So, moral of the story: For those who want that Blues Jr or Supro small-wattage thing, but actually want the quality you may think you're getting from those (but aren't), and don't want to have to take your new brand-name amp to someone like Lyle to make up for its deficiencies so it'll last as long as an amp should, save up your pennies, buy one of these, and give your money to an amp builder who deserves it because he respects you as a customer and musician. (Or you can find a used Suhr Corso like I did.) Thanks for profiling this amp. I hadn't heard of Swart before, but I'm glad I have now.
I don't think a Supro or Blues Jr with an Amp Tech's attention is going to match a Swart. Its more than a few component swaps. It all depends on what you want.
@@PsionicAudio I'm hoping a Corso comes across your desk (and your channel) some day, just to see your take on it and how it compares with its Suhr big brothers. That said, I'm not holding my breath because 1) there aren't a lot of them out there, and 2) it's a Suhr, so I imagine it's less likely to make an appearance.
I feel like the people who complain about the amp criticisms probably dropped a lot of money on something they discovered will likely fail soon, or they’re just baby fan boys who don’t know any better Personally, if I’m researching and shopping for something expensive that I plan to use and keep for a long time, I want an expert steering me away from money pits and recommending the best options. This channel does that honestly and I truly appreciate being steered away from the mass produced junk with a fancy logo!
What a nice example of what a single ended amp can be. I would consider this to be an heirloom quality amp that will be coveted by guitar players and enthusiasts 50yrs from now.
I’ve used a Pro for 16 years now and my Junior for 11. Just love Swarts. I had one of these and want as much of a fan, but I’d like to do one with a Blue speaker.
I've had a Swart AST Master II for years as my primary amp. Absolutely love it. Glad to see the level of quality comes through in your walks trough. Get what you pay for.
A+ --- way to go Swart. I've wanted one these amps for ever and it's starting to feel like something I'm just gonna have to do before I die, or get too old to enjoy it.
I own an AST Jr combo that I bought new, locally, from a shop named El Diablo Amps. I recognize it as one of my better buying decisions. I absolutely love it. In fact, I love it so much that I'm thinking about buying the head only version of the same amp, to be used with my Milkman 1x12 cabinet that currently hosts a Celestion Cream Alnico.
I love how you "talk through" the amp as you go. I learn a lot, especially what NOT to do in various situations. While I have skills and tools to work on an amp safely, I lack sufficient knowledge in most situations. The little bits and pieces you share that are useful stick with me and help me know how to think about and troubleshoot. I think your opinions are unfiltered and from years of experience. I don't think you crap on amps, just calling balls and strikes like you see them. Please keep it up.
Man the whole people doggin you on your amp advice kills me. Your advice saved me from buying a Morgan instead of a Magnatone. I now own two Magnatones. Your advice is very appreciated. Screw the haters
You know what? I appreciate your vids. Screw the haters. You live and breathe audio, esp amps. Your opinions have been developed over years and years, and working with thousands of amps at the highest level. I say you can be as "snobby" as you want, you are one of the few who actually have earned it. But really, I have never thought you're trying to be a snob. It's not pretentious if you're not pretending. You simply know what you're talking about, and I personally don't care if you are emphatic about negatives. It's important to have highly knowledgeable critics such as yourself. Especially in this day and age where it seems like the majority of TH-cam reviews are essentially advertisements, and glowing examples of confirmation bias. I'm only getting my first combo amp on Tuesday. I'm just a home jammer, having taken back up the guitar after a 20-year absence during the pandemic. I got a Pro Jr. IV SE because they're on sale, and at 350 brand new it seems like a win. The speculation is the "Fender special" speaker is probably just the last Jensen relabeled. Other than that and the black clothes, it's supposed to be identical. Kind of like a Pro Jr. 3.5. In the future upgrading to a P10R would purportedly make it functionally the same amp as the regular PJr IV. But I'm not sure it's even going to be necessary. But what I will do is keep watching your videos, so I can keep learning. And when I am ready to step up to a real deal amp, I will be so much better off for you having shared your knowledge. And, again, thank you for not being just another glorified commercial on TH-cam!
Very nice Amp, with clean wiring, and a beautiful esthetic. "De-popping" the switch was smart, and I hope Mr Swart chooses to include that modification in his Amps, thus making an excellent Amp even better. It was a interesting video, and fun to see a well-designed Amp. Generous of you to not charge the owner full price for the repair. I hope good things come your way. 👍
@@sixslinger9951 its actually not that pricey at all when you look at what American made, hand wired (p2p) tube amps cost. While you find PCB board amps for less, you don't see this kind of quality materials and craftsmanship at the price. Look at what hand wired boutique amps cost (Morgan, Carr, Dr z, Friedman, Mesa, Tone King, Two Rock, etc...) and you'll see that Swart is actually one of the cheaper options in that category. Hell, smaller Fender hand wired amps (Princeton's, Custom Deluxe, Deluxe reverb are $2400-3000+)
@@sixslinger9951 a 1965 Deluxe Reverb MSRP'd for $239.50. In 2022, that's equivalent to $2,284. Every single vintage Fender surviving today started with a musician making a value proposition decision identical to what all the Swart owners face today. Luckily there's people who understand value and the impact that an amp has on a player's tone.
