Swart Owner's Club

I own a Space Tone and cannot say enough good things about this amp. It is so quiet at idle even with my Grosh RCVT's single coils. It does clean, crunch, and breakups really well.

I wish to be a member of this club.

Soon.

Cheers,
Geoff

I have the 6v6se.

It's the only Swart I've REALLY wanted (though the slightest twist of the arm will lead me to more). I love it to death!

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/rhinocaster/DSCN0804.jpg

Howdy,

It came down to the Carmen Ghia and a near mint Swart Atomic Space Tone for my latest amp. Since I'd actually played the Ghia, I went for it. It's a ball.
But the AST is an intriguing amp; The demos on Youtube at Wolfe Guitars impressed me. Michael Swart told me that it is possible to shoehorn a Celestian Gold AlNiCo speaker into the AST. It's stock ceramic speaker was my only objection. I'll keep an eye on this thread, as Swart has a great reputation and I'd be keen on owning one someday.
Eggman

Really intrigued by the legendary Swart Space Tone 6V6se and was dreaming of one day
buying one but couldn't find enough money and ended up with a Valvetrain 205 and couldn't be more happy....the Valvetrain is a brilliant amp and a quality masterbuild 1955 Princeton (5F2a) in a two tone "black & tan" finish which Fender now offer on a limited edition Blues Junior.....however the baby Swart is said to be a very special amp.

I own a Space Tone and cannot say enough good things about this amp. It is so quiet at idle even with my Grosh RCVT's single coils. It does clean, crunch, and breakups really well.

Not sure when, but I will be an owner in the future.

Man I want a 6v6se....Everytime I see pics of 'em in black tweed I get major GAS....

Question for current owners of Swart amps.

Does the AST (20 watts) have enough power for gigs? If so, what sized venue? How is the headroom?

I play classic rock and blues.....and my band is a 5 piece with another guitarist.

Thanks!

One thing about Swart amplifiers is that Michael seems to really over spec and overbuild these things. Look at the transformer in the 6V6se!

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/rhinocaster/st_tweed_rear2_330.jpg

Everyone that plays my Swart falls in love.

Very soon..........

Cost me my DR Z and some change.......but a AST MK II head/cab. will soon be mine.

I've had my little baby 5-watt Swart Space Tone for a year or so. I actually love playing it more and more every day. Especially when I get to play through other amps. They just make me more appreciative of this little wonder. Thinking I might get a nightlight in the near future.

I also love my 6V6 SE and I did get the Nightlight attenuator which lets me cook those valves without ears bleeding! Great amps cool company!!!

Ok guys tell me about the nightlight, because though i love my 6v6se, its real loud and if you want it to breakup, especially when you are a bad player, and i am looking at all sorts of 5w,1w 1/4w (1/10w) other amps.
So the night light does look like a good option.
Educate me please
(now that i might get a job, GAS is coming back, LOL)

Got an AST about 2 weeks ago, and although I'm still in the honeymoon stage, I can say that this is by far the best amp I have ever owned. Plenty loud enough for anything I'll do with it, and there's not a bad spot on the volume knob. From barely on to dimed, it just sings. The sweetest reverb I have ever heard, and incredible trem circuit. Not to mention the thing is built like a tank!

Also... I need to give proper credit to Michael Swart for not only answering his own phone, but spending time talking with me and advising me on my decision. Great guy, great amp.

Woo Hoo! I just got my 6V6SE Swart today! This is a fantastic sounding amp and I will definitely be spending a lot of time with it. It's got a nice tight and warm sound that goes well with the Filtertrons in my la cabronita clone.
This is a keeper for sure!

The Swarts mlook great. I've never played one, though. I don't love the controls on the back--it looks cool, but seems like it could be annoying at a gig. I gotta try one sometime.

The Swarts mlook great. I've never played one, though. I don't love the controls on the back--it looks cool, but seems like it could be annoying at a gig. I gotta try one sometime.

I can tell you that having the controls on the back is not the greatest thing.......but the tone is worth it. Give em a try, you won't be disappointed.

Welcome to the party SpecialK!

My Swart 6v6 is probably my favorite piece of gear I own, to include my guitars... and I have some great guitars!

a little porn

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb194/acstorfer/011.jpg

Okay, I like this shot too

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb194/acstorfer/008.jpg

The Swarts mlook great. I've never played one, though. I don't love the controls on the back--it looks cool, but seems like it could be annoying at a gig. I gotta try one sometime.

It can be a little annoying, but worth the tone you get. To be honest, there are only a couple knobs, so if you need to turn a knob from the front, you have a pretty good idea where to find them.

Anywho, because I live in a condo, and I can't really turn it up too often, most of my tweaking is from my pedals anyhow.

One thing about Swart amplifiers is that Michael seems to really over spec and overbuild these things. Look at the transformer in the 6V6se!

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/rhinocaster/st_tweed_rear2_330.jpg

Everyone that plays my Swart falls in love.

I want to go to there...

my 6v6se with night lite is probably the best musician-oriented purchase i've made!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa229/mugtastic/IMG_1515.jpg

my 6v6se with night light is probably the best musician-oriented purchase i've made!
Please tell me about the night lite!

it sounds great - with the negative feedback switch on the amp and the compressor in the night lite, you have 8 volume levels.

it's the best "attenuated" tone and articulation i've tried. it's quite transparent in that every setting has the feel of power tube breakup, but each setting also has it's own feel.

new owner of AST PRO and what can I say? It is a truly great amp.

Question for current owners of Swart amps.

Does the AST (20 watts) have enough power for gigs? If so, what sized venue? How is the headroom?

I play classic rock and blues.....and my band is a 5 piece with another guitarist.

Thanks!

Yes, the amp has plenty of power, I have mine on a stand behind me so I can hear fine. In loud situations , its mic'd anyway. I play in a nine piece band with horns and have the amp half way up most of the time!
I have the AST pro .

Any STR Tweed owners or experience? It's one of the amps I keep coming back to in my relentless quest for a tweed sound at home.

only a wannabe, here. gonna happen as soon as finances permit!

Anyone out there performed a head to head comparison of the 6V6se against the Carr Raleigh? I am mostly interested in the clean side of things.

Yes, the amp has plenty of power, I have mine on a stand behind me so I can hear fine. In loud situations , its mic'd anyway. I play in a nine piece band with horns and have the amp half way up most of the time!
I have the AST pro .

My guitar teacher just got an AST, and that's what he said too. He said it's mic-ed all the time anyways. He got the AST because he was tired of lugging around his vintage AC30.

After playing on his AST a bit, I'm thinking about STR-Tweed.

Hi all, sign me up !, I got a new ATOM today.

It was between the Swart and another brand (similar spec), but this just works for me... the reverb is warm & lush. I'm super happy with it - and it sounds surprisingly big...

I took a 'not so good' picture after my first 3 hour practice with it... I started out going for that John Lee Hooker tone with that whonky intro he has on Hobo blues to Chili Peppers "I could have lied" clean. A really sweet sounding amp.

So here she is with my workhorse American Special Tele....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/RastaForI/DSC_36530001.jpg

all I need is a cover for it and I'm set.

good onya, man! it's all i can do to resist buying a space tone reverb right now on a high-interest credit card.

I'm selling off everything to buy a Swart. I played through one about a year ago, and I can't get it out of my head.

which one ya want? i'm beginning to think that i should go big when the time comes and get the atomic space tone instead of the str.

So it's just been a week with my new Swart Atom. I've been playing it everyday for hours as well as let my friends jam on it for a while. I'm still psyched about playing this amp as day one. I really like playing the Tele through it, but my Strat sounds just as good through it as well. It's a keeper.

