SWR Bass 750

Pre-Fender (before 2003) SWR Bass 750 bass amplifier, manufactured in Sun Valley, CA. 3-space rackmount with handles. 450w @ 8 ohms, 750 @ 4 ohms, 850 @ 2.67 ohms. FRONT PANEL: Pretty simplified in the way of tone controls (bass, mid freq, mid level, treble). Also has an Aural Enhancer and limiter/compressor, both of which work exceptionally well. Bass control has a push/pull "turbo bass" mode for more umph when needed, and the treble control has a push/pull "transparent" mode in case the highs are too harsh. A switch next to the power switch cuts signal from the speaker so you can tune silently (Only con: if you're running live through the DI, this switch DOES NOT cut signal from the DI, so your cabs will be silent, but you'll be heard through the mains.) REAR PANEL: 1/4" and Neutrik Speakon connections for the speaker outs, DI output with Line/Mic switch, Line level control, Ground lift, preamp output, and tuner output (Only con: NO COOLING FAN!! The first run of these amps, for some reason, were made without the cooling fan, then shortly before Rabe sold SWR to Fender, they started making them with the fan. I just went to Wal Mart and bought a cheap clip-on fan for $10 and haven't had any trouble with it overheating yet, even when running it at 750w @ 4 ohms). One other neat feature is that this amp is designed to pump out 850w when you drop the impedance down to 2.67 ohms. The way this is achieved is by connecting one 8 ohm cab and one 4 ohm cab together. As with when you bridge the two channels of a stereo poweramp together, this too will run the amp at its full power potential, but at the same time, runs the risk of overheating faster and will shorten the life of the amp.

I just upgraded to SWR from Hartke, and the sound difference is astounding. I play anything from country to metal, so I need a versatile head that can give me some nice even tones, but can also pump out some thunderous bass and shimmering treble when I need it to. This amp is SUPER quiet, even when I've got the volume almost full on (though this amp is so powerful, I rarely have to go above 10 o'clock). My basses range from a Peavey Zodiac w/ EMG's (high output) to an early model Ibanez SR-506 6 string bass (ADX pickups and preamp, moderate output) and this amp handles both well without farting out or sounding weak.

I've only had this amp for about 6 months, but I play nearly every weekend, and the guy I got it from traded an SWR SM-900 (that picked up Mexican radio, according to him, hehe) for it a few years ago and has never had a problem with it either, and he plays almost as regularly as I do, so I know it's roadworthy. I do use it without a backup, though for Murphy's sake, I ought to find another just in case.

I haven't had to deal with SWR myself, but the music company I work for is a dealer through Fender and all shipments are pretty quick and we havne't had any issues with defective products thus far.

I have been playing music for 12 years and electric bass for 10. Like previously mentioned, I just upgraded from Hartke, and I've also owned some Gallien-Krueger Backline series amps and cabs as well as some Peavey gear. If this amp were ever lost or stolen, I would scour the earth for another one, definitely :D Still, I wish it had a built-in cooling fan, but I've been able to manage so far with just an outboard clip-on fan. And I do wish the speaker-defeating switch killed the signal to the DI as well. But other than those, this is a superb amplifier that I would recommend to anyone.

I have one of the first units built which does not have a fan. Overheating has never been an issue, even after hours of running it at 2.6 ohms (give or take), with the master at 8.5 to 9. Name your style (rock, pop, RnB, metal, jazz, country, reggae, slap, pull, tap, slide, etc... etc... etc...) you can dial in your sound, VERY versitile. It has ALL of the features you will ever need. Some of the features I thought I would never use have proven to be very handy. The features have been listed on this page already, so I'll spare you the details. I use this amp whenever and whereever I play, sounds great at low volumes and breathtaking when cranked. Plenty of power!

I have a Yamaha fretless w/active EMGs, but mainly use a Charvel (?model?) in which I installed a Aguilar OBP 3. I play through a custom 15 cab, A Goliath III, and a Goliath SR (not all at once, vary depending on the situation). WOW!! I play in a rock band that is open enough to explore just about anything. This amp is perfect for this situation, being as versatile as it is. My sound always cuts though the mix. For distortion, I have a Hughes and Kettner Tubeman Plus rack preamp. If you can find one of these, they are incredible for Bass and Guitar. Warm, full, clean, cutting, inspiring, powerful, reliable, unadulterated Awsome sound EVERY TIME!

Never broke down never need a backup.

