can someone tell me about the convention?

[jasperok]

Hi-
Just wondering about the hiwatt convention?? what is it how long is it running etc.
From the threads in the forum it sounds like a super meet!
Ireland to indiana though is not so easy though i am thinking about it!!
Only a beginner though in the world of amps/electgronice/tubes etc so i would probably be a walking question for the weekend!!
though i do know i love the hiwatt sound for sure.
anyone been, what did you get up to?

thanks

[Dr.HI-TONE]

The convention is a chance to get together with other people that are fanatics and users of vintage HIWATT amps.
We have Sessions or Activies that are hopefully interesting and educational.

Last year:
- HIWATT guru Mark Huss gave an informative lecture about bias and walked everyone through the signal path of a DR103. It was Cool!
- We had a cable shootout or "taste test". Featuring Instrument, speaker and power cables. Tony at Evidence Audio was kind enough to make me a dealer of EA cables so that we could ahve a Show special price.
- I performed a Cap job on one of Old School Dave's DR103s
- We had a speaker taste test comparing different cabs with the same amp, settings and guitar. And Guitarist, Thank You Hiwatt Bob!
- Bill Jansen from Reeves Amplification gave us a demonstration of his products

Several hours were spent with guys trying different effects pedals.

We Barbecue, play guitar, drink Beer, listen to music and Celebrate all things HIWATT.

Glynn Reeves shares stories of his father (Dave Reeves) and Hylight Electronics era HIWATT. ****Priceless****

I am working on the activities for this year. See the thread for "Hands On Activites"

We would love to have you here!

-Clayton

[Dr.HI-TONE]

It is a super meet!

The Convention is June 27, 28, 29 in Columbus Indiana.

The nearest Airport is Indianapolis

The next closest is Louisville KY.

There will be a house rhythm section for live entertainment, and the opportunity for everyone but me and Glynn to stand up and play. I only play if Glynn is playing!

[lp59pete]

The only bad thing about it is that it goes too fast, and everyone lives too far apart! It's a blast. I hope you can make it, 'cause I promise that Clayton and the guys will go out of their way to make you feel at home. They're good guys, and they know their stuff. I don't know squat, but I'll make some noise with you!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Phil is right that everyone there is very nice!

We had a good bunch!

[OldSchoolDave]

We had a good bunch!

Absolutely! There was a crazy amount of vintage gear around and more pedals than feet (visit the photo gallery for proof). Hiwatt Bob and I drove down with a Mighty Terraza-load of Hiwatt stuff. Unfortunately, neither of us has the time to drive from Minneapolis to Columbus this year so, unless it will fit in an overhead bin, it'll have to stay home .

Everyone was considerate (even Mike B.!) - it was a great atmosphere. C'mon over, if you can!

Dave

[jasperok]

It does sound like mighty fun!!
I would love to briing my bass and a few home brew pedals for the guitarists to muck around with too!
I'm not 'much' of a player but i love to play. i'd have to try real hard to bring something hiwatt in my 'carry on' luggage though (although i do have an idea!)
I have never been to America, would love to go allright, havent been on holiday in 5 or 6 years either between having children and house building mortgage paying etc!!!
my wife reckons i should definately go!! I'd almost feel guilty going away without the family as we dont get to go many places but she seems to think its a good idea more than me so i am definately looking into it.

There is an airport 1/2 anhour away which can get me into chicago direct ,
what do you guys reckon is the best trransport over there? i am guessing there must be a bus service allright , can someone tell me the name of a company so i can ceck their website for chicago to columbus possibilities ?
I WAS considering renting a car but have heard that its just so diferent over there i would be nervous on my own (which is a big dissapointment as i love cars, well old german cars and old american V8's)
thanks again!!

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Great! Hopefully you can make it!

You might be best to fly from Chicago to Indianapolis. it is a short flight, but will save you nearly 4 hours of time on the road.

Greyhound bus lines, is the only one that comes to mind, but I am sure that there are others. Hopefully someone will chime in with more options!!!

Maybe Buster will give you some insight as to the driving differences from the UK and the US?

I can email GPS coordinates and or directions to my house aka HIWATT Valley!

-Clayton

[mikhailwatt]

here is an airport 1/2 anhour away which can get me into chicago direct

A connecting flight from Chicago to Indianapolis would be the most convenient.

If nothing else works out, and you don't mind carpooling, I might be able to pick you up in either Chicago or Indianapolis... depending on the timing and available space, of course.

And you'd have to get used to being a passenger on the right side.

[jasperok]

miikhail thats a great offer!
i've been online all day looking for ticktets and i'm even considering driving again, even the unbearable automatic transmission!! (when in rome...)
i am thinking of coming over on the tuesday and maybe wednesday and thurday checking some places out, maybe catch a gig, take a photo or two,, after all i will be in the US for the first time.
not sure whether to go to Indianapolis for the 2 days or Chicago or just wherever i stop on the road, not too keen on cities really, prefer the smaller places.
gonna do some web trawling, toursit style....
thanks for the warm invitation folks!

[lp59pete]

There is a LOT to do in Chicago, but it is BIG!

[OldSchoolDave]

(which is a big dissapointment as i love cars, well old german cars and old american V8's)

I'm with you on that! In addition to my Hiwatts, I've got another classic toy:



I'll be flying into Indianapolis on Friday evening. If you'll be around the airport then, I could get you the rest of the way (returning Sunday evening).

Dave

[mikhailwatt]

There is a LOT to do in Chicago, but it is BIG!

For sure. I'll be in Chicago for a couple of days, heading to HIWATT Valley Thursday night, returning Sunday night.

[jasperok]

There is a LOT to do in Chicago, but it is BIG!

For sure. I'll be in Chicago for a couple of days, heading to HIWATT Valley Thursday night, returning Sunday night.

thats what i have decided to do -
arrive in Chicago Monday night and check it out until Thursday night.

It will also mean i can a)decide if i have the balls to drive over there when i arrive in stead of booking online now and
b) i can check out different hire centers in the hope of finding a half decent car for half decent money.

I just hope theres a gig on somewhere Tuesday or Wednesday night - not the most social nights i know but in a city that big there must be something happening!!

[lp59pete]

Oh, there's hundreds of things going on every night in Chicago. You'll find plenty to do.