Hiwatt 50 Build

Vox and Hiwatt Discussion

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Blackburn
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Location: Texas

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by Blackburn »

Sweet build, dude. I've been wanting to do one of those up for a long time but haven't come to it yet. Maybe this year... :D
dcribbs1412
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Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Thanks Blackburn
Not sure what to expect as I have no Hiwatt experience.
Clips I've heard have been a mixed bag.

I finished wiring...Decided to go with the OL version first.
Will revert back to the classic and compare. Or maybe just build another?
Not sure I would pass the Hiwatt wiring school.
Will check everything then bulb test and see what she's got to say.

Darin
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dcribbs1412
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Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Found a few wiring mistakes...bulb test was good...installed tubes and
she is up and running.

Voltages
V1-206, 202
V2-161, 248
V3-365, 263
V4-313, 323
V5-462, 450, 451
V6-462, 450, 451
Not real sure about the voltages...they seem a little low?
Also a new set of EH 34's I got from AES has drifted quite a bit...biased at
31 and 38ma. Will roll some tubes and see what changes.
Any comments are appreciated

Darin
dcribbs1412
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Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Got a set of Winged C El 34's biased around 40ma each
still rolling pre amp tubes.
I now understand the draw to the cleans of this style circuit. I like it!
Not sure how close to a classic Hiwatt this build is, but the cleans are very nice, rich and full. Used EV12L and a TT alnico speaker.
Guitars, whether Strat, LP, 335 all play nice with this circuit.
Had to really crank it to get the crunch where it felt good...
crap was literally falling off my shelves...not realistic in a small room setting.
I'll be trying some pedals for crunch and OD.
Recommend this circuit for something a little different/challenging.
My 2 cents...

Darin
dcribbs1412
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Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Finally got this build in a proper cab.
Chassis, faceplate from (Ceriatone)Nik, SourMash head cab.

Darin
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martin manning
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Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by martin manning »

Looks real fine inside and out Darin!
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Structo
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Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by Structo »

That is a fine job!

Looks real clean!
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
dcribbs1412
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Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Thank guys
This was a fun build.

Darin
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NickC
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Location: Upstate New York

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by NickC »

That is a fantastic looking build! Nicely done!
dcribbs1412
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Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:56 pm
Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Thanks Nick
a few small details left...Imp knob and some labels on back
then callin it good

Darin
stomaATS
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Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:26 pm

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by stomaATS »

fellas,

new here.. been lurking about for a while researching and stuff. but had to say..

that looks great!

I was going to build a clone a few years back but then I came across a 73 dr504 for sale.. Sold a bass and jumped on it and I am very very happy I did... The first time I fired it up, I set the volumes and tones to noon and the master to about 9:00 and hit a chord.. and it scare the hell out of me.. It quite literally made me jump.. It was so much louder than I expected at that level and so immediate that it felt as though the amp punched me in the chest with an A chord a millisecond before I even hit the strings.

One piece of advice.. TRY SOME 6CA7s..

I'm sure they are all over the web, but FWIW this is mine along with the 2 2X12s I built for it. Those ever so slightly bent up wires to the filter caps stick out like a soar thumb with all those straight lines everywhere else.. it's pretty easy to tell when there has been some work done on these.. no matter how well done.
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dcribbs1412
Posts: 1386
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:56 pm
Location: Arizona Desert

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by dcribbs1412 »

Nice amp and cabs!
congrats stomaATS
I agree its a very loud 50 watts.
what speakers are you using?
I will give some 6CA7s a try

Thanks
Darin
stomaATS
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Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:26 pm

Re: Hiwatt 50 Build

Post by stomaATS »

I am using the reeves vintage purples. They are great but take a long time to break in.. You can get them direct from reeves for a little over 100 I believe.
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