Every time I have a question, they respond within a day or two. I asked for help locating a fuse cap, so they sent one, FREE, and in my hand 3 DAYS later! Always helpful Always Professional.

If you find one of these BUY IT, especially now since they are a getting less exspensive because the 750X came out. This is truly a professional piece of equipment. If I could dream up the perfect Bass amp this would almost be it, maybe, just 1 rack space instead of 3, and lighter. Try this out if you get a chance.

The bass 750 has any and all features you need. Mine was built in March 1999. I play rock, metal, funk, and jazz with several different groups and this amp can do it all. The unit has a 1/4" tuner out, preamp out, headphone jack, and an XLR out that has its own volume knob. Said XLR pad is very useful because i can run a direct out to anything, so this makes the soundguys happy and lets my bass come through crustal clear on recordings and such. I could easily use this output for the house PA, but with 750 watts the need has never arose. The bass 750 has one 12ax7 preamp tube that gives my bass a very warm, clear and punchy sound compared to solid state preamps. The EQ is brilliant, it is surprisingly easy for me to dial in the exact tone i'm looking for. In a snap my tone can go from an SVT-like boom to a deep punch used for funk, jazz, and slap.

This SWR sounds great alone (running a preamp out to a PA), but when i hook up my SWR goliath III (4X10 enclosure, 700 watts RMS) the sound is incredible. Even at full blast, the head and cab both maintain perfect tone and clarity. And need i mention that full blast for this head is loud enough to rattle the windows on neighboring buildings. I run this amp at half volume for practice, where it easily keeps up with the band. But for shows i run this head at its maximum volume and it still easily cuts through 2 120 watt guitar stacks, a 500-watt PA carrying vocals and keyboards, and a loud drummer. I connect my digitech distortion pedal, using the effects loop, and can get the perfect blend of distorted sound and deep bass power. This head has everything bass players dream about in the sound department.

The SWR bass 750 is as reliable as the sun coming up. It is, several times a week, run for three or more hours at the maximum volumes under hot lights and never faltered once. The amp is cooled by a passive heatsink and gets quite hot and may alarm some users, but this is normal for any amplifier. I bought this used, and it still is in good condition.

I've called and e-mailed SWR (before and after fender bought them) and they've always been quick to pick up the phone. E-mail responses do take much longer than they used to, but i got everything taken care of within 5 days.

I have a fender 5 string jazz bass, DR lo-rider strings, and my main amp used to be an SWR workingman's 15. I would go to great lengths to ensure this amp's return if anything happened to it. While makign my decision, I compared ampegs, GKs, mesas, peaveys, carvins, and even behringers. I picked the 750 for its power output, tone, and features. The ampeg SVTs are really nice but are not as reliable and were too expensive for me. All in all, this is a quality, clean, and reliable head. Try and find one, because the bass 750 has been replaced by the 750x, which is more expensive and some would argue that it is overengineered.

I bought my SWR 750 about 3 years ago as an upgrade from my SWR 350 "Red Head". The controls are simple and straight-forward...no goofy bells and whistles, which is why I bought it in the first place. I upgraded mostly for power, but was pleasantly surprised at the more tonal flexibility of the 750.

In addition to 1/4" speakers outs and a tuner output on the rear panel, the 750 also has a balanced, XLR out which can be switched between line out (utilizing the amps preamp/tone settings) and a direct out, and that output is even independently variable (very cool). A ground lift is there, too, making it like a full-featured DI. They even included a fan defeat switch for the more quiet, intimate settings when the fan noise would be distracting.

For me, this has everything I need for tone with no superfluous gadgetry.

For sound, the 750 has earned a 10 in my book. I have been playing bass since the early 70's, both live and studio, and I have never been more satisfied with overall sound quality.

Back in the early 80's when I played in the L.A. Laker's band (yeah, they used to have a band at all the home games in the Abdul-Jabbar/Paula-Abdul-as-Laker-girl era) I was using various amps like Sunn, Ampeg, and a pretty cool GK setup which filled the Forum pretty well (I think they call it the Staples Center now), but none had the clarity of the SWR products. I'm even using the exact same '75 Fender Jazz Bass now that I was using then.

Now I also use a Yamaha 5-string, a fretless that I built (not very well) and this weird, Hondo Flash 31-fret stick bass with one Jazz p/u and one piezo, and the SWR can get great sounds from each of these very different instruments.

I also used to have a rig that included a BBE bass preamp and dual QSC mono rackmount amps, and the SWR still sounded better.

