Hiwatt Alternatives?

[Fuzzy Picklez]

So I had a chance to play an old hiwatt custom 50... And I loved it. Hiwatt amps never seem to go cheap though. Is there anyone who builds hiwatt style amps at a lower price?

[Eivind August]

http://www.reevesamps.com/

Still kinda expensive though. Maybe an old Sound City?

[D.o.S.]

But I wanted to be the cheeky bastard that suggested Reeves.

[Eivind August]

There can be only one.

[D.o.S.]

[Cravillon]

I see a sound city being modded to a Hiwatt every once in a while, but I have no idea how they hold up to the real deal though, since I haven't played an original hi watt or a sound city conversion. My unmodded sound city sounds killer though!

[MEC]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=43792

[MightyMiloQuinn]

I believe Science Amps and Hovercraft make Hiwatt style amps. Not a ton cheaper, but gives you some options.

[Fuzzy Picklez]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=43792

I saw this just after I posted this thread. THE TEMPTATION.

So people do make Hiwatts, but they're never cheap huh? I know Sound City are prehiwatt Hiwatts, but do they sound similar?

I tried one once. I don't remember the model, but I don't believe it was working properly.

[Gone Fission]

I know Sound City are prehiwatt Hiwatts, but do they sound similar?

Dan Reeves contract-built the earliest Sound City amps. These were closer to the CP-103 "The Who"/PT/JE models than the DR models. He went out on his own as Hiwatt afterward. Sound City diverged from the original amps, and people tend to like the earlier couple generations more, and this was the case back when they were all cheap also-rans and not up and coming vintage pieces.

I don't know how viable an option it would be to have a tech refit a Ceriatone Hiwatt clone with good Partridge clone transformers from Mojotone or Hi-Tone/Vintage Hiwatt Restorations. Might be the cheapest option, though resale would be higher with a Reeves or a Hi Tone, probably enough to justify the premium if you have a thought of parting with the amp.

Damn, I wish I had the bucks free and available to pick up a real DR or Bulldog combo 10-15 years ago before the market caught up with them.

[Decibill]

It's a great sound for sure, but no matter if you go real deal or clone, it's gonna cost you.

[chillerthanmost]

Hitone makes solid clones. If you go Sound City it has to be a MKIII or earlier. Everything after that has absolutely nothing in common with a Hiwatt unless there's original glass inside.

[frigid midget]

The ting with those hiwatt custom heads impo...

All of the available clones and copies out there that sound remotely close, will cost you almost as much as a non-vintage Hiwatt custom 100 or 50, if not more

Also: Aren't hovercraft amps basically just modded chinese amps? Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just figured companies like Science and Reeves were playing in a higher league. Could be wrong on that though

[Gone Fission]

Also: Aren't hovercraft amps basically just modded chinese amps? Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just figured companies like Science and Reeves were playing in a higher league. Could be wrong on that though

Hovercraft are as you say. I haven't seen any indication that they're doing transformer upgrades. And amp DIYers chasing Hiwatt say you can't really get it right without the right Partridge transformers or good clones of them. Hovercraft seems to do a few things well, but I severely doubt that accurate Hiwatt is one of those things.

[AxAxSxS]

I think you can order the ceriatone ones without transformers. From what I've heard they'll work with you on any parts configuration you want, just need to contact them.