The-Ox Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Hi I'm looking for the best Hiwatt DR103 clone, any recommendations? Any thoughts on Hi-tone, Reeves amps, trinity amps, modulus amps? Seeger amps is another very good one im considering Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) How about Mywatt? http://weber-amps.de/en/index.html Edited July 26, 2016 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukulelelab Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 why don't you consider getting the real deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pow_22 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 The Mk3 Sound City's are close, the Mk4s are sh*te tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 thank you all! I was interested in buying one with power scaling, so i could scale it down from 100w to a lower amount for when i practice at home. Have any of you used power scaling amps before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillento Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) +1 on the Weber Mywatt Edited July 27, 2016 by gillento Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1469638343' post='3099967']... I was interested in buying one with power scaling, so i could scale it down from 100w to a lower amount for when i practice at home. Have any of you used power scaling amps before? [/quote] We use a Hiwatt DR205 (200w PA head...) for bass, at home for practice and rehearsal, and for gigs, of course. The only difference, really, is that it's turned down at home, and turned up just a little more for gigs. There's no difference between playing softly and rocking out except that, with the latter, the sound of falling concrete is drowned out. If you're looking for a more 'dirty' sound, it'll be best coming from pedals, in any case, as the thunder tones of most valve amps, and Hiwatts more than others, comes from the whole 'shaking the earth' aspect, which a power soak cannot give. The best, 'studio level' simulation was, 'back then', obtained by putting the cab face down on the carpeted floor and turning up the wick on the amp. Best for guitar, though, as the KT88 valves are notoriously difficult to 'bend'. That's why we have it, though clean bass at any and all sonic volumes. Just my tuppence-worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1469639008' post='3099975'] We use a Hiwatt DR205 (200w PA head...) for bass, at home for practice and rehearsal, and for gigs, of course. The only difference, really, is that it's turned down at home, and turned up just a little more for gigs. There's no difference between playing softly and rocking out except that, with the latter, the sound of falling concrete is drowned out. If you're looking for a more 'dirty' sound, it'll be best coming from pedals, in any case, as the thunder tones of most valve amps, and Hiwatts more than others, comes from the whole 'shaking the earth' aspect, which a power soak cannot give. The best, 'studio level' simulation was, 'back then', obtained by putting the cab face down on the carpeted floor and turning up the wick on the amp. Best for guitar, though, as the KT88 valves are notoriously difficult to 'bend'. That's why we have it, though clean bass at any and all sonic volumes. Just my tuppence-worth. [/quote] good advice, thank you! I thought as much with regard to just turning it down, last time I did that with a big watt amp the electrics in the house blew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1469602375' post='3099584'] The Mk3 Sound City's are close, the Mk4s are sh*te tho [/quote] If you get a good mk4 they are pretty decent. If you get a 'bad un' then noise is your friend . I got lucky with a 'bedroom' condition mk4 at a knockdown price. It was broke, aka needed a new pre amp tube. Bought cheap enough they make a good donor for Hiwatt conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1469639135' post='3099976'] good advice, thank you! I thought as much with regard to just turning it down, last time I did that with a big watt amp the electrics in the house blew! [/quote] Bad luck, I'd say..! Our 'cottage' has a total capacity of 3 kw for everything (it was a 'temporary' meter installed 15 years ago, never up-rated...). All of our amps are valve (Mesa Simul-class 2:90, Marshall 100w, Fender Bassman and the Hiwatt...); we use all of that stuff at decent, studio volume generally. If we want to get rid of the cobwebs, we push the cabs outside and frighten the cows, but not very often. I've never had an amp failure except an HA3500 (trannie kapput just out of guarantee...), so I'd say that there's no great problem with playing turned down. Others may have other experiences, but I spent a good few years as a tech in a music shop, and never came across such issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1469640148' post='3099987'] Bad luck, I'd say..! Our 'cottage' has a total capacity of 3 kw for everything (it was a 'temporary' meter installed 15 years ago, never up-rated...). All of our amps are valve (Mesa Simul-class 2:90, Marshall 100w, Fender Bassman and the Hiwatt...); we use all of that stuff at decent, studio volume generally. If we want to get rid of the cobwebs, we push the cabs outside and frighten the cows, but not very often. I've never had an amp failure except an HA3500 (trannie kapput just out of guarantee...), so I'd say that there's no great problem with playing turned down. Others may have other experiences, but I spent a good few years as a tech in a music shop, and never came across such issues. [/quote] thanks again, bad luck indeed! I'm sure the electronics issue was something else, but my parents were probably eager to use it as an opportunity to point the finger at anything bass related! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 the Mywatt looks decent! I have heard good things about Sound City, but people have said its hit or miss. I had an interesting email exchange with Clayton at Hi-tone, they seem very good and build it to vintage spec as opposed to the modern one, which Hiwatt do. They take great pride in what they do, although I'm sure all builders do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 May be worth contacting Oli Foxen, think he is still active on here or try Facebook and search Ampstack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted July 28, 2016 Author Share Posted July 28, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1469709073' post='3100506'] May be worth contacting Oli Foxen, think he is still active on here or try Facebook and search Ampstack [/quote] Good shout, he's already contacted me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarfyBass Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 I've got a Hi-Tone being built at the mo (for my guitar rig mind), Clayton has got a a great reputation, not only in the Hiwatt circles I'm sure. The company has Dave Reeves son on board, so top notch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukulelelab Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 No doubt hi-tone amps are great but if you are in the UK you should still be able to get a vintage hiwatt dr103 from the 70s in decent condition for about a grand. Getting a new hitone from the US will cost you more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarfyBass Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 I fully agree, but I wanted to avoid any costly cap changes, power socket change and finding Fane Cresendos is like rocking horse stuff...so for the same ish money I've got a new one being built and shipped... Thankfully paid for before the pound to dollar slump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 [quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1469602375' post='3099584'] The Mk3 Sound City's are close, the Mk4s are sh*te tho [/quote] The Mk 4 Sound City is great if you know how to use the active tone controls. Same power section as the Mk 3, and more easily found on places like eBay. They can also be converted to a Hiwatt DR 103 clone quite easily, since they are an evolution of the same basic design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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