Hiwatt vs Marshall

[Marshmallow]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anyone tried these amps before and would like to know from your experience.

Hiwatt(maybe jimmy page) vs Marshall (jmp)

[griff]

Could probs say Page vs Gilmour?

[Polar Bear]

Page versus Townsend might be a truer representation, if you’re thinking classic tones.

A lot more savage, chest hurting clean volume and depth from a Hiwatt compared to a JMP. You’ve not known pure, painful volume until you’ve stood in front of a Hiwatt being given some beans.

[calling card]

My next imaginary amp adventure is to crank up a DR103 and experience what happens.

[robthemac]

Think there was a pretty original 1970s Hiwatt head sold on TradeMe last year. Tested at near 200W clean, from memory.

[GrantB]

Side note: If you want a HiWatt thing, with better flex around preamp drive, my previously owned ÷13 BTR23 will deliver, in spades. I see Conway has it for sale on TM for a good price. It truly roars.

[Dharmajester]

Big difference in feel and perceived volume. I've been in a band with both 100 Marshall and a 50 watt Hiwatt to choose from and went for the Marshall in every live situation. Even though the Marshall was rated at double the wattage it was easy to coax into it's sweet spot whereas the Hiwatt would just never get there until way too loud (and this was back in the days when everyone used quad cabs and 100 watts even in small venues ). They do however sound glorious once at the sweet spot but for me that was only ever in a studio setting. Polar Bear's description is very accurate.
The one on TM last year was an actual 200 watt head so beyond Powerstation capabilities and probably best suited to a bass player.

[Polar Bear]

My next imaginary amp adventure is to crank up a DR103 and experience what happens.

It will untie your balloon knot.

[wavesofffear]

I think the one on Trademe was a DR201? Those are KT88-based and, as noted above, probably best for bass.

Also consider that the Fane speakers are a big part of the "Hiwatt sound", as Celestion alnicos are to Voxs and greenbacks to Marshalls.

There are still good deals to be found on the 100W PA models, which are very similar to DR103s in terms of circuit. This one in Germany has been sitting for a while for example. Looks like it comes with a quad of Mullard XF2s too.

In general, I think the vintage prices are still at a point where it's worth buying a real one rather than building your own. Although matching the lead dress of Dave Reeves does sound like a fun challenge!

Mark Huss has a great site if you want to learn more: https://www.hiwatt.org/

[Danger Mouse]

My brother has lost a serious amount of his hearing due to gigging in the UK with a Hiwatt Custom 100. This was for a pub circuit band.

He did a gig at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, the sound engineer said he'd never heard stage volume like it before and he was Motorhead's sound engineer.

Sounded glorious once you got it really wound up and found it's sweet spot, but it was soooo loud when you got it there. Plus I found it one of those really reactive, touch-sensitive amps, it would pick up every single mistake or fluff.

[MrDINO]

If memory serves correct the 40W HiWatt had a beaut chime to it ( el84 ) - combo. The Marshalls JMPs and 800s were awesome too. I guess you can coax most things from a good amp but I found the HiWatt had a great clean platform which cut through the mix well.

[murky]

WHAT?

[higainer]

Marshall’s for filth.
Hiwatt for cleans/pedal platform.

[Marshmallow]

Thanks for the info guys, a reactive and touch sensitive amp is what I'm after. I'm sourcing for parts to build a 100w hiwatt amp. Will let you guys know how this goes. Been hearing a lot of good things about these amps. Probably gonna build another marshall later.

[calling card]

If I was looking at commissioning a build I'd get it done with 4x 6V6 power section and smaller iron. It'd still be loud.

I think that might be on the Trinity amps catalog, I'd have to follow that up to know for sure.