SWART ST-STEREO HEAD AND 2X12 STEREO CAB
Well, there we have it Tone Reporters;
I’ve detailed the solid-state stereo
single combo that started it all, the
digital circuit modeling multi-amp
future rig and the colossal-yet-compact
columns of valve-driven British boutique
brutality. It is time now for a top-shelf
stereo American dream recording rig
from one of my favorite amp builders
alive today—Michael Swart. Swart
Amplifiers exude a completely unique
look, feel, and tone of their own. Even
the smell they give off when that hand
rubbed tweed lacquer starts to cook
can reduce a tone hound into a burbling
puddle of euphoric byproduct. The
climactic end to one of my favorite
books—Perfume—comes to mind.
window is as hypnotic as the sound.
Amp Two has that dark cavernous Space
Tone spring reverb that is seemingly
fathomless. Because each effect is sent
to each speaker the sonic summation is
like a shot of pure Doppler dopamine.
Velvety pulses of dynamic tube breakup
bloom and massage into the ebb and
flow of the tremolo to the left. On the
right, the mysterious reverb tail tapers
off into a vaporous dissipation that
moistens and hydrates the creative
atmosphere. This is a rig that could
ruin one’s social life and clear a bank
account in no time—just like the perfect
drug. But, this is a constructive venture,
not a destructive one. Two signal paths
to sonic glory…
Playing through the 6V6-driven STStereo Head and matching cab is like
viewing the perfect vintage-vibe tone
through a wide-angle lens. The 2x12
cab slants the speakers outwards at 45
degrees to further enhance the spread.
The head itself is pure classic Swart
Space Tone times two. Two separate
5-watt Class A amps with individual
volume and tone controls deliver
huge dimensional emissions. Amp
One sports that peerless orbital
throbbing tremolo Swart is so
famous for. Watching the glowing
bottle pulse through the oval tube
ToneReport.com
47