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Good morning everyone, I am new to this forum so I want to say hello. I have a line on a '71 DR-103 and I wanted some opinions. It is missing the data plate and the power cord was once hard wired but converted back to the Bulgin connector. Any help would be appreciated.

Looks dusty . That's about all the help I can provide. Nice looking amp though, good luck! An expert will chime in soon enough and give you the low-down.

that amp has been on ebay a couple of times.

it is overpriced for its condition.

replaced mains indicator, power valve bases, and Missing the serial tag plate. I wouldn't give much for it unless I was really desperate. There are much nicer ones out there for that kind of $$$$$

if it had the serial number tag plate, it would bring in the ballpark of $1600.00 on ebay.

It is a "player" if you are looking for a "road warrior" that you can take on the road and abuse, then this is the amp for you.

hope that helps!

-Clayton

While not desperate, I have been looking for a good DR103 for a while and most of the clean ones I have seen are going for well over 2,500, so I am beginning to become disheartened. I am not a collector, as such, but a player, I do enjoy the old ones though and have owned several over my years. I currently have a close to mint Biacrown DR504 and would like a nice Hylight DR103 to keep it company. The seller wants 1800 for it, the cheapest I have seen. I am conflicted to say the least.

It probably sounds good. There is a reason that it hasn't sold yet.....

If you ever tried to sell it you would be stuck with an amp with no serial # and several not original components.

Really nice ones will keep increasing in price/value. The days of an $1800.00 mint condition Vintage HIWATT are over. There may be "lucky finds" here and there, but they are the exception.

I would encourage you to be patient and keep saving your spare change.

There are good ones out there!

DR. Hiwatt, I appreciate your advice. Thanks very much.

If you're looking for a good "player" the later 2-input Hylights can sound really good and usually go for a bit less. I'm really happy with my 1980 DR504 (PCB) after performing a couple of simple (and easily reversible) mods/de-mods. It sounds very much like an older 4-input, with perhaps just a touch more gain. FWIW.

I was actually going to have that done to my Biacrown DR504, it has the OL preamp, thought I would have that removed to have it respond more like the 4 holers. I was even thinking of replacing the Drake trannies with the Heyboers to widen the frequency response and get it even more in the ballpark. I wanted the DR103 for the clean headroom, plus I really love the turret board construction, a thing of real beauty! My plan is to run my rig like Steve Hackett used to, straight guitar sound to the 50w and my effects through the 100w. Collectability is a secondary concern over playability, so while this 103 is missing the serial number plate, It has the Partidges, and a majority of the original parts; I am sure it sounds or can be made to sound wonderful, I will have to see if I can talk him down a bit more from the 1800 bucks.

Jobeans,
I don't intend to sound overly negative regarding the road warrior DR103.
I am sure it probably sounds good..........even better with some better tubes!

$1800 means more to some folks than others. If you really want it and can afford it then by all means Get It!

I just would hate to see someone buy it based on the sellers description of "Excellent Condition" only fo find out that it will never be more than a player.

But I have some road warriors too!

Dr.HIWATT wrote:It probably sounds good. There is a reason that it hasn't sold yet.....

Dr. HIWATT,
That quote kept ringing through my head, and you are 100% correct. I have decided to pass. Thank you and everyone else for your cooler heads and wise counsel.
Much appreciated.