I just realised,I must be the only Double Bassist in the world that uses,(and has done for 20 years),a Hiwatt DR103 (1974) for my d bass. I can only find guitarists using them!
That amp has been a workhorse without anything going wrong with it and produces wonderful bass tones. If you are thinking of buying one,believe me,you won't regret it,it'll last a lifetime.
@WorldsJungleGym This is true. Of course, notes are not music, either. Neither are chords. Percussion is right out. Nothing is music, except for music itself--its component parts, be they singing harp strings or wailing guitar feedback, are just noise. It's all rather zen.
Be nice to the poor guy! He's only trying to give us a chance to hear the amp. Although with a Hiwatt- you really need to open up the master volume a bit more to really hear what it does. Especially through a 4x12 cab. The master is barely above 1.5.
i just dont understand it. but, for the price of it, i would expect much more than it seems its capible of, where 4 bills can buy 2 marshall JCM 800's and kick sound more than this head ever could. just decieved by HIwatt, entirely.
It allows to put any kind of effects pedal... Have a listen to the who playing won't get fooled again at shepperton '78, no pedals there, just a les paul deluxe, a hiwatt turned LOUD and a guy with balls to crank it. Unlike here.
@shredmetalmike lol he just annoys me. I have watched quite a few of his reviews. He knows his stuff and in fairness this is one of his better reviews. They always sound shite at guitar world, be it by poor mic positioning or his terrible tone. He dresses like a member of Greenday and so i can't take him seriously, it like tom hanks in the movie big. Im pretty sure you have to stuggle to make that amp sound bad.
Bit curious about the David Gilmour mention, while he uses the HiWatt head, he uses WEM cabs (during the last 2 floyd tours, he also used Marshall cabs in conjunction with the WEM)
@Coylee91 The wems were loaded with Fane crescendos and built very much like the Hylight cabs of the day. The addition of the Marshall cab for the on an island tour was something new.
Mine is so loud if play on 10 with the Master all the way dowwn its still really loud .The best way to go is with an attenuator.But my hiwatt is a custom 200 to.
@JIMMYJIBLETS actually if you like your pedals the DR103 is the perfect amp.
In order to get a crunchy tone you'd have to crank the master, but average Joes like would get killed by the neighbourhood. I mean, I have one of these and they can level cities no joke.
Hey, David Gilmour used it with lots of pedals, and the result wasn't that bad.
@toobtyme Mine is so loud if play on 10 with the Master all the way dowwn its still really loud .The best way to go is with an attenuator.But my hiwatt is a custom 200 to.
what you have to know is that the " modern" hiwatts have nothing to do with the old ones from the 70's, like vox and it's AC 30 it's NOT what you would have with a 60's ac 30
@mouloudo You're wrong. Thats true with some things like Marshall reissues that use PCB or shitty transformers but Hiwatts are made, and sound exactly how they were back in the day. The customs that it.
Id advise to stay away from any UK made Hiwatt. They are built owned by Musicground who are the biggest bunch or rip off merchants you'd ever deal with. Do some internet reasearch on Music Ground's reputation before parting with your cash.
ok...great power...big...awesome clean sound...awesome and easy tu use...useful...superpowerful!! but... no boost? no overdrive? no distortion? no metal? no blues? no crunch? well...i think this amp is more useful for...kind. of...maybe jazz...or blues...but...no rock...no metal...unless u use pedals...ase the edge...(he has 3 of this on "beautiful day" video...) no rock... but great power... nice mix uuh?
the hives???!!...cool...well...obviusly they use distortion pedals, i think this amp is very clean and if you put some overdrive you can get a very nice distortion...
with power ...!!
this may be very great if u use some shiners...or chorus...wah-wah....yeaah...
this amp is for being used with pedals.. this is the amp david gilmour from pink floyd has used since 1970s, so in that sense it's very versatile and transparent at lets your pedals, guitar and playing shine through
Dude, cool down... there's also a highgain model from hiwatt you might have a look at... I used it in the 80/90ies, but I was always jealous for a marshall, 'cause they are better cutting through in a band...
I have an idea!!! change that MV to a Post Phase Inverter one. From what I am seeing, it's like a JCM800, the preamp and the power amp have different volumes...
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This guy is a dumbass. He is demoing a vintage esque amp if there ever was one, and he's using a brand spanking new PRS guitar. Where's the logic? At least use something thats vintage voiced like a '59 reissue Les Paul or '57 reissue strat.
man, why don't you crank the AMP up & explain how the AMP sounds, instead of stomping on some mondo-distortion pedal?? that would give a better assessment of what he AMP sounds like....after all this is an AMP review?
@jetpiston they must have changed the vid since I posted originally...when I saw it he went right into using some distortion pedal & didn't go over the controls at all on the amp, or explain like he does here. it was brutal...kudos for them for updating, thi s looks like a decent review
@grogcaveman the only way you can get the hiwatt to distort is if you turn it to 10 and very few people have done that but if you want an example just look at Wont Get Fooled Again by The Who
@grogcaveman because that's how people use hi-watts - for massive clean headroom to put distortion boxes through. No one is going to turn up until the amp distorts unless they want to be as deaf as Pete Townsend
Hiwatt's are good amps and all, but other than Nic Cester of JET, Jamie Cook of Artic Monkeys, and Neil Schon of Journey, can you name another headline guitar player that uses Hiwatt today?
In the Pink Floyd prime era, he used Hiwatt DR-103 heads into WEM 4x12 cabinets loaded with Fane Crescendo speakers and a custom Doppola rotating speaker cab.
