Hiwatt SE4122 #1256

[durike]

Hi guys,
here's my new hiwatt - vintage 4x12 box, according to serial made in 1970. I bought it on ebay from UK for ~400 EUR + 75 EUR courier. It arrived yesterday, I played on it only through my home practise amp - '62 ampeg portaflex, and so far I like it
All speakers look the same kind, but there is no serial number on them (3rd photo). What can you say about them? Can I assume they are original (or at least from the same era)?
The cab is rated 100W (although each speaker is 50W), I assume it cannot handle DR201, but will it handle DR103?
Here are some photos:

[OldSchoolDave]

Congrats on the new acquisition!

To answer your last question first, Dave Reeves rated the cabinets conservatively. That said, I typically reduce power ratings for vintage speakers. They are, after all, motors - and motors do eventually wear out . Also, bass guitar is more demanding than lead.

I would feel comfortable running that cab with a DR103 head, but not alone with a DR201.

Now, on to the speakers. They're period-correct and the proper gauss rating for the cab. But, they don't bear the HIWATT label or model number (122142 for an SE4122 cab). The wiring harness looks correct. Not sure what to make of that. An inventory shortage at the time? Or, replaced with reasonable facsimiles later?

Perhaps Dr.Hiwatt has some insight on this ?

Dave

[durike]

I plan to use it only in practise room/studio, not on gigs. For that purpose, DR103 is loud enough. I wonder its rated only 100W, all 4122's I've seen were rated 150W.
The speakers looks very clean, I haven't seen any tears or rips on the cones from the back. But the cab looks like it had a rough life Here is photo of its back (from ebay page, in fact all screws are there):

[durike]

I took a closer look on the speakers, my modest guess is that they are not original (according to their mounting and soldering). On one speaker cone I found code "008".
Another thing, I measured whole cab resistance, it's around 9 ohms. Is it correct for 16 ohm cab..? I've measured ~3.5 ohms resistance on 4 ohms impedance cabs and ~7 ohms on 8 ohms impedance, so I would expect ~14 ohms in this case (or a bit lower, as the speakers are 15 ohms).

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I think they are the original speakers. That is a very early HIWATT cab.
The wiring looks original as well.
9-10ohms with a Digital Multi Meter is normal for one of these.

Congrats!

[durike]

Yes, now I believe they are original. I've seen that two old cabs on ebay (discussed here) and they both have the same speakers (fane labelled instead of hiwatt).
Anyway, the cab sounds fantastic, very "woody" and "warm"!

[shakti]

That is a fantastic score for the price, even though the cab has seen some use. Has the grille cloth been painted, or does it look like it has been replaced?

[shakti]

I would also wager that the speakers are original...the cab has kind of a transitional appearance between the earlier Sound City-style with thinner fronts and more square corners and smoother tolex, and the more traditional Hiwatt style with vynide covering and rounded front edges. It does have a ported back which is more in line with the later cabs.

Can you tell me if the speakers have doping on the surrounds?

[durike]

the grill cloth looks original to me, but this is the first old hiwatt cab I have seen, I might be wrong.

Can you tell me if the speakers have doping on the surrounds?

I don't fully understand, please clarify

[shakti]

If you remove or lift one speaker, inspect the area of the cone right where it attaches to the basket (outer circumference). A photo would be great. Does it have any shiny black "goop" on the edge?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

dope is a shiny/glossy strip 2-3cm wide around the perimeter of the cone.