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Howdy All,

I'm looking at the possibility of buying a 1975 all original 50 watt 4 holer and would like to know what I should pay for it. The asking price is $1500. Aside from the price, one thing that is confusing me is that the normal channel is loud but the bright channel is very bright with much less volume than the normal channel. The amp tech at the store told me that the preamp component values didn't match the standard hiwatt schematic . There was an AT7 preamp tube in there as well . He suggested that it could of been have been a custom order. I'm a little nervous about it, but I am tempted at the possibility as well. I going to borrow this amp to take a closer look at it and take some high res pictures. All the components are original with original solder joints with the red marks on top.

The question is: did hiwatt make custom orders?? and why on earth would anyone want a bright channel super bright with less volume?? Would it be to patch them together?? I will try to get pictures by the weekend I hope.

$1500 is a steal is the amp is in decent condition!
there should be an AT7 in the PI spot
I would check the 12AX7 in V1 to see is half of it is failing. This could explain the weakness of the Brill channel

If you don't buy it, give me the info and I will!

there was always the option for custom work with Hylight Electronics. take some good gut shots and post them here! We will figure out what is going on with that amp!

Dr.HIWATT wrote: I would check the 12AX7 in V1 to see is half of it is failing. This could explain the weakness of the Brill channel

As would having the 12AT7 in the wrong socket (I once received an amp that way).

To clusterstudios: The 12AT7 / ECC81 should be in the middle of the group of 3 preamp tubes. Beyond that, check the condition of the others. The condition you're describing is not normal, nor would I imagine anyone would order an amp that way.

Dave

OldSchoolDave wrote:

Dr.HIWATT wrote: I would check the 12AX7 in V1 to see is half of it is failing. This could explain the weakness of the Brill channel

As would having the 12AT7 in the wrong socket (I once received an amp that way).

To clusterstudios: The 12AT7 / ECC81 should be in the middle of the group of 3 preamp tubes. Beyond that, check the condition of the others. The condition you're describing is not normal, nor would I imagine anyone would order an amp that way.

Dave

Right! this is a possibility. Pics will tell all!

The amp is with the tech and he will in on Wednesday. I'll try to get it then and post the some pictures. Thanks for the encouragement Dr. Hiwatt.

Howdy,

Got the amp (serial # 8461) today and took some pictures of the guts. Condition is clean but she is not a virgin. Someone has mucked about (nothing serious). Filter caps replaced. 10 uF bypass cap added in parallel (for gain I guess??) in the 1st stage. Here is the link to the pictures on my site. http://www.clusterstudios.com/amps/hiwa ... att50.html Let me know what you think of it. I can have it for $1500 and after playing it tonight (sounds amazing), I can't help but want to add it to my collection. I guess I'll keep it. Please feel free to use/share the pictures for reference.

Joseph

Great Hiwatt porn!

It looks like someone tried a gain mod, didn't like it and took it out again (odd bits around V2).

The boxy ends on the PT are odd.

Nice piece!

--mark

Nice amp!

there is nothing there that can't be undone and put back to stock.

$1500 is a bargain! Congrats!

The Doctor speaks the truth. Nice amplifier with "extra added shielding"...It's surely worth the money.

Good luck with it.

Hiwatts Rule!! I've had a lot of amps in my collection and nothing, I repeat, nothing is as loud or as sweet as my Custom 100. Two JP100s being built as I write, for which I will need cabs. Once I have some decent recording gear I will post clips.

clusterstudios wrote:Hiwatts Rule!! I've had a lot of amps in my collection and nothing, I repeat, nothing is as loud or as sweet as my Custom 100. Two JP100s being built as I write, for which I will need cabs. Once I have some decent recording gear I will post clips.

Clusterstudios ! Are you saying that your 100 watt is sweeter then your 50 watt ?

Thank's!.....................Louis

50 watter is not as loud as the 100watt and it breaks up a little sooner. that's the difference in a nutshell. if you want it loud, go for 100watts. otherwise a 50watter is more than enough.

.

GigawattCustom121 wrote:Nice hoard of British amps!

What's up with that random hardwired fuse It's soldered to the outside of a fuse holder, and in-line nonetheless . Unless I'm missing something, that mod is redundant. I'd take that one out. You don't want to have to remove the chassis and break out the soldering iron just to replace a fuse. Not a biggie though.

Congrats on your new score.

I had a look at it and it seems like it's an extra fuse in parallel with the power fuse (just in case ). I don't think it hurts but next time I might just yank it.