Now he uses a hodge-podge of Fender Twin Reverbs, Mesa Boogie Mk.II-C+, Gallien/Krueger 250 ML Combo, Marshall 100w Head, and Hiwatt SA212 Combo and one boutique Allessandro Bluetick Coonhound 20w into all kinds of rotating speaker cabs, Leslie, Maestro, and Yamaha.
oh right.....i feel thoroughly ignorant now :P i think i may have been thinking/looking at '59 les pauls.
and yeah i hate how they name the models to years that could be believable, like the 1987x...actually that one not so much, because in 1987, the jcms were much more popular rather than the plexis.
Thanks for not jumping down my throat for saying that (like other jerkoffs on YouTube.) I really wasn't trying to be a douche. Just offering up some info!
haha no problem dude. yeah i know who youre talking about. hate 'em. but yeah thanks for the info, that i knew already, and had to be reminded of. haha :P
actually, when he plays live, he still uses the DR-103 with the WEM. he doesn't usually use the Mesa anymore, and i haven't read anything about him using a Marshall. i doubt he would. in the 90's, he did use the alembic preamp with the power amp from the Hiwatts, however.
Brian said he hates the stock tube amp distortion so he needed a super clean amp head...he said that this head works even better than a fender twin with his big muff,phase 90 n delays.
It's not cheap at all,but I think once u get it,it's for life
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks this amp has a footswitch is a complete moron and needs to go learn a thing or two about the circuitry of a stock Custom 100 DR103.
He is definitely using a pedal. I have one of these amps and they don't do that on their own.
are you fucking stupid? he meant an a/b switch. NOT MADE MY HIWATT. you plug a cord from each channel into the box and a cord from the box to your guitar. and you can switch the channels.
@alexstcin Look buddy, A/B switch or not, the Hiwatt DR103 does not produce that type of distortion on its own. I own one. You can link the channels, switch channels with an A/B box, or you can dime it to get output distortion. It won't do any heavier distortion than that unless you drive the preamp tubes with a fucking pedal. And that's what this guy does in the video at the end of it. Are YOU fucking stupid?
@joeyrotten101 Nobody said you couldn't. But an A/B box will not give you that sort of distortion on this amp. All it will do is switch you back and forth between the normal channel and the brilliant channel, or link the two if you have an A/B/Y box. What do you people not understand? He's using a pedal for that distortion on the end.
@joeyrotten101 It amazes me how many people on here are inclined to comment about amps when they don't even know the difference between foot-switchable channels and using an A/B box.
The JCM900 Dual Reverb rules for Studios Recordings, because the Clean channel is very smooth and just rocks.
With some good pedals (i use boss chorus 3 + boss dd3 + little big muff) you can get every sound u want.
the reverb really is great, maybe u have to switch the tubes if you like it more for rocknroll. also i can use it an jazz amp.. running with h&k blues 4x12" box.. just awesome
I have found over the years if you like the balls on Marshalls and 70's Hiwatts, you hate muddy, flabby bottom, Mesa amps. If you like Mesa over-the-top gain, you don't like Marshalls, Hiwatts, Budda Superdrive II's, VHT Deliverence, etc...
I definitely think there is the Marshall camp and the Mesa camp at opposite ends. I much prefer the Marshall tone but the new Mesa Electradyne is great. at brit tones. Better than the new Marshalls.
A LOT better than newer Marshalls is the Electradyne. Tons of bang for your buck with those things and the combo practically sounds like a half stack. They have the Stilettos beat to hell too IMO.
There are some other mods that can be done to the JCM900 MkIII Master as well. With an Overdrive w/Bass Boost and a Marshall 1960B cab this amp has a chunky, crushing bottom-end, smooth, violin singing top-end. They are not as well known, only made for 3 years, hard to find. The SL-X replaced them, big mistake? Marshall lost their way trying to compete with Mesa.
I recently got my 50 watt JCM 800 head and two guitars stolen by my niece (unfortunately) and her boyfriend. If I had the $2000+ US to get a DR103 or even the $1000 or so to replace my Marshall I'd be fine. This is painful to watch and that Brit overdrive is heartbreaking to hear. Heheh.
I assume you are the one-and-only mnufacturers of Hiwatt, aren't you?:) I was really hoping to find a demo of the Maxwatt G100R combo on your official channel a few weeks back... anyway, I bought that amp and I am really excited about the distorted sound. I think this amp could be a bestseller... just do a decent review of it here:D Thanks!
The one thing I don't like about the Hiwatt sound is it's too clean. It has a very dry sound without the breakup or dirt you would get with a Marshall or Orange for example.
Most people put pedals in front or their amps usally.I have seen people use pedals in front of their marshalls oranges and other amps with with distortion.I love my hiwatt 200.I just shove a few pedals in front of it and i can basicly drown out any other amp around me or drummer.
Why would you want to drown out your drummer, bass and other guitar amps? Then you just sound like a hoser playing a strident, icepick ear piercing, over priced Hiwatt. Don't get me wrong I played a 1973 Hiwatt DR-103 stack at one time, but there are many amps I like much better now, Marshall JCM800/900, VHT Deliverence, Carvin X100B( 80's), Splawn Nitro, Budda Superdrive 80, ENGL, Roccaforte, etc...