Finally a Swart crosses your bench! I had an older AST I blew up (my fault, but you have to remove the chassis on those to change the speaker) that I eventually sent back to Swart for service. Really inexpensive repair bill plus Michael Swart was a doll to deal with. Eventually traded it on a Swart Antares that’s more my cup of tea. No speaker swap needed. Love that amp. I was a little apprehensive about this video in case you didn’t like it - kinda like bringing the new girlfriend over to meet the parents… 🙂
I have owned several Swarts, and currently have a Space tone Jr head, that I play thru a 2x10 cab with Celestion Golds. It is the best rig I have ever owned in 40+ years of playing guitar. It has enough juice to be heard over a decently loud drummer. And I have called Swart amps a couple times and Michael Swart personally answered the phone. These amps are highly recommended.
What a great review and autopsy of that amp! Swart is not exactly an obscure brand among boutique makers, but man do they offer some superior value at the price for a hand wired and US made amp with premium parts. The little brother to this amp in the video, the “Atomic Space Tone Jr” (AST-JR) is an 8” monster and is about as good as it gets for a Champ style amp (with tube reverb) you can play around with at house volume.
I really appreciate and respect what you do Lyle. I do not agree that you trash amps. Reality is hard for lots of people, especially when they try to justify a purchase they might have made. Simple fact is, many amps today are garbage, cheaply made to be disposable and everyone just keeps accepting it as the new norm for the industry. In reality, it should be a wake up call for manufacturers.
So I was literally just turning this video on very passively while about to do dishes and turned my head away then shot my head back around when you said "change tubes while the amp was still on". What an entirely new next level of idiocy
I have been waiting for you to work on a Swart! I have had my Atomic Space Tone (head), Swart's 18-20w amp, for about fifteen years now, and it is my number one amp. Other amps have come and gone, but the Swart remains. I am glad to hear your report on the excellence of the build, and that it matches the excellence of the tone.
My swart ast (big brother to this amp) has been my main gigging amp (Buddy Miller seems to like them too!) - thing is going thousands of gigs now no issues
As a guy who would like to learn to build things like amps...(ok ok, I know I probably ought to stick to tying flies) I really appreciate this channel. You give a very clear picture of what good work looks like and what it doesn't look like.
Nice! I have seen these amps around, but never heard one. They look very well made, and this one sounds great. I hope that owner learns his lesson and stops trying to kill his amp!
What a good honest review of the amp, it just shows you don't have shell out big money on vintage amps and I'm a seventy year old player who has played through old ones and now play through a small Soldano combo that been utterly reliable and extremely well built even though it has a PCB.which some amp snobs would turn their nose at. Keep up the good work Lyle.
Swart! Really excited to see you digging around one of Michael’s creations… I have an Atomic Space Tone Reverb amp that has been idle for a year or so, but will never leave my collection.
I really like the design of this amp. I like the way it's an incremental (or evolutionary?) variation on a tweed era amp, but improved. The way the chassis is bolted in, for example. It's a simple improvement that makes the amp more durable and doesn't make it harder to work on. I would wager the screws on the front panel that secure the baffle are also machine screws engaging with metal inserts. And so on. Just excellent.
Thanks. It was great to see a job well done. PS I experimented with a 5 watt Epiphone Valve Junior once upon a time and used it with a 2 X 12 cab fitted with really efficient Lorentz speakers. There were 6 of us on stage playing to about 200 people on New Years Eve and I kept being told to turn it down! 5 watts can really rock. I was playing clean rhythm guitar (strat)! ✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺
I'm not gonna lie, when I first saw this brand a few years ago I assumed they'd be like many other "boutique" amps with less-than-stellar build quality and components considering the price. I'm pleasantly surprised with the looks of this one! Great video
I just bought the smaller brother of this amp, the Atomic Jr. 1 x 8 combo, and it's just as fine, especially run as a head through a 1 x 12 cab. It's put together differently, has one less 12AX7 gain stage (nothing the right boost pedal can't make up), and no standby switch. The controls are on the back of the amp, and access to the tubes is much easier, making a tube swapping dream (cold swapping that is, just go refill the coffee cup and enjoy the sounds of silence for a moment). Top quality sound and build with surprising versatility at a great price. Glad to see it passed the audition, as that was the model that inspired my purchase, going smaller after consulting my aching back.
