WEM Starfinder cab

[foster]

Hi everybody,

I'm new here and this is my first post.

I'm a studio player and I own several different amps, but a couple of months ago I was so lucky to buy a 1975 Hiwatt DR103 100W in almost mint conditions.

I've never played an Hiwatt before and I instantly felt in love with this amp, so now I'm thinking about a dedicated cab to record with..

I did some experiment with the different cabs I have in the studio, almost loaded with celestions and the only one that I liked it's a Custom Audio 4x12 loaded with 4 G12-65 heritage,

but I still feel it's not the perfect companion for my DR103.

Searching around I've founded the WEM Starfinder replica with Fane Crescendo's replica that this british seller sells http://www.musicground.com/product_details.aspx?pid=264

Anyone knows if it's something reliable? Anyone here has one?


Thx

Foster

[Zells]

I doubt that anyone on this forum would recommend a Music Ground product. The speakers in most or all MG cabs are built in China, and the MG 'Hiwatt'-labeled amps have a reputation for lackluster quality.

Where are you located?

In the USA, Jeff Swanson builds both WEM and Hiwatt replica cabs. He posts sometimes here under the handle 'spentmusic'. Weber Speakers makes a good clone of the Fane Crescendo 12A speakers. A couple of us VHC forum members, including me, have vintage Hiwatt cabs up for sale.

[foster]

Thank you for your feedbacks.

I'm in Italy. Does the guy you told me about have a website? Or an Email address where I can reach him and talk about a custom cab?

Thx

Foster

[Zells]

Here his Mr. Swanson's info:

Jeffrey Swanson
DST Engineering
http://www.dst-engineering.com
http://www.swansoncabinets.com

You can also send a message to him, 'spentmusic', here on the VHC board.


The FC12 speakers sold here are Fane Crescendo 12A clones. I recommend the ceramic magnet version, since Hiwatts don't agree with AlNiCos as well.
https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/

[OldSchoolDave]

but I still feel it's not the perfect companion for my DR103.

I am not an impartial observer, but a HI-TONE DR-F cab (or two) makes the perfect companion in my book .

Not sure if VHR can ship to Italy, though ?

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

we can do it!

[Zells]

Yeah, I like the HI-TONE DR-F speakers better than the FC12s...well better than any other speaker to go with a Hiwatt head. The DR-Fs are near clones of the Hiwatt Fane model 125161 speakers. They are a different beast from the FC12s and Crescendos though.

[foster]

Hi Guys,

thank you for all the info's.

I've understanded that there are two speaker options for this amp head : the Weber FC-12 and the HI-Tone DR-F, but being not able to try them, how can I understand wich one is better for

me?

Any clips of both to hear? And why you don't mention the actually FANE Crescendo's production? http://www.faneinternational.com/prod_d ... px?pid=188

Thx

Foster

[OldSchoolDave]

Any clips of both to hear?

Clips of DR-F's are here (with more to be added as available): http://www.vintagehiwattrestorations.co ... clips.html

And why you don't mention the actually FANE Crescendo's production?

Simply because there is so little first-hand experience with them - either the original, nearly impossible to find in working condition Crescendo A's or Fane's current reissues.

By all means, get what is best for your playing style and preference. You may have to travel in order to try different cabinets/speakers personally.

Dave

[Zells]

Any clips of both to hear? And why you don't mention the actually FANE Crescendo's production? http://www.faneinternational.com/prod_d ... px?pid=188

Thx

Foster

The Fane company had basically tanked back in 1989. The brand was purchased and re-grouped by a long time former employee in 2007. I didn't realize they were making Crescendos though. The frames look very different from the vintage Crescendos.

The FC12s (and vintage Crescendos from what I've read) are great for cleans or for dirt pedals into a clean amp, but not as pleasant as the vintage Hiwatt labeled Fanes and (DR-Fs for that matter) when the amp is cranked to break up. Your satisfaction with Crescendos or FC12s would likely depend on how you prefer to use your amp. The underdriven Crescendos were an important part of David Gilmour's tone.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

todays Cresendo is a PA speaker and is not the same speaker as the Crescendo from the 1970's.

[mikhailwatt]

The FC12s (and vintage Crescendos from what I've read) are great for cleans or for dirt pedals into a clean amp, but not as pleasant as the vintage Hiwatt labeled Fanes and (DR-Fs for that matter) when the amp is cranked to break up. Your satisfaction with Crescendos or FC12s would likely depend on how you prefer to use your amp. The underdriven Crescendos were an important part of David Gilmour's tone.

Nice explanation... I fall into the "cranked to breakup" camp and prefer vintage HIWATT/Fanes. Nothing like 'em with a nice hard-working Hylight head.

Didn't particularly care for the FC12 the one time I got to try a quad. The Thames I used to have were "ok," but much, much brighter than the real deal Fanes.

[Bryce]

That's disappointing to read, Mikhail. Weren't you the one who worked out with Ted (RIP) the custom order (magnet size, doping, etc) that he/you felt best mimicked a vintage FANE? I thought it was you - if not, sorry for the mistake. I was really looking forward to trying out those custom Thames, but...

[mikhailwatt]

That's disappointing to read, Mikhail. Weren't you the one who worked out with Ted (RIP) the custom order (magnet size, doping, etc) that he/you felt best mimicked a vintage FANE? I thought it was you - if not, sorry for the mistake. I was really looking forward to trying out those custom Thames, but...

Well, sort of. I just asked Ted (RIP) what he would do to get the closest to an old Fane... they were good sounding speakers in their own right, and had something of a Fane vibe. You could do a lot worse.

Mind you, all that business with the custom Thames took place before I was able to hear for myself (and start acquiring) the REAL DEAL.

[Zells]

todays Cresendo is a PA speaker and is not the same speaker as the Crescendo from the 1970's.

What was the purpose of the original Crescendo speaker? I know that they were not built specifically for Hiwatt rigs.

Nice explanation... I fall into the "cranked to breakup" camp and prefer vintage HIWATT/Fanes. Nothing like 'em with a nice hard-working Hylight head.

YES!! I like using pedals for some styles, but I agree. Nothing beats the tone of a guitar plugged directly into a cranked Hiwatt with the proper speakers.