I don't drown out my drummer or bassest.I can if i want to.That's why i have a master volume on my amp so that i won't drown them out but so they don't drown me out either.that and i can play bass out of it to so it works as a multi purpose amp And when i bought it it was 10 years ago it was $1200.00 for it.You can easly spend that same amount on the ENGl,marshall ,or a budda,vht you name.thier all about the same price if you want a good quality amp.
Yeah don't get me wrong some of them that you named i like.But the jcm 900 doesn't even compare to the 800 smokes the 900 model.I have heard them side by side and the 800 sounds way better.I could see comparing an 800 next to a hiwatt. But the 900 i have heard crate and Peavey amps sound better than the 900.
I'm not talking about the dreaded diode-clipping JCM900 Dual Reverb 4100/4500 amps but the JCM900 MkIII Hi-Gain Master 2100/2500, Marshall factory modded, which is a JCM800 on steroids. With a good overdrive pedal this amp goes where a JCM800 cannot go.
Yep, crawlbat89 is right. What's really cool about Hiwatts is that, because they're so clean, they take pedals REALLY well. So, if you want to push the amp hard, it's very easy to do with a good distortion or OD pedal. I would recommend using one that's voice like a Hiwatt. In which case, the Catalinbread Hyperpak is a great one to go with. Also, if the tone is to dry for you, run a good echo/delay. Problem solved.
Oh I'm not saying they are not good amps it's just I just don't dig the sound too much. It's hard to explain I like a raw, filthy sound (like an old Marshall, Sunn, Orange ect) and although I usually do play with pedals i'd just much rather have the amp have a nice classic breakup that adds a bit more of a wet feeling along with the pedals. It's still a great amp though for people who want that sound.
i agree! personally i hate the way he reviews gear. not so much the guitar hes using, but i think the way he has the amp set up makes it sound a lot weaker than it actually is
Agreed dude, check out the pgs amp demo's. That guy Andy puts a ton of time into his reviews and really highlighting the specific characteristics of each amp.
yup its a hi-gain 100. It starting going wrong within about 6 months. I called hiwatt about 6 times and got to call back, Apparently the guy was always busy. I guess the customs are ok but the hi-gain pcb jobs are just fucking cheap crap
I read several reviews questioning the quality of the newer built amps. The DG (Gilmour) version of the amp was reviewed by a guitar player magazine awhile ago, and he gave it a glowing review, except
"My only concern with the DG-103 is that, early in the testing, the amp made odd noises, and momentarily lost level when really pushed."
I think Reeves makes a better product at a much more reasonable price. The new Hiwatt line is WAY overpriced considering the Reeves is better quality.
Well the DG is most defiantly overpriced! But yeah I was very surprised. One thing the Hiwatt name always represented was reliability. Dont get me wrong, even now the amp sounds trully amazing at the sweet spot. Its the best sounding amp ive ever owned. But poor reliability and VERY poor customer service has made me look elsewhere. But the problem is its hard to find something that sounds as sweet! Must try this Reeves you speak of :)
I only know from different forums, that Reeves, who makes exact copies of Hiwatt clones, seems to be more reliable, more customer oriented, and true to the ideals of quality.
I know the guy responds to all emails, and has been known for his customer service. I am doing a Hiwatt kit from VHR rather than buying a new Hiwatt, but would get the Reeves in a heartbeat for quality and value. I know alot of guys end up swapping the Reeves for a Hiwatt logo and no one will know the difference.
Actually Reeves is currently owned and operated in the US. It was named after Dave Reeves.
There used to be a Hiwatt web site that told the story, I am not sure if it is still up or not. Basically the company has switched owners several times and made changes throughout the years. I will argue no matter what- the new Hiwatt line is WAY overpriced. Reeves (the company) offers much better value and quality. Same amp, better parts, different name tag.
I wish I knew what pedal was that, so the tone of the amp was intact. Anyway, the better sound happens when the bright vol. is cranked. Very natural 70s like overdrive.
The worst demo video I ever seen for an amp.
We have to hear how this wonderful amp sounds, why you use OD and distortions???
ZioArturone 5 months ago
Thanks paul for making this amp sound so generic. (sarcasm)
bnbfalcon 5 months ago
Paul fails a lot.
bille77 5 months ago
I just realised,I must be the only Double Bassist in the world that uses,(and has done for 20 years),a Hiwatt DR103 (1974) for my d bass. I can only find guitarists using them!
That amp has been a workhorse without anything going wrong with it and produces wonderful bass tones. If you are thinking of buying one,believe me,you won't regret it,it'll last a lifetime.
UtubularBalls 6 months ago in playlist HIWATT
Feedback is not music.
WorldsJungleGym 7 months ago
@WorldsJungleGym "What would rock'n roll be without feedback?" - David Gilmour
TheFloydGiver 6 months ago
@WorldsJungleGym This is true. Of course, notes are not music, either. Neither are chords. Percussion is right out. Nothing is music, except for music itself--its component parts, be they singing harp strings or wailing guitar feedback, are just noise. It's all rather zen.
AeolianSeventh 6 months ago
@AeolianSeventh Cool reply.
WorldsJungleGym 6 months ago
@MrWhiskeydust hahaha,"Karlsson på taket" as we say in Sweden
svenzia 9 months ago
Be nice to the poor guy! He's only trying to give us a chance to hear the amp. Although with a Hiwatt- you really need to open up the master volume a bit more to really hear what it does. Especially through a 4x12 cab. The master is barely above 1.5.
66Showman1 9 months ago
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On Hiwatts, the bottom inputs are the high gain doofus..... FFS...
