vintageHIWATTconvention.com

Dear all,

Recently I bought an old Hiwatt SA 212 combo, built in 1979.
The combo was equipped with two Fane speakers which are not the original ones as they are 8 ohm versions. I couldn't find any codes or numbers but have found a picture where you can see the same type.
Does anybody know what type of Fane can be seen on the picture and maybe also some specs like wattage etc.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Regards

Thomas

Please post the codes stamped on the frames of yours.

I was wondering why the picture looked familiar and then realized those are MINE . That was the auction pic, taken in April of 2007.

I don't know what amp they were originally fitted into. They definitely have a lower power handling capacity than what would have shipped with a HIWATT. But, they do sound very good. I've got them in an oversized 2x12 cab now and just have to watch how much power I drive them with.

Dave

Hi, Dave,

I have found these pictures in the WWW. My speakers do look the same. There aren't any codes on them - on one of them I can see 12505; that is all, no stickers, no other codes. There sound is ok, better than Celestion V30 (more treble response, more bass), but I cannot compare them to newer Fanes or other speakers.

Regards

Thomas

Thomas,

Mine bear the model number 12557 and date codes of 33/77. I don't have any cone codes on file and don't have time to open up the cabinet to check right now.

The oversized cabinet helps enhance the bass response. They do have a fair amount of "chime". I haven't driven them hard, for fear of blowing them. Their clean sound is pleasing. I should think you could approach a Gilmour-esque sound with them.

Dave

Dave,

I have two of them - unfortunately one of them is broken, but I hope to get it repaired. Maybe this evening I will put them into my Trace Elliot Custom Shop cab and will check how they sound in comparison to Celestion V30. My impression is, that they cannot handle the whole power of a SA212 and I still I look for a replacement here in Germany. Haven't decided yet but I guess it will be these:

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_in ... ts_id=1938

Thomas

Thomas,

I think they would be o.k. with the SA212 (at 50 watts). I would not run a 100 watter into a pair of those, though.

The Medusa looks interesting....and expensive. The frequency curve looks pretty good. I do wonder about the "pleasing sizzle on the top end" they mention in the description. When I read sizzle, I think of Celestion. I think of Fanes as being pretty clear on the top end. Maybe it's just a matter of symantics.

If you do purchase a pair, please let us know your findings.

Dave

I'm running my bottom cab with medusa 100's in it, I really like them. They have a little more breakup than the 150's, I've got two 150's and two AXA's in my 70's cab. Phil

Phil and Dave,

In the meantime I got one of my old speakers repaired and had the opportunity meanwhile to do a sound check. They do sound very, very good and I will keep them in my SA212.
As still being crazy about Hiwatt, I bought my fourth vintage Hiwatt last week - it is a SA 212 from 1976 and it has the old purple fanes (122231). I could compare these old Fanes to the ones from my first SA212 and I must admit that they not only sound different but that the ones with the smaller magnet seem to be a little bit louder - anyway both sound very Fane-ish and completely different from Celestions.

As for a Gilmour stereo rig it would be enough to use two SA212, therefore I now have made the decision to sell both of my DR 103...

Still I own an empty Trace Elliot 2x12 cab - I am not sure yet which speaker I will choose; maybe I will use that cab for my "prog-neoclassical-metal-rig" Beside Gilmour I love early Malmsteen stuff and of course Dream Theatre.

I hope to be able to send some pics of the SA212's, the fanes + pedal board and guitars during the weekend.

Regards

Thomas