I have a buddy who has been playing strictly Ampeg for 20 years, and he thought the SWR was "too responsive". I never thought that was possible, but if your technique is inconsistent like his, you can't really slop through like you can with Ampeg stuff...the SWR will very clearly point out deficiencies in technique. For those players, I would recommend staying with Ampeg or adding a high-end compressor in the loop.

I run the SWR 750 through an Eden 2X10 with a tweet and an Eden 1X15 cab. Technically, the cabinets are rated less than what the amp can produce, but I never run full-bore and good speakers can deal with just about any amount of good, clean power.

Drummers LOVE this amp, too...I get lots of VERY positive comments from the various drummers I've worked with...that's saying a lot. Virtually all of them have said they have never heard such a great bass tone, and it helped them to play better. No better testimonial than that!!

This perfectly suits my style, which varies from the typical two-finger style, VERY aggressive full-arm slapping, and even occasional pick use.

I had a tech in L.A. tell me that once SWR amps have a problem, they will probably always have problems, but I have seen no evidence of that.

Once I let a guy sit in using his preamped Schecter bass, and the gain was so crazy that he totally over-drove the Sonic Maximizer I used to run in the effects loop. This caused the amp to quit and I thought he fried an output device...turned out it was just the 10-amp fuse that blew. Obviously the amp is well-protected against knuckleheads who don't know what a clipping light is.

I still carry an old Music Man HD One Thirty from the 70's as a back up, but only needed it for that one fuse-blowing incident.

I can't say...I have never had any reason to contact them for the 350 or the 750 heads.

After 30 years of playing bass for every musical style imaginable, I can safely say that this is simply a top-notch, pro piece of gear. I compared a lot (GK, Mesa, Trace, Hartke, Ampeg) and this was the best for me. Although, IMHO the Eden amps are right up there with the SWR. I really did not like the Ampeg stuff, even their top-of-the-line. I'm sure many would disagree, but my sound is a very personal thing, and I know what I like and what I don't.

For bass, I like a tube ONLY in the preamp section and NOT as output devices (I think it is a slew-rate issue). For guitar, though...all tube, point-to-point is the only way!

Even though the price tag was on the high side for me, I would still repalce mine with the same if I had to, or maybe install a tracking device on the one I have!

Has everything I need

Seemed very noisy at times-tended to "sizzle" my tweeter in my
6x10 Swr Goliath while between tunes.

I have gigged this unit for about three years, playing roughly
6 to 10 gigs a month throughout. Power section just went out
last month. It is no longer under warranty. Preamp still works fine, in fact I had to gig with the preamp lined out to a Crown power amp then into my cab. Worked OK. It is in the shop now...will follow up when I get my 750 back.

No longer under warranty

I've never had a problem with this amp (besides the noise) up to
this point. The noise was bearable and it may be related to my
power section breaking down. I loved this amp up to this point, and I'm sure it will be just fine after repair, thus giving me a few more years of service.

Fantastic amp! Thie is the quietest amp I've ever heard 60% gain and 85% master volume and not a PEEP! Unbelieveable! Running dbx 160A compressor through the 750 effects loop and it's a dream come true!

Just upgraded to 750x from the 350 - never had a problem with the 350, and don't expect anything from the 750x.

Never needed!

A++ - Fantastic amp, built strong, sturdy and loud as hell! Highly recommended, but be sure you have the continuous cab wattage handling before you plug the 750x in - this is a LOUD amp.

This amp has plenty going for it. Coevered above.

Now as others have mentioned, the SWR is very good at pointing out the flaws in what you're putting into it. And by that I mean do yourself a favour and get a good DECENT bass to put through it. You're not getting half the sound you should unless you do.

Once you've got that part sorted tho, this amp shines. Totally clear, no noise, beautiful. I'm playing mine through the 6x10 goliath, and that does the job.

Only just got it, so can't tell. It's one sturdy mutha tho, and I can't see much going wrong with it, if anything at all.

No need to yet.

I've played many amps, trace elliot, laney, peavey. They're nothing compared to this. DO yerself a favour and get it. You'll be very glad you did.

Tube preamp, solid state power (much more reliable). 750 watts @ 4ohms. I searched and saved money for over a year to find the perfect amp. I played Ampeg, Eden, GK, Aguilar, Carvin, Peavey, etc. All great amps, but the SWR had what everyone else lacked - everything I needed, nothing I didn't. I love the aural enhancer, "Turbo" & "Transparent" fuctions, and the tuner out (no interruption in signal chain).