MajorWatt 10 months ago
I use a pair of old Hiwatts, and they are the best thing to have ever happened to my tone. I don't think I'd ever buy a new one.
Wileylikethehawk 11 months ago
i just dont understand it. but, for the price of it, i would expect much more than it seems its capible of, where 4 bills can buy 2 marshall JCM 800's and kick sound more than this head ever could. just decieved by HIwatt, entirely.
insanity0x1 11 months ago
Why is Jason Bateman reviewing guitar gear?
callmetomorrow1979 11 months ago
This thing sounds nothing like my 77 hylight amp. This reminds me of a "patch" that sounds similar to a Hiwatt.
Shamilt3 11 months ago
Mine!!! ;)
StephenFiorentini 11 months ago
It allows to put any kind of effects pedal... Have a listen to the who playing won't get fooled again at shepperton '78, no pedals there, just a les paul deluxe, a hiwatt turned LOUD and a guy with balls to crank it. Unlike here.
stratmaniac 1 year ago
What did he stomp on at the end that gave it more gain? Anyone know?
angrygoldfish 1 year ago
For an amp that gilmour is famous for playing, you think he could have showed us a couple of single coils... That would have been nice
spondulas 1 year ago
@MrWhiskeydust What would make his reviews better? He talks about the gear! Thats what counts --I dont think we're all here to judge his clothing!!
shredmetalmike 1 year ago
@shredmetalmike lol he just annoys me. I have watched quite a few of his reviews. He knows his stuff and in fairness this is one of his better reviews. They always sound shite at guitar world, be it by poor mic positioning or his terrible tone. He dresses like a member of Greenday and so i can't take him seriously, it like tom hanks in the movie big. Im pretty sure you have to stuggle to make that amp sound bad.
MrWhiskeydust 1 year ago
Bit curious about the David Gilmour mention, while he uses the HiWatt head, he uses WEM cabs (during the last 2 floyd tours, he also used Marshall cabs in conjunction with the WEM)
Coylee91 1 year ago
@Coylee91 The wems were loaded with Fane crescendos and built very much like the Hylight cabs of the day. The addition of the Marshall cab for the on an island tour was something new.
Shamilt3 11 months ago
after the first mess around he does he starts to feel like Pete Townshend you can tell cause he starts to smile......lol
GrowTheCaine 1 year ago
Disregard all this twaddle and just try out a hiwatt, it's pretty good gear all round. Cheers to all
powellallan 1 year ago
Disregard all this twaddle and just try out a hiwatt, it's pretty good gear aal round. Cheers to all
powellallan 1 year ago
and he answers:
Mine is so loud if play on 10 with the Master all the way dowwn its still really loud .The best way to go is with an attenuator.But my hiwatt is a custom 200 to.
toobtyme 1 year ago
Use strats and teles/gibsons on these demos, not ugly guitars that the majority wont buy.
SwanSongRecords 1 year ago
is that as good as you can make a PRS sound through a HIWATT? Lol. money doesn't buy everything.
myfairvanity 1 year ago
play a strat
gus5985 1 year ago
"Hi this is paul"
*closes video*
Fuck that shit. I'm not letting this clown ruin the Custom 100 for me. A pedal on a Hiwatt? Seriously? what the fuck?
JIMMYJIBLETS 1 year ago
@JIMMYJIBLETS actually if you like your pedals the DR103 is the perfect amp.
In order to get a crunchy tone you'd have to crank the master, but average Joes like would get killed by the neighbourhood. I mean, I have one of these and they can level cities no joke.
Hey, David Gilmour used it with lots of pedals, and the result wasn't that bad.
Mancunion1976 1 year ago
You babble too much and play too little.
johnsoncm65 1 year ago
Tough to play without pedals ?
Play on 10 gain and master throw away the efin pedal
$89.95 distortion makes it for him DUH
toobtyme 1 year ago
@toobtyme Mine is so loud if play on 10 with the Master all the way dowwn its still really loud .The best way to go is with an attenuator.But my hiwatt is a custom 200 to.
crawlbat89 1 year ago
i want to hear pete townshend review this or david gilmore
posiedonpowertrio 1 year ago 6
Fuck Marshall, Hiwatts are the shit!! Pardon my French!
ryanspeed 1 year ago
Dial up the mids and the master and Hiwatts will get a pretty punchy overdrive sound. This guy always plays too dark and scooped...
bigfish0886 1 year ago
Why does Paul get to use one? I'm appalled!
JimmyPage968 1 year ago
All you need with this is some WEM cabunets ;)
IllusionaryMind8 1 year ago
these amps sound good, but for the money I would go with a mesa or marshall
mcurtgolfer 1 year ago
tunage fail
78hiwatts 1 year ago
Page used both the 50 and 100 watt versions at the same time also...
DNKOTOR 1 year ago
the master wasn't even on half actually crank it thats how you overdrive old amps.
Taygoo15 1 year ago
what you have to know is that the " modern" hiwatts have nothing to do with the old ones from the 70's, like vox and it's AC 30 it's NOT what you would have with a 60's ac 30
mouloudo 1 year ago
@mouloudo You're wrong. Thats true with some things like Marshall reissues that use PCB or shitty transformers but Hiwatts are made, and sound exactly how they were back in the day. The customs that it.
