Too late now, Hiwatt DR103 Gilmour-spec build

[Strandberg Junkie]

Too much other stuff keeps getting in the way of this project. But I finally got everything done except the preamp board and controls. Which is still a lot.

This is the type of porn that still works for this old guy. Gorgeous stuff! Nice clean solder joints - bonus points dude!

 

[SpiderWars]

This is the type of porn that still works for this old guy. Gorgeous stuff! Nice clean solder joints - bonus points dude!

Thanks! This one turned out to be way more of a pain than I expected. Marshalls and Fenders are way easier.

Everything works. The Master is a little scratchy but the tone stack seems right. It’s loud af and will rattle your balls or slice your head off if you let it. A very slight hum but overall very low noise floor even when cranked. The distortion when cranked sucks tho but I have only played it a little and unattenuated.

 

[Strandberg Junkie]

A very slight hum.

Naked, like in the pictures or in a shell with some foil shielding?

 

[SpiderWars]

Naked, like in the pictures or in a shell with some foil shielding?

The shield didn't make any difference. It's slight and it doesn't get louder with volume. I'll get back inside of it but for now I'm just enjoying it.

 

[gtrwun]

Thanks! This one turned out to be way more of a pain than I expected. Marshalls and Fenders are way easier.

Everything works. The Master is a little scratchy but the tone stack seems right. It’s loud af and will rattle your balls or slice your head off if you let it. A very slight hum but overall very low noise floor even when cranked. The distortion when cranked sucks tho but I have only played it a little and unattenuated.

I played Hiwatts for many years live when young.

The Hiwatt circuit really doesn’t work unless your doing lower gain stuff or boosting with a fuzz. With some univibe and echo it sounds great.

Otherwise, it’s really just a powerful cleanish tone as per Pete Townsend.

I love Hiwatt. Just takes more imagination to get to the end.

 

[SpiderWars]

I played Hiwatts for many years live when young.

The Hiwatt circuit really doesn’t work unless your doing lower gain stuff or boosting with a fuzz. With some univibe and echo it sounds great.

Otherwise, it’s really just a powerful cleanish tone as per Pete Townsend.

I love Hiwatt. Just takes more imagination to get to the end.

Totally agree. And it doesn’t sound its best into Greenback type speakers either. So if you compare a Marshall and a Hiwatt into an old Marshall cab it just won’t have a chance.

 

[SpiderWars]

And since this old thread resurfaced here’s a shot with the badge I picked for it.

 

[alund]

This thread is quite interesting. I’ve been pondering a DIY amp not for the amp but know wtf you guys who build them are talking about. It’s difficult for me to read something and say… oh yeah, I got this! I actually need to go through motions; then it makes sense. Resistor? Transformer? Diode? Wtf !!