Please help to identify these vintage Fanes/Hiwatt speakers

Goldtop · Post by **Goldtop** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:49 pm

Hello... I just bought a bunch of speakers from a guy locally and these four Hiwatt speakers were included. I know very little about Hiwatt/Fane speakers. I assume that these are '71 and '72? All four speakers are marked 50W and all four have the same cones marked WHF1005. Im going to guess those are Wharfdale recones or are they maybe original? The two speakers WITH the Hiwatt logos have push button posts and are marked model: 122142.... The two speakers WITHOUT the Hiwatt logo have screw wire posts and are marked model: 122231.... are these two speakers without the logo missing their back covers or are they supposed to look like that?.... All four sound great....

Sorry if the pictures are very big... Thanks for any help

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Dr.HI-TONE · Post by **Dr.HI-TONE** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:02 pm

Hi!
Welcome to the home for all things Vintage HIWATT!

The push buttons have been added later, but you have two speakers from an SE4122 cab (the 122142's) and two speakers from an SE4123 or an SA212 (the 122231's)

It looks like the 122142's may be reconed, as they have definitely had some sort of repair with the push buttons and un original stickers blocking the original spec. sitcker.

The 122231's are missing the magnet cover. They were known for coming unglued. some of mine are still on, some are off.

after looking again at both of them I am 99% sure that both have been reconed.

how do they sound?

are there any white numbers on the cone itself?

Goldtop · Post by **Goldtop** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:53 pm

The cones on all four speakers have white codes printed on them that say WHF1005.... From past experience I know WHF usually means Wharfdale and they made recone kits.... If they ARE recones and considering that they perform without any problems, can you tell me what the approximate value might be?.... Thanks...

Dr.HI-TONE · Post by **Dr.HI-TONE** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:57 pm

yes they are recones then.

Value? Maybe as much as $100 each.

Are you just looking to sell them or use them yourself?

Goldtop · Post by **Goldtop** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:57 pm

Oh and I forgot to ask.... so whats the difference between the SE4122 and SE4123 cabs? Just the year they were made? They are both 12" speakers and rated at 50w.... Is there a sound difference?

Dr.HI-TONE · Post by **Dr.HI-TONE** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:02 pm

The SE4122 was designed for bass and guitar. The speakers have a heavier magnet hence the 17,000 gauss rating. These have a little more ooomph!

The SE4123 was more for lead guitar. The 122231's only have 14,000 gauss magnets and not quite the bass.

Both are great!

Both SE4122 and SE4123 were made from 1970-1981 by Hylight Electronics. Possibly even as early as mid-late 1968.

Goldtop · Post by **Goldtop** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:06 pm

Just saw your post about the value.... to be honest, Ive always been a Marshall/Celestion guy so Im not sure if I'll like these or have a need for them. I'll probably throw them up on Ebay and see what happens. But actually I do have five of them. I have one more with the Hiwatt logo and 142 code on it. So I'll probably keep at least that one and try it one of my combos for kicks.... I played these speakers briefly at low volume to make sure they worked fine but I havent cranked them. I guess for kicks I should give them a good run through with my old plexi, I dont want to regret selling them, if I like them! THanks for the info!

Dr.HI-TONE · Post by **Dr.HI-TONE** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:09 pm

You might get some body with more $$$ than sense and do better than what I guessed?

Good Luck!

Maybe you will fall in love with them? What amp are you using with them?

Post by **OldSchoolDave** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:15 am

Dr.HIWATT wrote:Both are great!

Indeed, they are!

Goldtop, to elaborate on Clayton's excellent info, the original terminals on those speakers would have been simple solder lugs, mounted outboard of the frame. Here's a closeup of one of my Sound City cast frame Fanes from the same era:

The spring-loaded ones are definitely mods. While your Fanes may have been reconed, they look to have used appropriate kits. Still, that will effect resale value.

Bring them up to power gradually, listening for any voicecoil rub. Seems like old Fanes are more susceptible to that than other speakers. If you're hearing nice clean low notes, turn 'em up. Fanes won't break up like most Celestions and, in my opinion, are best when powered by Hiwatt (obviously) or Vox amps.

Let us know what you think once you've worked with them a bit.

oh, and WELCOME

!

Dave

JR · Post by JR » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:25 pm

Excellent score.

Dr.HI-TONE · Post by **Dr.HI-TONE** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:26 pm

they are on ebay today