What a beautiful little amp. Lyle you don't crap on amps. I feel your honest from a tech and players point of view. You have been a tech for a long time and a player for longer so I value your opinions on amps.
Had one for a while. Great reverb. Looked inside, well built. Only quibble was previous owner had used an EL34 in it. The dropping resistors on the cap can were discolored. I would have upped the wattage in those locations as they were 2w (I think). Mine was real early tuxedo case one.
We all wish that products we buy will last forever but reality dictates something far different. I have never gone out of my way to destroy anything Ive acquired,I have relied on the honesty of others to give thought and opinion. If you are constantly receiving problems and you are aware of issues AND remedies spread as much knowledge as you see fit. I don't you come off as being any more resentful to sub standard product or work as any of us should be,you just have the intelligence and experience to take a stance
Was thinking about buying a Swart. Tried a few and they sounded great. But I was most impressed with the look. They do the "functional black box" several levels better. The only other brand that I can think of that tries to do this is Carr. How many tweed cabs does the world need?
That Swart is a very visually pleasing amp! What a looker!! I’m guessing the reverb is solid state driven? I didn’t see a transformer or a driver/recovery tube anywhere. It sounds good either way. What’s funny about boutique amp manufacturers not using pot star washers is that they usually come with the dang pots they use(CTS specifically). Is someone saving them to use as currency in a Fallout type world or what?
I have the same Audio Taper CTS on the Volume pot on a guitar...what do you recommend to allow a smoother response than the CTS? I'm surprised there are people (even here) who criticize...you are so methodical and thorough...not to mention experienced...such great videos Sir, thanks.
The “vintage taper” pots made by CTS for Mojotone and RS Guitarworks don’t have the issue. Neither do the Emersons. But all three have been hard to get this past two years. Alpha 3/8” bushing 24mms don’t have the issue but they are hard to solder to the case and they are only available in solid shaft.
Speaking of “the tubes may have been damaged” it’d be interesting to see you restore an old Mullard or GE tube tester, or maybe review a couple of the newer tube tester products out there.
I have owned and refurbished a bunch of vintage tube testers ---- many Hickok as well as a few Triplett, Heathkit, and B&K testers ---- but I've never seen a Mullard tube tester here in the States. I don't think I've ever seen a GE tube tester either. Bear in mind that the majority of the vintage tube testers don't test output tubes at anywhere near the voltage/current that they would be run at in an amplifier, and so they are mostly good for testing large groups of the same type of tube just to weed out the ones that have obvious shorts or are gassy or perhaps have interelement leakage. But, ultimately you don't quite know how they'll perform until you put them into the actual amplifier and drive them harder. As for the modern testers I don't have any experience with Maxi-checkers or the Orange tube tester or any of those, so I really can't advise you further...
@@goodun2974 the valve wizard seems to have made something using someone else’s code and an arduino, seems like it does actually test at full voltage, just in very short bursts.
3:00 I wonder if the PT is the same as he uses in his bigger amps. Maybe buying in a larger quantity brings down the price enough that it makes sense to use the same one?
Ya know, so many amplifier manufacturers, from boutique to mega-corporate, are building 1950's style amps with upward facing, rear-mounted control panels ---- and silkscreening the control panel in the same manner, as if the amp would be in front of the player on stage, instead of behind him or her. Why should players have to look at the knobs and controls upside down, in 2022?
I used a 3.3M from the switch center to the ground lug of the adjacent input jack. That way the grid never loses a reference to ground and hence loses its bias at the moment of switching. This resistor will be in parallel with any existing resistor to ground ahead of it when in either switch position, so you want a high value that doesn’t change the sound of the existing two positions. 3.3M-10M range is typical for this.
Just one minor thing to carp about; the chassis doesn't appear to be marked with the value of the correct B+ fuse (did a P-touch label fall off?), and I don't care for where the fuseholder is located right next to the tubes: this could lead to premature fuse failure from excess heat, and scorched fingers if you don't let the amp cool for a minute or two before trying to change the fuse. Or perhaps that's two things I'm carping about.... Otherwise it looks quite nicely built.
If I had put that in the review people would say I was inventing things to criticize. ;) Maybe the fuse values are listed in the owner’s manual. I’m just glad it has a B+ fuse. They’ll only burn their fingers once.
@@PsionicAudio , who takes a guitar amp owner's manual with them to the gig ? 🤔 (Actually, it's probably online, since so few products include an actual paper manual anymore; or the manual Is the size of a postage stamp until you unfold it and then you need a magnifying glass to read it. If the amplifier in question is one of these new miracle products that has 100 different tonal settings, you darn well better have a way to access the owner's manual when you're setting up at the gig! I also wonder if men have a better track record of actually reading owner's manuals then they do at asking for directions when their significant other thinks they're lost...).
