Swart Atomic Space Tone vs. Swart Atomic Space Tone Pro-GTV

[metelegerald]

How loud do these bad boys get before cranking up? Can i get good cleans and keep up with the drummer?

[JackOrion0670]

I tried the two side by side and went with the pro. It's just a smarter design with the recessed knobs larger feet and deeper cab. Sound wise I believe as well that we are hearing the speaker more then the cab. Being able to fit most any 12" in the pro is a big plus. What would be cool is a 10" in between the ast and jr. Clocking in around 12 watts.

[LarryRickenbacker]

I slightly favor the AST.

[OleEnggrav]

Thanx for posting, could you tell me what the speakers are? great demo

[customaudioboutique]

@OleEnggrav Cheers! AST - Mojotone BV-25M ; AST Pro - Celestion Heritage Series G12H (55Hz).

[pleximanic1]

Looks like bias modulating. Does it put more wear on the power tubes?

[customaudioboutique]

@pleximanic1 Correct, bias trem. It's not excessively hard on the tubes, you'll still get plenty of life out of them, plus the sonic results are well worth it.

[DSilvergun]

If I were to get the pro I'd get it with an alnico gold speaker

[justthebassplayer]

soundslike a speaker change, or you could achive the same tone ny doing this! Very simalar.

[customaudioboutique]

@justthebassplayer Yes, same amp, the Pro version has a different speaker and a deeper cabinet.

[bolomsa]

AST rules 0))

[bigtophalloween]

Beefy!

[motokev]

very good, thanks ! 

[jameshouson]

AST for me also.

[ZippoTragedy]

AST / Dirt; Pro/Chimey + something - maybe more harmonic overtones. (listening through pc speakers is hardly fair, but that's my take on it.) imo, there's two over-riding thoughts: first, you can get as dirty as you want by simply cranking the piss out of it and using a swart nite lite or atomic boost (or your fav pedal); second, at this price point there's a LOT of competition in boutique combos. Pound for sound, swart is one of the absolute best. great demo clips - thanks for posting these.

[Realfi]

I've had both an AST and as AST Pro and like lots of other folks liked the Pro more for bigger cleans, slightly less boxy tone BUT preferred the stock AST overdriven compared to the 55 Hz loaded Pro.

If I had my time over again I would order a Pro but with a 75 Hz G12H30 Anniversary speaker which would kind of give you a good blend of both configurations.

[abstrait1]

I don't think the Pro is less boxy than the AST with the updated, enlarged Port, something that came with the Pro from beginning, but generally agree with many of the comments. Both have their positive points and each can be made to sound like the other. I still love the stock BV-25 speaker. But the Anniversary G12H30, seems to be a better compromise in the Pro. It's now an option listed on the site. I love both the amps but there is something synergistic about the original AST.

[NCondo]

Brilliant clip. Thanks! I love the Pro better for cleans, the regular AST better for dirt.

[MySongman]

AST for me please!

[lexist7]

time to get one of each!

[Fsharpm7]

wonder how they would sound with a 75hz greenie instead of the 55hz they come with. I'm guessing the bass cones were favored because of the small cab sounding, well, small. Great, another amp to buy. Great demo.

[Fsharpm7]

Yeah, the more I think about it, the pro with a 75 hz might be perfect.

[Gretschster6120]

I just came back from trying both these amps at Boutique Tone in Montreal with my Gretsch 6120 with stock Filter'Tron pu's To my ears and playing style ( Country Rythms) the Pro hands down had the richest fullest sound. I loved it's Bassier Response & sounded more spatial. It sounded as if it was housed in 2 x12 cabinets! No Joke! Lots of clean headroom in a light small package. The only thong that i making me hesitate is it's price at $2780 + 12.5% tax.

[LarryRickenbacker]

So help me, but I prefer the clarity of the AST to the Pro's somewhat Bassier response.

In other words, the less expensive cab sounds better to me.

[skurtix]

I think that's just because the regular AST records better when miced since the stock mojotone BV25 speaker is more directional than the celestion heritage in the AST Pro

Directional speakers make for better recording, but sound quite thin in real life.

I think that if both cabinets had the same speaker, they'd sound roughly the same..

so the real reason to buy AST Pro is that you can fit normal aftermarket speakers in it whereas the regular one only fits certain slim 12" speakers

[pdksca]

You put a lot of thought into the demo. Very instructive. And much appreciated.

