Author Topic: Hiwatt Thoughts (Read 454 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** March 13, 2006, 07:20:33 AM »

Ever since I first saw PT playing one, I've wanted a Hiwatt amp. Unfortunately, I didn't want to buy used - most of the vintages are fairly beat up and I've never seen one in Chicago. And with the reported quality of the new Hiwatts over the last several years, I refused to spend the cash. Now, apparently, the latest models are hand built to the original specs (though I believe the company is still owned by Fernandes). According to Guitar Player, the quality definitely is there. The question is that a Reeves 50 or 100 head, which is also hand built to original specs, will cost me close to $1000 less (1600 vs $2600). Anyone have experience with either? Is a Hiwatt face plate worth the extra grand?

Regards,

Jonathan

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2006, 07:56:11 AM »

Jonathan:

I wouldn't put too much stock in the GP review. They never met a piece of equipment they didn't like (or didn't appreciate getting for free or receiving ad $). I'd certainly check out reviews at harmony-central.com or other sources.

Bill, tgo

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:02:30 AM »

Sounds like GP has the same ethics as BP - surprise, surprise.

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:10:31 AM »

Good advice Bill. I also feel that the best review is my own. I would never buy an amp or cabinet with out playing MY axe through it. And I always try out the piece I am interested in, at least 2 -3 times with one of my axes that I am familiar with. Same goes for a speaker cab. I pump my head through it. I also buy the one I try.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:25:39 AM »

I'll check out the harmony central.com reviews. I've never bought an amp without running my axe through it either, except that there is no one I've found in the Chicagoland area who has Hiwatt and Reeves half stacks in stock. Make n' Music which is Chicago's high-end, boutique store occasionally has a couple small Reeves combos on the floor. They RAVE about them and say there's no comparison to the Hiwatts. I bought my first Alembic unheard, unplayed and haven't regretted it for a moment. History may have to repeat itself.

Just need to get senior management to agree that my 24 x 15 ft den needs a Marshall half-stack, a Reeves/Hiwatt half-stack and a Fender 4x10 combo.

What to do...what to do...what to do?

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:21:41 AM »

Get a bigger den! LOL

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:39:32 AM »

Bill...if only it were that easy!!! By the way, I checked the reviews at HC.com. They're all for vintage heads...nothing fresh off the line.

Regards,

Jonathan

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:51:50 AM »

Jon:

While I haven't played either, I'll give you my $0.02:

For the price, I don't think you can go wrong with the Reeves stuff. They sell direct and have a nice warrantee. Hand-built with hi-quality components just like the originals. They've gotten rave reviews on Harmony-Central.

As long as you like the Hiwatt sound...I call it the anti-Marshall sound, LOL!...you're in good shape. I believe the TOL 100W head they sell is the PT Signature version. Just remember, they're clean amps (unless you REALLY crank 'em up) that you have to ADD distortion to. That's why Gilmour likes 'em...loud and clean with tone, just add effects. Just keep in mind you'll need the matching marine-grade plywood cabs with 12 Fane speakers for that magic sound (i.e., just like a Plexi needs Greenbacks for the other magic sound, LOL!).

Personally, I'm with Bill TGO here: GP is the Stereo Review of the guitar set...never met a product they didn't like, LOL! I'd be willing to bet that Fernandes's Hiwatts are probably as close to a vintage Dave Reeves Sound City/Hiwatt as those Marshall re-issues are to a real vintage Plexi...which is to say not very.

Good Luck in your quest.

Cheers,

Kevin

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 13, 2006)

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:07:45 AM »

BTW, I bought my Straub Amp sight-unseen. As it's one of only 13 in existence (at the time of delivery), it was difficult to be able to play one beforehand. There was a local guy who had one, but since I had already ordered and each amp is custom-spec'd, an apples-to-apples comparison may not have been possible regardless.

Having said that, since it was a plexi clone, I knew what to expect. Since it is a modded 'hi-gain plexi, I also expected that EvH tone. I wasn't disappointed. It was all I expected and then some! Harry was very upfront with me when I ordered, and he interviewed me for over an hour to find out exactly what I wanted before he would take the order. He was very knowledgeable and was right on the money with his design.

Long story short: Be sure you know exactly what you want. If what you want is what they offer, you should be fine with the Reeves, IMHO.

FWIW, for those that are interested, here's the linx to Fernandes/Hiwatt and Reeves Amplification, respectively:

http://www.hiwatt.com/

http://www.reevesamps.com/default.htm

jalevinemd · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2006, 02:09:59 PM »

Okay,

Got senior managemnet's approval. Here's what I've decided to do. Forget about the new Hiwatts. It's between a new Reeves or a vintage Hiwatt. If anyone sees or knows of a vintage 50 or 100 watt head for sale, please let me know. Only catch is, it needs to be minty fresh. I know this is unlikely to happen, but I've come across them before...just wasn't in the market at the time.

Regards,

Jonathan

gare · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2006, 03:33:38 PM »

Jonathan
Since you're in Chicago, may try calling Minstrel Music in Niles..they're at Milwaukee and Oakton. I've seen Hi Watt stuff in his store a couple times. They may at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Gary

811952 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2006, 08:25:06 AM »

Jonathan,

You might also try John Beeson at The Music Shoppe in Terre Haute. His thing is old stuff, and he moves quite a bit of it. 812-232-4095 is the number. He goes to a lot of guitar shows, is well-connected, very knowledgeable and will gladly find one for you if he can.

If you call him, make sure to also tell him that the hot setup these days is to use TWO Leslie cabinets onstage...

John

Bradley Young · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2006, 09:04:49 PM »

Are we talking Leslies with the vibrato (i.e. rotating) speakers?

I hear people talking about using Leslies, and I've always wondered that.

gbarchus · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2006, 02:48:19 AM »

If anyone knows of a vintage 200 watt Hiwatt (for bass) PLEASE let me know. I passed on one a few years ago and still living to regret it.

811952 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2006, 06:33:03 AM »

Bradley,

Yep, Leslies with rotating horns. The speakers are actually static-mounted I believe. I play music with Beeson, and we always give each other grief about the stuff we lug around to $60-per-man hole-in-the-wall gigs. He talked me into getting a second 410 cabinet (he really had to twist my arm, I tell ya!), so now he needs a second Leslie cabinet.

Interestingly, his Leslie has casters and handles mounted exactly where they ought to be, and is extremely easy to lug around even for us old folks...

And Gale, you might want to give John a call as well. He sees a lot of neato stuff and would probably know where to send you if he can't locate anything himself.

John