Michaelfender 1 year ago
Jimmy Page used a heavily modified version of this amp
All the way till November of '71, 3 YEARS of Zeppelin were on this amp...heavily modified
StreeTRacR008 1 year ago
Id advise to stay away from any UK made Hiwatt. They are built owned by Musicground who are the biggest bunch or rip off merchants you'd ever deal with. Do some internet reasearch on Music Ground's reputation before parting with your cash.
bencantona 1 year ago
emiguitarhero 1 year ago
@emiguitarhero
Not a rock amp, what the hella re you talking about?
Pete townshend used one, and now you've got bands today like the Hives and the Killers using them. Sounds like a versatile amp to me.
0hypnotoad0 1 year ago
the hives???!!...cool...well...obviusly they use distortion pedals, i think this amp is very clean and if you put some overdrive you can get a very nice distortion...
with power ...!!
this may be very great if u use some shiners...or chorus...wah-wah....yeaah...
clean...big as hell...powerful...
i keep saying...
nice miix uuh?
emiguitarhero 1 year ago
this amp is for being used with pedals.. this is the amp david gilmour from pink floyd has used since 1970s, so in that sense it's very versatile and transparent at lets your pedals, guitar and playing shine through
BenjaminMJ 1 year ago
uhm...yeaap...i agree...versatile...clean...powerful...100 watts...
well...david sounds was awesome...so maybe this amp is great for rock...xD
transparent sound...litlle overdrive...and u kick asses...
=D
emiguitarhero 1 year ago
Dude, cool down... there's also a highgain model from hiwatt you might have a look at... I used it in the 80/90ies, but I was always jealous for a marshall, 'cause they are better cutting through in a band...
1pedu 1 year ago
i have a marshall mg15cdr
pretty nice...little...but loud...as some amps of 30 or 45 watts...
what i do not like about marshall...is the clean channel...is always dirt!
but with marshall you can do anything
emiguitarhero 1 year ago
I have an idea!!! change that MV to a Post Phase Inverter one. From what I am seeing, it's like a JCM800, the preamp and the power amp have different volumes...
StreakingInJanuary 1 year ago
3:22
He actually plays.
A sign of the apocalypse.
Ilovemyfender2 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This guy is a dumbass. He is demoing a vintage esque amp if there ever was one, and he's using a brand spanking new PRS guitar. Where's the logic? At least use something thats vintage voiced like a '59 reissue Les Paul or '57 reissue strat.
favre4ever1995 2 years ago
I can see how some find this guy annoying, I personally don't mind him but tell us what pedal you're throwing in front of it! Is that so hard?
Vince70 2 years ago
does he really cost €6000?
helentjes 2 years ago
this amp is so much better than how he eq'd it. god.
amarr1 2 years ago
WANT
WoWAdmanGuitaring 2 years ago
The gilmour's amps! I like it!
lastar69 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
keith urban uses hiwatts
br1videos 2 years ago
man, why don't you crank the AMP up & explain how the AMP sounds, instead of stomping on some mondo-distortion pedal?? that would give a better assessment of what he AMP sounds like....after all this is an AMP review?
grogcaveman 2 years ago 50
@grogcaveman dude hes a noob from guitar world he doesnt really understand the point of tube amps haha
hunterjackkelly1 1 year ago
@grogcaveman -- So, you only listened to the last 25 seconds of the video?
jetpiston 1 year ago
@jetpiston they must have changed the vid since I posted originally...when I saw it he went right into using some distortion pedal & didn't go over the controls at all on the amp, or explain like he does here. it was brutal...kudos for them for updating, thi s looks like a decent review
grogcaveman 1 year ago
@grogcaveman the only way you can get the hiwatt to distort is if you turn it to 10 and very few people have done that but if you want an example just look at Wont Get Fooled Again by The Who
GrowTheCaine 1 year ago
@grogcaveman Don't you want to hear how it works with a stomp box? That's important stuff.
Getzen919 1 year ago
@grogcaveman because that's how people use hi-watts - for massive clean headroom to put distortion boxes through. No one is going to turn up until the amp distorts unless they want to be as deaf as Pete Townsend
PutItAway101 1 year ago
@grogcaveman you do realize that this amp is VERY famous for how well it takes pedals, right?...
xCYNICOUTCASTx 9 months ago
@xCYNICOUTCASTx thats what she said
xHARD2EXPLAINx 8 months ago 2
@grogcaveman
1:40
Theres your answer.
themodernguitarist 7 months ago
@grogcaveman Because this is a clean amp. And he's demonstrating how the amp works with pedals because it is usually used with stompboxes.
SKejtzazivot 6 months ago
Hiwatt's are good amps and all, but other than Nic Cester of JET, Jamie Cook of Artic Monkeys, and Neil Schon of Journey, can you name another headline guitar player that uses Hiwatt today?
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
I think Gilmour plays with those as well.
Inblut 2 years ago
In the Pink Floyd prime era, he used Hiwatt DR-103 heads into WEM 4x12 cabinets loaded with Fane Crescendo speakers and a custom Doppola rotating speaker cab.
Now he uses a hodge-podge of Fender Twin Reverbs, Mesa Boogie Mk.II-C+, Gallien/Krueger 250 ML Combo, Marshall 100w Head, and Hiwatt SA212 Combo and one boutique Allessandro Bluetick Coonhound 20w into all kinds of rotating speaker cabs, Leslie, Maestro, and Yamaha.
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
I guess once you are rich, you can use your vintage and boutique amp collection on the road and pay some tech 50k per year to keep them working.
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
by Marshall 100w head, i assume a '59 plexi?
LedZeppelinisgod100 2 years ago
"1959" refers to the model number of a non-master volume Marshall Super Lead, not the year. Just saying...
