Buying Guidance Please!

[mattoreg]

I was hoping someone could weigh in let me know there thoughts on buying a Hylight era Hiwatt either a 4 input DR504 or a 4 input DR103? I've looking and looking... I found a 72 DR103, one of the partridge transformers has been replaced along with two of the caps and then add a power cable rewire (pretty funky)... So with that said... How much would you say that's worth? A range? anything would be helpful. I'm going to check it out Friday hopefully, what else should I look for?

I'm finding that these bad boys are hard to get hold of. It seems if someone is lucky enough to have one, they 're keeping them.

Thanks!

[OldSchoolDave]

I found a 72 DR103, one of the partridge transformers has been replaced...

It's important to know which transformer has been replaced - and with what. The Power Transformer is less critical to the tone. The Output Transformer is very important. Pics - including the funky wiring - would help establish a value.

In my experience, DR504's tend to be in more demand than DR103's of the same era. But, things change with the markets. Can't go wrong with either one...or both !

Dave

[mattoreg]

I found a 72 DR103, one of the partridge transformers has been replaced...

It's important to know which transformer has been replaced - and with what. The Power Transformer is less critical to the tone. The Output Transformer is very important. Pics - including the funky wiring - would help establish a value.

In my experience, DR504's tend to be in more demand than DR103's of the same era. But, things change with the markets. Can't go wrong with either one...or both !

Dave

It's the power transformer, I don't know what it was replaced with. It was replaced 20 plus years ago. I don't know how to post pics, so I'm PM you and maybe I could email?

Honestly, I'd prefer to own a DR504 but I haven'y found one that I could get my hands on.

Thanks! Matt

[OldSchoolDave]

I don't know how to post pics, so I'm PM you and maybe I could email?

PM read and answered.

Honestly, I'd prefer to own a DR504 but I haven'y found one that I could get my hands on.

I hear ya. I was on about my third DR103 by the time a tasty DR504 came along (thanks to Dr.Hiwatt scouring the far reaches of the internet for me).

Dave

[OldSchoolDave]

Here are the pics Matt emailed:

DSC01162.JPG (156.61 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

DSC01157.JPG (59.76 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

DSC01155.JPG (59.48 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

DSC01151.JPG (60.43 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

I see a replaced PT - a Partridge, but not an exact replacement - and sloppy cable dressing throughout that section.

A replaced MAINS switch

A replaced signal cap (orange one, far right on the preamp turret)

Strange filter caps with only one terminal (how does that work?).

Looks to me as if it could be set right fairly easily. Anything I missed?

Dave

[Dad3353]

...Strange filter caps with only one terminal (how does that work?)...

Strange, indeed; those are axial caps, the upper terminal is wired through small holes drilled through the chassis. Clumsy, but workable. I would wonder if the caps are of sufficient voltage to hold up, though.
Looks like a good amp for restoration for playing, after thorough checking; price should reflect the somewhat unorthodox mods.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Dave, can you email me the pics so I can see them larger?

[mattoreg]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. If you want to throw out a value, that'd be cool. I know it'll have to be reworked a bit and has some funky thing going on... Just trying to get my facts and figures squared away before I go over to the guys house with a wad of cash.

Thanks,

[Dr.HI-TONE]

once I get a good look at her, I can give you a pretty darn accurate price range.

[OldSchoolDave]

Dave, can you email me the pics so I can see them larger?

Just sent them - but I didn't resize them before I posted, so I don't know if they'll be much better .

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the pics suck.
I can't get a lot out of them.

Have you played through the amp? Does it sound huge and powerful?

[mattoreg]

the pics suck.
I can't get a lot out of them.

Have you played through the amp? Does it sound huge and powerful?

Haven't played it yet. This weekend.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

if you love it, then maybe $1200 max.

I would want better pics first, but that's me

[mattoreg]

Welp, I checked it out. It sounded decent, it had some funky things going on, I made an offer, but he didn't want to sell it for my offer. I decided I'd hold out for a more complete Hiwatt.

How about this one? What should I offer? This one looks quite nice!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... TQ:US:1123

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the Buy It Now is a bargain. this time last year that amp would have brought $2200-$2500.