First Post & First Hiwatt: 1972 DR-103

[Gamedojo]

Hello!

pulled the trigger on a good deal to be had on a '72 dr103 (whats funny, is the store said it was a '73, but the serial number, and tranny codes point to '72). I've been a marshall guy for years, but decided its time to experiment with some Hiwatt sound.

Unfortunately, I'm at work and the amp just arrived. So I have NOT even found out if she works. But the good news is the place I bought it said it was working, and since I have built amps from scratch, I should be able to get her working 100%.

One specific thing about this amp that's interesting is the Slave IN. I've only seen slave OUTS. Anyone ever seen this before? its original to the factory since the connections all have the red ink on them. I know its a slave in, and not out, because its got wires running and connected to the Master volume.

[jrsdws]

Like a hot chick in an ugly dress....still hot!!! Congrats!!!

[Gamedojo]

Like a hot chick in an ugly dress....still hot!!! Congrats!!!

Thanks;)... I'm in love. Never owned one, but she sounds really great!

I cracked her open at work to get a good look and didn't see anything too crazy. Some annoying things like too small physical size power cap and a low-quality mains switch replacement. Otherwise the inside was healthy looking.

The tubes, are a different story. The preamp's look good. Possibly original, but the output tubes are in a sad state. Looks like 2 possibly 3 different brand of El34. Two that look like they are possibly original, and 2 that actually say "Marshall EL34"...who knows where they came from!

Since Hiwatts have no bias settings, I assumed these tubes would either not work, or redplate as soon as I turned on the amp...
...but to my surprise, she sounded GREAT right away! I was so surprised, I quickly set all the controls to NOON, turned the bright volume up to about 3-4 oclock and made a recording to capture exactly what I heard the second I plugged it in.

http://tylergrund.com/mp3/HIWATT_4.4.12.mp3

I was rather surprised on how much breakup it had... I was also surprised how decent it sounded cranked up like that considering the condition of the power tubes. Now I don't know If I should even retube! Clip was done through a '74 Marshall cab with Celestion Creamback G12Ms. So no Fanes to be seen, but I don't see why folks say they don't sound good without Fanes. Though, of course, I'm now on the hunt for a Hiwatt cab to be sure!

[OldSchoolDave]

...but I don't see why folks say they don't sound good without Fanes.

Not sure that's exactly what's been said. Hiwatts excel when pumped through Fanes. It's the ideal match-up (like a plexi is to greenbacks). Doesn't mean they can't sound great with other speakers.

The Slave In was wired to a vacant hole in the chassis used for fixed Mains cables. That's better than having holes drilled. Not sure what happened at the Mains connector area, though .

Nice acquisition, in any case. Won't take long to make you a believer .

Dave