@@PsionicAudio , this also begs the question ---- since fuseholders are usually rated for AC volts and current, how high should the AC voltage rating on the fuseholder be if it's gonna be used for DC B+ of 400 to 500 volts?
Not as such. Closest I have is this three parter on Fender reissues: Fender Reissue Amps Part One | The Pros | The Cons | How They're Made th-cam.com/video/88ZEGLPCIIg/w-d-xo.html
@Psionic Audio would you recommend this amp for a beginner? I will be looking to purchase a new amp for my Grandson on his birthday. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Well, while it’s a hell of a lot nicer than what most of us start out with, it really depends on your grandson’s musical tastes. If he loves metal or modern heavily effected sounds, he’ll hate this amp. It would be “boring” for many beginners. And a fairly expensive gamble. Ask him what guitar styles he loves and wants to sound like, then let me know. Maybe I could help you find the right amp that would give him more immediate gratification and help him stay interested in playing.
@@PsionicAudio It would also be important to consider the grandson's home environment, his temperament, and whether he needs to stick to a low-power amp, or one with master volume, in order to not create discord with family, neighbors, or roommates...
The Gremlin is well built but has some strange MOSFET HT regulation on various nodes in the power supply which like to fail. Great sounding amps, though.
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Man I'll tell you, if I dropped off an amp, I'd kiss the ground for a Tech who cares this much, pride in work, PERIOD. Kick butt video.
That amp is a thing of beauty. So well built!
So, moral of the story: For those who want that Blues Jr or Supro small-wattage thing, but actually want the quality you may think you're getting from those (but aren't), and don't want to have to take your new brand-name amp to someone like Lyle to make up for its deficiencies so it'll last as long as an amp should, save up your pennies, buy one of these, and give your money to an amp builder who deserves it because he respects you as a customer and musician. (Or you can find a used Suhr Corso like I did.)
Thanks for profiling this amp. I hadn't heard of Swart before, but I'm glad I have now.
I haven’t tried the Corso but John is a great designer. His Hombre is a great little tone generator.
I don't think a Supro or Blues Jr with an Amp Tech's attention is going to match a Swart. Its more than a few component swaps. It all depends on what you want.
@@ronj9448 I agree with you, actually. That run-on sentence in my comment wasn't the clearest thing I've ever written. :)
@@PsionicAudio I'm hoping a Corso comes across your desk (and your channel) some day, just to see your take on it and how it compares with its Suhr big brothers. That said, I'm not holding my breath because 1) there aren't a lot of them out there, and 2) it's a Suhr, so I imagine it's less likely to make an appearance.
@@pwlebrun4573 Ha. Good luck in your search!
I don't think you crap on amps at all. In fact I think you give a very honest and educated opinion.
Much appreciated content!
I have had a Swart for many many years and I have never seen tweed done as well (period). Love its sound even more!
I feel like the people who complain about the amp criticisms probably dropped a lot of money on something they discovered will likely fail soon, or they’re just baby fan boys who don’t know any better
Personally, if I’m researching and shopping for something expensive that I plan to use and keep for a long time, I want an expert steering me away from money pits and recommending the best options. This channel does that honestly and I truly appreciate being steered away from the mass produced junk with a fancy logo!
Damn Swart must be good in almost 2 years of subscribing that's the first time Lyle sounded like it was xmas morning😉
I just bought one for that reason !! lol it’s wonderful as advertised !!
What a nice example of what a single ended amp can be. I would consider this to be an heirloom quality amp that will be coveted by guitar players and enthusiasts 50yrs from now.
One of the few modern amp builders I respect
Great username 😂
@@ribbonsofeuphoria5744 😂
Been playing a SWART space tone for 20+ years and I love it.
I’ve used a Pro for 16 years now and my Junior for 11. Just love Swarts. I had one of these and want as much of a fan, but I’d like to do one with a Blue speaker.
I have a Swart STR 5 Watt that is amazeballs!
I've had a Swart AST Master II for years as my primary amp. Absolutely love it. Glad to see the level of quality comes through in your walks trough. Get what you pay for.
A+ --- way to go Swart. I've wanted one these amps for ever and it's starting to feel like something I'm just gonna have to do before I die, or get too old to enjoy it.
I own an AST Jr combo that I bought new, locally, from a shop named El Diablo Amps. I recognize it as one of my better buying decisions. I absolutely love it. In fact, I love it so much that I'm thinking about buying the head only version of the same amp, to be used with my Milkman 1x12 cabinet that currently hosts a Celestion Cream Alnico.
