Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just reading about different famous amp designs and I was curious if any folks have tried this combo and want to give some input. I did a search and there has been a couple of people mention them on the RRF. Most of the time you hear about Fender and Vox with Rics, so I wanted to hear from folks who've taken an alternate route.

Thanks,

LEL (Jason)

Hiwatt amps are a perfect fit for Rickenbackers. They have a sound all their own, unique preamp with parametric tone controls, EL34 tubes, huge transformers and Fane speakers make the classic recipe.

Lots of different models and clones to choose from including the orginial Hiwatt Hylight DR103/CP103 100W model made famous by David Glimour and Pete Townsend respectively. The vintage Hylight models with Fane Quad box are the best, but these are capable of lifting the street pavements by their sheer loudness. One of the cleanest amps but when driven hard you have an unbeatable wall of sound. However we are now in 2011.

I am running a Hiwatt Studio/Stage switchable 20/40W MK II head (4xEL84 tube output) with the ported cabinet 2 x 12" genuine current model Fanes. By modern standards its very simple, one Hi or Lo impedence input, tube reverb, Hiwatt TMB tone controls, and moderate bluesy pull switch overdrive/gain, Master volume. This model is a cross between a Hiwatt vibe and Vox AC30.
At 40W it can do a nice clean sound at gigable volume, at 20W it dirties up nicely. The ported enclosure gives it some nice tight bass unusual for most EL84 output stage amps. Best bet is secondhand on this model the new prices are very high.
Sounds fantastic with my Rick 330/12, Fender Strats and Gretsch 6118 LVT 125th Annie. Its good and reliable.

All Hiwatts appear to take effect pedals very well, at least the limited models I have tried.

The Hiwatt forums only tend to discuss the Hylight/biacrown (60's-70's) era, there is not lot of love for the current series....Hiwatt has a unfortunate history. The only issue I had with the vintage amps was the volume levels and limited features from a 30-40 year old amp and actually not able to get one.

Ricks go great with any quality amp; they're a quality guitar!

Yes, it is 2011 and vintage gear is hard to find and $$$. I have also not heard lots of good stuff about current Hiwatt amps. There is a guy named Bill Jansen who is building Hiwatt clones under the name Reeves Amplification that seems to get glowing reviews. His stuff is about a $1000 below current Hiwatt stuff. He also has designed a speaker to replicate Fanes (he calls them "Purples") and puts those in his cabs. FWIW, the YouTube clips of his stuff sound good. Anybody have experience with his stuff?

Thanks,

LEL (Jason)

kiramdear wrote:Paging Mike Snow ...

[echo]Paging Mike Snow ...[/echo]

JakeK wrote:

kiramdear wrote:Paging Mike Snow ...

[echo]Paging Mike Snow ...[/echo]

Sorry, couldn't hear ya, got the Hiwatt cranked.

Very loud, clean, and full. Words cannot describe what standing in front of a properly gassed Hiwatt is like. All the better I guess, as you wouldn't be able to hear those words anyways!

I haven't heard any of the new ones, but the same company that does JMI does Hiwatt. Unfortunately, there are some issues regarding the owners, MG, dodgy business practices and law troubles that make most shy away. You have to look it up if you want more info on that. I hear they are "fine" sounding, but man, for that dough you could have your own amp built.

Don't ever buy the ones made in Modesto, California, unless, of course, you are looking for an extra large paper weight!

I've actually been considering selling my 1975 DR504 head with Anvil case lately. I just don't need a halfstack that can kill small animals at 200 meters anymore I just got a Catalinbread WIIO pedal, and they are supposed to get you the cranked sound at a manageable volume. It sounds awesome through my AC30, just haven't been able to run it through "old faithful" yet!

A sweet Fireglo 330 body style with maybe binding, F-holes, and neck inlays might be an option for a trade. Still contemplating, but entertaining offers

whojamfan wrote:I just got a Catalinbread WIIO pedal, and they are supposed to get you the cranked sound at a manageable volume.

That doesn't sound very punk!

Reeves amps are supposed to be superb and probably a better bet than the JMI Hiwatts.

Ah good, some action on this thread! I am actually taking a look at VHR/Hi-Tone stuff. Their reproductions of the Fane speakers are supposed to be outstanding. Also, they make a 30W version of the DR103 and call it the DR307. They look like they use much of the same stuff in their amps as Reeves. The amp with a 2x12 is around $2300. I'd be happy to send anyone the link to site if interested. They have been great about answering my questions and seem to be obssesed with all things Hiwatt. Thanks for all the post so far. I always get such good response and feedback on the RRF and it is appreciated!

whojamfan wrote:I just got a Catalinbread WIIO pedal, and they are supposed to get you the cranked sound at a manageable volume.

Mike,

Tell me more as I am intrigued. Also, with a user name like "whojamfan", I think we probably like a lot of the same sounds.

Thanks,

LEL (Jason)

IMO they are too clean... I played the 200 Custom through a 4x10+1x15 fane cabinet and I was not impressed at all.

EDIT:
Sorry, I thought the topic was about the bass amps.

marcinkus wrote:IMO they are too clean... I played the 200 Custom through a 4x10+1x15 fane cabinet and I was not impressed at all.

EDIT:
Sorry, I thought the topic was about the bass amps.

Many people do not like them because they are too clean, as somehow they think that some alternate Marshall universe lies within.

Jeff, my Hiwatt needs to be cranked up to get a full rich sound with the 4x12, and at that volume, it's really un-micable and drowns out the rewst of the band. Even my AC30 gassed gets too loud, but at least it can get fat at a manageable level.

This WIIO pedal is supposed to fatten up the sound at lower volumes, and give you what you want at a managable volume. I haven't been able to try it out on the Hiwatt yet, but was getting some killer sounds with it on my AC30.

Mike, have you tried something like a Princeton Reverb Amp? Nice tone (keep in mind I'm a bassist , but I do know tone) at reasonable volume levels.

Mike & all,

I am really taking a look at HiTone's DR307 JP. It is supposed to be a 30W version of the original DR103. It is designed to break up sooner and can be switched down to 15W. Here's the info and specs:

http://www.vintagehiwattrestorations.com/jp-30.html

Any thoughts as to the concept?

LEL (Jason)

I would be very interested to known how you go with the VHR Hitone amp looks like a great alternative, please keep us updated.

I have built many amps but no longer had the time to consider another build, although seriously considered the Trinity Triwatt which is just packed with features and the guys over on that forum are just the best.
Ended up going with the Hiwatt Studio/Stage, at the time I did not known anything about MG etc. But my experience with the amp has been all good, I believe Reeves rebadged them in the States for a number of years. I am using a set of NOS Russian 6P14P-EV output tubes instead of EL84's, gives it more punch and presence, a step closer to EL34 sound.

Just for interest our friends in Moscow have some demos of the Hiwatt Studio/Stage against other amps, no Ricks unfortunately @