My cover came in today...

undercovernyc didn't have any in stock, but I needed something now for light travel to and from my brothers house and small gigs and this fit the bill... nice fit, padded, and sturdy... off the bay.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/RastaForI/DSC_36850001.jpg

which one ya want? i'm beginning to think that i should go big when the time comes and get the atomic space tone instead of the str.

I'd love a 1x12 2x6V6 combo, but I just don't need that kind of volume at home. I think a little Atom will suit me fine.

Kinda like my '62 White with 'verb. Sort of. But without the death cap. :twisted:

Membership pending.... STR Tweed on the way.

Membership pending.... STR Tweed on the way.

Hope you enjoy it...

I decided to give a night light a try but holiday company is going to keep it on the shelf for a bit, but that's a good thing...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/RastaForI/DSC_36890001.jpg

Hmmm, that Night Light might be a worthwhile addition down the track. By the way, I dig your Pink Floyd poster! I saw them live in Sydney 1971 and again about 1990.

Looking forward to the STR Tweed for some serious fun.

Hmmm, that Night Light might be a worthwhile addition down the track. By the way, I dig your Pink Floyd poster! I saw them live in Sydney 1971 and again about 1990.

Looking forward to the STR Tweed for some serious fun.

Thanks... my first girlfriend was raised by hippies and they took me to see the first wall tour when I was a kid and I recently saw Roger Waters Wall without Gilmour (i thought I was going to hate but it) but it was a great show. I get those pictures off ebay for like 10 bucks, but they make for a nice practice room.

Count me in. Swart Atom, mail ordered sight unseen (and sound unheard) from the UK. No dealership here in Germany.
That thing is LOUD. Nobody, and I mean nobody, believes it's 5 watts only. Since what I want is sparkling clean country sounds (with an occasional excursion into the slightly dirty territory, but only just..) this is all I'll ever need in an amp. Sheer simplicity, and a big sound that does not tally with the tiny form factor.

My buddy who always thought tubes didn't make a difference for clean sounds now knows better. I dared him to A/B the Atom against his modeling amp, but after hearing the Swart it was a no thanks and a silent retreat.

No regrets, money well spent.

Count me in. Swart Atom, mail ordered sight unseen (and sound unheard) from the UK. No dealership here in Germany.
That thing is LOUD. Nobody, and I mean nobody, believes it's 5 watts only. Since what I want is sparkling clean country sounds (with an occasional excursion into the slightly dirty territory, but only just..) this is all I'll ever need in an amp. Sheer simplicity, and a big sound that does not tally with the tiny form factor.

My buddy who always thought tubes didn't make a difference for clean sounds now knows better. I dared him to A/B the Atom against his modeling amp, but after hearing the Swart it was a no thanks and a silent retreat.

No regrets, money well spent.

Congrats... you're going to love it. There's plenty of head room for such a small format. I did return my NightLight and I use my Timmy for low volume OD. I had these (2) 3 foot monster speaker cables between the amp and the speaker and it was just more "stuff" I wanted to deal with or carry. I use the amp clean more often and the Timmy was a simpler option... some times I don't even travel with the Timmy... just guitar and swart.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/RastaForI/DSC_39100001.jpg

Swart AST here...had an STR for two years, just switched to the AST. Tube Tremolo is mesmerizing

Question for you guys - Has anyone tried other speakers in the AST? I've heard people like the G12H30, but I was thinking maybe something like a Weber 12F1xx or a Emi Cannabis Rex

Would love to hear from anyone who has tried speaker swaps

Thx!

I bought AST PRO #7 about two years ago for a fair used price. I have the Celestion Heritage speaker in there so far, but have a Scumback J55 coming in later in the month. I feel the Heritage speaker is just a little too clear on top for single coils and the J55 sits between a G12H Heritage and a Greenback giving me a bit more midrange and warming up the sound.

I brought it into Bruce, from Mission amps fame, to give it a once over as I have something that is killing my 12dw7s every month. He said he helped "shake out" the first Swart 5 Watt and the AST, so it should be in good hands.

I like how it has reverb (space) and tremolo which my 5e3, and at the end of the year, a tweed Bassman by Bludotone!!

I also have the night light as I need to practice while the three kids sleep and it also works great on my Vic 5e3. I have tried Weber attenuators and they just never sounded right. The Night Light stays pretty true to tone, but I do seem to lose a bit of high end and detail using the female jack to plug the speaker in from my AST PRO. I can skip that cable on my 5e3 and it sounds better. I wish they would put out a Night Light friendly back for the PRO, but not yet.

Anyone here have experience with AST Master???

One of the only shops north of the border here has one with the Gold Alnico for sale and I'd like to know a bit more about these. They also happen to have an AST Pro with the Heritage....

There is a long thread in the amp section where a member bought an AST Master. He says it does the 70's era Stones without pedals.

I am dreaming about that amp as well, but buying new amps is out of my league price wise. I also have become comfortable with the sound and feel of non-master Vol amps, but I would still love to play with any of their big amps! SST 30!!

at times I think the mojo stock speaker sounds really good...something lacking tho', can't quite articulate it.

I may just try the Cannabis Rex and see how it goes...

I had the Mojo in the STR and felt it lacked punch, but could also be the single ended circuit.

Im my PRO I sometimes feel there isn't enough bass even with a 55hz speaker! I imagine a Mojo, which is a greenback, would really lack bass.

I have had my Scumback J55 65 Watt speaker in my AST PRO for a week now, so I will give a little review.

I got the speaker with the break in, so it would sound right from the start. I had the stock Celestion Heritage H55 in there and the highs were too clear and extended for my single coil guitars. The J55 is supposed to sit right between a Heritage and a Greenback. I like the smooth top end of the greenback, but I miss the bass push.

The J55 is just about perfect for me with the AST PRO. It still has plenty of highs, but it never gets too bright and the highs are more harmonically rich than the Heritage. The J55 has more mids than the Heritage and that is what I like most about the speaker. Nice mids, but not too much so it sounds like a tube screamer. The bass is firm and similar to the Heritage, but it does seem slightly warmer.

The speaker does great with pedals and doesn't make distortion and fuzz pedals sound sterol or fake. The amp still needs the 55 Hz speaker because the cabinet is so small.

I am very happy with the speaker switch! Now I need to unload a Celestion Heritage :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5048421020_594e3c5468.jpg

6v6se and loving it.

Can someone here explain to me what it really was that made them go with a Swart Amp. I have never heard one yet and maybe that's simply the answer right there. I've been wanting to invest in what I might call the perfect amp, and of course everyone has a different criteria of what is perfect to them.
I'm looking for something I can both play at home and yet big/powerful enough to gig with but without having to mic it. I want it to be light enough to pickup and go easy, and I want it to be versatile enough for both single coil and HB equipped guitars and also pedal friendly. My existing amp is over 60 lbs and I'm not gettin' any younger :lol: I typically play mostly clean with just a bit of compression, overdrive and delay. I've been wanting to get what I would call the last amp I'll ever need and I am definitely interested in these handwired boutique type combo amps. I've been looking at Swart, Carr, Tone King, 65, and Two Rock.....all of which have very strong reviews not to mention a pricey investment

I guess I wanted some perspective on what really sold you personally on these. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jethro

no feedback???