Lyle keep on spreading the truth, the truth is the only thing that matters.
I love how you "talk through" the amp as you go. I learn a lot, especially what NOT to do in various situations. While I have skills and tools to work on an amp safely, I lack sufficient knowledge in most situations. The little bits and pieces you share that are useful stick with me and help me know how to think about and troubleshoot.
I think your opinions are unfiltered and from years of experience. I don't think you crap on amps, just calling balls and strikes like you see them. Please keep it up.
Man the whole people doggin you on your amp advice kills me. Your advice saved me from buying a Morgan instead of a Magnatone. I now own two Magnatones. Your advice is very appreciated. Screw the haters
I think you made a great choice and once you play through a Magnatone, it just confirms it 👍.
@darrentoguchi9435 absolutely. I have zero regrets. Only downside is I can't afford to buy all the Magnatone models.
I just had to have one of these jewels from Mr. Swart , so a Tremelo Two Tone Tweed is on the way. @@alexwoolridge94aw
Definitely one of the best built boutique amps I've seen for under $2k.
Ive been thinking about getting a Swart for some time now, this pretty much seals the deal for me.
You know what? I appreciate your vids. Screw the haters. You live and breathe audio, esp amps. Your opinions have been developed over years and years, and working with thousands of amps at the highest level. I say you can be as "snobby" as you want, you are one of the few who actually have earned it.
But really, I have never thought you're trying to be a snob. It's not pretentious if you're not pretending. You simply know what you're talking about, and I personally don't care if you are emphatic about negatives. It's important to have highly knowledgeable critics such as yourself. Especially in this day and age where it seems like the majority of TH-cam reviews are essentially advertisements, and glowing examples of confirmation bias.
I'm only getting my first combo amp on Tuesday. I'm just a home jammer, having taken back up the guitar after a 20-year absence during the pandemic. I got a Pro Jr. IV SE because they're on sale, and at 350 brand new it seems like a win. The speculation is the "Fender special" speaker is probably just the last Jensen relabeled. Other than that and the black clothes, it's supposed to be identical. Kind of like a Pro Jr. 3.5. In the future upgrading to a P10R would purportedly make it functionally the same amp as the regular PJr IV. But I'm not sure it's even going to be necessary.
But what I will do is keep watching your videos, so I can keep learning. And when I am ready to step up to a real deal amp, I will be so much better off for you having shared your knowledge. And, again, thank you for not being just another glorified commercial on TH-cam!
I used to own an AST Serial # 5. I sold it years ago and I am still kicking myself.... but a new one is on the way... these are tone monsters
Very nice Amp, with clean wiring, and a beautiful esthetic. "De-popping" the switch was smart, and I hope Mr Swart chooses to include that modification in his Amps, thus making an excellent Amp even better. It was a interesting video, and fun to see a well-designed Amp. Generous of you to not charge the owner full price for the repair. I hope good things come your way. 👍
nice but way too pricey for that little amp.
@@sixslinger9951 its actually not that pricey at all when you look at what American made, hand wired (p2p) tube amps cost. While you find PCB board amps for less, you don't see this kind of quality materials and craftsmanship at the price.
Look at what hand wired boutique amps cost (Morgan, Carr, Dr z, Friedman, Mesa, Tone King, Two Rock, etc...) and you'll see that Swart is actually one of the cheaper options in that category. Hell, smaller Fender hand wired amps (Princeton's, Custom Deluxe, Deluxe reverb are $2400-3000+)
@@sixslinger9951 a 1965 Deluxe Reverb MSRP'd for $239.50. In 2022, that's equivalent to $2,284.
Every single vintage Fender surviving today started with a musician making a value proposition decision identical to what all the Swart owners face today. Luckily there's people who understand value and the impact that an amp has on a player's tone.
Finally a Swart crosses your bench!
I had an older AST I blew up (my fault, but you have to remove the chassis on those to change the speaker) that I eventually sent back to Swart for service. Really inexpensive repair bill plus Michael Swart was a doll to deal with.
Eventually traded it on a Swart Antares that’s more my cup of tea. No speaker swap needed. Love that amp.
I was a little apprehensive about this video in case you didn’t like it - kinda like bringing the new girlfriend over to meet the parents…
🙂
And the parents loved her! She’s a keeper!
I have owned several Swarts, and currently have a Space tone Jr head, that I play thru a 2x10 cab with Celestion Golds. It is the best rig I have ever owned in 40+ years of playing guitar. It has enough juice to be heard over a decently loud drummer. And I have called Swart amps a couple times and Michael Swart personally answered the phone. These amps are highly recommended.
I've had two different ones over the years. Sold them both only to regret it later. I just finally bought one just like this at Reverb for $1300
What a great review and autopsy of that amp!
