SWR WORKINGMAN'S 10, Owner'S Manual

counterclockwise position, you are elevating the whole range of sound (lows, mids, and highs) at 

frequency points different than those selected for the individual Tone Controls. This remains true up to
about the “2 o’clock” position, at which point the mids start to drop off. The curves involved here are 

gentle, as opposed to the very extreme curves you can create with the Tone Controls.
Most significantly, the Aural Enhancer will raise the low end at a point lower than the Bass control itself.

For a typical 4-string bass, the Bass control itself will suffice. For the 5-string player, the Aural Enhancer
will help bring out the fundamentals of your instrument, in the 30-60 Hz range. Discretion should be
used when doing this without an extension cabinet. True low fundamentals (one of the sonic signatures
of all SWR amplifiers) require lots of headroom and air motion. It is for this reason that we recommend
that 5-string players use an extension cabinet to increase the power output of the amplifier and get

more air moving.

Bass Control

The Bass control, as stated above, works in a range that will be useful under most “normal” conditions.
Its musical use might be thought of as a “fatness” control. Leaving the Aural Enhancer in a position
lower than 12 o’clock will not boost the extreme bottom so much as to make indistinct the effect of the

Bass control. The overall “punch” of your instrument, from your low E-string on up about two octaves

(midway up the G- string), will be determined with this control. With passive instruments, this will be
straightforward. With active instruments having bass-boost controls more exploration will be worthwhile.
(Some active tone circuits have boost/cut controls, while others have straight boost controls).

Mid Range Controls

The Mid Range controls operate in a crucial area for most instruments. The Mid Level control cuts or

boosts the frequency, which is set by the Mid Frequency control. Starting at mid-position, turning the Mid
Level control counter clockwise cuts the frequency determined by the Mid Frequency control. Turning the

Mid Level control clockwise boosts the frequency determined by the Mid Frequency control.
Many basses, particularly those strung with roundwound strings, can have a very “honky” or nasal sound.

Adjustments made with the Mid Range controls can go a long way toward smoothing out your tone. We
suggest, though, that what sounds best when your listening to your tone by yourself may not be what

works best in a band or recording. Sometimes that objectionable quality may be just the right “hair” on

your note to still have an audible presence in the track or on stage. 

NOTE:

When the level control is set at the “center click” (mid) position, turning the frequency con-

trol will have no effect on the sound.

To find the mid range area you are looking for:

1. Adjust the Mid Level control to the full boost or cut position.
2. Rotate the Mid Frequency control until the desired area you wish to cut or boost is found.
3. Adjust the Mid Level control to the desired amount of cut or boost for the frequency you have
selected.

The Mid Frequency control sets the area that is to be cut or boosted by the Mid Level function. If the
Level control is set at mid-position, turning the Frequency knob will have NO affect.
Some hints: If you need to “cut through” the band a little more, try boosting 200 to 400 Hz. If you like

a more transparent sound, try cutting at 800 Hz. The midrange area is especially useful in controlling
fretless basses and their inherent qualities.

Treble Control

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• WORKINGMAN’S COMBOS OWNER’S MANUAL