I ended up getting an AST and boy, am I stoked!!! Getting some great clean tones - way better than I expected really and very vibey trem and reverb makes for a really organic sound with my Hahn 228. I haven't even got to turn it right up yet since I've only used it at home so far but I'm most impressed - best amp I've had, no doubt about it.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p137/steveq_2006/P1030430.jpg

Can someone here explain to me what it really was that made them go with a Swart Amp. I have never heard one yet and maybe that's simply the answer right there. I've been wanting to invest in what I might call the perfect amp, and of course everyone has a different criteria of what is perfect to them.
I'm looking for something I can both play at home and yet big/powerful enough to gig with but without having to mic it. I want it to be light enough to pickup and go easy, and I want it to be versatile enough for both single coil and HB equipped guitars and also pedal friendly. My existing amp is over 60 lbs and I'm not gettin' any younger :lol: I typically play mostly clean with just a bit of compression, overdrive and delay. I've been wanting to get what I would call the last amp I'll ever need and I am definitely interested in these handwired boutique type combo amps. I've been looking at Swart, Carr, Tone King, 65, and Two Rock.....all of which have very strong reviews not to mention a pricey investment

I guess I wanted some perspective on what really sold you personally on these. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jethro

I am in the EXACT same situation...I would really like to read an owner response to Jethro's inquiry...

I am in the EXACT same situation...I would really like to read an owner response to Jethro's inquiry...

ok. i have a 6v6se and night light attenuator.

i never had an amp without a master volume and always wanted one. i also always liked the idea of using an attenuator with one.

i wanted a champ so i picked up a used fender champion 600 for cheap to dip my toe. loved it.

i liked the reissue champ in the local chain store but i thought i'd see what people said about low watt amps (here and various other internet places).

swart got mentioned so i checked out their site - lo and behold they had developed a new take on an attenuator (with an output for another amp and built in filament compression).

then this sound clip was the only one from any amp site that really got me enthused: http://swartamps.com/sound_samples/gregV_space_tone/GregV_Telemedgain1.mp3

i had sold a couple guitars a month before, so finally i ordered the baby swart and night light from a neighbouring province.

best music purchase/decision i ever made.

I am in the EXACT same situation...I would really like to read an owner response to Jethro's inquiry...
My situation is I had a custom guitar on order and was looking for an amp to go with it. This was my first electric guitar for some years and previously I'd owned Custom Vibrolux Reverb, Deluxe Reverb (black face) and a silver face Vibro Champ and a Laney. I decided I wanted something tweed-like and almost went with a Victoria and considered other similar variants as well, I even went close to ordering a Louis Electric at one stage. These were all going to work out to be quite expensive and some not available locally.
I play mostly at home these days so I was also looking more towards a low wattage but not necessarily a "practice amp". When I first became interested in the Swarts they did not have an Australian dealer, the nearest being in N.Z. I emailed Swart and they told me there might soon be an Australian dealer and sure enough 555 music in Melbourne became a dealer for them.
Swart appealed to me for the various sound files I listened to and their reputation for build quality, all tube, point to point wiring etc. Initially I was thinking of the STR but in time changed my mind to the AST for the tremolo. As it turned out i got the AST about 3 mths before my guitar was completed so I didn't even get to try it until I got the guitar! Having had both for a while now I can honestly say that I'm very satisfied with the AST and the guitar for that matter. The AST is rated about 20 watts and is certainly very portable but whether or not it would be loud enough to gig without having to mic it, that would depend on the venue of course but I would think a small club venue would be it's limit. I certainly can't turn it right up at home without getting into trouble from family and neighbours but I really love the tones I'm getting at "lounge room" levels. I'm thinking of getting a Night Light so I can extract some more juice without upsetting others.
The AST has its own sound and you can hear the tweed influence along with something else and it looks really cool. There are other variants with more power and of course more weight. Hope this helps.

The AST has its own sound and you can hear the tweed influence along with something else and it looks really cool. There are other variants with more power and of course more weight. Hope this helps.

It does help and i appreciate the input...I just started this thread...hoping to get some advice here as well...thanks!

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/277914-mesa-boogie-mark-v-vs-swart-ast-atomic-space-tone-master-ast-mk-ii-combo.html

It does help and i appreciate the input...I just started this thread...hoping to get some advice here as well...thanks!

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/277914-mesa-boogie-mark-v-vs-swart-ast-atomic-space-tone-master-ast-mk-ii-combo.html

Yes thank you guys, these comments do help. I will also keep an eye on this new thread.

Cheers,
Jethro

I agree with Steve 228~! The Swart has a tweed influence and a sound of its own that I have not heard from other amps.

Here are some factors that influenced my AST purchase:

The tremolo and reverb are off the hook!! They sound AMAZING!!! The portability 'grab N Go' aspect is amazing! It's sooo friendly to schlep around.
The amps sound with pedals is just amazing! The amp has a musicality that is hard to describe. it always sounds musical! Sometimes I've felt it was a bit midrangey, a bit boxy and focused. But that assessment only occurs playing alone. Every single time I've had the amp on a gig, it sounds perfect and blends wonderfully in the mix!

The natural overdrive breakup is pure magic when you get it cranked a little bit. Sounds great with single coils and is very vibey with P90's or humbuckers! But I prefer Single coils. I also prefer using 6V6GT tubes. I am using current issue Tung sol's and they sound great!

I have not found a small combo on the market that touches the AST. If you like or want Blackface Fender cleans, look elsewhere. That's not what this amp is about. But it gets a killer vibey clean tone, with a little 'hair' on it. The amp is very touch sensitive. Play soft and you are rewarded with nice clean sound. Dig in and you get the most perfect, classic sounding overdrive.

Also one more thing. If you ever become disenchanted with the Swart and feel like its not sounding that great, just put in some fresh tubes. I almost sold mine once thinking it just wasn't the 'sound' I wanted. I installed a new V1 Preamp tube (JJ12ax7) and a pair of new Tung Sol 6V6's and WOW! I was back in LOVE! Great amps!

I love mine so much I've become enchanted and curious about the AST II Master Combo. Hmmmm. Who has compared an AST with the larger AST II Master (in combo) or with the matching 1x12 Swart cab?

I figured I would chime in because I wake up excited enough to endure a 10-hour day just to come home and play my 6v6se... and also to *ahem* hang with my fiance of course...

If you're on the edge, read now:

I bought this amp after trying to find something that will let me hear in my ears from the outside what I hear in my head from the inside. By this I do not mean "find an amp that would give what so-and-so-on-the-internet thinks it should sound like" but to find an amp that would finally allow me to unleash from heart to hands to ear. This was sight unseen based on reviews and sound clips on line because after months of researching/playing/hating/researching/playing/being disappointed by other amps I could still not find a single negative review of a Swart on the internet.

I've owned/played every basic circuit, and my experience spans 1-100 watters. Put quite simply, this is an instrument and not just an amp. Everything sounds killer with it. I look at mine and others' guitars totally different now, as the 6v6se will totally unleash every axe's optimal condition, maximum potential and true connection to your playing style. Any combination of knobs from 0-10 (11 too!) is usable and even coveted. Why weren't these around when I was a kid in the 90's? Now I ain't bad, but how good would I be now if I got this thing when I was 13!?!@#

It makes noises when/like/how you want it to.
Your Tele's volume/tone knobs do what you want them to.
It responds to different tube complements like no other. (Box of Tubes > Stomp de Box)

Sell everything but your favorite guitar, take the leap of faith, crank the Swart to 11 on Tone and Volume and use your guitar's knobs like God originally intended. We will look back in 50 years and laugh at the concept of a stomp box for drive, distrotion, compression, reverb and tremelo.

Last but not least- I live on the top floor of a 4 story apartment and play it for 1-2 hours EVERY SINGLE DAY and have NEVER received a SINGLE COMPLAINT. Awesome neighbors? Nay, awesome, musical TONE!

Nice. That's exactly what I found when I recently played an AST. Unfortunately, I can't afford one yet... :(

Hmm, well I was just about to grab a completely gutted and rewired/recapped DRRI as I figured it would be pretty darn close to a boutique type build, but NOW after reading those last couple reviews I think I've changed my mind :shock:

I have to find a shop that carries these and try them out once and for all

I hate you all :lol: :razz:

Played a lot of the Swart amps over the weekend. Wow!