(their model numbers are confusing, I know)
SgtThump 2 years ago
oh right.....i feel thoroughly ignorant now :P i think i may have been thinking/looking at '59 les pauls.
and yeah i hate how they name the models to years that could be believable, like the 1987x...actually that one not so much, because in 1987, the jcms were much more popular rather than the plexis.
LedZeppelinisgod100 2 years ago
Thanks for not jumping down my throat for saying that (like other jerkoffs on YouTube.) I really wasn't trying to be a douche. Just offering up some info!
SgtThump 2 years ago
haha no problem dude. yeah i know who youre talking about. hate 'em. but yeah thanks for the info, that i knew already, and had to be reminded of. haha :P
LedZeppelinisgod100 2 years ago
1959 and 1987 doesnt have anything to do with the years 1959 and 1987.
terminalninja 2 years ago
yeah i know man, see the comments. it was just a slip up.
LedZeppelinisgod100 2 years ago
actually, when he plays live, he still uses the DR-103 with the WEM. he doesn't usually use the Mesa anymore, and i haven't read anything about him using a Marshall. i doubt he would. in the 90's, he did use the alembic preamp with the power amp from the Hiwatts, however.
daviddet 1 year ago
Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam (reply to LesPaulCustom79)
pstaffier 2 years ago
jimmy page used to in earlier days
LedZeppZoSo 2 years ago
David Gilmour from pink floyd uses this :D
IvoCro1053 2 years ago
yannikis or w/e from foals
chickenluva1 2 years ago
i'm pretty sure brian from Silversun Pickups uses one
Perapetia 2 years ago
THAT S TRUE MATE!!!!
Brian said he hates the stock tube amp distortion so he needed a super clean amp head...he said that this head works even better than a fender twin with his big muff,phase 90 n delays.
It's not cheap at all,but I think once u get it,it's for life
MrPeterGroove 2 years ago
How bout Pete Townshend?
favre4ever1995 2 years ago
Jimmy Page played Hiwatts for a while in the late 60's...
DNKOTOR 2 years ago 2
indeed
therealsaintseiya 1 year ago
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks this amp has a footswitch is a complete moron and needs to go learn a thing or two about the circuitry of a stock Custom 100 DR103.
He is definitely using a pedal. I have one of these amps and they don't do that on their own.
MrPelicanPants 2 years ago
At 5:15 it sounds like a variation of Ten Years Gone by Led Zeppelin.
MatthewlikesZeppelin 2 years ago
yeh
Jimmy Page did use Hiwatts breifly in 1970
gez2007 2 years ago
I built this amp from scratch. No footswitch. You can modify it with a tube overdrive activated by a footswitch. That sounds great!
zoltar5282 2 years ago
Sounds really muddy at the beginning
birdy2foot 2 years ago 5
Yawn. Cool amp, boring "review". The guy didn't even bother to tune his guitar...
karlboman 2 years ago 3
how can this guy make a review of this lovely amp :S , I just dont like him.
squierkid 2 years ago 2
I own one of these amp you fucking dumbass, and I know it inside and out.
The Custom 100 does NOT have a footswitch and it's impossible to use one with it, unless it's seriously modified, and this amp here is stock.
MrPelicanPants 2 years ago 18
are you fucking stupid? he meant an a/b switch. NOT MADE MY HIWATT. you plug a cord from each channel into the box and a cord from the box to your guitar. and you can switch the channels.
alexstcin 1 year ago
@alexstcin Look buddy, A/B switch or not, the Hiwatt DR103 does not produce that type of distortion on its own. I own one. You can link the channels, switch channels with an A/B box, or you can dime it to get output distortion. It won't do any heavier distortion than that unless you drive the preamp tubes with a fucking pedal. And that's what this guy does in the video at the end of it. Are YOU fucking stupid?
MrPelicanPants 1 year ago
@MrPelicanPants Nope you can buy AB box's for any amp with 4 imputs...
joeyrotten101 1 year ago
@joeyrotten101 Nobody said you couldn't. But an A/B box will not give you that sort of distortion on this amp. All it will do is switch you back and forth between the normal channel and the brilliant channel, or link the two if you have an A/B/Y box. What do you people not understand? He's using a pedal for that distortion on the end.
MrPelicanPants 1 year ago
@joeyrotten101 It amazes me how many people on here are inclined to comment about amps when they don't even know the difference between foot-switchable channels and using an A/B box.
MrPelicanPants 1 year ago
@MrPelicanPants I know that -_-
joeyrotten101 1 year ago
i´d just love to know what distortion pedal did he use on this video...
mccreadygossard 2 years ago
None I'd imagine...
ofsinope 2 years ago
no, he used a distortion pedal, he says that, and hiwatt dr103 can´t get a lot of distortion sound.
mccreadygossard 2 years ago
is the amp dude!!!!!!!
joakorush2112 2 years ago
The JCM900 Dual Reverb rules for Studios Recordings, because the Clean channel is very smooth and just rocks.
With some good pedals (i use boss chorus 3 + boss dd3 + little big muff) you can get every sound u want.
the reverb really is great, maybe u have to switch the tubes if you like it more for rocknroll. also i can use it an jazz amp.. running with h&k blues 4x12" box.. just awesome
MegaFisch24 2 years ago
I have found over the years if you like the balls on Marshalls and 70's Hiwatts, you hate muddy, flabby bottom, Mesa amps. If you like Mesa over-the-top gain, you don't like Marshalls, Hiwatts, Budda Superdrive II's, VHT Deliverence, etc...
