experts??

[menace2u]

Ok guys,

There is a 50 watt unit on the Flea-Bay...............is this the one I go for?

By the way, My ebay user nick is copo68 in case you see my nick.....and hopefully not run up the bids....

I have been really busy since the Hiwatt convention, But would like to say again thanks to the good doc for putting on the gathering.

Tony McWilliams

[mikhailwatt]

The BIN might be a tad high for a PCB unit... Doc could tell you for sure. Definitely get some internal gut shots before pulling the trigger. It sounds like gldtp99 (member here) did the bias mod on that one. Maybe he knows a bit more about this particular unit.

There's one on the Vancouver craigslist: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/msg/742920053.html

[lffish133]

I would go for this one first, it seems to be all original and just popped up today: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0268811369. It'll probably go for between 1200 and 1500. I also was in contact with the guy selling the PCB amp out of Vancouver, he was willing to go down to 1200 for me on that amp plus shipping he seemed like an honest guy, I wanted a turret board amp tho, so I went for the 78 DR505 I just got instead (which sounds great btw!). I would watch that 79 that I posted the link to but it will probably go for more than 1200 because it has gut shots, it's older, and it's not a Canadian model as it still has the voltage selector switch. These amps usually sell for more than the Canadian importers or the DR505 or DR105. If you don't want to spend that much watch the PCB amp on the bay, it may not get bid on until the end as 1300ish is too much for a PCB amp. It would be a good price for $1000, the last PCB amp on the bay that I remember was BIN for 1100 and it sold at that price. You could also bid on that amp now and get rid of the BIN option altogether. Hope this sheds a little bit of insight

[OldSchoolDave]

I would go for this one first, it seems to be all original and just popped up today: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0268811369.

Good advice, IMHO. Either that or make an offer to the seller of the PCB DR504 that's less than the opening bid - once you get photos indicating the circuit hasn't been messed with. Right or wrong, the PCB amps don't command the same prices as the turret board ones.

Ebay obfuscates the bidder IDs nowadays, Tony. So, it's difficult to tell who's bidding against who .

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I have sold PCB HIWATTs on ebay for $1250-$1300 so the above statements are opinion and not well founded.

While it is true that the PCB amps do not command the prices of the turret board versions the PC boards that Dave Reeves used were incredibly rugged and they are great amps none the less.

I do like #13969. I have been considering snatching it myself, but Tony if you want it, then I will stay on the sidelines.

Don't buy without seeing pics of the circuitry! Buying without them is a big gamble. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get mucked up mess!

[OldSchoolDave]

I have sold PCB HIWATTs on ebay for $1250-$1300 so the above statements are opinion and not well founded.

Yes, but recently? My comments were framed by the current economic conditions. I've seen quite a few vintage auctions (Hiwatts and Marshalls alike) pass without bids lately.

Is an unmolested PCB Hiwatt a great amp? Absolutely! Will vintage amp prices rebound? I sincerely hope so. In the meantime, I'm keeping my eye out for bargains and trying not to overpay for anything.

Dave

[menace2u]

I meant to put the ePAY link in my post......Sorry for the confusion. Auction # (150268811369)

The unit that iffish 133 posted the link to is the one that strikes my fancy. To be clear, the NON pcb unit.

It does have the gut shots as the good Dr. told me to stick with if I want to ask opinions.

I am going to watch it for a couple of days, but the general consensus is in the 1100-1300 dollar range?

Hammer it out guys....is this one to own?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

The one that sold with the BIN at $1100 would have probably sold with a BIN at $1200.

The market may be soft for the summer, but vintage Hylight Electronics amps are not going to get any cheaper.

If you are looking to flip it and make some $$$ than the PCB HIWATTs are not for you. If you are looking for a great amp that you can use day in and day out and sell in a year or two for more than you paid for it. They are excellent.

#13969 should fetch over $1500. Anything under $1500 is an absolute steal for a turret board HYLIGHT!

[menace2u]

Ok.....As of 2:22 Indiana time I am the high bidder.

Let's see where this one goes.

[OldSchoolDave]

Let's see where this one goes.

Good luck! I'm sure you'd be very pleased with that amp.

Dave

[gldtp99]

It sounds like gldtp99 (member here) did the bias mod on that one. Maybe he knows a bit more about this particular unit.

Yes, i did the adj bias mod on this one---- i put a trim pot in series with the orig bias resistor---- also installed/biased the JJ E34L's------- i put in two nice USA pre tubes (V1 and PI, if i remember correctly)---- this amp had new filter caps installed before it came to me--- i can't remember if they're JJ's or F&T (i serviced two DR504's from this owner and many,many amps since)---- i'm also waiting for good internal gut shots to jog my memory on this amp.
I did the work months ago and i played this amp a few weeks ago at the owner's place ----- it's a great sounding DR504-----i'd happily play a show with it without shame.
As far as the auction itself ?...... I'll stay out of the debate over value of PCB Hiwatts, etc, etc.---- I've worked on the amp and the owner is a friend of mine. I recently bought a 4122 4x12 cab from him---- he's straight-up.....................gldtp99

[lffish133]

I apologize for my ignorance, just trying to help a fellow jump into the wonderful world of HIWATT like myself. Good luck on that DR504 menace2u!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I apologize for my ignorance, just trying to help a fellow jump into the wonderful world of HIWATT like myself. Good luck on that DR504 menace2u!

Don't sweat it!

Dave Reeves made the switch to PC board construction. But don't confuse Late Hylights with PCB amps of today. Reeves' PC boards were damn near bullet proof! They may not get the nostalgic emotional attraction that the turret board amps get, but they are still excellent amps and bargains for the money!

[colsvik]

That turret board 50 watter went for over $1500. I was bidding on it as well, but my account here hadn't been activated yet so I couldn't post in this thread. I was hoping to get back into the Hiwatt game for around $1200-$1300, but is that even possible anymore? Are 50watters typically more because of rarity or do they generally go for the same as 100watters given similar condition?

[OldSchoolDave]

I was hoping to get back into the Hiwatt game for around $1200-$1300, but is that even possible anymore? Are 50watters typically more because of rarity or do they generally go for the same as 100watters given similar condition?

The 50 watters generally do sell for more than the 100 watters and 4 input models for more than the 2 holers. There was a nice PCB model, referenced in this thread, that came and went without a $1000 opening bid. Other than that, I haven't seen one in your price range lately. Under $1600 was good deal, IMHO.

Dave