Swarts are truly amazing sounding amps. They're so pure sounding with beautiful cleans. The also breakup into the most beautiful harmonically rich tweed like overdrive.

I've played the AST, AST PRO, STR-Tweed many times, and like the STR-Tweed most.


AST Pro:
I'm a Les Paul player most of the time, and the AST Pro with its Celestion Heritage speaker combined with the J 6V6's made the bass response too stiff and firm, and made the neck pu on my LP's sounds bassy. I can see why Tele or Strat players may like the extended bass response. With a speaker and tube change I'm sure it would have been much closer to my liking with LP's. Reverb and Trem sound amazing...killer amp overall!


AST:
A lot like the Pro, but with much better (smoother) bottom end that's more vintage sounding with its 25 watt speaker. Very warm sounding amp. Michael said this is his favorite combination. The reverb and Trem are fantastic as with the Pro


STR-Tweed:

I bonded with the STR-Tweed right way. EH 6V6GT with the Mojotone BV30 speaker. The EH's sounds a lot better than the JJ's. The EH's are not as dark and bassy, they're brighter and very sweet sounding in general. Not a whole lot of headroom with this amp, but the cleans that are there were really good, and the overdrive is heavenly. The cleans are there depending on how you attack the strings...play softly and the cleans are very nice, dig in and it breaks up more. All of the Swarts amps are very touch sensitive. I also love the way this amp felt vs. the others...fast response with just the right amount of give or compression when you hit a note. I also felt the BV30 is a really good fit for this amp given it's broken in properly.

I like the fact that this amps doesn't have an exaggerated amount of low bass response like a lot of amps made currently. In my opinion, the STR is very well balanced. It sounds great with a Strat aor Tele, and with a Les Paul, you can easily get that Duane Allman, Dickey Betts "Blue Sky" tone from the Allman Brothers "Eat A Peach" album. I cranked it on the neck pu of a Les Paul, and the tone was so sweet, clear and round. Just beautiful!

The hi/lo inputs along with the two way gain switch is really helpful in dialing in different tones, and the reverb is fantastic. The reverb smooth's out nicely as you move up in volume, and all of the Swart amps are very quiet. I love the option of using 6V6GT,6V6G, EL34, 6L6GC/5881, and even a KT66 without worrying about re-biasing.



I would have purchased the STR-Tweed already, but I'm waiting for the STR-Tremolo that should be coming out in the next month or two. It's basically a STR-Tweed with reverb, tremolo, and a three way EQ switch. Can’t wait, I'm sure it will be very sweet.

I am totally in love with my Swart AST. I just find it really inspiring to play. The reverb has almost a plate reverb vibe to my ears. And there is a softness to the trem that I'm really addicted to, even with the depth turned all the way up, it has a kind of round quality. Great clean, and turned up till it starts breaking up is just heaven. The sound for me is completely a vintage one, but presented in a new way. I feel really lucky to have had the ability to get one of these little gems.

Played a lot of the Swart amps over the weekend. Wow!


Swarts are truly amazing sounding amps. They're so pure sounding with beautiful cleans. The also breakup into the most beautiful harmonically rich tweed like overdrive.

I've played the AST, AST PRO, STR-Tweed many times, and like the STR-Tweed most.


AST Pro:
I'm a Les Paul player most of the time, and the AST Pro with its Celestion Heritage speaker combined with the J 6V6's made the bass response too stiff and firm, and made the neck pu on my LP's sounds bassy. I can see why Tele or Strat players may like the extended bass response. With a speaker and tube change I'm sure it would have been much closer to my liking with LP's. Reverb and Trem sound amazing...killer amp overall!


AST:
A lot like the Pro, but with much better (smoother) bottom end that's more vintage sounding with its 25 watt speaker. Very warm sounding amp. Michael said this is his favorite combination. The reverb and Trem are fantastic as with the Pro


STR-Tweed:

I bonded with the STR-Tweed right way. EH 6V6GT with the Mojotone BV30 speaker. The EH's sounds a lot better than the JJ's. The EH's are not as dark and bassy, they're brighter and very sweet sounding in general. Not a whole lot of headroom with this amp, but the cleans that are there were really good, and the overdrive is heavenly. The cleans are there depending on how you attack the strings...play softly and the cleans are very nice, dig in and it breaks up more. All of the Swarts amps are very touch sensitive. I also love the way this amp felt vs. the others...fast response with just the right amount of give or compression when you hit a note. I also felt the BV30 is a really good fit for this amp given it's broken in properly.

I like the fact that this amps doesn't have an exaggerated amount of low bass response like a lot of amps made currently. In my opinion, the STR is very well balanced. It sounds great with a Strat aor Tele, and with a Les Paul, you can easily get that Duane Allman, Dickey Betts "Blue Sky" tone from the Allman Brothers "Eat A Peach" album. I cranked it on the neck pu of a Les Paul, and the tone was so sweet, clear and round. Just beautiful!

The hi/lo inputs along with the two way gain switch is really helpful in dialing in different tones, and the reverb is fantastic. The reverb smooth's out nicely as you move up in volume, and all of the Swart amps are very quiet. I love the option of using 6V6GT,6V6G, EL34, 6L6GC/5881, and even a KT66 without worrying about re-biasing.



I would have purchased the STR-Tweed already, but I'm waiting for the STR-Tremolo that should be coming out in the next month or two. It's basically a STR-Tweed with reverb, tremolo, and a three way EQ switch. Can’t wait, I'm sure it will be very sweet.


Thanks for that great breakdown/review porterburst. I have been interested in the AST Pro mostly due to the fact I am only playing single coils these days. You mentioned the STR Tweed....is that the 5W model I'm seeing on their website?

Thanks for that great breakdown/review porterburst. I have been interested in the AST Pro mostly due to the fact I am only playing single coils these days. You mentioned the STR Tweed....is that the 5W model I'm seeing on their website?


Yup, the STR-Tweed is 5 watts, but it's 5 loud watts. Sounds closer to 10-12 watts to me. All of the Swarts sound amazing, but I really dug the STR-Tweed.

AST:
A lot like the Pro, but with much better (smoother) bottom end that's more vintage sounding with its 25 watt speaker. Very warm sounding amp. Michael said this is his favorite combination. The reverb and Trem are fantastic as with the Pro

.

I agree with Michael. The ORIGINAL AST with the 25W Mojo speaker is where it's at. That puts us in the minority, but I don't care. I knew within the first 30 seconds of plugging a tele into an original AST that I MUST have one.

I agree with Michael. The ORIGINAL AST with the 25W Mojo speaker is where it's at. That puts us in the minority, but I don't care. I knew within the first 30 seconds of plugging a tele into an original AST that I MUST have one.

I love my AST with Celestion Gold. But recently, I got a WGS Invader 50 speaker that sounds killer with the Swart. It is a variation of the G12M. Sounds KILLER!

And I really bonded with the STR-Tweed best. They’re all good, just different.

Hmm, well I was just about to grab a completely gutted and rewired/recapped DRRI as I figured it would be pretty darn close to a boutique type build, but NOW after reading those last couple reviews I think I've changed my mind :shock:

I have to find a shop that carries these and try them out once and for all

Jethro,

I think there is a place in oakville that carries them now. Google - I could be wrong - I havent been there.

Or take a nice weekend in Montreal and check them out there.

Maybe Jared would let you come over and try his if you asked nicely. (I did :mrgreen:)

Cheers,
Geoff

Jethro,

I think there is a place in oakville that carries them now. Google - I could be wrong - I havent been there.

Or take a nice weekend in Montreal and check them out there.

Maybe Jared would let you come over and try his if you asked nicely. (I did :mrgreen:)

Cheers,
Geoff

Thanks Geoff...