I honestly feel that those who don't give a higher rating in this category probably are using a half-assed cab or a $200 dollar bass. Even though this amp is one of the best made, it's only part of a system that starts with the player's fingers and ends with what comes out of the cabinet. One weak link in that system (or not connecting everything properly) can ruin a lot of hard work and expense. I'm not some engineering wiz who knows everything, I'm just a normal guy who has been a weekend warrior for 13 years who's speaking from experience. I play 4 and 5 string G&L basses with EMG dual coil pickups. I got the SWR Goliath Sr. 6x10 with the amp as a package deal. I've been using it for over a year, playing Top40, country, rock, metal, & funk (if it pays, I'll play it!). It seems to be suited well with whatever I dish out. Low volume, high volume, fingerstyle, pick, slapping, it handles it all flawlessly.

Never any problems, can't afford a backup right now. Doubt I'll ever need one. Word of advice: If you buy a $1500 amp, it's worth your while to put it in a roadworthy rack!

Never had any technical problems with the amp. I did call them to order some accesories. Very friendly and helpful people. Very pleasant to deal with.

Been playing for 21 years, doing gigs for 13 years. I would definitely buy another. I'll put it this way - my rack has a sticker on it that reads "Insured by Glock Firearms Inc." I know this review sounds like a fairy tale, but there is one thing that I must mention. I use a MIDI system to control my chorus, octave, envelope filter, synth and delay pedals. Running through the effects loop, the effects are not as inherent or sensitive to my pick attack, namely the envelope filter and octave. Even with the blend control wide open. I now run the MIDI switcher between my wireless output and amp input with spectacular results. May be the effects loop on the amp, may be the pedals, may be the switcher, I don't know. Other than that, this thing just rocks! Just because it works for me doesn't mean it will for everyone else. Get out there, try out everything you can, and get what sounds good to you. Isn't that what music's about anyway?

It has all the basic features a bass player could want. Especially the limiter comes in handy to decrease bursts of loudness. The rest is pretty straightforward. bass, treble and semi-parametric mid. The frequency center can of the bass treble can be changed to obtain earth-shaking low or guitar-unfriendly highs.

The amp is very transparant sounding, almost not SWR-like, the other amps that I had (workingmans 160 and silverado/Bass350) were warmer-sounding. The amp had a very bad 50Hz cycle hum when I bought it, this seemed to be a mis-wire within the amp. It was fixed and so far (1 week) I haven't had problems with it, I have to put it to the test during a loud session since the problem emerges when the amp has to work a little harder. Headroom is incredibly, if you want distortion you'll have to use a device; it barely overdrives.
I mainly play (hard) rock and some jazz and currently use one Goliath III with it. There is enough juice left to add a 15" or an other 4*10" in the future for when it should be extremely loud (it's loud already).

Apart from the 50 Hz-cycle hum, which is fixed I don't see why anything would go wrong. This is my third SWR rig and I have never had any problems with the previous SWR-stuff. I'll give it a 7 because of the hum when unpacked.

It was repaired under warranty. I bought the amp at paul's bassmatters and he took care of all necessary arrangements (transport, shipping etc.) he did a very good job and offered me a replacement amp for the time the 750 was away, in addition if the problem was not resolved he offered me to work out a new deal! Very neat!

I played for over 15 years. I use it with a p-bass imitation, a washburn and a cort 5 string (fretless to be added soon). In addition I have a zoom BFX708 for tuning, metronome and distorted stuff mainly. I love the massive amount of headroom and the transparency of the amp (you can hear everything; including stuff when you're having a bad day ;-). It has all the features you could want and despite the fact that I had a problem with the hum, I would replace it again.

The features have been covered well above.

For a modern sound with a modern bass, this amp can't be beat. I mainly use it with extended range basses, usually a Modulus Quantum 6, Roscoe SKB 3007 or Ken Smith BSR6 GN. Clean, upper-register clarity is the hallmark of this amp; the low-end is tight and strong but this is not a particularly "warm" tube-like, vintage sounding amp. It handles loads at 2.6 ohms, too.

I always gig with it without a backup (I can always go through the PA in the event of a catastrophe). Never had a problem in over a year. Knock on wood.

Very nice, responsive folks. Helpful

Great amp. I use it quite often, along with an Eden WT800, Mesa Boogie 400+ and '70 SVT, all depending on the venue.