A tremendous amp.I bought mine almost 30 yrs ago and the only service I have done is clean the pots with CRC.Never even changed the preamp tube after hundreds of gigs.Still sounds killer and I will put it up to anything sound wise except an SVT,but that's a horse of a different color.The D.I. is loved by soundmen.A tad heavy by today's standards but I can live with it.

@DeadKoby

3 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed having it here. SWR really made some good sounding stuff. Too band Fender flushed the brand.

@kevmac1230

3 жыл бұрын

@@DeadKoby Yes, too bad as SWR was iconic.As you are a pro tech I'd be interested in your take on today's gear.I'm sometimes amazed at prices on new stuff.My 400s set me back around 1100 bucks if I recall correctly back in the mid 90s,a good chunk of change then.Now I see for instance a T.C.Electronics 350 watt amp with bells and whistles for 300 and change and at the other end of the spectrum a Darkglass top of the line for under a grand.Will these hold up over time or have we moved on to cheap enough to replace? I've bought sub 500 buck basses that amaze me that would have cost much more in the past.I know CRC machines ( or whatever they're called) do crazy stuff making things cheap.

@DeadKoby

3 жыл бұрын

The introduction of Class D has allowed a big reduction in cost and weight. I had a Warwick "1000 watt" amp in (That I sold)... and it did a respectable job. I'm more a fan of Class AB and tube stuff. I'm not an "official" warranty center for anyone. I take on repairs as a side biz. Although the classic AB circuits really kicked out the jams........ between the switching power supplies and class D amps, the weight/power ratio has shifted big time. The Peavey Firebass 700 was a dynamo, but you'd need a forklift for it in comparison with the Warwick that was allegedly 300 watts more. I really have little love for switching power supplies........since troubleshooting them is usually a nightmare. I'll take my hefty transformers thanks. If you know about Speaker efficiency......... a 1000w amp is roughly double volume of a 100w amp.. So I still play bass through Kustom 200's from 1970... I know those are far from articulate, but I'm just playing garage band level.

@kevmac1230

3 жыл бұрын

@@DeadKoby Is it Tuck n roll? Those were cool.

@DeadKoby

3 жыл бұрын

@@kevmac1230 Yeah. They are on this channel getting fixed up. That was some years ago.

I bought one of these maybe like two years ago for $170 from Guitar Center. I've had two previous SWR amps in the 90's. So I picked up this one and so far it works like a champ. Pots are getting a little bit scratchy I noticed the other day. I run it in bridged mode to power one Bag End 15" cab.

@DeadKoby

3 жыл бұрын

This is indeed a very solid amp. I'm surprised that Fender shut down SWR after buying it.

@jackshittle

2 жыл бұрын

@@DeadKoby I agree. From what I heard, when Fender started manufacturing the product, the quality/sound didn't live up to the SWR name. I noticed when people are selling SWR gear they will usually mention if it's "pre-Fender" or not. Also, I just ordered some DeoxIt D5 off of Amazon. Now my amp is really scratchy. This will sound stupid, but what's the best way to get the knobs off the amp? Thanks :)

Hola muy buen video !!!. Quería consultarte yo tengo uno igual, pero tiene un problema, queda la luz roja del pre amp clip encendida y no emite sonido. ¿Sabrías por que puede ser?.

@DeadKoby

Жыл бұрын

Es probable que haya un problema con uno o más de los transistores de salida. Querrá encontrar un diagrama esquemático para el amplificador y probar los transistores en la región de salida. It is likely that there is a problem with one or more of the output transistors. You'll want to find a schematic diagram for the amp, and test the transistors in the output region.

does anybody know the siaze for the dual concentric treble/transperancy knob ..or where to get one ?

@DeadKoby

Ай бұрын

Wish I did.

Hi is it possible to bypass the whole power section on an amp so it can be used just as a preamp ?

@DeadKoby

4 жыл бұрын

I believe it would be possible yes.

Hello....I have 1996 SM400 S just like this. Hadn't used it in a while and recently put it back into use and discovered that the fan had seized up. I replaced it with the exact same fan and it works but it's either on full speed or off. I don't remember it being like that before. Do you know if this is normal or should it be a variable speed controlled fan? Thanx

@DeadKoby

Жыл бұрын

I don't remember. This video was taken a long while ago, and I've sold the amp shortly after filming. You can check the schematics for part numbers. elektrotanya.com/swr_sm400_bass_amp_sch.pdf/download.html

@Berticus2008

Жыл бұрын

Ok thanx for the speedy reply.

Cool video! Where do you buy stuff like this at auction?

@DeadKoby

2 жыл бұрын

Most of it comes from regional auctions. Mostly within my own state. I'm willing to drive up to 3 hours each direction at times.

@patrickowen4625

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man. I guess I don’t really know where to even start looking.

hello .. im from brazil. i have swr sm400s and 2x410 8ohms. when i use in mono mode the amp works perfectly. however, when I use and change to stereo mode, the sound presents the following problems: the sound sometimes fails, generates a cracked sound in the speakers .. would you know the solution? thank you would be a need to adjust the bias? Thank ssss

@DeadKoby

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure without looking at it. Usually checking that all the voltages are correct will lead you to the issue.

@Fretworkguitarsrepair

4 жыл бұрын

@@DeadKoby the bias is wrong, in stereo mode, what would be the effect of that? how will i know how to diagnose? thank you

@DeadKoby

4 жыл бұрын

Looking at the output waveforms on a scope should tell you something.

@kevmac1230

3 жыл бұрын

@@Fretworkguitarsrepair I'm not a pro tech but I've owned and gigged this amp for decades.I have usually heard bias adjustment associated with tube amps.

GDR germany possibly east before the wall came down.

@DeadKoby

4 жыл бұрын

I'm fairly sure that's correct.... I don't know much about their tube manufacturing, but it sounds fine, and shows good health... so the tube can stay.

tesla had a tube plant in what was czechoslovakia, if you want to see some I think they can be seen on my chanel in the tesla radio look over, I could take photos of the tubes and email to you

@DeadKoby

4 жыл бұрын

If I'm not mistaken, the Tesla tube company turned over into what we now have in JJ.

@MrsG7swr

4 жыл бұрын

@@DeadKoby kind of... Tesla was far more than tubes and still exists hence JJ not being able to use the name i think the JJ plant is in Slovakia while the original tesla Valve/tube plant was in the Czech republic.