Yes, I noticed that MOJO carries them....will have to take a trip out there at some point. They had an AST Master last year if I recall.

Not to go too far off topic, but I'm really wanting to try out a Tone King Imperial as well as these Swart's....maybe the Montreal trip is necessary :shock::lol:

I keep reading and every review say's the same these are
great amps. I'm just like you guys looking for a new amp
for my Telecaster. I've looked at Vox, Fender, Marshall.Line
6, Mesa, Orange, Peavey, Blackstar and Egnater. Those are
the ones that our local music stores stock so I can play thru
them. There fine but no one stocks Swart, Tone King, Marsh
Keedy,Juke,Two Rock,Tugsten, Valvetech or Top Hat. Those
amps I would like to play thru and to do that I have to take
a road trip to NYC. Now then there is also Goodsell I would
like to play that one to. But the Swart has caught me eye
and its different then your run of the mill Fenders, and Vox.
I hope to play thru one soon and if I liie what I hear just
have to save till I have the money.

Ok, I'm gonna ask what some may think is a really dumb question, but here goes.

I'm not totally sure what people mean when they say these Swarts are not a Fender Blackface tone, but more of a Tweed tone. Can anyone enlighten me a bit as to the difference between these (Blackface and Tweed)??? I've never owned either until recently picking up a new DRRI....the jury's still out on whether I'm keeping it though.

Thanks for any insight....
Cheers,
Jethro

Ok, I'm gonna ask what some may think is a really dumb question, but here goes.

I'm not totally sure what people mean when they say these Swarts are not a Fender Blackface tone, but more of a Tweed tone. Can anyone enlighten me a bit as to the difference between these (Blackface and Tweed)??? I've never owned either until recently picking up a new DRRI....the jury's still out on whether I'm keeping it though.

Thanks for any insight....
Cheers,
Jethro

I think of Blackface tone as nice big tight lows that are rich, a scooped midrange and prominent highs. Lots of harmonic texture that is three dimensional. Tweed tone to me is equally harmonically rich, but has a much stronger midrange and the low end is less prominent and a bit saggier. Not as tight and focused in the low end. Tweed to me also encompasses natural amp edge-of-breakup to raspy, Keith Richards ish Rolling stones rock sounds. That's just one mans opinion. Great question.

In short; (my opinion and experience)
Blackface - Brighter, a bit more clear, sparklier highs, deeper/tighter low end, scooped midrange

Tweed - Much More pronounced midrange, mushier low end, can get raspy, snarly and nasty ( A very good thing that is a compliment.) Highs cut through nicely, plenty of harmonic texture too. Tweed to my ears is a tighter, more focused sound.

vox Phantom,

If you're heading to NYC, Ludlow Guitars is the Swart dealer there.

I think of Blackface tone as three nice big tight lows that are rich, a scooped midrange and prominent highs. Lots of harmonic texture that is three dimensional. Tweed tone to me is equally harmonically rich, but has a much stronger midrange and the low end is less prominent and a bit saggier. Not as tight and focused in the low end. Tweed to me also encompasses natural amp edge-of-breakup to raspy, Keith Richards ish Rolling stones rock sounds. That's just one mans opinion. Great question.

In short; (my opinion and experience)
Blackface - Brighter, a bit more clear, sparklier highs, deeper/tighter low end, scooped midrange

Tweed - Much More pronounced midrange, mushier low end, can get raspy, snarly and nasty ( A very good thing that is a compliment.) Highs cut through nicely, plenty of harmonic texture too. Tweed to my ears is a tighter, more focused sound.

Great explanation Groberts....that tells me a lot. Thanks for that!

I keep reading and every review say's the same these are
great amps. I'm just like you guys looking for a new amp
for my Telecaster. I've looked at Vox, Fender, Marshall.Line
6, Mesa, Orange, Peavey, Blackstar and Egnater. Those are
the ones that our local music stores stock so I can play thru
them. There fine but no one stocks Swart, Tone King, Marsh
Keedy,Juke,Two Rock,Tugsten, Valvetech or Top Hat. Those
amps I would like to play thru and to do that I have to take
a road trip to NYC. Now then there is also Goodsell I would
like to play that one to. But the Swart has caught me eye
and its different then your run of the mill Fenders, and Vox.
I hope to play thru one soon and if I liie what I hear just
have to save till I have the money.

I have a AST Master 112 with the CelestionG12H30 Heritage in it. Having played my Gibson LP Traditional, my Strat Deluxe, and a friend's tele through it, I would say that it leans more towards single coils in both the by-pass and the Master mode, where as the Gibson, to my ears, excells in the Master channel, which is more compressed, and possibly better for the 57 PAF PUs.

I have two amps and two guitars. The LP stays plugged into the Swart with the switch set to the master, and the Strat, generally stays plugged into the 75' PR. Every now and again, I'll plug the Strat into the Swart, and it does sound amazing, especially in the master mode (my preference, anyways), and it also does the by-pass channel (clean) very well, and up to high volumes. However, because I have the 75 Fender PR, when I want cleans, I generally go there, with the Strat.

I'd like to try a Celestion Gold in it to see how the Gibson repsonds to that in the by-pass mode, and even if I don't like it as much as the Heritage, I'm sure it will find a use somewhere. Great amps, and LOUD!

I have a AST Master 112 with the CelestionG12H30 Heritage in it. Having played my Gibson LP Traditional, my Strat Deluxe, and a friend's tele through it, I would say that it leans more towards single coils in both the by-pass and the Master mode, where as the Gibson, to my ears, excells in the Master channel, which is more compressed, and possibly better for the 57 PAF PUs.

I have two amps and two guitars. The LP stays plugged into the Swart with the switch set to the master, and the Strat, generally stays plugged into the 75' PR. Every now and again, I'll plug the Strat into the Swart, and it does sound amazing, especially in the master mode (my preference, anyways), and it also does the by-pass channel (clean) very well, and up to high volumes. However, because I have the 75 Fender PR, when I want cleans, I generally go there, with the Strat.

I'd like to try a Celestion Gold in it to see how the Gibson repsonds to that in the by-pass mode, and even if I don't like it as much as the Heritage, I'm sure it will find a use somewhere. Great amps, and LOUD!

Jared, the G12 Heritage you have is definitely deeper sounding and punchier in the lows than a Celestion Gold. The low end on the gold is almost as big, but I would say it is a bit softer and sweeter in some ways. Will a Celestion Gold transform your amp so the Les Paul sounds the way you want? I can't say.

Interestingly, my friends Swart AST (not the Master version) has the G12 Heritage and he plays a Les Paul R8 through it religiously and it sounds killer. But he usually cops the Gary Moore type of tone. If that's not what you're going for, your results may vary. Sure sounds good to me. again, this is with a standard Swart AST. Not the "AST Master".

Jared, the G12 Heritage you have is definitely deeper sounding and punchier in the lows than a Celestion Gold. The low end on the gold is almost as big, but I would say it is a bit softer and sweeter in some ways. Will a Celestion Gold transform your amp so the Les Paul sounds the way you want? I can't say.

Interestingly, my friends Swart AST (not the Master version) has the G12 Heritage and he plays a Les Paul R8 through it religiously and it sounds killer. But he usually cops the Gary Moore type of tone. If that's not what you're going for, your results may vary. Sure sounds good to me. again, this is with a standard Swart AST. Not the "AST Master".

Ah, well the standard Swart AST is a different beast altogether. Would you say that the Heritage pronounces mid range more than the Gold? I had a Gold once, but it was a 10" and it was in a PRRI that I no longer have, so the comparsion is kind of moot.

I spoke with Michael Swart on Friday and I was describing the tone in by-pass mode to him (when I use the LP), and he had to confess that he has never plugged a LP Traditional into one of his amps period, let alone one with a G12H30 Heritage in it. I asked him, the next time he had the opportunity, to plug the LP Traditional into one of AST Masters and see what he thinks, and to please call me with his thoughts.

