Pricing vintage Hiwatt amps

[Gery Hatrix]

Is there a resource/website to get an idea on the resale value of specific Hiwatt equipment?

I have an early 80s Biacrown era DR103S head and a mid 70's 4122 cabinet with basket weave salt and pepper grill/Fane speakers and am looking to sell both.

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[OldSchoolDave]

Is there a resource/website to get an idea on the resale value of specific Hiwatt equipment?

Well, this is about as appropriate as it gets . I've taken the liberty of moving your post to the "For Sale / Trade / Wanted" section, since most people who inquire about value are either intending to buy or sell something.

Value can fluctuate a lot based on the inner workings of both a head and a speaker cabinet. I'd recommend you open them up and take some detailed pics (use your camera's MACRO setting), post 'em here and you'll get more feedback.

Your location is also going to be a factor in value. In what part of the planet do you reside?

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

this is the site.
Sadly that amp was worth $500 more 18-24 months ago than today. I hope we have reached the bottom of the slump!

The SE4122 is worth more than the amp if the speakers are untouched with original cones.

Post some pics of the SE4122 serial tag and internals with the back removed. Try to get a pic with the model number and date codes.

[Zells]

Prices vary a lot depending on location, condition, modifications or lack thereof, who's looking to buy at the time, tubes in the amp, speaker model in the cab, economy, seller's willingness to wait, shipping options, etc.

As Dave and Dr. H said, detailed photos especially on the inside of both the amp and cab would be very helpful for buyers to decide what they're willing to pay.

I've seen Biacrown amp heads sell roughly in the $600 to $1100 range and early 70's original SE4122 cabs sell for $900 to $1800. All of the original SE4122 cabs I've seen had Hiwatt Fane model 122142 speakers (either cast or stamped frame) loaded in them.

[louis]

I've had a very nice 1981 DR 103 with Partridges ,not even a scuff ,it was up for sale here and on a couple of other places,
It started at $1400 ,then dropped at $1300 ,then $1200 and gone for $1100 after a few months.Very sad !

Economy is still slow but hopefuly will pickup soon !!

Louis

[Gery Hatrix]

Thanks for all of your quick replies. As soon as I can get to taking the cabinets apart, I'll take pix and post.
Here's what I know of the equipment now:

Amp head- DR103S (the "S" suffix means something- possibly added gain from the basic DR103 design?) is in wonderful condition, Tubes are not original. I believe it has Partridge Xformers.I've had this amp since the mid 80s and have not used it much.

Cabinet - should be original Fanes. Again, this piece is in wonderful condition as it hasn't been used very much. I've had this cabinet since the later 70s.

I reside in central New Jersey, USA.

I also have a 50 watt SA212 without reverb which I bought brand new in 1975 for about $500.00 (pix attached). This one is never leaving me!! Pix of this one are also posted on the old Hiwatt Story site - http://dcsbulldog.tripod.com/index-28.html.

[OldSchoolDave]

Nice looking SA212! Mine's taken a few more bumps and bruises.

RE: Biacrown

In the Hylight era, the "S" denoted a "Switched" model (see a very recent thread in the Hylight section). Not sure if that carried through into Biacrowns. Also, most Biacrowns used Drake transformers. Only the early models, which were still utilizing existing parts inventories, had Partridges. Again, pics would be of great help there.

RE: Cab

Sounds like this might be the more desireable piece. Pics of the frame and cone stamps will be critical to establishing value.

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the pics that came to info@vintagehiwattconvention.com show Drake Transformers.
the "S" was probably a typo, although good internal pics may show something else.

[Gery Hatrix]

Thanks! The SA212 is great. I bought it as a small "light" practice amp or for small club use as an alternative to the 1972 100watt Marshall Super Lead stack I had (which turned into all Hiwatt gear down the road)
I wasn't able to tear the guts out of the amp or cab yet but I got a few more pics to attach.

[ak-47]

the pics that came to info@vintagehiwattconvention.com show Drake Transformers.
the "S" was probably a typo, although good internal pics may show something else.

Just a thought... but could the 'S' refer to the slave out?

Nice looking Carlsbro by the way. They are great sounding amps.. quite loud too. How do you like it?

[louis]

Talk about huge pictures!!! Had to back up my chair 10 feet away from the screen !!!

Looks like you have Drakes transformers ,

but better ask the inboard experts!!


Louis

[mhuss]

That looks like a typical Biacrown, Drakes, IEC mains, probably PCBs inside. Whatever one might think about Biacrown the company, they're still nice amps.

--mark

[Gery Hatrix]

the pics that came to info@vintagehiwattconvention.com show Drake Transformers.
the "S" was probably a typo, although good internal pics may show something else.

Just a thought... but could the 'S' refer to the slave out?

Nice looking Carlsbro by the way. They are great sounding amps.. quite loud too. How do you like it?

I love the Carlsbro. very rare here. I bought it in 1978 used from a repair shop. It's early 70s. I believe it's a 100TC 100watt model. It's been used a lot more than the Hiwatt over the years. Great Bill Nelson tone (which is why I bought it)!
Did a master vol. mod on it and the SA212 years ago.

[Gery Hatrix]

Talk about huge pictures!!! Had to back up my chair 10 feet away from the screen !!!

Looks like you have Drakes transformers ,

but better ask the inboard experts!!


Louis

Yes, I see that too. Don't know why that happened with the pix. I probably caused that somehow but I just chose the JPG files and attached them as would be the usual method.

Big difference between the Partridge and Drake units?

[OldSchoolDave]

Big difference between the Partridge and Drake units?

Yeah, sort of is. Both are quality kits.

The Partridge have more headroom which, to many of us, helps create "THE" Hiwatt sound. The Drakes are reflective of the "more gain / squash" zeitgeist of the early 80's.

Dave