Swart is not exactly an obscure brand among boutique makers, but man do they offer some superior value at the price for a hand wired and US made amp with premium parts. The little brother to this amp in the video, the “Atomic Space Tone Jr” (AST-JR) is an 8” monster and is about as good as it gets for a Champ style amp (with tube reverb) you can play around with at house volume.
I got an Atomic Jr. two years ago, it has the best sounding reverb I have heard in person.
I really appreciate and respect what you do Lyle. I do not agree that you trash amps. Reality is hard for lots of people, especially when they try to justify a purchase they might have made. Simple fact is, many amps today are garbage, cheaply made to be disposable and everyone just keeps accepting it as the new norm for the industry. In reality, it should be a wake up call for manufacturers.
Those are wonderful sounding amps. I’m glad to see that they’re built well too.
Swart’s customer service is fantastic.
Lifts your heart to see something done near perfectly - a good benchmark.
So I was literally just turning this video on very passively while about to do dishes and turned my head away then shot my head back around when you said "change tubes while the amp was still on". What an entirely new next level of idiocy
I absolutely adore this amp. Do not sleep on this. It sounds incredible.
Super cool boutique amp. I'd be proud to own one.
I have been waiting for you to work on a Swart! I have had my Atomic Space Tone (head), Swart's 18-20w amp, for about fifteen years now, and it is my number one amp. Other amps have come and gone, but the Swart remains. I am glad to hear your report on the excellence of the build, and that it matches the excellence of the tone.
Bought an AST a few months ago, great tone. Glad Lyle approves.
I got to play through one of these a couple of years ago. I’ve wanted one ever since. The clean is killer.
My swart ast (big brother to this amp) has been my main gigging amp (Buddy Miller seems to like them too!) - thing is going thousands of gigs now no issues
As a guy who would like to learn to build things like amps...(ok ok, I know I probably ought to stick to tying flies) I really appreciate this channel. You give a very clear picture of what good work looks like and what it doesn't look like.
Nice! I have seen these amps around, but never heard one. They look very well made, and this one sounds great. I hope that owner learns his lesson and stops trying to kill his amp!
What a good honest review of the amp, it just shows you don't have shell out big money on vintage amps and I'm a seventy year old player who has played through old ones and now play through a small Soldano combo that been utterly reliable and extremely well built even though it has a PCB.which some amp snobs would turn their nose at. Keep up the good work Lyle.
Thank you Lyle. Just bought a used Swart mod 84. Peace.
Swart! Really excited to see you digging around one of Michael’s creations… I have an Atomic Space Tone Reverb amp that has been idle for a year or so, but will never leave my collection.
Looks to be a well built amp. Very attractive aesthetics too. Never heard of this brand before but it looks like the guy knows what he’s doing.
I like the look of the (tolex?) covering and piping.
I just took delivery of a Swart AST MKii head 2 days ago, good to see these have the Lyle seal
I really like the design of this amp. I like the way it's an incremental (or evolutionary?) variation on a tweed era amp, but improved. The way the chassis is bolted in, for example. It's a simple improvement that makes the amp more durable and doesn't make it harder to work on. I would wager the screws on the front panel that secure the baffle are also machine screws engaging with metal inserts. And so on. Just excellent.
Great little amp and Swarts are very good deals given the hand wiring/turret board const.
awesome run through.... Amp sounds gorgeous!
Thanks. It was great to see a job well done. PS I experimented with a 5 watt Epiphone Valve Junior once upon a time and used it with a 2 X 12 cab fitted with really efficient Lorentz speakers. There were 6 of us on stage playing to about 200 people on New Years Eve and I kept being told to turn it down! 5 watts can really rock. I was playing clean rhythm guitar (strat)! ✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺
Great little amp, superbly constructed and easily serviced,
Always wanted to see a Swarts innards😎👍
Heard many good things about them.
Glad that someone whose opinion I personally respect agrees.😎👍
Right on😎👍❤🖖
I'm not gonna lie, when I first saw this brand a few years ago I assumed they'd be like many other "boutique" amps with less-than-stellar build quality and components considering the price. I'm pleasantly surprised with the looks of this one! Great video
I have two early Swarts.They are great so far!!
Simply marvelous video and walkthrough. Thanks a great deal for posting this and your great work.
I just bought the smaller brother of this amp, the Atomic Jr. 1 x 8 combo, and it's just as fine, especially run as a head through a 1 x 12 cab. It's put together differently, has one less 12AX7 gain stage (nothing the right boost pedal can't make up), and no standby switch. The controls are on the back of the amp, and access to the tubes is much easier, making a tube swapping dream (cold swapping that is, just go refill the coffee cup and enjoy the sounds of silence for a moment). Top quality sound and build with surprising versatility at a great price. Glad to see it passed the audition, as that was the model that inspired my purchase, going smaller after consulting my aching back.
