Hiwatt question - Page 3

guymanndude1 · #41 12-25-2012, 04:01 PM

I'd say the Peavey VB2, especially with the Electro-Harmonix 6ca7's in it. 225 watts with the Tesla EL34's from the factory. You can get a little more with the 6ca7's in it.

Electrophonic · #42 12-27-2012, 12:40 AM

I've been offered a Custom 100 at a decent price and I'm seriously considering that. After all I loved my DR103 earlier.

If I go that route I want a matching cab. In my head that's a 4x12. Any good tips on these newer models?

bgmww · #43 12-27-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrophonic

I've been offered a Custom 100 at a decent price and I'm seriously considering that. After all I loved my DR103 earlier.

If I go that route I want a matching cab. In my head that's a 4x12. Any good tips on these newer models?

you mean newer hiwatt cabs ?
They just build the 410s fot bass (Fane or Celestion loaded)... THe 412 folded horn was custom built for Coldplay's bassist.
I think Aguilar sells 412s

Electrophonic · #44 12-27-2012, 11:29 AM

I'm still open for better offers on the amp.

Thanks, but I really want a Hiwatt cab. And I want it to be a 4x12. I've noticed they don't make them for bass anymore. I have to look for an old one.

Electrophonic · #45 12-28-2012, 01:18 AM

I've been told that the HG412 cab, built for guitar, works well for bass. Just like the old 412 cabs.

Has anyone else tried it? Sound a bit weird to me that this cab should work well with bass.

guymanndude1 · #46 12-28-2012, 01:59 AM

Avatar makes a 4x12" cab for bass

georgestrings · #47 12-28-2012, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgmww

That is one of the nicest bass rigs I've ever seen...

- georgestrings

godofthunder59 · #48 12-28-2012, 05:05 AM

I love my '75 Hiwatt DR201! Here she is paired with a rare 2150 cab and a 4x12. The DR201 is from Slade's backline

OP you have not mentioned your budget but for the price of a new Orange, Reeves etc. you should be able to find a used vintage DR201 for less. If those amps are out of you price range I really like the Orange Terror Bass head, I bought one for smaller gigs and as a backup to my Hiwatt.

Electrophonic · #49 12-28-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godofthunder59

I love my '75 Hiwatt DR201! Here she is paired with a rare 2150 cab and a 4x12. The DR201 is from Slade's backline

OP you have not mentioned your budget but for the price of a new Orange, Reeves etc. you should be able to find a used vintage DR201 for less. If those amps are out of you price range I really like the Orange Terror Bass head, I bought one for smaller gigs and as a backup to my Hiwatt.

Thanks. LOVELY rig you've got there!

I don't have a budget, other than a used DR103 or DR 201 and a matching Hiwatt cab. Hopefully a 4x12. I had this rig once and now the bug has bit again...

godofthunder59 · #50 12-28-2012, 07:28 AM

Well electrophonic in that case the sky is the limit! get what you really want !

Electrophonic · #51 12-28-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godofthunder59

Well electrophonic in that case the sky is the limit! get what you really want !

I don't have a spesific budget - but wish the sky was the limit!

What I want is a 4x12 cab. I am curious to find out if any of the new 4x12 are suitable for bass or not. I wish they made these for bass too like in the old days.

Zentner · #52 12-28-2012, 10:37 AM

Here's my typical rig, though the bass and amp rotate in and out pretty regularly depending on my mood.

If you have the bucks, a Hylight DR201 is the way to go IMO.

bgmww · #53 12-28-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrophonic

I don't have a spesific budget - but wish the sky was the limit!

What I want is a 4x12 cab. I am curious to find out if any of the new 4x12 are suitable for bass or not. I wish they made these for bass too like in the old days.

Contact Mark at sales@hiwatt.co.uk. Ask him about it.

Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgmww

That is one of the nicest bass rigs I've ever seen...

- georgestrings

Thank you george ! it sounds nice too !

kulit17 · #54 12-31-2012, 06:31 AM

Hoping someone could answer this question and I hope it doesn't derail the OP, but what's a typical used price for an excellent condition DR-201 and DR-405? I may be succumbing for the urge for one of these.....

hennessybass · #55 12-31-2012, 12:11 PM

I have a '77 DR201. It has one mod - a line out, and it is in very nice condition. I think I am going to sell, so I checked with the guys at Austin Vintage Guitars. They usually use ebay, and a combo of other sources to determine what the market price is for a piece of gear like that. Since there are not many vintage DR201s or 405s selling on ebay, we pulled out the blue book. It listed value for a DR201 somewhere between $2500 - $2700. Steve at the vintage shop said he would put mine up for sale at $2999.

