the Golight Neo cabs - they're basically stock Eminence neo - but if one of the speakers on your Goliath or Goliath II goes you are basically done with that cabinet unless you can find a parts cab to gut. And that is simply no way to live. Not for me, anyway.

 

[mikewalker]

Not on the list but it seems like you are looking for a used, affordable, reliable, good sounding, medium powered amp.

I would strongly consider a Hartke 3500 in that case. You can find them for about 200-250 alot of places.

Get an LH-500, Sweetwater is running them for $349 brand new: simple, bullet-proof, warm and rich sounding... and LOUD

 

[40Hz]

How difficult to get repaired? Obsolete components?

Looking at the service info and schematics (Fender makes SWR tech info available here), the preamp has a 12AX7A in it which is common enough. Most of the ICs are TL072ACPs. And I don't see anything else on the pages that looks particularly rare to me parts-wise. But I'm not a tech so don't go by me. However, I have been told by fellow SWR owners that they've had trouble locating techs who were interested in servicing SWR products. Supposedly a qualified tech can keep them running forever. But recently, when I had an issue with mine and wanted somebody who knows what they're doing to look at it, I struck out calling the people I know. Nobody was interested even though I told them I had the service docs and schematics for it. One guy said they were a pain to troubleshoot and between the bench time and repair it's would cost more than it'd be worth. So after talking to the people here who do know what they're talking about when it comes to amps, they were kind enough to offer some suggestions as to what the problem was. So I took a deep breath and was able to fix it myself because it turned out to be a very minor (minor as in replacing a slide switch on the rear panel) repair job. If it were a board level issue I'd have been up the creek.

Don't get me wrong about an SM-400. They're great amps as long as you know a little trick you need to know if you get one

 

[RollCats]

Get an LH-500, Sweetwater is running them for $349 brand new: simple, bullet-proof, warm and rich sounding... and LOUD

That's a spanking good deal! Only reason I didn't recommend the LH series is because I've heard they use the classic 'fender EQ' stack so thus have a baked-in mid scoop sound. The HA 3500 is very versatile tonally, as well as many if the other amps on his list.

 

[dpaulb]

No cabs. No guidance on the size/types of venues you'll be in, or the basses you use. Pretty hard to provide tailored advice.

Gonna join the stampede for the GK 700RB...of all, its the least likely not to work out with whatever cabinet(s) you get. Sonically flexible, durable and fixable. Would also consider the Eden or Genz Benz options - I've never heard or played through a Neo-Pack, but have a lot of familiarity with other Genz Benz amps, all of which have been reliable, and which feature smart and flexible pre-amp circuits. Those NeoPacks may be starting to become collector items. There aren't a lot of them out there as they bridged the GB transition from A/B to Class D amp sections, and I'm guessing the power amp section uses a circuit similar to the Mark Bass LMII and LMIII. I'd love to try one myself, some day. All of the other stuff reflects design choices that channel you into a particular tone or timbre profile...and for what you've described, it makes sense to maximize for flexibility depending on how the rest of your rig and your scene evolve.

I play a Fender Deluxe Active Jazz. I am looking at eith 2 1x15s or 1 4x10. Some outdoor festivals coming up.

 

[dpaulb]

Looking at the service info and schematics (Fender makes SWR tech info available here), the preamp has a 12AX7A in it which is common enough. Most of the ICs are TL072ACPs. And I don't see anything else on the pages that looks particularly rare to me parts-wise. But I'm not a tech so don't go by me. However, I have been told by fellow SWR owners that they've had trouble locating techs who were interested in servicing SWR products. Supposedly a qualified tech can keep them running forever. But recently, when I had an issue with mine and wanted somebody who knows what they're doing to look at it, I struck out calling the people I know. Nobody was interested even though I told them I had the service docs and schematics for it. One guy said they were a pain to troubleshoot and between the bench time and repair it's would cost more than it'd be worth. So after talking to the people here who do know what they're talking about when it comes to amps, they were kind enough to offer some suggestions as to what the problem was. So I took a deep breath and was able to fix it myself because it turned out to be a very minor (minor as in replacing a slide switch on the rear panel) repair job. If it were a board level issue I'd have been up the creek.

Don't get me wrong about an SM-400. They're great amps as long as you know a little trick you need to know if you get one.

[/QUOTE]
If by little trick you mean a hpf I do.

 

[40Hz]

If by little trick you mean a hpf I do.[/QUOTE]

I just assumed that if you were looking at SWRs you already knew about it.

 

[bass40hz]

For country...any of those except for the GKs or Ampeg. Just my humble opinion.
Rock on.

 

[JMarkD]

Any of them will work just fine.

 

[esoxhntr]

Though they are not on your list, I'm with @BassCliff here - GK MB500 or 800. The Mesa Subway 800 or 800+ might also be a good choice.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I would avoid SWR. I would just go with Ampeg.

 

[bordinco90]

I would go with either the GK or Eden.

 

[fishdreams]

They all are fine amps. That said:
I'd pick the cabs first and then the amp to go with it.
I'd go GK. MB800 (fusion) is a blast, literally and figuratively (with GK cabs). The 1001RB would be my ledsled-choice. But anything GK is fine as an allround, both clean-and-ballsy, dependable, reasonably priced for the quality choice in my book.
2nd choice Eden W400. Just no idea what cabs to pair it with....

of the ones you don't mention: Mesa Boogie
Good luck!

 

[Nev375]

I just bought my first old GK amp. I'm very pleased and recommend them.

 

[StringslamDan]

GK gets my vote!

 

[pht2356]

Buy em all. That's why God made credit cards and ex-wives

 

[Chickenwheels]

GK for durable, reliable, solid tone.
My 2 RB heads are 32 and 28 years old respectively. I gig them constantly.
Dipping the treble control really thickens up the tone without boosting the bass.
Best wishes!

 

[Rooster009]

Except for the B15, Ampeg is just not a great amp for country. Think especially GK and Eden. Those will cover anything from a ballad to a shuffle in a country setting.

 

[Revolver]

Gallien-Krueger 700RB, Mesa Boogie M3 Carbine or Epifani