Help me identify this Hiwatt bass cab

[aleberro]

Hi, I have recently got these two used Hiwatt bass cabinets.

The former (top position in the pic) is a 4x10" model B410, which corresponds to pictures found in internet and has the model/serial number written on the back panel.

I cannot identify the latter (bottom in the pic), although it looks exactly the same from outside but has a 1x15" speaker. I'd think it could be a B115, of the same production era because looks identical, but it has a different back panel than all the B115 pictures I found in internet.

It looks like also the B115 should have model and serial number written on the back panel, while as you can see from the pictures mine does not have anything but two unlabeled plugs (which I would like to know what are they for - I assume the leftmost is input and the other one is link? Or perhaps they are two parallel inputs?).

There are other minor differences I found, this time for both cabinets, about the grill (mine cannot be removed) and the hiwatt logo plate (which is placed at the center of the speaker instead of the top).

Another strange fact: the "holes" on the top surface of the cabinets do not match the position of the wheels, so I cannot stack perfectly the cabs. But maybe the wheels are not original and the original pads are missing.

Moreover, I wanted to find manual/specs/wiring diagrams for these cabinets but I had no success.

Can anybody help me to identify the 1x15" and maybe to get some documentation about these cabinets?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Wasnex]

My guess is those cabs are from the Music Ground era. The jacks should all be in parallel.

The B410 gives you the wiring for the speakONs.

Most likely the 1/4" jacks are tip + and ring -

You can probably use any jack as an in or out.

Not a bad idea to check the wiring to confirm.

 

[aleberro]

My guess is those cabs are from the Music Ground era. The jacks should all be in parallel.

The B410 gives you the wiring for the speakONs.
View attachment 5222277

Most likely the 1/4" jacks are tip + and ring -

You can probably use any jack as an in or out.

Not a bad idea to check the wiring to confirm.

Thanks for the answer. My biggest doubt is about the 1x15", which is unmarked. Looks strange to me that is hasn't any label.
Also, the B115 should have a different backplate.

 

[Wasnex]

Could be a Chinese Knockoff.

 

[aleberro]

That's what I thought, however the build quality looks absolutely the same for both cabs. Maybe they're both knockoffs? but the 4x10" looks faithful to the original!

 

[bylar13]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[shadven]

I suspect the 15" is also 8 ohms. So, you should be good to go on almost all amp heads that expect a 4 ohm load. Nice score! You can run the smaller gig with just a single cab, and when you need to bring the "rock", go with both cabs!

 

[Wasnex]

That's what I thought, however the build quality looks absolutely the same for both cabs. Maybe they're both knockoffs? but the 4x10" looks faithful to the original!

Could be a prototype or earlier version. The only other thing I would suggest is taking a peak inside. Maybe the brand and model of driver will be informative.

 

[Michedelic]

Hi, I have recently got these two used Hiwatt bass cabinets.

The former (top position in the pic) is a 4x10" model B410, which corresponds to pictures found in internet and has the model/serial number written on the back panel.

I cannot identify the latter (bottom in the pic), although it looks exactly the same from outside but has a 1x15" speaker. I'd think it could be a B115, of the same production era because looks identical, but it has a different back panel than all the B115 pictures I found in internet.

It looks like also the B115 should have model and serial number written on the back panel, while as you can see from the pictures mine does not have anything but two unlabeled plugs (which I would like to know what are they for - I assume the leftmost is input and the other one is link? Or perhaps they are two parallel inputs?).

There are other minor differences I found, this time for both cabinets, about the grill (mine cannot be removed) and the hiwatt logo plate (which is placed at the center of the speaker instead of the top).

Another strange fact: the "holes" on the top surface of the cabinets do not match the position of the wheels, so I cannot stack perfectly the cabs. But maybe the wheels are not original and the original pads are missing.

Moreover, I wanted to find manual/specs/wiring diagrams for these cabinets but I had no success.

Can anybody help me to identify the 1x15" and maybe to get some documentation about these cabinets?

Many thanks in advance.
View attachment 5222269 View attachment 5222270 View attachment 5222271

Here is an explanation of what ‘Maxwatt’ was all about…
Maxwatt Amps

Fernandez had rights to the Hiwatt name for a while, and manufactured(on a lesser quality level)Hiwatt branded gear. I have one such 4x12” cab, it’s made from particle board, black grill cloth instead of the salt’n’pepper that’s attached to the front baffle, removable back panel to access speakers, cheap OEM drivers.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi, I have recently got these two used Hiwatt bass cabinets.