I know it's not just my ears as a friend, who is an accomplished, professional musician, and far more talented on the guitar than I, came over with his Tele, and we plugged my Strat, his Tele and my LP into the Swart and went through the by-pass and the Master mode with all three guitars. We both agreed that the Swart loves single coils in either mode, and it loves humbuckers, but only in the Master mode, not in the by-pass mode.

Michael said that he couldn't be sure if it was the speaker or the 57 PAFs in the LP that would cause a percieved mismatch. He also said, without specifying, that there are certain guitars that he wouldn't bother playing in certain of his amps because he didn't think the fit was right, though he didn't imply that was the case with the LP and the AST Master. When I boght the amp, I specifically asked him if a lot of his customers used LPs and he said yes, though he couldn't be certain what amps they were using them with. He did mention a couple of somewhat famous US bands, the names of which escape me right now that used LPs. So, I don't know. From my own experience and from talking to a couple of friends, we all agree that the LP is a more difficult guitar to find an amp for than Teles and Strats, which from my limited experience seem to sound good in almost anything.

Great explanation Groberts....that tells me a lot. Thanks for that!

Hey Jethro, I sent you a PM in reply to your's to me but I didn't hear back from you. Let me know if you got it okay.

Now this is a club I'd like to belong to, seems like finding one is like finding hens teeth though :mrgreen:

I'm the market for a small tube amp, to play at home (bedroom levels). I love to use Big Muff, Fuzz Face etc. etc. my question is:

- some of you tried to play with guitar-->fuzz--->amp, using a 6V6SE and Night Light at bedroom levels? I've no easy neighbours, so I need to play at conversation/televisor level and I would like to know if 6V6SE+Night Light would be a good option for me

I'm the market for a small tube amp, to play at home (bedroom levels). I love to use Big Muff, Fuzz Face etc. etc. my question is:

- some of you tried to play with guitar-->fuzz--->amp, using a 6V6SE and Night Light at bedroom levels? I've no easy neighbours, so I need to play at conversation/televisor level and I would like to know if 6V6SE+Night Light would be a good option for me


the whole point of the night light is that you can enjoy the type of natural distortion only a maxed out tube amp can provide. any master volume amp with a fuzz pedal can give gobs of distortion at any volume.

but 2 factors my still make the swart setup valuable to you.

1 - you may like the insane sound of amp distortion plus a fuzz pedal groink (i know i do!). in this case the quality of the swart's breakup with a great pedal would be hard to beat.

2 - the sound of the swart cranked, on the night light's quietest setting is very low in volume but quite warm and fuzzy on it's own. i like fuzz, and i never feel the need to add a pedal to the swart.

good luck and have fun!

the whole point of the night light is that you can enjoy the type of natural distortion only a maxed out tube amp can provide. any master volume amp with a fuzz pedal can give gobs of distortion at any volume.

but 2 factors my still make the swart setup valuable to you.

1 - you may like the insane sound of amp distortion plus a fuzz pedal groink (i know i do!). in this case the quality of the swart's breakup with a great pedal would be hard to beat.

2 - the sound of the swart cranked, on the night light's quietest setting is very low in volume but quite warm and fuzzy on it's own. i like fuzz, and i never feel the need to add a pedal to the swart.

good luck and have fun!

Thank you for your explanation!

What is really interesting for me is this: the 6V6SE is it a good CLEAN platform for fuzz pedals, odd, boosts and so on? What's about the interaction with modulation effects and delays? If I play it clean getting the distortion from pedals do I need the Night Light anyway to play at bedroom levels or I may not need it?

it could sound fine - the swart on 2 with a pedal further controlling the distortion and volume will sound good, but it is a rather high $ amount to achieve what you want (or think you want).

you have to understand the history and why these simple low watt amps are desirable.

back when electric guitars were starting out in the world, amps were made to be loud and clean. so fender (and other companies) put out little amps like the champ as small cheap practice amps. as rock (and distortion) became desirable players would crank their tube combos and stacks in large venues and rock out.

but in the studio where extreme volume was a liability, many discovered they could get more manageable volume with as much or more distortion with the little tube combos.

as true today as then, but the hitch comes in that acceptable volume is very context sensitive. while a 5 watt amp is a mouse compared to a full marshall stack in a studio, 5 watts is VERY loud in an apartment. in fact the swart is uncomfortably loud for me even on the loudest setting with the night light!

so anyway - buying a boutique low watt tweed amp with a great sounding, innovative attenuator - made solely for the home players' holy grail of true power tube saturation at true bedroom levels, and using it as a platform for a fuzz pedal - is kind of like buying a super cool vintage roadster for major cash and playing a tape of a cheap muscle car on the stereo while you drive it.

it could sound fine - the swart on 2 with a pedal further controlling the distortion and volume will sound good, but it is a rather high $ amount to achieve what you want (or think you want).

you have to understand the history and why these simple low watt amps are desirable.

back when electric guitars were starting out in the world, amps were made to be loud and clean. so fender (and other companies) put out little amps like the champ as small cheap practice amps. as rock (and distortion) became desirable players would crank their tube combos and stacks in large venues and rock out.

but in the studio where extreme volume was a liability, many discovered they could get more manageable volume with as much or more distortion with the little tube combos.

as true today as then, but the hitch comes in that acceptable volume is very context sensitive. while a 5 watt amp is a mouse compared to a full marshall stack in a studio, 5 watts is VERY loud in an apartment. in fact the swart is uncomfortably loud for me even on the loudest setting with the night light!

so anyway - buying a boutique low watt tweed amp with a great sounding, innovative attenuator - made solely for the home players' holy grail of true power tube saturation at true bedroom levels, and using it as a platform for a fuzz pedal - is kind of like buying a super cool vintage roadster for major cash and playing a tape of a cheap muscle car on the stereo while you drive it.

At gigs and rehearsal with band I use a Twin Reverb with some pedals, I wanted a not loud setup to practice at home and to have a similar response in terms of tone, harmonics and dynamics.

swart with night light is the best low volume tube amp setup i've found for sure. plus the night light has a line out, so if you fall in love with the sound you can take the signal right to your twins' input for more volume.

the dynamics of the 6v6se make it clean up real nice (either by turning it down, or using your guitars volume) and sounds great with pedals.

Ah, well the standard Swart AST is a different beast altogether. Would you say that the Heritage pronounces mid range more than the Gold? I had a Gold once, but it was a 10" and it was in a PRRI that I no longer have, so the comparsion is kind of moot.

I spoke with Michael Swart on Friday and I was describing the tone in by-pass mode to him (when I use the LP), and he had to confess that he has never plugged a LP Traditional into one of his amps period, let alone one with a G12H30 Heritage in it. I asked him, the next time he had the opportunity, to plug the LP Traditional into one of AST Masters and see what he thinks, and to please call me with his thoughts.

I know it's not just my ears as a friend, who is an accomplished, professional musician, and far more talented on the guitar than I, came over with his Tele, and we plugged my Strat, his Tele and my LP into the Swart and went through the by-pass and the Master mode with all three guitars. We both agreed that the Swart loves single coils in either mode, and it loves humbuckers, but only in the Master mode, not in the by-pass mode.

Michael said that he couldn't be sure if it was the speaker or the 57 PAFs in the LP that would cause a percieved mismatch. He also said, without specifying, that there are certain guitars that he wouldn't bother playing in certain of his amps because he didn't think the fit was right, though he didn't imply that was the case with the LP and the AST Master. When I boght the amp, I specifically asked him if a lot of his customers used LPs and he said yes, though he couldn't be certain what amps they were using them with. He did mention a couple of somewhat famous US bands, the names of which escape me right now that used LPs. So, I don't know. From my own experience and from talking to a couple of friends, we all agree that the LP is a more difficult guitar to find an amp for than Teles and Strats, which from my limited experience seem to sound good in almost anything.













