JPJ Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 So quite a few years ago I became what began as an enthusiast but quickly became an obsession with the SWR sound. Over the years various SWR amps, cabs, and combos have passed through my hands but I think I’m currently at the most heads I’ve ever owned. As it was a typically miserable British bank holiday weather wise, I decided to spend the afternoon ‘testing’ and sorting my current stable. I think I’m sorted for now, unless someone tempts me with either a Baby Blue or the even rarer Spellbinder 😎 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAS Bass Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 3 hours ago, JPJ said: I miss my old Grand Prix - great pre-amps those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 I have three items of SWR gear I’d love to get hold of. A Baby Blue head and monitor speaker with the 2x8/1x4 set up and an Interstellar Overdrive. I used a Goliath and Big Ben set up years ago and the sound was sublime. I use bag end cabs after being introduced to them by SWR. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 An Interstellar and a MoBass or a MiniMo are still on my wishlist. There are very few in Reverb and the pricing is everything but modest. IO is really hard to find. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodwind Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 8 hours ago, Bunion said: .... A Baby Blue head and monitor speaker with the 2x8/1x4 set up ... Beautiful, beautiful amplifier and speaker combo'. I would love one 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 You gotta try the MoBass. it’s mental 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted September 5, 2021 Share Posted September 5, 2021 You do realize that SWR have been out of business for quite a few years? LOL If any of those amps fail it's quite likely that the output devices are no longer available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted September 5, 2021 Author Share Posted September 5, 2021 Absolutely, spares are definitely becoming harder to find but I haven’t found a current production amp that can match anyone of these for tone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 My SWR experience has been very good. They run hot (by design) have noisy fans ( can be improved with modern replacements) and the cabs are heavy ( stuck with that, but the heads are great with modern light cabs). I’ve had very few tech problems, and most of the repair/ maintenance has been fine. They were put together by hand using very standard components of the time. Not all techs like to work on them, but I’ve found it really helps if you can provide the schematic. Saves a lot of time and stress - most are on the web in various forms, generally the SWR versions. The amps I would be most cautious with are the later designs that used early “digital “ power sections (Amplite, Spellbinder) as these weren’t made for very long, and used power sections that have probably been long gone. They could possibly be upgraded with modern versions, but that’s expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTypeV4 Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 (edited) I still love my SWR Goliath Jr MK3s - they sound fantastic. I don't do enough gigs for the weight to be an issue plus they're still the lightest cabs I've owned anyways. 😀 Edited September 7, 2021 by VTypeV4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agedhorse Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 06/09/2021 at 00:00, BassBod said: My SWR experience has been very good. They run hot (by design) have noisy fans ( can be improved with modern replacements) and the cabs are heavy ( stuck with that, but the heads are great with modern light cabs). I’ve had very few tech problems, and most of the repair/ maintenance has been fine. They were put together by hand using very standard components of the time. Not all techs like to work on them, but I’ve found it really helps if you can provide the schematic. Saves a lot of time and stress - most are on the web in various forms, generally the SWR versions. The amps I would be most cautious with are the later designs that used early “digital “ power sections (Amplite, Spellbinder) as these weren’t made for very long, and used power sections that have probably been long gone. They could possibly be upgraded with modern versions, but that’s expensive. What’s ironic about your post is that the class D (has nothing to do with digital) power amp modules are far more available than the earlier class AB parts. They are still a current part stocked by Fender (the last owner of SWR), and it’s a part that I also stock as we used the same part in some Genz Benz amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 Apologies for incorrect use of “digital” . Could you explain what was used for power supplies/ power amp modules in the later SWR designs (Spellbinder and Amplite)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agedhorse Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 They use a switch mode power supply combined with a class D amplifier, designed by ICEPower in Denmark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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