BassBod

Hello Tyler - welcome to the dark(er) side of life! I agree, that preshape button is the wrong way round for me too. My current Ashdown (Retro 800) is nothing like the ABM in character, so it gets thoroughly Sansamped most of the time. Nice little amp for run around gigs. Let me know if you want to try an old Trace Elliot for fun...its probably older than you, but still sounds great if you ignore the reshape switch. (Duncan)

Contact Jon Godsland at Orchid Electronics in Exeter - just his sort of thing.

One more thought. SWR used the same 10” drivers for the Goliath series cabs, so a search will also provide info on replacements and people’s experiences. The PAS drivers haven’t been available for a good few years, so there will be some suggestions. I have an early Eden built Redhead, and the speakers look different to later ones (black cones, not grey) so SWR did vary things through production runs. They sound slightly deeper to me, but it’s subtle.

If it helps, I changed speakers in a Baby Blue 2x8” combo a few years ago. Originals were Bag End/Eminence, changed to modern Eminence Beta’s. Only compromise was its now 4ohm into internal speakers, so can’t really add extra cab. The sound is pretty much the same, maybe a touch more upper mids but essentially it’s the same amp, but the speakers work.

Never done it, but probably- although the difference could be subtle. Something like the Eminence Legend BP102 is often suggested as the best current production option. Someone with more tech knowledge could give more detailed advice, but there are a few things to consider. SWR were a mainstream company so didn’t use exotic speakers - modern replacements will be “better” as they will generally handle more power. SWR didn’t limit the low end of their amps, so the speakers are a bit vulnerable if there is a lot of boost in the low eq. Also, I think the amp used a 4ohm internal load, although it could also drive an 8ohm ext cab down to 2ohms. If you are likely to use an extra cab, think about making the internal load 8ohms so the amp doesn’t run really hot!

Originals were called PAS, but they don’t exist. Eminence make a few good replacements, look up on Talkbass and you’ll see lots of info. I wouldn’t worry about trying to reduce the weight much - the cab and amp already weigh enough 😳

Please do 😜

Arnapol cabs are always interesting 😎

Yes, would've done it. Jon's older Di box design (I think the same thing in a different box) had a line input jack, and it worked with the SWR fine, until I got a bit heavy handed one night - the clipped signal took out the power for the PA and lights for about ten seconds....oops...

Jon built an A/B DI with mute and tuner output, and level control for each input for me several years ago. It was great (if slightly rustic) The only time I’ve had an issue with any of the Orchid DI boxes is running a line out put from an SWR amp - just not enough headroom on the DI input. But that really was user error, it was a hot line level signal.

Slick bag from Sweden look very good to me. Not seen one in the flesh, but would be at the top of my list (Levy’s are my favourite, but they are just stupid expensive in the UK).

My thinking is the original Warwick wax finish and a thin matt nitro aren’t very different in look or feel. In my experience, a thin matt nitro is actually less hard wearing (always goes shiny with use) and much more difficult to maintain. Maybe just cut back the existing finish and replace with a fresh Warwick wax layer? The Warwick stuff is really good, as it doesn’t quickly build into a shine like most furniture waxes - use a little, often, and it does what it says on the tin.

I tried with bass guitar and double bass. Its a great little thing but I couldn't use it for anything but the smallest gigs with the most attentive of audiences. May work better if you can DI into a house PA etc but I couldn't make it work..especially if it was a venue I didn't know well in advance. My best experience was with an acoustic bass guitar - it was easy to tuck behind the chair so it was invisible, and it actually felt like the bass was making a good acoustic sound (which it can't do!).

Looks very good - proper two channel preamps are still pretty rare.

There is a TC pedal that claims to help acoustic guitars, but I've not heard it - something to do with body resonance.

Good preamp/DI pedal will work - Sansamp/Fishman/ LR Baggs etc. Look at the amp as a powered monitor (and have it a few feet away) and let the PA do the room. It won’t ever be easy, but will work.