SWR Amps

[sunfish]

I had an old SWR 350X I bought second hand but felt I couldn't rely on it to do too many gigs it was a bit too battle worn. But I absolutely LOVED the sound I could get with my Matt Pulcinella Level 4 ad 2 Ashdown cabs. 4X8 and 1X15.
I now want to buy another amp and am looking for an SWR with a valve pre-amp. But they seem to only do enormous ton weigh things like the 750X where you need to bring a fork-lift truck to get it on the cabs. Or they do the Headlite that is so light you would have to gaffa tape it to the cab in case it blew off in the wind...............boola boola

[EdwardHimself]

I used to have an SWR amp which i unfortunately felt i had to sell. To be honest i think the heads are the least of your worries lolz. Fortunately they've introduced that new golight neodymium cabs which if i ever get rich i'll have to have a look at. Btw if you like looking at SWR amps, there is a thread about them in the gear porn forum

Edited June 24, 2010 by EdwardHimself

[JTUK]

I can't see why the amp might be unreliable...so maybe get a decent tech to check it over and see if they can give you the confidence to use it.

I have had my SM400 for nigh on 20 years and the only problem I had with it was when it fell to the floor.
The older amps were very well made so check out an SM model.

I have the 400 but if I was looking I'd go for the SM500 for 500watts at 4ohms. I think a valve pre amp and power stage weighing in at 20 odd lbs is a decent lightweight.
The SM are classic amps, IMV, but a lot of SWR guys now use Markbass as it could the high end well enough but is supposed to have a tighter low end.. so they say.

[sunfish]

Sold the SWR 350X.
Had an EBS HD350 - no grit at all. Swapped it FOR A Markbass LMII which was pretty good in most situations but not much adjustment. Sold that to buy a 2nd hand Eden WT550 but that had too many knobs and no time to twiddle them so that got the elbow.
I'm back now using my old Ashdown Mag backup amp and looking for something new.
I do like the look of the Headlite, but it does sound a bit too light and the knobs are difficult to see at a gig. I'm waiting to try one against a Markbass

[guyl]

I have the previous 350 to you. (Red front with no crome) Bought around 15 yrs ago. Love it, but not quite powerful enough. I keep it as a back up.

A few years ago, I bought a 750x. Hoped it would be like the old 350 with more power. Sound wasn't as warm but it was okay. However, it was heavy and had reliability issues so it had to go. Since had an EA, GK and Shuttle, but non can beat the warm but clean musical sound of that old 350.