What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

JoeBelley

JoeBelley

New member
I' m searching for a good head and I'm looking for an HIWATT DR504 :saeek:
I read a lot of good comment on that specific model... but what do you think about SOUND CITY head compare to the HIWATT? I know that the SOUND CITY is the poor man's hiwatt. What do you think about that? :wink:
 
Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

well, i would think, except my ears are bleeding from how loud these things are heh, my Dr103 is a 2 input model, which means it has more gain faster, and it does get pretty overdriven if turned up

it is for sale by the way, just too much amp for me

Sound citys are good amps, they are loud and clean, but they arent really as textured as a hiwatt sounds, i guess thats why they are poor mans hiwatt

i played a sound city L120 or whatever the model number is
 
Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

The DR504 is one of the best clean amps around. Since it's not as loud as there other models, you can get some overdrive at a somewhat reasonable level (all Hiwatts are LOUD).

I've talked to a few amp techs and the nickname for Sound City is "Sound Sh*tty" because they love to break down and don't sound near as good as their Hiwatt counterparts. It was true at one point before Hiwatt was started, Pete Townshend did play one, but Hiwatt is a much superior company by far.

By the way, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam uses a Hiwatt DR504 exclusively. He uses it not only in the studio, but every gig live, so they are big road warriors.
 
Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

FWIW, the Hiwatt sound is 25% Partridge OT, 75% tone stack. The tone stack on these amps is different than the common Fender/Marshall, also called "Baxandal" (sp?) tone circuit.

Flank, how much for your Hiwatt ? Does it have the Drake or Partridge trannies ?
The Hiwatts with Drake are great amps too, they are just dirtier, not as clean/hifi. So am I right ? :)
 
Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

mine has the Drake ones i believe.......and yes, it can get pretty dirty, which could be your thing or it could not......idk, but the natural overdrive is so massive sound its sick!......

im askin $700 btw
 
Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

My opinion on Sound City is that their reputation is heavily based on the fact that Townshend played through them. It should be noted, however, that all of Townshend's SC's were modded by Reeves in the following ways:

Instrument inputs linked together and boosted by an additional 10db.
Middle and presence controls were rendered inactive at the factory, leaving bass and treble.
Two additional volume controls added to give increased gain and flexibility at both the pre- and post- gain stages.
Four 12AX7 preamp tubes and four EL34 power tubes.
Output stage boosted to deliver 120 watts R.M.S. into an 8 Ohm load.
Click to expand...

Source: http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/cp103.htm

I had a 76 DR-103 4-input; it's probably the ballsiest amp I will ever play in this world. It put my Marshalls to shame. I should never have sold it. :yell:
 
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Re: What do you think of HIWATT DR504 ???

Chants Hiwatt Hiwatt Hiwatt..lol through some good speakers it won't get better than a Hiwatt, and the Drake ones are more dirty and rude..but in that way that you cannot resist.....fat big overdrive..very ballsy.
Reminds me of old Plexi 100 watts tops...same muscle and tone in many respects.
The patridge ones are clearer sounding amps, just think of Gilmoure.
Plus they are built to ridiculous specs(great in my opinion)
They are last for ever, just had a go at an old 69 DR103 the other day....wow!
Plus I use a Dr201 myself and I love that amp!
 
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