Black Beauty OWNER’S MANUAL SWR• SCOTTSDALE, AZ• USA
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: TO REDUCE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. PLEASE REFER TO A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. A. READ INSTRUCTIONS: All safety and operation instructions should be read before the product is operated. B. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS: The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. C. HEED WARNINGS: All of the warnings on this product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. D.
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the SWR Black Beauty Bass Combo Amplifier! You now own the heaviest-duty, biggest-sounding combo amp in SWR's world-renowned Professional Line of products for bassists. A little history: The SWR Black Beauty is the successor to the Basic Black, a combo we offered throughout most of the 1990s as the most affordable solution for bassists who wanted the “SWR Sound“ in the simplest all-in-one package possible.
NOTE: Please take a moment to verify that the following items were included in your SWR Black Beauty packaging: AC Cable, SubWave Activator Footswitch, (4) Heavy-Duty Caster Wheels, this owner’s manual, SWR Catalog.
Frequency Response (power amplifier) –3dB @ 20 Hz and 40 kHz Sensitivity (full output under clipping, 8 ohms load, 100 Hz) Passive Input Jack: 38 millivolts Active Input Jack: 60 millivolts Power Amplifier (Effects Return Jack “in”): 5 volts Input Impedance Passive/Active Input: 800k Ohms Active Input: 60k Ohms Effects Return: 27k Ohms Output Impedance Effects Send: 100 Ohms Tuner Send: 100 Ohms XLR (Balanced) Out: 750 Ohms Signal To Noise Ratio –72 dB (<10 millivolts typical) Equivalent Input Noise 9 micro
BLACK BEAUTY – FRONT PANEL FEATURES INPUT JACKS Both input jacks accept a standard 1/4" phone plug and both inputs can be used at the same time. Since the two inputs are totally independent, no loss in volume or tone will occur by using two instruments simultaneously. However, the main applicational use for the two separate input jacks is their difference in level, as the Passive/Active input has five times more gain than the Active input.
headroom). This function does NOT monitor the first tube stage of the Passive input. See that section for more info. In the event the clip indicator lights, turn down the Gain control. Since this circuit monitors the tone controls, boosting any one of them can cause the clip LED to activate. Once again, you may leave the tone control at its desired level, but turn the Gain control down further.
“MAX,” the “clean” bass signal will still be present…along with plenty of sub-octave effect. As always, your ears and the desired musical application will be the best judge in setting this control. (Keep in mind that the Bass Level control will have a significant impact on the perceived level of the SubWave™ effect as well, as it follows immediately after the SubWave™ in the signal chain. Please read below.
EXTERNAL effects unit. (In other words, it has nothing to do with the SubWave™ effect onboard your Black Beauty.) With the Effects Blend fully counter-clockwise (“DRY”), no signal from your external effects unit will be heard. As you turn this control clockwise, more of the effect can be heard in the overall sound. When the Effects Blend control is set fully clockwise (“WET”), no true or unaffected signal is heard other than what your external effects unit provides.
BLACK BEAUTY – REAR PANEL FEATURES BALANCED (XLR) OUTPUT The Balanced XLR out is a true electronically balanced output, suitable for studio and “front-of-house” (live) mixing consoles. The level present at this output can be adjusted by using the XLR Pad control (see the “XLR Pad Control” section below for more details). The signal appearing at the Balanced Output is governed by the setting of the three-position XLR Mode switch located directly below it (Line/Direct/Direct + Sub).
XLR MODE SWITCH (LINE/DIRECT/DIRECT + SUB) This three-position switch determines the signal present at the Balanced (XLR) Output jack as described in the section directly above. In simple terms: 1. Direct = pre-EQ and SubWave™, post-first tube stage 2. Line = post-EQ and SubWave™ 3. Direct + Sub = pre-EQ/post-first tube stage blended with SubWave™ Make sure the switch is set either to full left, full right or center to avoid an intermittent condition.
Effects Blend Control is in the full counter-clockwise (“DRY”) position, no effects will be heard. This is normal. CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL EFFECTS DEVICE TO THE BLACK BEAUTY EFFECTS LOOP Obtain two high-quality shielded patch cables, preferably as short as possible. Route them in the most direct way possible. (Running patch cables over the top of the Black Beauty—as with any amplifier—can induce hum in the cables and is not recommended.
TWEETER MODE SWITCH This three-position switch gives you the choice of three different options for operation of the horn tweeter. In the Full Range (top) position, the tweeter will reproduce an unattenuated signal of every frequency it sees (roughly 2 kHz up to 15 kHz, within certain tolerances). The –6db (bottom) position reduces the level of the tweeter’s outputs by 6 decibels, which to the ear sounds roughly as if cut in half compared to the Full Range position.
if someone tells you that they have a “4 ohm power amp,” their terminology and understanding of the concept is way off the mark. Unlike power amps, every speaker cabinet has a pre-determined impedance rating measured in “ohms.” In most cases this rating is either 4 or 8 ohms (though there may still be some old 2 ohm creakers out there). The higher the impedance of the speaker cabinet, the more resistance to power it will offer.
more during peaks), but since it has a higher impedance (8 ohms) than the internal speaker (4 ohms), it will receive slightly less than half (200 watts) the total power delivered. Other than this imbalance, there is no reason why you can’t connect an 8 ohm extension cabinet together with the 4 ohm internal speaker in the Black Beauty. In any event, make sure your extension speaker cabinet can handle the power. There is also the situation known as underpowering your speakers.
3AG, 10 amp, fast-blo. Do not defeat the purpose of this feature by using a higher rated fuse as it can damage your amplifier and void your warranty. The fuse can open as a result of a fault in the speaker cable, the speakers themselves, or the power amp being sent well into clipping. With this in mind, it is wise to carry extra fuses at all times. LINE FUSE (A/C OR MAINS FUSE) This fuse is provided to protect the internal electronics against power surges, etc.
SUGGESTED SETTINGS The following page includes examples of tone control options for various styles of music. These settings are intended for use as a starting point for dialing in your own individual sound, so feel free to make adjustments based on your own playing style, instrument and speaker cabinet configuration. After you find combinations you like, don’t forget to try adding in the SubWave™…as much as you feel is necessary.
SUGGESTED SETTINGS Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 -15 +15 -15 +15 200 800 -15 +15 ROCK Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 +15 -15 -15 +15 200 800 -15 +15 REGGAE Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 -15 +15 -15 +15 200 800 -15 +15 JAZZ Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 -15 +15 -15 +15 200 800
BLACK BEAUTY LIMITED WARRANTY The BLACK BEAUTY from FMIC is warranted to the original consumer purchaserfor TWO YEARS from the date of purchase, against defects in materials and workmanship and provided that it is purchased from an Authorized SWR Dealer. This warranty applies only to products purchased in the USA or Canada.