The former (top position in the pic) is a 4x10" model B410, which corresponds to pictures found in internet and has the model/serial number written on the back panel.

I cannot identify the latter (bottom in the pic), although it looks exactly the same from outside but has a 1x15" speaker. I'd think it could be a B115, of the same production era because looks identical, but it has a different back panel than all the B115 pictures I found in internet.

It looks like also the B115 should have model and serial number written on the back panel, while as you can see from the pictures mine does not have anything but two unlabeled plugs (which I would like to know what are they for - I assume the leftmost is input and the other one is link? Or perhaps they are two parallel inputs?).

There are other minor differences I found, this time for both cabinets, about the grill (mine cannot be removed) and the hiwatt logo plate (which is placed at the center of the speaker instead of the top).

Another strange fact: the "holes" on the top surface of the cabinets do not match the position of the wheels, so I cannot stack perfectly the cabs. But maybe the wheels are not original and the original pads are missing.

Moreover, I wanted to find manual/specs/wiring diagrams for these cabinets but I had no success.

Can anybody help me to identify the 1x15" and maybe to get some documentation about these cabinets?

Many thanks in advance.
View attachment 5222269 View attachment 5222270 View attachment 5222271

I had a 412 cab back in the 70’s the Name Plate was in the middle of the grill. As far as I know , every Hiwatt cab I’ve seen has had the plate centered in the grill.

 

[aleberro]

Invalid Link Removed

Mine does not have horn level control.

 

[Wasnex]

Mine does not have horn level control.

Does it have a horn? I am guessing no. Is the 115 front ported?

This is from an expired listing in Germany. B115 MkII

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Chinese knockoff:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Oatis]

If it didn't say "made in UK" I would not think it was 'real'.

 

[darkwasthenight]

Hey, we've just passed the pictures around the office and the small plate isn't ringing any particular bells, but there were a lot of changes over the years. I'll say that all the fittings and tolex look accurate for a MG era B115 - we still use the same screws and the wheels look like the spares I've seen in the warehouse. Is the 115 cab slightly smaller dimensions than the 410?

The two inputs will be parallel wired, so input and link. You should be able to use either as they're a straight parallel connection. Ohmage is usually 8 but I'd recommend checking with a meter anyway.

 

[aleberro]

Hey, we've just passed the pictures around the office and the small plate isn't ringing any particular bells, but there were a lot of changes over the years. I'll say that all the fittings and tolex look accurate for a MG era B115 - we still use the same screws and the wheels look like the spares I've seen in the warehouse. Is the 115 cab slightly smaller dimensions than the 410?

The two inputs will be parallel wired, so input and link. You should be able to use either as they're a straight parallel connection. Ohmage is usually 8 but I'd recommend checking with a meter anyway.

Wow, it's great to have someone answering "from the inside"! Thanks
So if the small plate loks strange to You too.. the plot thickens!
I measured the cabs and they are absolutely identical as per dimensions: 62x63,5x46,5 cm | 24,4x25x18,3 inches (WxHxD).
Unfortunately I won't be able to try the cabs with an amp head for some days, so in the meanwhile I can only try to dig up any information I can!

 

[aleberro]

Does it have a horn? I am guessing no. Is the 115 front ported?

This is from an expired listing in Germany. B115 MkII
View attachment 5222951
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Chinese knockoff:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
View attachment 5222956

How can I remove the grill to check? By unscrewing the Hiwatt logo plate? There aren't tapes on the top side of the grill (which I assume they serve that purpose).

 

[darkwasthenight]

How can I remove the grill to check? By unscrewing the Hiwatt logo plate? There aren't tapes on the top side of the grill (which I assume they serve that purpose).

Badge should just be mounted to the grill which yes, should have tapes across the top so you can pull it down. I'd try using a flathead driver to gently get behind the piping around the edge and try and prise it away.

Regarding the sizes, the Maxwatt 115s are slightly smaller than the 410 which is why I was asking. Again, there were a bunch of changes through the years and I haven't seen everything. It's definitely the MW plastics and hardware though.