New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

[Gearjoneser]

I just ran across a new Hiwatt series, distributed by Kaysound. Did anyone get a chance to see/hear these at NAMM 07?

I know these probably aren't anything like the old originals, but the prices don't look outrageous either.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=4088

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

I was pretty interested when I saw them in the Namm pic thread.

I guess they're catering to the more modern crowd?

To me, the best thing about Hiwatts, is the ability to crank them, yet still retain an amazingly clean tone.

Im curious to what kind of grind this thing can dish out, and if it can still retain its clarity.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

played a high gain 50. It's brit made, but not in the small shop that does the high end Hiwatts. It's pcb, and definitely has lighter iron onboard judging by the weight. However, I thought it sounded great. Much like the uber expensive handwired Hiwatts when run clean, and with the added bonus of a very expressive, unique sounding mid to high gain overdrive that the reissues cannot reach even when cranked to sterilisingly loud levels.

However, the amp I tried only sounded good through a high end Hiwatt cab with fanes. I tried it with V30s and I wasn't impressed. So that's something to factor in.

 

[Wattage]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

Hmmm......have to keep and eye out for these.

I was thinking last might at practice how much I missed my old Laney cabs that were loaded with Fanes, those were the best cabs I ever had, sniff, sniff.

 

[thucydides]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

Cool info...Thanks!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

However, the amp I tried only sounded good through a high end Hiwatt cab with fanes. I tried it with V30s and I wasn't impressed. So that's something to factor in.

I'm almost more interested in the cab than the head. I've always loved the look and sound of those Hiwatt/Fane cabs.

 

[Corbic]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

Do you think with the 50 watt head, Fane-loaded cab, and Gibson SG with P-90s, I could get close to the Live at Leeds tone? Pete Townshend's tone on that album is one of my favorites and if I could get something like it without buying a custom-made handwired Hiwatt that would really be something.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

Do you think with the 50 watt head, Fane-loaded cab, and Gibson SG with P-90s, I could get close to the Live at Leeds tone? Pete Townshend's tone on that album is one of my favorites and if I could get something like it without buying a custom-made handwired Hiwatt that would really be something.

The High Gain HiWatts are not gonna get the Live at Leeds tone or any other classic HiWatt tone for that matter.

Go for an old school HiWatt...you could even grab an 80's PCB head and get closer.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

The High Gain HiWatts are not gonna get the Live at Leeds tone or any other classic HiWatt tone for that matter.

Go for an old school HiWatt...you could even grab an 80's PCB head and get closer.

BUT DO NOT FORGET THE FANES!!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

I'm almost more interested in the cab than the head. I've always loved the look and sound of those Hiwatt/Fane cabs.

my only 4x12 is loaded with a matched of Fanes from a 1971 or 1972 (I forget) Hiwatt cab...amazing cab, I run my Sound City 50+ into that cab and it blows me away every time!

 

[Corbic]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

my only 4x12 is loaded with a matched of Fanes from a 1971 or 1972 (I forget) Hiwatt cab...amazing cab, I run my Sound City 50+ into that cab and it blows me away every time!

I also remember you saying that the MkIII Sound City's are almost exactly like Hiwatts, so I'm keeping those in mind as well. Compared to older Hiwatts they are much less expensive. And it just wouldn't be a Hiwatt if it didn't have Fane speakers in the cabs.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

I also remember you saying that the MkIII Sound City's are almost exactly like Hiwatts, so I'm keeping those in mind as well. Compared to older Hiwatts they are much less expensive. And it just wouldn't be a Hiwatt if it didn't have Fane speakers in the cabs.

Thats right, a SC MKIII L100 is VERY close to a DR103 but even those are getting costly these days.

As far as the fanes go, IMO they are just as much a part of the HiWatt soudn as the HiWatt is! I love mine and couldn't see ever letting them go...

 

[newking70]

Re: New Hiwatt Amps. High Gain.

Do you think with the 50 watt head, Fane-loaded cab, and Gibson SG with P-90s, I could get close to the Live at Leeds tone? Pete Townshend's tone on that album is one of my favorites and if I could get something like it without buying a custom-made handwired Hiwatt that would really be something.

just get you a reeves amp