UberMetalDood
New member
What brand amp do you prefer and why?
Hiwatt vs Marshall
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
- Start date
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
I voted Marshall, because that works best for me.
However my favorite "Marshall" sound is a Hiwatt. (Page's live 1970 tone)
I voted Marshall, because that works best for me.
However my favorite "Marshall" sound is a Hiwatt. (Page's live 1970 tone)
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
I voted for Fender because I did.
I voted for Fender because I did.
JohnnyGuitar
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
I voted Hiwatt because I wanted to be the first one to vote "Hiwatt".
I voted Hiwatt because I wanted to be the first one to vote "Hiwatt".
claytonc
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
Having played and owned both the answer is easy!
HIWATT
Real HIWATTs that is, those made by Dave Reeves and Hylight Electronics.
HIWATTs have much more power, a much more effective and usable tone stack.
here are a few pics of the Vintage HIWATT Convention:
Having played and owned both the answer is easy!
HIWATT
Real HIWATTs that is, those made by Dave Reeves and Hylight Electronics.
HIWATTs have much more power, a much more effective and usable tone stack.
here are a few pics of the Vintage HIWATT Convention:
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
The guitar player in me finds Marshall more usable in my real world. Hiwatts are even louder and cleaner than Plexis, which means that they must be pushed harder to give up the goods. Hiwatts have master volume but the JMP or JCM800 master volume amps may still be the more practical.
The Hiwatt may be a better pedal platform, if that's your thing, but I don't do pedals much.
The amp tinkerer in me real admires the superior build quality and superior componants of the Hiwatt. The Reeves era Hiwatt that is. Hiwatt has changed hands and designs since 1981 so many times that its difficult to determine what should be a real Hiwatt or not.
The guitar player in me finds Marshall more usable in my real world. Hiwatts are even louder and cleaner than Plexis, which means that they must be pushed harder to give up the goods. Hiwatts have master volume but the JMP or JCM800 master volume amps may still be the more practical.
The Hiwatt may be a better pedal platform, if that's your thing, but I don't do pedals much.
The amp tinkerer in me real admires the superior build quality and superior componants of the Hiwatt. The Reeves era Hiwatt that is. Hiwatt has changed hands and designs since 1981 so many times that its difficult to determine what should be a real Hiwatt or not.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
Marshall = rock. That's just the way it is. The fat mids, the snarl, and pure saturated crunch. Hiwatt amps just can't compare. How many bands have really rocked with Hiwatts? You've got the Who and Dave Gilmour used them (but also used lots of pedals and effects).
Marshall = rock. That's just the way it is. The fat mids, the snarl, and pure saturated crunch. Hiwatt amps just can't compare. How many bands have really rocked with Hiwatts? You've got the Who and Dave Gilmour used them (but also used lots of pedals and effects).
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
WHAT IS THIS GLORIOUS PIECE OF KIT!?!?
If it didn't cost half of my car I'd want it!
WHAT IS THIS GLORIOUS PIECE OF KIT!?!?
If it didn't cost half of my car I'd want it!
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
Marshalls die all the time, from Plexi amps to modern times ones...a Hiwatt is the total opposite in every aspect, big huge 3D tones, very loud and clean, awesome build, while most Marshall have that boxed middy bite...and not much else....close to one trick only...
I love Marshalls, allthough the old ones the most...but a Hiwatt is a real great great underrated amp.....
Most do not like them because they are so unforgiving to play, they are wide but still have that focus that never gets lost in the big picture!
It is like comparing a VW Golf to a Porshe...and the Marshall is not a Porshe.
As said I like Marshalls.....but I totally love Hiwatts from back then!
Dave Reeves was a true master!
Aha....sounds you have a substantial knowledge of their sound
Marshalls die all the time, from Plexi amps to modern times ones...a Hiwatt is the total opposite in every aspect, big huge 3D tones, very loud and clean, awesome build, while most Marshall have that boxed middy bite...and not much else....close to one trick only...
I love Marshalls, allthough the old ones the most...but a Hiwatt is a real great great underrated amp.....
Most do not like them because they are so unforgiving to play, they are wide but still have that focus that never gets lost in the big picture!
It is like comparing a VW Golf to a Porshe...and the Marshall is not a Porshe.
As said I like Marshalls.....but I totally love Hiwatts from back then!
Dave Reeves was a true master!
Last edited:
claytonc
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
Indeed. words of wisdom!
