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You've been waiting long enough. The all-new Space Tone Forty-Five is finally HERE and although the wait long, it's more than worth it as it's an amp residing outside the box, literally, this in both sonics and aesthetics. Hyperbole aside, this amp is going to make some serious waves, akin to the original release of the AST. Think of it as an AST on steroids, with amazing CLEANS, all housed in a chassis that can be put on display for tube admiration. The ST-45 is a first for Swart Amps on a number of fronts. It's our first 45 watt amp that's dedicated to getting the absolute MOST from the 6L6 power tube, this via our first production "easy set" Fixed Bias offering, key in getting every last bit of goodness from this circuit. It's our first offering that eschews our simple tone cut, moving to separate bass and treble controls, designed to refine the frequency palate for a bit more control of bottom/top. This is aided by a very useful 3-way EQ switch to help further tailor the response/output depending on room/output/guitar.
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But the REAL bottom line is the ST-45 has absolutely STELLAR CLEANS at higher volume, so sweet and alluring with no trace of the mechanical, no hardness. This amp really nails that elusive harmonic richness while still sounding open and transparent. As the power increases, this is not always an easy feat but Michael has managed to pull it off here. Of course, the ST-45 has that great Swart touch sensitivity and is actually a tool that can reveal differences in guitars instead of all guitars sounding like the amp. You'll also recognize the great Swart tube/spring tank driven reverb along with that signature lush swart tube tremolo, built for players that don't even like tremolo but will appreciate it as an amazing tool that can be implemented to create depth. And like all Swarts, the ST-45 employs tube rectification, via the GZ-34 or 5Y3, key in getting some of that magical lack of mechanical sound while winding in a bit of compression, sweetness, and hint of sag. It actually makes this powerful amp keep some of the sweetness of lower power options while still bringing the clean headroom needed for more challenging situations. We just find tube rectification lends a naturalness to the sound that one can find absent in some solid state offerings. But the real kicker with this beast? It's actually as beautiful as it sounds, with another first for us, a fully convertible HEAD cab that can be removed to show this beast off in full glory. It's an aesthetic masterpiece mated with the easiest access to tube rolling fun you'll ever find. The cab is secured with four heavy duty latches, this for removal of the top, leaving chassis sitting on its base, glowing for all to see. These turn key latches are extremely well-made, solid as the proverbial rock. And man, the look of this amp sitting topless on the cab is a sight to behold, with all the tubes aglow. Or you can simply opt to just leave it enclosed if you desire though once you go topless, it's hard to go back.
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ST-45 SPECIFICATIONS-FEATURES
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For the cabinets, we have a few options at the moment. The Swart 2x12, seen above, is perhaps #1 at the moment, this loaded with a pair of Celestion Creambacks. We also have the option of a 1x12 or 1x15 if desired. Of course, as with all Swarts, these cabinet are hand-made with pine, with open back, the stock 45 options covered in dark lacquered tweed with cover options for both head and cab for $150. The ST-45's public debut was 2014 Summer Namm. We sold out of every ST-45 on hand and in shop. Indeed, this amp made Buddy Miller reach for ye olde checkbook after only a few minutes playing at Nashville NAMM. Stay tuned to more photos and information, including samples coming very soon. Be sure to contact your favorite Swart dealer to get in the queue.
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