The Swart amps are great.
What a beautiful little amp. Lyle you don't crap on amps. I feel your honest from a tech and players point of view. You have been a tech for a long time and a player for longer so I value your opinions on amps.
You’re like a young Uncle Doug! You don’t crap on amp, you point out when amps are crap.
I owned a Swart STR for a few years. The swart night light attenuator made for a great setup.
Had one for a while. Great reverb. Looked inside, well built. Only quibble was previous owner had used an EL34 in it. The dropping resistors on the cap can were discolored. I would have upped the wattage in those locations as they were 2w (I think). Mine was real early tuxedo case one.
Every Swart I have played has made me want to just dump whatever I have and buy a Swart.
We all wish that products we buy will last forever but reality dictates something far different. I have never gone out of my way to destroy anything Ive acquired,I have relied on the honesty of others to give thought and opinion. If you are constantly receiving problems and you are aware of issues AND remedies spread as much knowledge as you see fit. I don't you come off as being any more resentful to sub standard product or work as any of us should be,you just have the intelligence and experience to take a stance
Nice. Looks good, built good, sounds good. What more can you ask for?
Love this amp! what are some of your favourite amps over the years?
"Perfect? Nah..." Loved that one!
Very nice amp! Thanks for the tour!
Cool interview John, come back to Rochester NY!
Got a nice little sound to it. Both channels.
Was thinking about buying a Swart. Tried a few and they sounded great. But I was most impressed with the look. They do the "functional black box" several levels better. The only other brand that I can think of that tries to do this is Carr. How many tweed cabs does the world need?
Why would someone try to swap tubes with the amp on?
What a cute little choocher of an amp.
I'm a fan.
Despite being accused of being a negative bastard, too.
By couch-champions.
Is this one of the best amp builders today?
Probably. Also, Louis Rosano over at louiselectricamps is one of the best ones out there as well.
That Swart is a very visually pleasing amp! What a looker!! I’m guessing the reverb is solid state driven? I didn’t see a transformer or a driver/recovery tube anywhere. It sounds good either way.
What’s funny about boutique amp manufacturers not using pot star washers is that they usually come with the dang pots they use(CTS specifically). Is someone saving them to use as currency in a Fallout type world or what?
No, it’s a tube reverb.
I didn’t draw it out, but it looks to be a capacitive driven circuit. See Ampeg, Traynor, I think some old Gibsons.
And yes, it’s a tube circuit, just not using a transformer.
@@PsionicAudio Q: like the new Blackstar St.James amp? (please excuse my ignorance...).
@@PsionicAudio , some *vintage* Magnatone amps use capacitor-driven reverb.
I have the same Audio Taper CTS on the Volume pot on a guitar...what do you recommend to allow a smoother response than the CTS? I'm surprised there are people (even here) who criticize...you are so methodical and thorough...not to mention experienced...such great videos Sir, thanks.
The “vintage taper” pots made by CTS for Mojotone and RS Guitarworks don’t have the issue. Neither do the Emersons.
But all three have been hard to get this past two years.
Alpha 3/8” bushing 24mms don’t have the issue but they are hard to solder to the case and they are only available in solid shaft.
Cool Amp. Thanks for showing it.
Speaking of “the tubes may have been damaged” it’d be interesting to see you restore an old Mullard or GE tube tester, or maybe review a couple of the newer tube tester products out there.
I have owned and refurbished a bunch of vintage tube testers ---- many Hickok as well as a few Triplett, Heathkit, and B&K testers ---- but I've never seen a Mullard tube tester here in the States. I don't think I've ever seen a GE tube tester either. Bear in mind that the majority of the vintage tube testers don't test output tubes at anywhere near the voltage/current that they would be run at in an amplifier, and so they are mostly good for testing large groups of the same type of tube just to weed out the ones that have obvious shorts or are gassy or perhaps have interelement leakage. But, ultimately you don't quite know how they'll perform until you put them into the actual amplifier and drive them harder. As for the modern testers I don't have any experience with Maxi-checkers or the Orange tube tester or any of those, so I really can't advise you further...
@@goodun2974 the valve wizard seems to have made something using someone else’s code and an arduino, seems like it does actually test at full voltage, just in very short bursts.
Who changes tubes while the amp is powered up? Not crapping on anyone…..
Gorgeous little amp. I guess there's a new Machrone's Law - the amp you want costs $900.
I had one of these. A couple of times it popped a mains fuse from being switched into standby and quickly out again.
I don't understand anyone who would give you grief. If it's good, you say it. If it's crap you say it. Simple.
Have you met the internet?
