Differences between a 70 and 72 DR103?

[tomb11112]

Hi all,

Long time admirer of vintage Hiwatts, never owned one. Played through a '69 metal face once upon a time, but that was being used as a bass rig!
I'm currently on the hunt for an early 70's DR103.
There are two on my radar at the moment, both of which will require some work before they can be used.

One is a '70 and the second is from '72. I am really chasing the Gilmour tone from the amps, and I understand that his main DR103's are 72's.
The 72 I found is in worse condition and the '70, but the '70 currently has a leaking capacitor.

Are there any real differences between the two or do you think one will sound as good as the other once they've been given a once over and a re-cap?

Many thanks,

Tom

[mhuss]

Provided they both have all their original main parts (filter caps excluded), they should be very similar tone-wise.

--mark

[ak-47]

There may be a variation in the preamp / tonestack on the earlier one... weren't these a bit transitional till mid '70?

+1 for a once over and recap.. as Mark says, as long as the rest is original they should be great amps

[tomb11112]

Thank you Gents.

News will be posted should I manage to get one of these secured.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the "1970" in question is a very late 1970 if not an early 1971 (which I would hedge my bets towards).

It has the classic "DR" circuit that didn't change until 1976/1977.

The two amps in un-modded, original condition with fresh caps and the same tubes should sound nearly indistinguishable.

Good Luck and happy Hunting!

[tomb11112]

Ok, the ebay one I was watching is now out of what I would pay for one.

Still following one on another site that may have an opportunity on, but I think the seller will probably be watching this and might suddenly want more money...
Ah well, you win some, you lose some!

Thanks for your input and Clayton for answering my barrage of emails!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I would be after the 1970/71 if I was local to it!

You are welcome!