Zentner · #56 01-02-2013, 01:02 PM

DR201's seem to go for different prices depending on whether it's a 6xEL34 or a 4xKT88 and whether it's a Hylight or Biacrown era Hiwatt.... The El34 version appears to be quite a bit more common from what I've seen come up for sale, and they usually pull around $2000-$2300 for a mid 70's. The KT88 version seems to pull more in the $2800-$3000 range, but for an early model with old tubes and a clean circuit, I could honestly see up to $3500 being reasonable.

The 405's are quite a bit more rare no matter which way you slice it... I believe 12 of them are known to exist currently, and only 5 or 6 of those are in North America. I have one, Clayton down in 'Hiwatt valley.... haha' has 2, one other guy down south had one I thought, and there's a fake DR405 that's been floating around for years that was originally a slave 400W that's been converted. Aside from that, the bass player from Focus is supposed to still have 2 of them, Paul@ twotribes in the UK has one I think, not sure on the others...

I paid around $5k from my DR405 plus import/tax/gas for 1700miles, and mine's had a pro cap job, great preamp tubes, decent power tubes, and a big hole in the cabinet for a fan install, so think what you will about it, but I honestly feel like it was a really really good price for it. I looked for over 5 years to find this one, and the stars just aligned and allowed me to make it happen.

If I were to look for another Hiwatt, it would be a Hylight DR201 with KT88's. I think they're probably the best tube bass head produced for the gigging bassist with a very usable amount of volume without being absolutely unnecessary. $3000 is a ton for an amp- no question... but having owned many of the 'grail' amps of the tube world ('70 6146b equipped SVT, early oliver poerflex (ampeg portaflex), Ampeg V9, Peavey Classic 400, Mesa 400+, etc.) I can say my Hiwatt is a clear step above in terms of volume, clarity, and balance.

hennessybass · #57 01-02-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zentner

DR201's seem to go for different prices depending on whether it's a 6xEL34 or a 4xKT88 and whether it's a Hylight or Biacrown era Hiwatt.... The El34 version appears to be quite a bit more common from what I've seen come up for sale, and they usually pull around $2000-$2300 for a mid 70's. The KT88 version seems to pull more in the $2800-$3000 range, but for an early model with old tubes and a clean circuit, I could honestly see up to $3500 being reasonable.

Hard to get a grip on the value of these, because there are so few of them, and even fewer of them being sold. Not like you can go in the classifieds here and find 15 for sale. For what it's worth, right now here is the info I can find...

Mid 70s ('76?) El34 DR201 listed in TB clasifides right now for $2500

The (el34) that I own was originally listed at $2599 (in June 2011). I paid a less than that I think.

Austin Vintage Guitar said they would list mine at $2999, and the owner seemed confident that he could sell it. Everything in that shop is listed high, and I assume whoever got it would get it for a little cheaper, so let's call it $2700

I have been able to find some examples of "new" Hiwatts for sale, but that all I can find of the vintage stuff. I would say that puts market price right around $2500 for a mid 70s El34 Hiwatt DR201.

IMO of course.

hennessybass · #58 01-02-2013, 02:13 PM

Just did a quick check for DR201s on the Hiwatt Register...

There are -57- KT88 DR201 listed,, and -21- El34 DR201s listed.

Majority of the KT88 amps (46) are from the Hylite 1 era, I believe before they started making the 6 El34 version.

Zentner · #59 01-02-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hennessybass

Just did a quick check for DR201s on the Hiwatt Register...

There are -57- KT88 DR201 listed,, and -21- El34 DR201s listed.

Majority of the KT88 amps (46) are from the Hylite 1 era, I believe before they started making the 6 El34 version.

Hmm.. very interesting, I thought there would be a TON more of EL34's.... I've seen a bunch of the EL34 models for sale on Ebay over the years, and less of the KT88's.

hennessybass · #60 01-02-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zentner

Hmm.. very interesting, I thought there would be a TON more of EL34's.... I've seen a bunch of the EL34 models for sale on Ebay over the years, and less of the KT88's.

Might be because all of the KT88 models are older? Also, if they are in the register, they are more likely in a permanent home with someone who really digs Hiwatt stuff (read, takes the time to register it)... could account for more of the El34 amps floating around.