Proud New '72 Hiwatt DR103 Owner (w/Photos)!

[zer0charisma]

Hello guys! I'm new to the forum but I'm glad that my first post is to share a recent addition to my humble little collection of amps. I found a '72 DR103 that pounded its way into my heart after about 5 minutes of playing a nice vintage Gibson SG Jr through it--one of those rare instances where I really connected with an amp immediately. Anyway, I'd mostly been a Marshall/Fender guy, and must admit I know hardly anything about Hiwatts at the moment. But I'm here to remedy that and hope to learn more about these glorious amps! Enough chatter--here are some photos:



























More detailed photos here:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v202/ ... ?start=all

The previous owner says everything is original except for the power cord. The cap cans are all original and I can't see any bulges or leaks. I put in some nice old preamp tubes: a Bugle Boy in V1, Brimar in V2, Mullard 4024 in V3, and Tungsram in V4. I'll have to find a nice quad of good EL34s but for now this current assortment will have to do.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

She's a beauty, Congrats!

[OldSchoolDave]

Very nice amp! Thanks for posting pics and welcome to the Vintage Hiwatt Forum!

I see the mains fuse holder has also been replaced. That's not uncommon in an amp that's had to work for a living.

Dave

[pet0r]

Nice amp! But at least two of the filter caps (the ones near the bias capacitor) are clearly bulging. I would replace them all, better safe than sorry

[reverberator]

very nice , in better condition than my '72 ... what's the serial number? mine is 2688.

[zer0charisma]

She's a beauty, Congrats!

Thanks, Doc!

Very nice amp! Thanks for posting pics and welcome to the Vintage Hiwatt Forum!

I see the mains fuse holder has also been replaced. That's not uncommon in an amp that's had to work for a living.

Dave

Wow, thanks Dave! I'm curious, how could you tell? You guys have some sharp eyes!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the H.T. fuse holder is original and the Mains Fuse holder would have been exactly like it.

It is still a nice amp! It would benefit from a cap job, but they all do after 15-20 odd years.

[OldSchoolDave]

I'm curious, how could you tell?

First hand experience. I had one very similar.

With mine, I don't know if the original cap got lost and someone decided to replace the whole assembly with a Fender-type fuse holder (more readily available in the U.S.) or if it broke.

So many things wound up at the bottom of truck beds or in dark parking lots and were lost forever (impedence plugs, fuse caps, drummers, etc. ).

Dave

[zer0charisma]

Ah, looking at the photos I see what you mean. That Mains fuse is definitely a replacement. It's fun learning this new stuff. I'm trying to learn schematics and layouts just to know what the heck you guys are talking about. I'm more of a player--not that much of a tinkerer. But I shall learn!

I kinda took a chance buying this amp. When the previous owner removed the chassis and I saw all those unbroken solder joints I was pretty pleased, to say the least. Anyhow, I just discovered http://hiwatt.org/ which has been a huge source of info that I will need to explore these next few days. I love how you Hiwatt guys are so organized. I even saw that the amp had previously been registered. By the way, reverberator my serial number is 2812.

As for the caps, I am planning an ordering a 16+32 re-cap kit from the VHR website...but the F&T 16uf + 32uf 500v Cans are still unavailable right? Are the ARS ones just as good?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

yep, just as good.

I have used them in almost all of my vintage Hylights and new builds.

[zer0charisma]

Thanks, Dr. Hiwatt! Off to spend some more $

[Dad3353]

...I'm more of a player--not that much of a tinkerer. But I shall learn!...

Good evening, zero, and welcome to the forum...
Just a word of warning here, perhaps (I hope...) superfluous. These (and most...) valve amps hold lethal high voltages. On no account should you attempt any work inside without being fully aware of the mortal dangers lurking. Amp unplugged from the mains, it's OK to change a fuse, or valves. Other than that, please take expert advice on potentially deadly tasks such as cap replacement. We would not want a death in the 'family', and it can, and does, happen. Do not 'tinker about' in there without adequate experience and precautions.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your amp...
(Sorry if I sound a bit 'wet blanket', but some are ignorant of these, to us, flagrant dangers...)

[zer0charisma]

Good evening, Dad! Thanks for the word of caution--I wouldn't dream of poking around in any amp with my sad, limited knowledge and experience in electronics. I was planning on ordering the few parts meeded and having my trusty amp tech do the work. Glad to have such caring, wise and experienced amp aficionados in my corner. Lovin' this place! I will be reading up as much as I can on all things Hiwatt.

...I'm more of a player--not that much of a tinkerer. But I shall learn!...

Good evening, zero, and welcome to the forum...
Just a word of warning here, perhaps (I hope...) superfluous. These (and most...) valve amps hold lethal high voltages. On no account should you attempt any work inside without being fully aware of the mortal dangers lurking. Amp unplugged from the mains, it's OK to change a fuse, or valves. Other than that, please take expert advice on potentially deadly tasks such as cap replacement. We would not want a death in the 'family', and it can, and does, happen. Do not 'tinker about' in there without adequate experience and precautions.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your amp...
(Sorry if I sound a bit 'wet blanket', but some are ignorant of these, to us, flagrant dangers...)