H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
- Thread starter JeffB
- Start date
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
They were very popular in the UK in the late 70s. Lots of people I knew had them. All solid state, though later models included the V/S "valve sound" circuit to emulate tube amp distortion. They were really solidly made and reliable. They also did a line of PA gear that was very popular with pub & club bands. I played in a band where the other guitarist had a HH V/S Musician combo. It was loud! I was playing through a JTM-45 at the time and he would frequently drown me out.
The "valve sound" circuit wasn't bad for the time, though you'd easily tell the difference. If you want to hear it listen to early Buzzcocks records. Wilko Johnson of Dr. Feelgood also used an HH combo for a long time. You can see it in some of their YouTube videos. I saw Wilko play in 1983 and he still had it!
They were very popular in the UK in the late 70s. Lots of people I knew had them. All solid state, though later models included the V/S "valve sound" circuit to emulate tube amp distortion. They were really solidly made and reliable. They also did a line of PA gear that was very popular with pub & club bands. I played in a band where the other guitarist had a HH V/S Musician combo. It was loud! I was playing through a JTM-45 at the time and he would frequently drown me out.
The "valve sound" circuit wasn't bad for the time, though you'd easily tell the difference. If you want to hear it listen to early Buzzcocks records. Wilko Johnson of Dr. Feelgood also used an HH combo for a long time. You can see it in some of their YouTube videos. I saw Wilko play in 1983 and he still had it!
JeffB
Let it B
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Awesome info Simon, thanks.
I found out that Alex Lfeson used their 100w heads thru Marshall cabs on A Farewell to Kings (entire album), and at least part of that tour before ditching them for the HiWatts and the Marshall C&C. At any rate he was able to pull off some killer tones with them on that album, and I was just curious about the amp itself...what they were like. I will check out those vids.
Tangent....how you likin those wholelottas?
Awesome info Simon, thanks.
I found out that Alex Lfeson used their 100w heads thru Marshall cabs on A Farewell to Kings (entire album), and at least part of that tour before ditching them for the HiWatts and the Marshall C&C. At any rate he was able to pull off some killer tones with them on that album, and I was just curious about the amp itself...what they were like. I will check out those vids.
Tangent....how you likin those wholelottas?
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Whole Lotta Likin' 'em
Really nicely balanced set for '70s rock in a LP. Not a million miles from '59s but more midrange. No boom in the neck.
Whole Lotta Likin' 'em
Really nicely balanced set for '70s rock in a LP. Not a million miles from '59s but more midrange. No boom in the neck.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
I know somebody who owns a H|H 2x12 combo. It weighs a ton. The clean sound is unforgiving and the built-in overdrive is brown and sticky. Definitely needs pedals with it.
I know somebody who owns a H|H 2x12 combo. It weighs a ton. The clean sound is unforgiving and the built-in overdrive is brown and sticky. Definitely needs pedals with it.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Brown and Sticky? Like someone's finger (So I hear)?
Couldnt resist.
Brown and Sticky? Like someone's finger (So I hear)?
Couldnt resist.
richard parker
Active member
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
The mighty Feelgoods.
I had an H/H V/S Musician 100w top and an anonymous 2 x 12 cab. My first decent set-up when I was about 18. There was no way I could afford a Marshall and no way I could have cranked it if I had one. This was the first amp that came close to the sounds of my heroes. Wish I could re-visit it.
The mighty Feelgoods.
I had an H/H V/S Musician 100w top and an anonymous 2 x 12 cab. My first decent set-up when I was about 18. There was no way I could afford a Marshall and no way I could have cranked it if I had one. This was the first amp that came close to the sounds of my heroes. Wish I could re-visit it.
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
I'm fairly certain I'd have helped push theirs round the stage when I used to provide local hired help at gigs in Stoke-on-Trent back in the late 70's.
I'm fairly certain I'd have helped push theirs round the stage when I used to provide local hired help at gigs in Stoke-on-Trent back in the late 70's.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
That is why we think "someone" double capitalises every word that he types.
Brown and Sticky? Like someone's finger (So I hear)?
That is why we think "someone" double capitalises every word that he types.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Correctness of this statement now proven by a slew of replies from Brits of a certain vintage.
Correctness of this statement now proven by a slew of replies from Brits of a certain vintage.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
The one I had GAS for surely looked very nice - All black, not silver chassis. Remember it was about 1982 give or take a few years.
Still like the way it looked even today.
A little different than I remember but could have been this model:
Sexy! Now pass me the cheesy poofs!!!!
The one I had GAS for surely looked very nice - All black, not silver chassis. Remember it was about 1982 give or take a few years.
Still like the way it looked even today.
A little different than I remember but could have been this model:
Sexy! Now pass me the cheesy poofs!!!!
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richard parker
Active member
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Status Quo had them at one point. Eric Bell used one with Thin Lizzy - I'm pretty sure that the solo on 'Whisky in the Jar' was H/H. Not sure why the failed, they were a lot more convincing than Peaveys and other S/S amps of the time.
JeffB - what's made you ask about them ?
Status Quo had them at one point. Eric Bell used one with Thin Lizzy - I'm pretty sure that the solo on 'Whisky in the Jar' was H/H. Not sure why the failed, they were a lot more convincing than Peaveys and other S/S amps of the time.
JeffB - what's made you ask about them ?
JeffB
Let it B
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
See post #5
Although as a huge Lizzy fan, that is also cool to know about Mr. Bell. Probably an H/H used on "The Rocker" too, then.
See post #5
Although as a huge Lizzy fan, that is also cool to know about Mr. Bell. Probably an H/H used on "The Rocker" too, then.
Brow
Active member
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
Not something the amps themselves did too often if you believe the stories!
The owner of a guitar shop I've been going in for years told me once about the sales pitch some of the HH Sales Reps used to use:
Apparently they'd show up with 1 of the amp heads, chat with the owner for a bit and then ask if the shop had a basement or cellar. Where they'd proceed to 'drop' the amp down the cellar stairs, pick it up and plug it in where it'd still work.
If this is true it's a hell of a sales pitch! :friday:
Not something the amps themselves did too often if you believe the stories!
The owner of a guitar shop I've been going in for years told me once about the sales pitch some of the HH Sales Reps used to use:
Apparently they'd show up with 1 of the amp heads, chat with the owner for a bit and then ask if the shop had a basement or cellar. Where they'd proceed to 'drop' the amp down the cellar stairs, pick it up and plug it in where it'd still work.
If this is true it's a hell of a sales pitch! :friday:
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: H/H amplifiers...now defunct..anyone know something about them?
There was a lot of H/H gear down here in Australia in the '80s. The 2 x 12 combos were common, and I often encountered their mixers. A friend of mine had a 2 x 12 combo, it was solid and did everything a good amp should do ... the sound was reasonably good, workmanlike but not possessed of any special magic. In fact i could say almost exactly the same thing about their mixers. They were good value for money and seemed reliable.
There was a lot of H/H gear down here in Australia in the '80s. The 2 x 12 combos were common, and I often encountered their mixers. A friend of mine had a 2 x 12 combo, it was solid and did everything a good amp should do ... the sound was reasonably good, workmanlike but not possessed of any special magic. In fact i could say almost exactly the same thing about their mixers. They were good value for money and seemed reliable.
