Swart AST vs. Fender DR?

[Lance]

I've listened to the clips and the AST sounds great! I already have a real '65 BFDR.

Both amps have reverb & trem (AST is the better bias driven trem). Both 6v6 driven. Both rather portable. Power is about the same.

Not that I'd trade in my BFDR but I'm wondering if an own of an AST might have some thoughts on the comparison.

[Lance]

Nada? I guess Swarts are too new still

[Southern ILL]

I like every sound clip I have heard of the Swart but like the smaller 6v6...

[BarnesTO]

Originally Posted by Southern ILL

I like every sound clip I have heard of the Swart but like the smaller 6v6...

I know that's not what this thread is about, but I'm with you....I LUST for the smaller 6v6se, rather than the AST.

[Lance]

But.....oooooooo that trem on the AST!!!

There's also that 5 watt reverb model that looks cool. But I think the AST would be more versatile. The master volume of the SST would make the AST awesome.

[Southern ILL]

I would take any of the Swart amps....I ain't picky.....couldn't go wrong with any one of them.

[ruger9]

AST for me... but still waiting for the updated AST head to come out...should be uber-cool.

[Lance]

reger9 - are you talking about the SST? That's already out. Is there something new coming?

[ruger9]

Yes. Michael has redesigned the limited edition AST head... it's going to have (I think) a hi/low switch (I think that takes the NFB Loop in/out) and a Master Volume of some kind.

Go to the site & dig around the latest news... there's a pic of the chassis.

[Lance]

There was a limited edition head on the site but it said that it's no longer available. Is this....another one?

[Telarkaster]

Hey Lance, I've heard nothing but good things about Swart. I've never played one so I won't comment, but the sound clips sound scary good. But the DR has legions of fans on this site, you'd be hard pressed to find people who like the Swart more than the DR. Have you the chance to play a Swart?

The ones I saw were all very expensive.

[Hoodster]

My bandmate plays the Swart, and it's incredible, especially for such a tiny package. But a comparison to the DR is apples and oranges--the Swart is tweedy and isn't going to give you anything like the Blackface cleans of a DR.

[Lance]

Hoodster....that's the comparison I was hoping for! I had a DR.....I really don't need another that's the same. But, I have a BF Vibrolux Reverb that's probably too much amp for me so I'm considering selling it and getting the Swart.

[Hoodster]

In that case, go for it! My bud's Baja through the Swart is probably the most savage Tele tone I've ever heard, and the trem will fill a room like you wouldn't believe.

[Lance]

Sooooo.......just gotta sell some stuff! Hmmmmmm. It's either the '66 Vibrolux Reverb or the THD Univalve with Marshall bottom. I hate these sort of choices!

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by Lance

There was a limited edition head on the site but it said that it's no longer available. Is this....another one?

YES. It's a "new version" of the AST head...with additional tweaks. Not released yet, but Michael's getting close...

[Lance]

Ooooowwwww..... Bad GAS pain!

Did he announce this somewhere? On a forum?

Thanks!

[ruger9]

On his website:

http://swartamps.com/news_updates_4-15-08.htm

[Lance]

From Swart's representative:

Yeah, we've had a fair share of MV inquiries with the AST. The bottom line on that is there is simply no room on chassis to implement a MV. At the time of the build, we weren't to high on the sacrifice the MV sometimes brought on the circuit, either. On the other hand, proper implementation of a MV is possible, it just takes a bit more effort. AST owners have bought various attenuators and we actually in the process of finding our OWN to sell as an option. I am still talking to Michael about possible mods that might be able to incorporate a MV with the combo but the space issue is a tough one.

We WILL be coming out with an AST Head Mk II version that DOES have a great Master Vol implementation, this to be out in the late summer, early fall. It will come with an option of a matching (in size) single 12" cab or the AST Style 2x12 cab you've seen pictured on the site.

I'm not really interested in head/bottoms....so, I'll look at funding an AST.

[ruger9]

yeah, I gotta' say... as cool as a GOOD MV would be, I want the COMBO. It's the coolest looking combo EVER built, IMHO. If they can't fit the MV in there, I'll just go with an attenuator (the Z Airbrake is a good one I have...)

[I am Incinerator]

I've wanted one of these since I first found out about them. I've heard nothing but great things about them too. I also miss the onboard trem and reverb ever since I let go of my AC15 and my Twin RI. This amp seems like it would kill with my Tele or my Gretsch Spectra Sonic

Plus, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco recorded Sky Blue Sky parts with some Swart amps...can't go wrong with that :)

[sanhozay]

AST is not the famed scooped blackface tone. More reedy and robust sounding. Very beautiful cleans but what is on tap is limited and always enveloped with a bit of hairy-ness {grit}. Still, a very vintage/old school sounding box with a ton of personality. I push mine hard because I love the way it rumbles and how the sound projects from every orifice of the lacquered cabinet. Know in the movies when the genie is unleashed from years of captivity inside the urn and does that swirly larger than life thing before it hovers over the room and looks down on the blessed liberator who gets three wishes? That’s the Swart AST. And if your wishing for tone, tone, tone then you will relish in many hours of sonic happiness. It's that good.

[downeastboy]

Nice description, sanhozay - dead on about the AST sound.

Agree too, ruger9 - that new head should be great. I'm wondering what the new cab and a standard AST would be like too ...

[Lance]

A final note.
I did receive a AST. It was slightly damaged during shipping so I'm returning it. But, I put it again my 5E3 and BF Deluxe Reverb just to see the comparison. I spent a couple of hours with different guitars and effects comparing with an A/B footswitch. The AST is really is something in between a blackface and a tweed. It's very unique (and I've heard a lot of amps). The construction is something that should be seen...the layout and quality are really an order of magnitude better than anything else currently built.

All that said, while I've been GASing for this amp for a while, I'm pretty sure I won't look to replace the damaged AST. While the AST does have killer reverb and trem, I honestly can't say it's significantly ($1800) better than my vintage 1965 BFDR or 5E3. I guess I didn't appreciate how good my current amps were. That's not a ding against the AST - if someone wants an amazing amplifier, the AST is it.