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Average Price: $2,201

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$701+

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Description

The Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo is a meticulously crafted amplifier that marries vintage character with modern reliability. Perfect for musicians who crave rich, tube-driven tones, this combo amp is designed to deliver a versatile sonic palette, from warm cleans to gritty overdrive. At its heart, the hand-wired, all-tube circuitry ensures the purest signal path, allowing your guitar’s true voice to shine through.

The Swart Antares is equipped with an 18-watt power section, driving a high-quality 12-inch speaker that provides ample volume for both intimate gigs and studio sessions. The amp’s simple yet effective layout includes controls for volume, gain, and tone, allowing you to dial in your preferred sound with ease. The inclusion of tube reverb and tremolo further enhances your tonal options, providing lush, ambient textures that can transform your playing.

Built with a robust, vintage-inspired cabinet, the Swart Antares is as much a visual statement as it is a sonic powerhouse. Whether you’re rehearsing at home or taking the stage, this amp’s compact size and manageable weight make it a practical choice for musicians on the move. Its construction reflects a commitment to quality, ensuring that it not only sounds great but is built to last.

Key Features:

  • 18 watts of power
  • 1x12" high-quality speaker
  • Hand-wired, all-tube circuitry
  • Tube-driven reverb and tremolo
  • Simple control layout with volume, gain, and tone
  • Vintage-inspired cabinet design
  • Ideal for both stage and studio use

Product specs

Brand Swart
Model Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Year 2019 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Direct Output No Direct Output
Effects Loop No Effects Loop
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 18
Power Tube Type 6V6
Reverb Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What type of music is the Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo best suited for?

The Swart Antares is versatile and excels in genres like blues, rock, and jazz, offering warm tube-driven tones with its 6V6 power tubes and spring reverb, making it a great choice for those seeking classic and dynamic sound.

Does the Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo take pedals well?

Yes, the Swart Antares takes pedals well, thanks to its single-channel tube design, which handles effects like overdrive, delay, and modulation effectively, enhancing your tonal palette.

Is the Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo loud enough for gigging?

With 18 watts of tube power and a 1x12" speaker, the Swart Antares is suitable for small to medium-sized gigs, providing ample volume and headroom for live performances.

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo?

The Swart Antares offers rich, vintage-inspired tones characterized by warm cleans and smooth overdrive, thanks to its 6V6 power tubes and spring reverb, ideal for classic rock and blues.

Does the Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo have built-in effects?

Yes, the Swart Antares features built-in spring reverb, enhancing its vintage tube amp sound with lush ambient effects suitable for various musical styles.

Matt's Music Center

Matt's Music Center

Matt's Music - Swart Antares 1x12 Combo Amplifier - Kendrick Fielder

Video thumbnail for Matt's Music - Swart Antares 1x12 Combo Amplifier - Kendrick Fielder by Matt's Music Center

Matt's Music - Swart Antares 1x12 Combo Amplifier - Kendrick Fielder

Matt's Music Center

Matt's Music Center

Video thumbnail for Swart Antares | An unexpected pedal platform? by Midwood Guitar Studio

Swart Antares | An unexpected pedal platform?

Midwood Guitar Studio

Midwood Guitar Studio

Video thumbnail for RS Guitarworks Bakersfield custom with Swart Antares by MIJ Selected Guitars, WWW.MIJ-GUITARS.BE

RS Guitarworks Bakersfield custom with Swart Antares

MIJ Selected Guitars, WWW.MIJ-GUITARS.BE

MIJ Selected Guitars, WWW.MIJ-GUITARS.BE

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Swart Antares 18-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo.

Features and functionality

  • The Antares includes onboard reverb, tremolo, and a master volume, offering more versatility for those seeking overdrive compared to the Z-Master.

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  • Owners appreciate the Swart Antares' ability to maintain tonal integrity at low volumes, which is often challenging for tube amps known for power section breakup.

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  • The Swart Antares is praised for its versatility, providing a range of tones suitable for genres like classic rock and blues, even when played at lower volumes.

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  • The Swart Antares is available with a master volume, allowing it to maintain quality sound at home-friendly volume levels, making it versatile for both home and potential stage use.

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Comparisons

  • The Swart Antares has a less flexible EQ section than the Z-Master, but its master volume allows for more control over the amp's drive and tone.

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  • Compared to other tube amps, the Swart Antares is highlighted for its ability to deliver a more consistent tone across different volume levels.

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  • The Swart Antares can be as loud as a Deluxe Reverb or Tone King Imperial, making it suitable for louder settings while maintaining sound quality.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Swart Antares excels in 60's-70's style rock and is noted for handling modern music and rock well without bottom-end distortion when cranked.

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  • Owners who upgraded from a Boss Katana to the Swart Antares noted a significant improvement in their guitar's sound quality, especially with Player Plus Telecasters.

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User experience

  • Owners appreciate the tight bottom end of the Swart Antares when cranked, attributed to its rectifier tube, providing a clear, non-flabby bass response.

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  • It's noted that the Swart Antares can be played comfortably in home settings without sacrificing tonal quality, making it suitable for players with volume constraints.

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  • Some players find that the amp's loudness and tonal quality make it suitable for situations where it isn't mic'd, providing ample headroom on stage.

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Mods and upgrades

  • A speaker upgrade, such as the Celestion Alnico Gold 10 inch, can enhance the amp's gigability, allowing it to compete with larger rigs and maintain tonal fullness.

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Critic Reviews

Swart Antares Review

guitar.com

The Swart Antares impresses with its blend of vintage aesthetics and versatile sound, channeling the best elements from Swart’s previous models. This 18-watt combo offers a rich tonal palette, from clear, clean tones to a robust overdrive, with a reverb that's studio-quality in its fullness. The tremolo adds a hypnotic swirl, enhancing its appeal for roots and ambient rock styles. The amp’s flexibility is noteworthy, as it adapts effortlessly to different guitars without extensive tweaking. While the voicing switch feels slightly flimsy, the sonic performance is otherwise stellar, making the premium price justified for those who appreciate its nuanced capabilities.

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