IMO it's definitely the Heritage speaker that's not giving you the LP tone you're looking for.

I play Les Pauls 99% of the time and have played every Swart many times, and I've never like any of the Swarts with the Heritage speakers when using a LP.

With a LP, the Heritage has a big bassy bottom, semi-scooped mids with lot of highs. That's why it sounds fantastic with single coils and P-90, but not so great with a Les Paul in non-master mode. I think with a LP, Swart amps need a speaker with more mids to sound best, except if you really like super clean LP tones. When clicked to master mode the LP probebly sounds better due to the added mids.

I think the MKII master would sound amazing clean or dirty with both a LP and Strat with a Scumback H75 or the BV25 or 30.

When using a LP, I love the STR-Tweed with the BV30, and SST-30 with the Celestion Greenbacks.

The SST-30 is just amazing overall, but I must say I like the cleans on the MKII master with the BV a little better.

Well, I'm now a member! (That's what she said.) I picked up a 2007 6V6se on the bay for $600, arrived in beautiful shape and now I'm learning the beast. It just sounds so great. I've gradually started leaving my pedals off- first my compressor, then my reverb, my boost, and finally my tremolo. I'm afraid I'm going to be one of THOSE guys. Everything just sounds so 3-D and so live. I've sent for a NOS 5Y3 to replace the GZ34 rectifier- I dunno if it will make much difference, but "they" say it will. I took it to my solo wine bar gig and it did great, although the 8" speaker isn't as bassy as I'm used to (of course) and I think it's a little more directional- I thought I sounded muffled, but the amp was pointed away from me and my friends listening thought it sounded great. Anyway- it's the best amp I've played through (not that I've played through TOO many boutique-ey amps) and it really brings out the best in any guitar I've put through it.

Hey there good people, sorry just new to this forum as i'm trying to source some advice. I own a gorgeous AST master and am looking for some help with an extension cabinet suggestion.

If i run the amp into a 16 OHM speaker cabinet, what would typically be the best ohm setting to run? The AST master has a switch for 4/8/16. In theory, running the combo speaker (8ohm) with a 16 ohm extension 112 would yield a 5.33 load. Should i run at 4 or 8?

Does anyone have any experience with this in regards to differences in tone?
Would the 8 setting be putting strain on the OT?

MANY MANY thanks!

If I won the lottery which aint gonna happen cause I don't buy tickets, I'd get that 30 watt head and cab. Those things are so damn sweet.

I just recieved the Fuzzyboost from swart! together with the Atomic Boost thru the AST pro-- tone heaven ! :-)

My #1 gig amp since 2004 - I jumped onto the Swart boat early. It's small, lightweight, and sounds fabulous.

Kane


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/guitrr/Gigs/BikeWeek07GR.jpg

Hi, I'm new to the Forum and new to Swart Amps but I've read the posts here with a lot of interest. I've just recently swapped my DRRI for a Space Tone Reverb Tweed and it has blown me away. This amp has a wonderful range of tones, fantastic drive and dirt (when you want it) and the deepest most luxuriant Reverb. In case you're wondering.....I quite like this amp :)

So enough gushing.......Pics!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/zappbass/P3130027.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/zappbass/P3130028.jpg

.......Time to play......

I wish I was as happy as everyone here with my Swart. My Space Tone has broken down after a month, all the magic has gone to heaven, as it's making now an odd unwanted octave effect in the high frets that no one seems to know what's causing.

I have started a thread about it here so someone could help.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/323000-swart-space-tone-gone-bust-strange-octave-sound.html#post4092255

I just joined the fray with a STR Dark Tweed on the brown truck to Texas. No sleep for me until it arrives.
Yummy,
Rob

I'm hoping to be joining the club very soon...

End of the month is my 10th Anniversary, bought the wife over $2000 in diamonds. She knows I've been wanting a Swart for years... she was with me when I was almost crying ;) having to leave one behind while visiting Nashville last year. She's already gotten her diamonds (long story), so I'm now waiting with baited breath for the "ok" to call Michael Swart. An AST Master has my name on it...fingers crossed...

I just got a Swart AST. Simply put, the best amp I`ve ever tried! I really can`t recommend it enough :)

I scored a used Space Tone last Sunday. Super $$$.
I've been running it though a 2X12 w/ Weber Alnico Blue Dog and Silver Bell.
Loving it! :grin:

I just joined the fray with a STR Dark Tweed on the brown truck to Texas. No sleep for me until it arrives.
Yummy,
Rob

Well I started my Swart Amp romance with the STR-Black Tweed and immediatly fell in love with it. I dont like using pedals but insist on pushed tube grind tones for the classic rock/blues stuff I play. The STR completely satisfies my amp tone wants. I play in a two guitar swamp blues band and the other guitar uses a JCM-800 2-12 Marshall. The 5 watt STR holds its own in practice sessions but not in gigs without miking and we typically dont mike the amps in this band. With that in mind I quickly bought the 20 watt Swart Atomic. Holy Moses...this is a sweet tone monster with much bigger tones than the smaller STR even with the same 12" speaker in a small cab limitations. Still after gigging the Atomic I felt my ideal amp needed more volume on demand so......... enter the Swart Super Space Tone SST-30 Head. Plenty of volume and the best master volume control these ears have ever heard. I am still hunting for the right tubes and cab/speaker combination for the SST-30 and my need to get the matching cab to get there. The Swart logo will always have a home with me.
Rob

I played vintage Fenders (Brownface Princeton, Blonde Tremolux) for the better part of a decade along with an early 90s Vox. Got my AST MKII about 6 months ago and have never been happier.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523364_10152074381385613_741479132_n.jpg

Now a proud member of the club. My first tube amp ever. STR Tremelo. I love it. Makes me not want to leave home. Also have the atomic boost and the night light. Already want the STR Tweed so I can run them in stereo.

Now a proud member of the club. My first tube amp ever. STR Tremelo. I love it. Makes me not want to leave home. Also have the atomic boost and the night light. Already want the STR Tweed so I can run them in stereo.

Really, been gassing for that one too
Congrats

For the past six years or so, I looked for a Deluxe sound - specifically a Fender Tweed Deluxe sound - at low volumes. I play at home and jam with friends, and don't need or want concert volume levels.

I tried a silverface Champ; a THD Univalve (with various tube/cab combinations); an Emery Superbaby (also with various tube/cab combinations); a 5F1 clone with a 12" speaker; an original Tweed Champ; a Goodsell Super 17; and a Clark Beaufort.

I also went the attenuator route - a Dr. Airbrake and a Weber Mini Mass.

All sounded really good, but didn't "scratch the itch" as we say in the South.

Then I played a Swart Space Tone Reverb - Tweed. It's by far the best-sounding, most Tweed Deluxe type amp that I've ever had, and I don't even use the reverb. A single power tube that gives gradual 6V6 saturation at reasonable home volume levels, and a switch that changes it from clean to slightly dirty and edgey, the tone and volume controls are really interactive, a 12" speaker in a tweed covered cab - I could go on and on.

The point is, I like my Swart!

So I wanted to ask how the STR Trem compared to say a PRRI, I guess this answers my unasked question, the only place in town that fold Swart's is now Internet only, so can't try it, oh well
Got to get a nightlite

My swart

144965

Now a proud member of the club. My first tube amp ever. STR Tremelo. I love it. Makes me not want to leave home. Also have the atomic boost and the night light. Already want the STR Tweed so I can run them in stereo.

Congrats on a great choice for a first tube amp.