[CrustyCurmudgeon]

Terrific demo! Sooo nice not to have some chucklehead over-cranked, over-crunched, and over-distorted trying to prove he's the next great shreadmeister. This was great - thanks!

[LarryRickenbacker]

Sweeter tone than a SF Deluxe. Wish I could afford a Swart.

[cgarrity]

I love these amps!

[bigsby6bender]

Excellent comparison. Thank you for taking the time and effort to do it.

[out99990]

Nice demo dudes-we need more of this kind of comparison.

[tdin42]

Great comparison. I had the opportunity to A/B them and walked away with the AST, preferring the overdrive tone to the Pro. The Pro had more headroom and was a bit brighter. Both are great amps! Any chance you could a/b the AST with an Alnico Blue speaker? Thanks.

[DelSpaarky]

I'd take the Pro for sure. More open tones, more sparkle. Very nice.

[ajs7698]

Do you think there would be enough volume and headroom in a live band setting ( I play in an adult dance/soul/R&B/classic rock type thing - bars and functions ). I like a clean with a bit of hair and I mic through the PA. What do you think ?? I'm currently using a budda 18 watter 1x12 on only the clean channel ( I get my OD from pedals the budda OD is more than i need or like ). But I think this has better/fuller cleans than the budda Would the PRO be enough ?? Let me know what you think

[Strat642001]

I play a Swart AST with my band, only the vocals are miked. Can't put the map up over 5 or 6, plenty of clean headroom (if you use a GZ34 rectifier). Amp was designed for a 5Y3 rec, which will lower the headroom. We play classi rock, southern rock and some pop songs. Great sounding amp (especially with the new backpanel).

[ajs7698]

Thanks man. Are you using 6v6 or 6l6 in yours along with the gz34 rectifier. Also, do you need to rebias if switching rectifiers ( i assume you need to with the tubes ) ?? I think I'm gonna be picking up one of these soon. Would be perfect fo what I'm doing. I'm getting old and I'm looking to lighten the load and simplify :)

[Strat642001]

Most times I'm using the 6v6s with the GZ34. I really like the the amp with the 53 better, but need the additional headroom from the GZ34. I haven't tried the amp w/ 6L6s, but the website says it can be played w/ them, due to the Heyboer transformers. I didn't rebias when I switched rectifiers, amp sounded great (I'll have to check with Swart to find out if that's needed).

[Strat642001]

Just contacted Swart, and they say no rebiasing need after changing the power tubes to 6L6s, or switching the rectifier from a GZ34 to a 5Y3.

[Blkojo]

Good demo. (I did the quick demo for Guitars Etc.) Once I A/Bed my PRO (I got it right out of the box and compared it to a month-old or so regular AST) with the standard AST I knew I would buy the PRO. The PRO has alleviated my concerns with the standard AST...the PRO is fuller sounding, less "boxy and a touch louder, with more headroom. I also like the extra room in the back with the larger port...throw in a cable AND a pedal! The oxblood color is nice too...tasteful. Then there's the SST...

[Noitpure]

Great demo! Both amps sounds amazing. Nod to the Pro on the cleaner settings but I'll take the AST cranked up. Cool comparison.

[JuanDeSoCal]

My take on it is that the Pro wins on all the cleaner settings. It sounded deeper and more dimensional, which to my ears is an improvement. I have to say, though, I thought the original AST sounded better at the cranked settings; the growl is more, I dunno, throatier or something? I wonder if that would change as the the Celestion speaker gets more broken in. Of course, a good boost pedal or relatively transparent overdrive pedal might do the trick too.

[JuanDeSoCal]

Thanks for posting this! I've wanted to hear these compared since the "Pro" version debuted. Your presentation made the differences between the two really easy to hear.

[jetsnation]

I like the GTV- it has a warmer tone. The AST might sound good with a warmer guitar like a Les Paul, but I suspect the Ast and Fender would sound a bit shrill. You can't just try out amps, you have to mix up the guitars too.

[JohnnyFriendly]

Excellent demo! This is exactly how comparisons should be done.

For my money, the pro GTV sounds superior in every category. The GTV has mucho warmth. The AST sounds tinny in comparison.

[UntalentedGearhead]

Wow, it's too close to call. I think the AST wins on clean and the Pro GTV when cranked up. Thanks so much for this!

[Yumoshrub]

Phenomenal.