Swart Amplifier Co.

Swart Star-Base 1 Small Cab, Fawn w/ Celestion Alnico Gold

$2,914.00

Pickup available at 165 Showroom

Usually ready in 1 hour

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Product information

Gorgeous Vox-like chime and 18w Marshall roar aplenty in the Swart Star-Base 1!

When we first got word from Michael Swart that this amp was hitting the market, we could barely contain our excitement. This is one of the coolest circuits to ever come out of the Swart shop, and we're confident Michael would agree!

This 15 watt combo represents a sort of evolution of Swart's British-voiced design in the MOD84 platform and expands it in a way no other Swart amp has done to date. Including not only a Master Volume but the first-ever fully integrated 3-position attenuator circuit directly into the chassis, the Star Base 1 provides the player with an incredibly versatile amplifier that allows for the fine tuning of preamp and power amp distortion as well as overall output.

The Gain toggle switch at the first preamp stage takes the amp from a cleaner, chimier Vox-like tone into 18-watt Marshall territory, with a punchy, quick attack and harmonically rich sustain. Combined with the Tone control you can get a darker, fatter sound or something with more sizzle and upper-mid bite. Dialing the amp in to suit the guitar and pickups is a breeze!

Of course, what better way to complement this circuit than with the beautiful tube-driven reverb that Swarts are famous for? Keep it short and springy or long and lush, with plenty of settings in between to fine-tune your sound.

The combination of the Master Volume and switchable 3-step Attenuation is really well-designed. Pushing the input volume to get the preamp cooking a bit while also being able to maintain power-stage dynamics with the attenuator works seamlessly.

This iteration pays homage to the old JMI Vox combos of the early and mid 1960s, with a Fawn tolex and diamond grill cloth.

The Star-Base 1 is an instant favorite here at the shop, and we're sure you'll agree!

Specs

Power
15 Watts
Controls
Volume / Tone / Space (Reverb) / Master Volume / Attenuator
Switches
Power / Standby | Gain Switch | Attenuator Bypass
Footswitch
Reverb On/Off

Construction

General
Hand wired point-to-point
Cabinet
Solid Pine

Components

Tubes
(2) 12AX7 / (1) 12DW7 / (2) EL84 / (1) 5Y3/5AR4
Reverb
All Tube Reverb
Speaker
12" Celestion Alnico Gold
Transformers
Custom Heyboer

Size

Dimensions
16 3/4" H x 17" W x 10" D
Weight
Approx. 36lbs

New. Chosen. Cherished.

We hand-select each one for its tone, feel, and build quality - instruments that inspire and stand up to real-world playing. Whether you're chasing a lifelong companion or something that just clicks, our curated lineup reflects decades of experience matching players with the right guitar.

High Standards

We only stock new instruments from builders who meet our highest standards for tone, build quality, and consistency, each one carefully selected to reflect the level of craftsmanship our customers expect.

Accurate Representation

Every instrument is meticulously photographed and accurately described, so you can buy with confidence knowing exactly what to expect.

Inspection & Setup

Each instrument is thoroughly inspected by our staff for authenticity and condition, with any necessary work and a full setup completed before it’s listed for sale.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this instrument’s condition, feel free to give us a call or drop us an email - we are always happy to provide an in-hand description and make sure you’re confident in your purchase.

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