how to identify a Dave Reeves wired amp V. a Harry Joyce

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I felt obligated to clear the air regarding Harry Joyce bringing "mil-spec" wiring to HIWATT. Dave Reeves was an exceptional technician and had fully mastered soldering and mil-spec wiring standards. Also a recent question arose regarding identifying a DR wired amp verses an HJ wired amp. I hope this helps!

Here is an example of an amp built by Dave Reeves in Mid 1970 before meeting HJ.

Note the wires soldered to turrets above the board. This facilitated building and servicing.




here is example from 1974. Wired in HJ's shop

[OldSchoolDave]

Great info, thanks!

Learn something new every day... .

Dave

[mikhailwatt]

Note the wires soldered to turrets above the board. This facilitated building and servicing.

I think that's actually more in line with true "mil-spec" than making the terminations under the board.

[JC103]

Very cool! I think I'll try the Dave Reeves method when I get around to building my clone.

[Alnico]

Interesting. My early '71 DR103 s/n 1489 has red dye on the joints and wires terminated under the board, so it must be among the earliest HJ amps?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

That is interesting! It would surely seem so.
I think HJ must have been brought in in late 1970.
If #1561 was sold and dated January 1971. Then #1489 was almost certainly wired in November-December 1970....???

[Alnico]

The latest date codes on the pots & caps are 7039, and if s/n 1561 is Jan '71 I suppose mine must be late '70. I'll have to change my sig!

It's one of the short run made with a Marshall type tone stack. I've seen two others around s/n 1500 with the same layout, but 1561 seems to have the normal tone circuit. Pics of 1489 are here: Amp Archives

What about s/n 727? Is that conceivably late '69, or definitely '70? That one's also on Amp Archives.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I think #727 is quite possibly a late 1969. it is certainly a late '69-early 1970.

Very Nice! 1489 is Lovely! Do you have a nice set of pics like that for #727?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I just confirmed that Harry Joyce Electronics did begin wiring amps for HIWATT in 1970.

Thanks Mary-C!

[lffish133]

What was the purpose of putting the ink spot on each connection anyway? I have always wondered that. I like the Dave Reeves method, it is easier to follow. I'll prolly wire my first clone that way.

[Alnico]

727 is also on Amp Archives, along with 14744 which I used to own. The Hiwatt section is a bit thin - only four amps and three of those submitted by me!

[Mike B.]

Super cool info and pics!

Mike

[OldSchoolDave]

What was the purpose of putting the ink spot on each connection anyway? I have always wondered that.

I think it was just a checklist type of thing. Did this, done with that, checked it, etc.. Or, perhaps it was to reveal any tampering after the chassis left the factory?

Buster??? What's the real story?

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I think Old School Dave has covered the bases pretty well. I wish I could narrow it down, but I can't. I speculate that the answer is "all of the above".

[lp59pete]

This would make a cool presentation this year doc!