And thanks for the GAS :lol:

Nice one Tony. Swart, 3 guitars AND a sweetheart. Life is good!

Congrats on a great choice for a first tube amp.

And thanks for the GAS :lol:

Thank you, I started looking at a bugera v5 and somehow ended up with the Swart. Feeling like I made the right choice. I'm new to the forum so hello and nice to meet you on here.

Thank you all for the congrats on the Swart. I'm new to the forum so it is nice to hear from folks on here. Excited to be a member. Just got my first tele a couple months ago. I've been playing bluegrass for twenty or so years but my interest for it just hasn't been there. A couple months ago I decided I wanted to learn chicken pickin/country guitar and modern blues. Haven't been this excited about playing guitar for a long time. Really nice to connect with tele playing amp loving people. Is it just me or are telecasters and amplifiers an addiction?😊....spend most of my time on the Internet looking at amps and telecasters. Feel like its only just beginning. Best regards to all of you and hope to get more involved on the forum.

Thank you, I started looking at a bugera v5 and somehow ended up with the Swart. Feeling like I made the right choice. I'm new to the forum so hello and nice to meet you on here.


Pleasure is mine Tony,
and I'd say you made the right choice lol.

I have a local shop that has Swart amps in stock. I'm very close to loading up some trade bait and grabbing the little 6V6se model. We'll see.

I am glad to say that I am now part of this exclusive club. I just bought the AST MK ll Combo, All I have to say is AWESOME!!! The first time I plugged it into my Tele I played 3hrs non-stop! It is the sound I have had in my head all my life, but had never found! Well the search is over. I managed to pick one up for 1500.00 :shock: It has a Jet BlackBird in it rated at 100 watts, at first I thought, well that can't sound good.....I was wrong! After doing some research on the speaker I found out it was 250.00$ the cheapest I found. So I think I got an amazing deal but I also waited for one, because I wanted the amp for two years now.:cool:

I use Traynor YCV80 with my Traditional and the sound is awesome, these amps are so under rated! I agree about the Tele through a Swart....PURE HEAVEN!

Ah, well the standard Swart AST is a different beast altogether. Would you say that the Heritage pronounces mid range more than the Gold? I had a Gold once, but it was a 10" and it was in a PRRI that I no longer have, so the comparsion is kind of moot.

I spoke with Michael Swart on Friday and I was describing the tone in by-pass mode to him (when I use the LP), and he had to confess that he has never plugged a LP Traditional into one of his amps period, let alone one with a G12H30 Heritage in it. I asked him, the next time he had the opportunity, to plug the LP Traditional into one of AST Masters and see what he thinks, and to please call me with his thoughts.

I know it's not just my ears as a friend, who is an accomplished, professional musician, and far more talented on the guitar than I, came over with his Tele, and we plugged my Strat, his Tele and my LP into the Swart and went through the by-pass and the Master mode with all three guitars. We both agreed that the Swart loves single coils in either mode, and it loves humbuckers, but only in the Master mode, not in the by-pass mode.

Michael said that he couldn't be sure if it was the speaker or the 57 PAFs in the LP that would cause a percieved mismatch. He also said, without specifying, that there are certain guitars that he wouldn't bother playing in certain of his amps because he didn't think the fit was right, though he didn't imply that was the case with the LP and the AST Master. When I boght the amp, I specifically asked him if a lot of his customers used LPs and he said yes, though he couldn't be certain what amps they were using them with. He did mention a couple of somewhat famous US bands, the names of which escape me right now that used LPs. So, I don't know. From my own experience and from talking to a couple of friends, we all agree that the LP is a more difficult guitar to find an amp for than Teles and Strats, which from my limited experience seem to sound good in almost anything.

I use Traynor YCV80 with my Traditional and the sound is awesome, these amps are so under rated! I agree about the Tele through a Swart....PURE HEAVEN!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuxdO9G3iNI/ULJ3YAh2lbI/AAAAAAAAAiA/JgWtiLlJEYM/s1600/img2p.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2LxaoBkuMw/ULJ3ZqqptcI/AAAAAAAAAiI/XzZQmX7UJAA/s1600/img3p.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1a9Btg5Z-o/ULJ3beVVaUI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Na_cQMl5po8/s1600/img4p.jpg

Though I had problems due to a faulty stock speaker long ago (I got a bit carried away and started a thread here), I've been happy with my 6v6SE ever since. It has interesting tones set clean with fuzzes, but nothing replaces the feeling of being in the same room with it cranked all the way up. Pure magic, but loud!

I'm right now dreaming about ordering a Fuzzyboost and a Night Light, that would be such a nice trio with my Space Tone.

Howdy Swart Club!

I've been wanting a Swart for probably 5 years, but can never decide on which one.

For those of you with either the Atom(ic) Junior (8" 5 watt, with reverb) or the STR-Tweed (12" 5 watt, with reverb), maybe you can help me out...

I play a mix of single coils and humbuckers, as well as P-90s, but my main guitar is a DGT (with humbuckers, but great splittable single tones).

I previously owned a Victoria 518 (8" 5 watt) champ clone, which sounded amazing with Fenders, but terrible with humbuckers or P-90s. Sold that one a few years ago.

Currently, my only amp is a '66 blackface Princeton Reverb, my dream amp. I would like to have a tweed to compliment it, but play almost exclusively at home, for fun, and don't want or need an amp that's too big for my needs, or too loud for home use.

I have a Wampler '57 Tweed pedal in transit, for my PR, but even so, I still find myself wanting a Swart.

Do any of you have similar experiences, and tastes, who can give me any guidance? Thanks in advance! JOE

Ehup guys

I'm new to the forum. I've had a Swart STR Tweed and nitelight for a coupla months and couldn't be happier. The cleans through my tele are dreamy and its inspired me to have a custom guitar built - LP Jr special in natural black korina body and neck (chose the wood yesterday, got some beautiful flame in it) and Shed vintage p90 after seeing the reviews on Swarts and p90s. Just thought I'd ask the guys on here if they use any OD pedals in front of their Swart and what, if any, are their current favs.

Cheers

Just thought I'd ask the guys on here if they use any OD pedals in front of their Swart and what, if any, are their current favs.

Cheers

Welcome to the TDPRI, FilthyFur; you'll like it here!

I have an STR-Tweed, but haven't used pedals or effects since back in the days when the earth was first cooling. :lol:

The custom LPJr. that you have coming sounds great, and it will sound fantastic through your Swart! When I play my LPJr. through my Swart, it sounds amazing!

Cheers H. Mac

Got rid of all my pedals ages ago apart from one, a bright pink germanium fuzz I made, but I blew that up a few weeks ago (the neighbours are well pleased!). Just thought I'd enquire if anyone had tried an OD and what they thought. Love the sound of the Swart cranked but just curious. When the speaker is properly bedded in i'll try some nos valves. Anyone got any favourites?

I like the stand for your Swart

I finally purchased a Swart, after wanting one for years. The thing that put me over the edge was a really great video by "Soulcactus" on YouTube, demonstrating the little 6v6se, and PROVING that the thing sounded awesome -- not only at home, but with humbuckers and single coils. That did it for me. As a result, I bought an Atomic Jr., the little guy with the reverb. WOW is all I can say. It's the funnest amp I've ever owned. Not only does it look fantastic, but it is incredibly portable, and sounds fantastic with all of my guitars, pickups, and even pedals. I dare say it takes certain pedals much better than even my Princeton Reverb. Seriously, I can't say enough. If anyone ever has any questions about this particular Swart, or anything related, please feel free to PM or email me. May the Swart be with you...

Follow-up: two weeks later and this is my favorite amp of all time. It sounds even better with a set of NOS tubes. Added a 5Y3, too, and loving the earlier break-up.