vintageHIWATTconvention.com

It's '73, and has 2 cast frame Fanes and 2 Reeves purples. We're at "reasonable" band volume. How much do I have to worry about blowing the speakers?

Oh yeah, the head is '73 hiwatt 100 watt-

I would worry about blowing the Fanes.
you should really have two 4x12's with a DR103

or a 300w. cab

I do have another Hiwatt cab with some of off brand square back speakers- a '75. The speakers sound alright with bass but lack punch. Both speakers cabs together sound pretty good- I just don't like thinking about hauling 2 cabs to a show. I guess in the near future I'll try to find some newer 12 inch bass speakers to put in it. Any suggestions on a good choice of speaker?

moseb wrote:I guess in the near future I'll try to find some newer 12 inch bass speakers to put in it. Any suggestions on a good choice of speaker?

Eminence Deltas.

I'm not a bass player, but stuck two in a big Fender cab and they work well.

I've got a quad of nicely broken in 8 ohm Deltas, if you're interested (and located in the U.S.). Swapped them out for 16 ohm models in my high/mid packs.

I'd recommend them even if you don't want mine .

Dave

Well, I finally have some cash to either A) Buy a legit bass cab or B) Buy 4 12in. bass speakers and install them in my extra Hiwatt 4123 cab. I would like to hear more opinions on loading the 4x12 with bass speakers. From the the information I've gathered, about 50% think even if i put bass speakers in the cab, it is not designed for bass, the size is wrong, it's not ported correctly, won't have enough bass, etc. Others seem to have great success, and prefer them (particularly Marshall straight 4x12s with high wattage/bass speakers installed). I understand it's not going to have huge lows like an SVT or modern amps, but I'm not looking for that anyway. I'm playing a Rick 4001, melodic rock/country/americana type stuff along the lines of Tom Petty, Wilco, The Band. Channel volume around 1 o'clock, master on 11-1 o'clock. I saw Wilco a while back and John Stirratt was playing through an Orange head and 4x12, although I don't know if he had specialized speakers installed- sounded great. I'm looking for "sufficient" lows and little punch and hair if that makes any sense. I have tried my head through a few modern cabs and to me they sounded too clean and punchy- like playing through a PA. (not to mention the ugly colored cones, metal mesh grills and flouresent nameplates). A couple Ampegs sounded pretty good though. I would really like to have this work, as it would be great to have a matching halfstack on stage and put this cab to good use. I know it's gonna be a risk spending $400 or so on speakers and not knowing what it's gonna sound like, but I'm leaning towards giving it a shot.

OldSchoolDave- You mention Eminence Deltas. Do you know what ones specifically? Eminence Delta-12LFA 12" or the standard Eminence Delta 12 Speaker?

moseb wrote:OldSchoolDave- You mention Eminence Deltas. Do you know what ones specifically? Eminence Delta-12LFA 12" or the standard Eminence Delta 12 Speaker?

Sold mine since my last post. I have 3 dead ones remaining, if you want to get them reconed.

I recommend the Standard Delta 12's (A suffix indicates 8 ohm, B is 16 ohms). The LF's go a bit lower, but lose some top end. Don't see the LF's available in 16 ohm versions, either (only 8 or 4).

True, the Hiwatt 4x12 cab is not tuned. The vent in the back panel lets the cab breathe, rather than coupling at a certain frequency. FWIW, all Glenn Cornick wanted to play through at the Vintage Hiwatt Convention was a DR103 into a single 4x12. If you're seeking a classic rock sound, I think you should load up that empty Hiwatt.

Dave