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago 2
I definitely think there is the Marshall camp and the Mesa camp at opposite ends. I much prefer the Marshall tone but the new Mesa Electradyne is great. at brit tones. Better than the new Marshalls.
simbasa12 2 years ago
A LOT better than newer Marshalls is the Electradyne. Tons of bang for your buck with those things and the combo practically sounds like a half stack. They have the Stilettos beat to hell too IMO.
Vince70 2 years ago
There are some other mods that can be done to the JCM900 MkIII Master as well. With an Overdrive w/Bass Boost and a Marshall 1960B cab this amp has a chunky, crushing bottom-end, smooth, violin singing top-end. They are not as well known, only made for 3 years, hard to find. The SL-X replaced them, big mistake? Marshall lost their way trying to compete with Mesa.
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
I guess the pronunciation was "HAI-WOT"...
davidtheguitarman 2 years ago
actually, phil x ( from frettedamerica ) does the best reviews
Porkys009 2 years ago 2
Yes Phil x is without a doubt the best review guy on youtube
DxRox22 2 years ago
His reviews are garbage. They're great for demoing the instrument, but that's all he does. I like a little more from a review than just that.
Plus I've only ever seen him demo Gibsons and Fenders. I think he might be just a tad biased.
MrPelicanPants 2 years ago
I recently got my 50 watt JCM 800 head and two guitars stolen by my niece (unfortunately) and her boyfriend. If I had the $2000+ US to get a DR103 or even the $1000 or so to replace my Marshall I'd be fine. This is painful to watch and that Brit overdrive is heartbreaking to hear. Heheh.
Chuckjagermeister 2 years ago
Cut her out of your life and slap the boyfriend around. Problem solved!
Vince70 2 years ago
Greetings Hiwattamplification!
I assume you are the one-and-only mnufacturers of Hiwatt, aren't you?:) I was really hoping to find a demo of the Maxwatt G100R combo on your official channel a few weeks back... anyway, I bought that amp and I am really excited about the distorted sound. I think this amp could be a bestseller... just do a decent review of it here:D Thanks!
SomethinWild 2 years ago
The one thing I don't like about the Hiwatt sound is it's too clean. It has a very dry sound without the breakup or dirt you would get with a Marshall or Orange for example.
TheForgottenFlesh 2 years ago
Most people put pedals in front or their amps usally.I have seen people use pedals in front of their marshalls oranges and other amps with with distortion.I love my hiwatt 200.I just shove a few pedals in front of it and i can basicly drown out any other amp around me or drummer.
crawlbat89 2 years ago
Why would you want to drown out your drummer, bass and other guitar amps? Then you just sound like a hoser playing a strident, icepick ear piercing, over priced Hiwatt. Don't get me wrong I played a 1973 Hiwatt DR-103 stack at one time, but there are many amps I like much better now, Marshall JCM800/900, VHT Deliverence, Carvin X100B( 80's), Splawn Nitro, Budda Superdrive 80, ENGL, Roccaforte, etc...
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
I don't drown out my drummer or bassest.I can if i want to.That's why i have a master volume on my amp so that i won't drown them out but so they don't drown me out either.that and i can play bass out of it to so it works as a multi purpose amp And when i bought it it was 10 years ago it was $1200.00 for it.You can easly spend that same amount on the ENGl,marshall ,or a budda,vht you name.thier all about the same price if you want a good quality amp.
crawlbat89 2 years ago
Yeah don't get me wrong some of them that you named i like.But the jcm 900 doesn't even compare to the 800 smokes the 900 model.I have heard them side by side and the 800 sounds way better.I could see comparing an 800 next to a hiwatt. But the 900 i have heard crate and Peavey amps sound better than the 900.
crawlbat89 2 years ago
I'm not talking about the dreaded diode-clipping JCM900 Dual Reverb 4100/4500 amps but the JCM900 MkIII Hi-Gain Master 2100/2500, Marshall factory modded, which is a JCM800 on steroids. With a good overdrive pedal this amp goes where a JCM800 cannot go.
LesPaulCustom79 2 years ago
It would defiantly modded real well before it would sound better than a 800.But i have yet to to hear a 900 sound better than an 800.
crawlbat89 2 years ago
Yep, crawlbat89 is right. What's really cool about Hiwatts is that, because they're so clean, they take pedals REALLY well. So, if you want to push the amp hard, it's very easy to do with a good distortion or OD pedal. I would recommend using one that's voice like a Hiwatt. In which case, the Catalinbread Hyperpak is a great one to go with. Also, if the tone is to dry for you, run a good echo/delay. Problem solved.
LordSupro 2 years ago 2
Oh I'm not saying they are not good amps it's just I just don't dig the sound too much. It's hard to explain I like a raw, filthy sound (like an old Marshall, Sunn, Orange ect) and although I usually do play with pedals i'd just much rather have the amp have a nice classic breakup that adds a bit more of a wet feeling along with the pedals. It's still a great amp though for people who want that sound.
TheForgottenFlesh 2 years ago
does peter townshend play this thing?
quackbeef 2 years ago
ino, he uses CP103, but they do look similair.
TheMuenzer 2 years ago
dude...I really want one of these...so bad
stratgeek09 2 years ago
the guitar seems to be out of tune...just a little bit.
.
