Hiwatt 4x12 SE4122

[bikehomero]

Hello,

I've got offered a 1973 cabinet in more or less poor condition. Numberplate is missing. Speakers are cast FANE 122142. Don't know the difference to the newer built pressed baskets (with the same code). Maybe anyone can explain the differnce? I'd like to use it with my 1977 Custom Hiwatt 50. I'm wondering about a fair price to pay for. € 600,00 (ca. US$ 800,00) is suggested from the vendor. What would be your evaluation?

Thank you in andvance!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

if it sounds good, it is a bargain at $800. Those speakers sell for $225-$300 each on ebay assuming they have not been reconed.

[bikehomero]

Thank you! I'll see and hear it within the next two weeks and so i will pay attention to the cones. The contition of the cover don't bother me, but the grillcloth looks awfull. Do you have expeiences or recommendations how to clean the grillcloth?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

you can't clean it. it is actually made of paper fibers. it can get damp, but if it gets too wet, it will disintegrate.

[bikehomero]

OK, is it the same paperbased like here offered from TAD?

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Co ... l_cloth_54

TAD is only one hour from my home

[Dr.HI-TONE]

it looks right.
regrilling them is a big job. be sure to line the black and white in the proper HIWATT orientation.

[bikehomero]

Great, thank you! I think this will be possible. I'll see how the original was fixed. The optics of the grillcloth was my main problem with this cabinet. Do you know anything about the difference in sound between the cast 122142 and the newer ones? Tecnical they seem to be equal: 17000 Gauss, 50Watt, 15 Ohm.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I don't remember hearing them in a side by side comparison, but it could have happened. I have had lots of HIWATT cabs, and during the convention there have been lots more.

I don't think there is a big difference, but Fane did switch from pulsonic cones (late 1960's-mid 1970's) to Kurt Mueller cones somewhere in or around 1977. So they will not sound exactly the same either.

The stamped or pressed steel frame 122142 are less common than the cast magnesium frames, but the pressed frames seem to bring on average $100 less per speaker than the cast version.

[bikehomero]

OK, so everything seems to be very well with this cab. Thank you!

[bikehomero]

Hello,

yesterday i've visited the guy with this cabinet and finaly bought it for € 500,00. As there is not everything well with the cabinet and it will need some work. Speakers are from 47/72, 13/73, 16/73 all cast and one from 13/74 a pressed one. All are stamped 122142. So i will be able fo find out the differnce between cast magnesium and pressed type in the future The one from 72 don't have the 'Make in England' and the casting looks little diferent. This one also is damaged at the cone. I've starthed to diccect it and will inform you about the steps to follow. Here are the first fotos.

Best regards

Jürgen

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Hopefully it sounds great!

[OldSchoolDave]

If that's the extent of the cone damage, you should be able to salvage it. I, personally, prefer to use rubber cement, carefully applied in thin laters on tears near the surround.

Do all the cones have codes stamped on them? If so, please post them.

Dave

[bikehomero]

OK, they all have codes. As far as i remember the newer one was 001 003 and the cast ones all started with 12. I will check and post them all.

[bikehomero]

Just checked the codes of the cones: All Cast ones have 10 21/15, the pressed one 010 003.

[OldSchoolDave]

Seem like original codes to me - congrats!

Dave