Why Do People Play With SWRs

[iloveloosey]

would ya be satisfied with a bass cabinet that made farting noises, bassturd? well, would ya???

[just wanted to be the 100th poster on this thread]

 

[nanook]

People use different amps for many different reasons. Price, sound, reliability, roadability, size, apperance.

For me, Ampegs, like Fenders sound like mud. They would maybe be ok for a polka band but Rock??? no way.

SWR or some of the other high tech solid state amps with a tube preamp is the only way to go. You can always degrade the sound with effects for that polka gig.

 

[smoothergroover]

Hey Bassturd,

I thought before replying as so many people have already been offended and this thread is now HUGE.

So you think SWRs sound crap and Ampegs give the best sounds in the business. If you're happy with the 2 vintage SVTs you have and they give you the tone you want that's cool. Ditto if you couldn't get sounds you wanted out of an SWR.

As to your original question, I play with my SWR Bass 350 because IMHO it is one of the best medium size heads going for its price and size. It is clear, loud, warm and versatile. And yes, I can make it sound like an SVT If I want to by using my Sansamp pedal - without breaking my back or bank account.

I wasn't particularly offended by your post, just entertained by the strident tones of your verdict - but hey, If you need be heard to get on the L.A. money train crack on mate!

 

[nil]

Originally posted by nanook
For me, Ampegs, like Fenders sound like mud. They would maybe be ok for a polka band but Rock??? no way.

SWR or some of the other high tech solid state amps with a tube preamp is the only way to go. You can always degrade the sound with effects for that polka gig.

huh? sorry Nanook, that doesn't make much sense to me. Ampegs and Fenders lousy for rock? Ya see one thing about rock music (and i'm talking about reasonably loud) is that with guitar(s) that are generally pelting out distorted (or near) tone a clean bass will often get lost. It's the grit that other amps can deliver that adds to the whole texture of the sound.

I agree somewhat with your second statement...as far as reliability goes. But sound-wise you'd be comparing apples with pears - each player has a preference, especially those who develop their own individual sound (as opposed to accepting what sound their gear makes).

It does sound sometimes like there's people out there lauding the merits of hi-fi bass amps, yet still crave the "SVT" sound (via Sansamp, whatever).

In the end it's whatever floats yer boat, really.

 

[smoothergroover]

Originally posted by nil
huh? sorry Nanook, that doesn't make much sense to me. Ampegs and Fenders lousy for rock? Ya see one thing about rock music (and i'm talking about reasonably loud) is that with guitar(s) that are generally pelting out distorted (or near) tone a clean bass will often get lost. It's the grit that other amps can deliver that adds to the whole texture of the sound.

I agree somewhat with your second statement...as far as reliability goes. But sound-wise you'd be comparing apples with pears - each player has a preference, especially those who develop their own individual sound (as opposed to accepting what sound their gear makes).

It does sound sometimes like there's people out there lauding the merits of hi-fi bass amps, yet still crave the "SVT" sound (via Sansamp, whatever).

In the end it's whatever floats yer boat, really.

Well said nil. I'll throw my tuppence worth in though:

I like my SWR for the reasons stated in my earlier post. To me it's not 'hi-fi' or 'gritty' - it lets ME sound the way I want to - whether that be Marcus Miller clear or Flea mid punchy or Cliff Burton wahdistortomania. Which I feel nicely backs up your bit about getting an 'individual' sound. There's more to my tone than an amp - technique, effects and the bass itself - but I reckon my SWR lets me be myself excellently. I thought Billy Sheehan sounded really 'hi fi' on some of his bits on Bass Day 2000, and he was going thru an Ampeg SVT 2 - the supposed 'grit' amp of choice! That tells me that the SVT 2 could probably do the job of my SWR as well if not better - but for £1300 more, twice as heavy and more expensive to maintain? I don't think so on my present income!

BTW I've found that a clean and punchy mid-boosted sound (my StingRay 5) cuts through 2 distorted guitars way better than a distorted tone - I found that just adding more distortion to the party didn't help the bass stand out that much unless as a 3-piece.

 

[Kelvin]

Originally posted by bassturd

I see other peoples comments about amps and they always recommend SWRs. WHY? they suck! i hate the sound that comes from that head and from their cabs. they sound like they have a big blanket covering the speakers making it sound all muffled.

anyways, i think SWR sounds like crap!

Coming from an Ampeg user I find that kinda odd. It would seem to me that Ampeg amps while boomy and punchy lack tweeter like clarity. Of course, I'm probably the exception as I love fiddling around with harmonics.

My beef with SWR is the lack of low end punch. Upper register clarity lends good soloing if you're playing a 6-string. After trying out several 210s, I went with the Eden, cuz it was the best option taking into account my style of playing and budget.

The SWR isn't a bad product in my opinion. People hear a lot of it in today's music, and have come to recognize the distinctive "LA sound" as Bassplayer calls it, and crave that setup.

 

[Munjibunga]

This thread is SUCH a crack-up. I'm amazed at how so many people got sucked into what obviously is a chain-yank. Only a mindless pinhead would actually believe that SWR blows. (This is a hypothetical pinhead to which I refer.) When I go to a concert, the first thing I do is check the equipment on stage. Let's see. What breed is most common back there behind the bass player? Uuhhhhh ... why, it's SWR! Why are all these silly professionals using equipment that blows? Guess I better not use that stuff. That's all.

 

[bassturd]

After viewing all of you threads, I realized one thing...
Everyone hates AMPEG! Its cool because its in your opinion which you are all intitled too!

I have a friend who is also a bass player and he swears up and down that SWR is the best amp ever! We would get into lots of arguements all the time. It wasnt until recently that i finally proved him wrong. We played some SWRs and AMPEGs at the GUITAR CENTER in Hollywood. Guess What? Like Luke Skywalker's father he turned to the dark side and converted to being an AMPEG user...

slowly one by one you will all sir-come to AMPEG!

 

[Oysterman]

Allright folks, this thread has merely become a big pain in the butt. Everyone uses the equipment he/she feels does the job for him/her. Ampeg and SWR are completely different stories and should not be compared, not in this way, like saying one thing rules and another thing doesn't.

Enough already. My first act of moderation on this forum is closing this thread. You have a problem, tell me.