@wastewoodrockers5526 There no other amps that sound like a vintage Hiwatt. I've noticed that amps now have a clean sound that sounds too "sterile", Like it has no character to it...the vintage amps have a certain sparkle. I played through a new 4k amp and the clean tone was so flat and dead, no matter what settings I tried, so I bought vintage - I have a 73 DR103 and two 1971s with a matching 71 SE4123...only other amp I can compare that clean quality would be a 1962 Fender Pro "Brown Face"...the old components that are not available anymore make a huge difference - like the MIL-Spec transformers that are in vintage Hiwatts....I hope you still have your Hiwatt!
@@harrykadaras9459 Yep still got it! There are definitely still good modern amps out there, just not the ones from any of the big manufacturers (at least not without some upgrades). A huge part of your sound is the speakers, and 40/50 years of ageing on the cones definitely makes a difference in rounding out the sound. The design of the circuit itself is also key, but old components can definitely make some difference. My HiWatt is a DR103 from 71’ which I have paired with a 2x12 currently. My other main amp is a 77’ Fender Twin.
@wastewoodrockers5526 Yes, I totally agree - the speakers are super important, and I've heard these amps played through many types of cabs, and they usually spund great. BTW, 1971 is a very desirable year for Hiwatts, in my opinion. One of my 71s is a DR504, which came as purchased together as an amp/cab set. It's simply amazing. Recently, I was lucky to find a new/unused Fane spare speaker (same as in the cab) - also a 1971 production, just in case one of them blows, (it's just good to have an exact match, etc.). I live in MA, and it's extremely rare to see a vintage Hiwatt go for sale! Thanks for the reply - I can talk Hiwatt for 10 days straight
@ Very cool, lucky guy! I got mine from a guy who needed the money so it was a great deal. I was told it was owned by a touring bassist before that so it’s got quite a few dings / repairs on the outside but inside it’s pretty much factory apart from the tubes and filter caps which usually need replaced every 15 years or so. Would love to grab a matching fane cab for it but I don’t have the space or money currently haha! I’m based in Ireland, we don’t see many over here either although there’s a few for sale in England currently.
Thanks! Most of what you’re hearing is probably the Marshall cab. IMO the HiWatt sounds a lot better than the Mesa but I’ll have to do a comparison at some point!
Thanks a lot! There’s a few options around that price. If you’re wanting the live tones the Mesa Boogie .50 Cal is a decent option (sounds identical to the Studio Preamp) and they’re not too expensive usually. Otherwise, a good all rounder would be something like a Fender Bassman head or if you want a combo, a twin. I’d go for silverface era as they’re usually a lot less desired and pretty common meaning they’re cheaper. You may have to factor in a service for any of the amps listed though as they could all probably do with a facelift electronically speaking. Hope this helps somewhat!
Need to pick one up, it sounds great!
I fell in love with that tone back in the 70s when everyone wanted Marshalls. I own three 70s heads now. The 200W DR201 is in a class of its own.
Lucky guy! I agree these amps are something special :D
@wastewoodrockers5526 There no other amps that sound like a vintage Hiwatt. I've noticed that amps now have a clean sound that sounds too "sterile", Like it has no character to it...the vintage amps have a certain sparkle. I played through a new 4k amp and the clean tone was so flat and dead, no matter what settings I tried, so I bought vintage - I have a 73 DR103 and two 1971s with a matching 71 SE4123...only other amp I can compare that clean quality would be a 1962 Fender Pro "Brown Face"...the old components that are not available anymore make a huge difference - like the MIL-Spec transformers that are in vintage Hiwatts....I hope you still have your Hiwatt!
@@harrykadaras9459 Yep still got it! There are definitely still good modern amps out there, just not the ones from any of the big manufacturers (at least not without some upgrades). A huge part of your sound is the speakers, and 40/50 years of ageing on the cones definitely makes a difference in rounding out the sound. The design of the circuit itself is also key, but old components can definitely make some difference.
My HiWatt is a DR103 from 71’ which I have paired with a 2x12 currently. My other main amp is a 77’ Fender Twin.
@wastewoodrockers5526 Yes, I totally agree - the speakers are super important, and I've heard these amps played through many types of cabs, and they usually spund great. BTW, 1971 is a very desirable year for Hiwatts, in my opinion. One of my 71s is a DR504, which came as purchased together as an amp/cab set. It's simply amazing. Recently, I was lucky to find a new/unused Fane spare speaker (same as in the cab) - also a 1971 production, just in case one of them blows, (it's just good to have an exact match, etc.). I live in MA, and it's extremely rare to see a vintage Hiwatt go for sale! Thanks for the reply - I can talk Hiwatt for 10 days straight
@ Very cool, lucky guy! I got mine from a guy who needed the money so it was a great deal. I was told it was owned by a touring bassist before that so it’s got quite a few dings / repairs on the outside but inside it’s pretty much factory apart from the tubes and filter caps which usually need replaced every 15 years or so.
Would love to grab a matching fane cab for it but I don’t have the space or money currently haha! I’m based in Ireland, we don’t see many over here either although there’s a few for sale in England currently.
I like the tone a lot. something to mess with.
Im not real familiar with the schematic of the Hiwatt but it sounds VERY similar to the mesa studio series to my ears. Awesome amp my friend
Thanks! Most of what you’re hearing is probably the Marshall cab. IMO the HiWatt sounds a lot better than the Mesa but I’ll have to do a comparison at some point!
That hiwatt sounds good. Do you or anyone know a good amp head for nirvana under 1500usd that’s easy to find
Thanks a lot! There’s a few options around that price.
If you’re wanting the live tones the Mesa Boogie .50 Cal is a decent option (sounds identical to the Studio Preamp) and they’re not too expensive usually.
Otherwise, a good all rounder would be something like a Fender Bassman head or if you want a combo, a twin. I’d go for silverface era as they’re usually a lot less desired and pretty common meaning they’re cheaper.
You may have to factor in a service for any of the amps listed though as they could all probably do with a facelift electronically speaking.
Hope this helps somewhat!
Thank you so much this means a lot!
friend, some advice would be to put subtitles in Portuguese because I follow your content but I don't understand anything 🤣 a random fan