JPJ Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I’m an SWR’aholic. There, I’ve said it, it’s out there and I feel strangely unburdened 😀 So as a few of you may recall, I own the daddy of all SWR amps, the SM-1500. This is an absolute powerhouse of a bass amp with 1500 real watts available if you ever need them, but that comes at a price, and that price is weight. A few years ago I was pairing the SM-1500 with either a Goliath Snr 6x10 or a pair of Goliath 4x10’s but eventually I learned that I didn’t need that type of stadium filling rig for my regular gigs and paired things back to a single Goliath, mated with an Aguilar AG500SC which is more than enough, even when headlining the Bulldog Bash to 4,000 last year. As a result, the SM-1500 lies idle most of the time in the man cave. But as good as the Aggy is, I still hanker for the SWR sound, and so I started to look for an SM-900. After a few wanted ads on here, I got a couple of leads but nothing that came to a purchase and then last night, whilst browsing a Facebook selling group I spotted what looked like a pristine SM-900 for sale in Holland. As luck would have it, I work in Holland Monday to Friday, and the SM-900 was unbelievably just 15km away from me. A few messages later and a swift trip up the road tonight and I own an SM-900 😎 Now all I need to do is ship it back to the UK and I’ll be one happy bass player. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Very cool how you came across it! I've never owned an SWR but I have played through a couple and they do sound very lovely indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Nice. When you do get it Kev, let's arrange to compare it to the Thunderfunk 750... same bloke designed them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 6 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: Nice. When you do get it Kev, let's arrange to compare it to the Thunderfunk 750... same bloke designed them! I’ve got it already John, just ordered a flight case for it to ship it home in. I’ll let you know when she’s arrived in blighty and we’ll arrange a get together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Proper amps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunsfreddy2003 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 My name is Mark and I’m a SWR aholic too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 2 hours ago, Gunsfreddy2003 said: My name is Mark and I’m a SWR aholic too! Maybe we need to start a self-help group?😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunsfreddy2003 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 19 minutes ago, JPJ said: Maybe we need to start a self-help group?😂 Yep - good idea, need to find some way to help stop the impulse purchasing addiction. Hopefully, got a Redhead incoming tomorrow so really need help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I want to try an SWR but I'm scared it's a gateway amp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 4 hours ago, bazzbass said: I want to try an SWR but I'm scared it's a gateway amp Just say no! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 7 hours ago, Gunsfreddy2003 said: Yep - good idea, need to find some way to help stop the impulse purchasing addiction. Hopefully, got a Redhead incoming tomorrow so really need help! I’ve had an on/off love affair with various Redheads over the years, both regular and super, but I’m sorry to say I couldn’t get on with them live, even with an extension cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) I had Tower of power SWR head a few years ago. Something like 700 watts but it weighed a bloomin ton. Got it for £200 from GG as it had a bit of the black paint missing from the front panel. Moved it on for £160 like a mug. Edited August 11, 2018 by jezzaboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunsfreddy2003 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I love the cabs - have some Workingmans 1x10’s and they are awesome for small gigs. It’s a bargain to buy now because no-one wants them because they are too big and too heavy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Excellent!! They do sound rather special. I use an SWR simulator constantly on my Fender Bronco for the ultra-clean sound... Which is a bit odd when my gigging amp is an Ashdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted September 7, 2018 Author Share Posted September 7, 2018 Just a little update, and a picture of her in the real world. I had Martin at Stoneham Amplification give her the once over and then gave her her first run out at our gig last week at a local bike rally. Sounded lush to my old ears 😎 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 It’s a good problem to have 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 One day I’ll put them all in the same room... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 Nice to meet a fellow addict 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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