Marvelous amp.
abacab1 2 years ago
Amp sounds great, guitar not so much... Playing is adequate but uninspired.
musiccalgary 2 years ago
hes reviewing the amp. he does a good job of that. how can the guitar not sound good but the amp can? can you hear the guitar over the amp?
ahh a place i know threw out a custom all valve sound city PA amp and 2 roost speakers i was gutted when i found out id have snatched em up
jamesstone123 2 years ago
i agree! personally i hate the way he reviews gear. not so much the guitar hes using, but i think the way he has the amp set up makes it sound a lot weaker than it actually is
aektzis91 2 years ago
Agreed dude, check out the pgs amp demo's. That guy Andy puts a ton of time into his reviews and really highlighting the specific characteristics of each amp.
favre4ever1995 2 years ago
yes!! your so right. i wish they had decent hiwatt demos on youtube...
aektzis91 2 years ago
*ignore that 'but' i wrote earlier
purenectar 2 years ago
i love those clean tones. british but not nice and clear, unlike the marshall cleans
purenectar 2 years ago
Say what??? Fame speakers??? The fame that made the "Detonator" head???
RareAirSupply 2 years ago
fane
christhekiwi12 2 years ago
oh.... ok
RareAirSupply 2 years ago
I have a hiwatt. Its been problematic since day one. At the moment it keeps blowing preamp valves and the reverb doesnt work.
christhekiwi12 2 years ago
Is it a newer hiwatt?
b2112echoes 2 years ago
yup its a hi-gain 100. It starting going wrong within about 6 months. I called hiwatt about 6 times and got to call back, Apparently the guy was always busy. I guess the customs are ok but the hi-gain pcb jobs are just fucking cheap crap
christhekiwi12 2 years ago
I read several reviews questioning the quality of the newer built amps. The DG (Gilmour) version of the amp was reviewed by a guitar player magazine awhile ago, and he gave it a glowing review, except
"My only concern with the DG-103 is that, early in the testing, the amp made odd noises, and momentarily lost level when really pushed."
I think Reeves makes a better product at a much more reasonable price. The new Hiwatt line is WAY overpriced considering the Reeves is better quality.
b2112echoes 2 years ago
Well the DG is most defiantly overpriced! But yeah I was very surprised. One thing the Hiwatt name always represented was reliability. Dont get me wrong, even now the amp sounds trully amazing at the sweet spot. Its the best sounding amp ive ever owned. But poor reliability and VERY poor customer service has made me look elsewhere. But the problem is its hard to find something that sounds as sweet! Must try this Reeves you speak of :)
christhekiwi12 2 years ago
I only know from different forums, that Reeves, who makes exact copies of Hiwatt clones, seems to be more reliable, more customer oriented, and true to the ideals of quality.
I know the guy responds to all emails, and has been known for his customer service. I am doing a Hiwatt kit from VHR rather than buying a new Hiwatt, but would get the Reeves in a heartbeat for quality and value. I know alot of guys end up swapping the Reeves for a Hiwatt logo and no one will know the difference.
b2112echoes 2 years ago
sound city amps likewise.. also built by reeves, but changed name i guess
BenjaminMJ 2 years ago
not built by reeves, designed by reeves. He quit sound city within about two weeks of working for them.
christhekiwi12 2 years ago
the hi gains is a discount hiwatt.. this is the custom series.. point to point.. its different
BenjaminMJ 2 years ago
Actually Reeves is currently owned and operated in the US. It was named after Dave Reeves.
There used to be a Hiwatt web site that told the story, I am not sure if it is still up or not. Basically the company has switched owners several times and made changes throughout the years. I will argue no matter what- the new Hiwatt line is WAY overpriced. Reeves (the company) offers much better value and quality. Same amp, better parts, different name tag.
b2112echoes 2 years ago
what distortion pedal did he use on this video???
please i want to know!!
mccreadygossard 2 years ago
sounds kinda like a big muff
vanhalenkid 2 years ago
I'm more of a Marshall plexi and Vox
AC15tb man, but someday i WILL have a Hiwatt! This demo sounds awesome
hiway52 2 years ago
I wish I knew what pedal was that, so the tone of the amp was intact. Anyway, the better sound happens when the bright vol. is cranked. Very natural 70s like overdrive.
marcelcruzeiro 2 years ago
great Amp, my own is an ampeg. It is so good, but hiwatt is the top for me. but just one thing:
it's really hard to obtain a real clean sound with a hiwatt. There's always some light distortion in the sound
darktulipan 2 years ago
hiwatt are headroom-monsters, they're loud and clean, that's why they're so successful
jamahl 2 years ago
Hiwatt is a british brand?
fakegodbass 2 years ago
yes
davidegibson 2 years ago
Hi. :)
LemonInYourEye 2 years ago
does anyone know any cheapish hiwatt combos?
davidbeast123 2 years ago
the "bulldog" line.
bigdonkey002 2 years ago
maxwatt series
aektzis91 2 years ago
Would most pedals sound better in a nice clean amp like this?
Rhaabjorn 2 years ago
Yes, much better
DxRox22 2 years ago
nice amp and hat
rodrigoguitarlover 2 years ago
I've had mine for 30 years, and it is still LOUD!
GarethVader 2 years ago
I love HIWATT
joakorush2112 2 years ago
I'd like to know what pedal he used in front of that...
kaffeinsuchtiger 3 years ago
it sounded kind of like a seymour duncan twin tube, or some kind of fuzz pedal
11edwardsd 3 years ago
fuck i want one!
guitarcrazy7 3 years ago