Aha....sounds you have a substantial knowledge of their sound
Marshalls die all the time, from Plexi amps to modern times ones...a Hiwatt is the total opposite in every aspect, big huge 3D tones, very loud and clean, awesome build, while most Marshall have that boxed middy bite...and not much else....close to one trick only...
I love Marshalls, allthough the old ones the most...but a Hiwatt is a real great great underrated amp.....
Most do not like them because they are so unforgiving to play, they are wide but still have that focus that never gets lost in the big picture!
It is like comparing a VW Golf to a Porshe...and the Marshall is not a Porshe.
As said I like Marshalls.....but I totally love Hiwatts from back then!
Dave Reeves was a true master!
Indeed. words of wisdom!
claytonc
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
That is the 1971 DR103 made for NAMM and Musicmesse. Dave Reeves was proud of his gear and wanted to show the Mil-Spec wiring and build.
Note: these amps have nothing in common with the "Reeves" amps made today that use the name without permission of the Reeves family.
WHAT IS THIS GLORIOUS PIECE OF KIT!?!?
If it didn't cost half of my car I'd want it!
That is the 1971 DR103 made for NAMM and Musicmesse. Dave Reeves was proud of his gear and wanted to show the Mil-Spec wiring and build.
Note: these amps have nothing in common with the "Reeves" amps made today that use the name without permission of the Reeves family.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
I'm a Marshall guy, but I totally dig the Hi-Watt sound.
As somewhat of a side convo- interestingly enough Jimmy Page used Hi-Watts live during Zeps (arguably) most illustrious period (69-72-ish) He also toured with several oddball amps like rickenbacker, arbiter, a hybrid tube/SS vox, univox, & orange. He didn't start using Marshall exclusively til sometime in 1972. And lord knows in the studio he was always using crap that everyone *thought* was a Marshall/Les Paul combo, and wasn't.
My point being- I think ALOT of people (myself included) have always assumed alot of classic late 60s and 70s rock recordings were Marshalls (and of course many were). But there were alot of full tilt fenders (Nugent), vox (early Deep Purple), Supros (page), and other stuff too (orange, laney, etc etc. ad nauseum). Bottom line- I suspect we've heard more Hi-watts on classic albums than we realize.
As others have mentioned they are definitely less practical for most of us- they are clean, and loud and need to be cranked cranked cranked. Great for big stages and festivals in 1971, not so great for much of anything else unless you need a tons of headroom for pedals.
Frank Hannon used modded (extra gain stage) Hi-Watts as well for many years-nowadays with those big concert days over, he's using more manageble Marshalls (JVMs mainly).
I'd rock a Hi-watt no problem right alongside a Marshall given the ability to crank it and get those magic tone goods.
I'm a Marshall guy, but I totally dig the Hi-Watt sound.
As somewhat of a side convo- interestingly enough Jimmy Page used Hi-Watts live during Zeps (arguably) most illustrious period (69-72-ish) He also toured with several oddball amps like rickenbacker, arbiter, a hybrid tube/SS vox, univox, & orange. He didn't start using Marshall exclusively til sometime in 1972. And lord knows in the studio he was always using crap that everyone *thought* was a Marshall/Les Paul combo, and wasn't.
My point being- I think ALOT of people (myself included) have always assumed alot of classic late 60s and 70s rock recordings were Marshalls (and of course many were). But there were alot of full tilt fenders (Nugent), vox (early Deep Purple), Supros (page), and other stuff too (orange, laney, etc etc. ad nauseum). Bottom line- I suspect we've heard more Hi-watts on classic albums than we realize.
As others have mentioned they are definitely less practical for most of us- they are clean, and loud and need to be cranked cranked cranked. Great for big stages and festivals in 1971, not so great for much of anything else unless you need a tons of headroom for pedals.
Frank Hannon used modded (extra gain stage) Hi-Watts as well for many years-nowadays with those big concert days over, he's using more manageble Marshalls (JVMs mainly).
I'd rock a Hi-watt no problem right alongside a Marshall given the ability to crank it and get those magic tone goods.
JeffB
Let it B
Stef
New member
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
in the 70's Marshall was a Ferrari and Hiwatt was a Bentley
in the 70's Marshall was a Ferrari and Hiwatt was a Bentley
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Hiwatt vs Marshall
Nice to see you Jeff....Hope all is well?
Another vote for the Marshall....I've never played through an original HIWatt...I always loved Townsend's tone and Gilmour also,though they didn't always plug straight in...
Nice to see you Jeff....Hope all is well?
Another vote for the Marshall....I've never played through an original HIWatt...I always loved Townsend's tone and Gilmour also,though they didn't always plug straight in...