Which exact model is this? Because the "Atomic Space Tone" has the other logo on the front.
Swart STR Tweed
You just sold a bunch of Swart amps.
Thanks Lyle!
Like this video very much!
New video!
9:50 IT'S OUR JOB TO DELIBERATELY FIND FAULTS!
WHEN WILL THESE CRITICS UNDERSTAND!?
Some amp builders/manufacturers: "our product is 'perfect'; that's why people can't wait to pick us apart".
3:00 I wonder if the PT is the same as he uses in his bigger amps. Maybe buying in a larger quantity brings down the price enough that it makes sense to use the same one?
Amazing amp
How is the owner still alive?
Thanks!
Ya know, so many amplifier manufacturers, from boutique to mega-corporate, are building 1950's style amps with upward facing, rear-mounted control panels ---- and silkscreening the control panel in the same manner, as if the amp would be in front of the player on stage, instead of behind him or her. Why should players have to look at the knobs and controls upside down, in 2022?
Mr. Psionic,
How would you compare the build quality of a Swart to a Germino ?
I had a Swart AST to me it sounded very stuffy no air to it just didn't bond with it was an expensive amp used
I have the same amp. Would you be willing to share the detail of what you did to de-pop the gain switch? What value resistor did you end up using?
I used a 3.3M from the switch center to the ground lug of the adjacent input jack. That way the grid never loses a reference to ground and hence loses its bias at the moment of switching.
This resistor will be in parallel with any existing resistor to ground ahead of it when in either switch position, so you want a high value that doesn’t change the sound of the existing two positions. 3.3M-10M range is typical for this.
@@PsionicAudio Wow. Thank you! Love, love your channel.
Just one minor thing to carp about; the chassis doesn't appear to be marked with the value of the correct B+ fuse (did a P-touch label fall off?), and I don't care for where the fuseholder is located right next to the tubes: this could lead to premature fuse failure from excess heat, and scorched fingers if you don't let the amp cool for a minute or two before trying to change the fuse. Or perhaps that's two things I'm carping about.... Otherwise it looks quite nicely built.
If I had put that in the review people would say I was inventing things to criticize. ;)
Maybe the fuse values are listed in the owner’s manual. I’m just glad it has a B+ fuse.
They’ll only burn their fingers once.
@@PsionicAudio , who takes a guitar amp owner's manual with them to the gig ? 🤔 (Actually, it's probably online, since so few products include an actual paper manual anymore; or the manual Is the size of a postage stamp until you unfold it and then you need a magnifying glass to read it. If the amplifier in question is one of these new miracle products that has 100 different tonal settings, you darn well better have a way to access the owner's manual when you're setting up at the gig! I also wonder if men have a better track record of actually reading owner's manuals then they do at asking for directions when their significant other thinks they're lost...).
Well, smart players look to see what spare fuses they should carry in their gig bag.
Just sayin.' ;)
@@PsionicAudio , this also begs the question ---- since fuseholders are usually rated for AC volts and current, how high should the AC voltage rating on the fuseholder be if it's gonna be used for DC B+ of 400 to 500 volts?
I have a swart atomic space tone pro...uhhh. having to look behind amp to plug in and adjust is the only gripe
Lyle, do you have an episode that just basic care for a tune amp to get the most life and least maintenance cost?
Not as such. Closest I have is this three parter on Fender reissues:
Fender Reissue Amps Part One | The Pros | The Cons | How They're Made
th-cam.com/video/88ZEGLPCIIg/w-d-xo.html
It sounded nice. Then I looked it up. It better be that good for the price.
Quality isn't cheep.
7:16 - A German virgin: "guten töight"
@Psionic Audio would you recommend this amp for a beginner? I will be looking to purchase a new amp for my Grandson on his birthday. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Well, while it’s a hell of a lot nicer than what most of us start out with, it really depends on your grandson’s musical tastes.
If he loves metal or modern heavily effected sounds, he’ll hate this amp. It would be “boring” for many beginners.
And a fairly expensive gamble.
Ask him what guitar styles he loves and wants to sound like, then let me know. Maybe I could help you find the right amp that would give him more immediate gratification and help him stay interested in playing.
@@PsionicAudio It would also be important to consider the grandson's home environment, his temperament, and whether he needs to stick to a low-power amp, or one with master volume, in order to not create discord with family, neighbors, or roommates...
Cool amp!!
What function does the footswitch control?
Reverb and Tremolo
Is that gain switch just adding / removing NFB?
No, it’s switching in/out an additional gain stage.
Any thoughts on the build quality of this amp compared to the Tone King Gremlin?
I have no experience with the Gremlin.
The Gremlin is well built but has some strange MOSFET HT regulation on various nodes in the power supply which like to fail.
Great sounding amps, though.