Hiwatt 4x12 Cabs?

[FourT6and2]

I'm thinking of getting a Hiwatt 4x12 to match my Super-Hi 50.

They offer two versions: HG and SE. The SE is made in England of "birch ply" (they don't specifically state "void free, Baltic birch" though). The cheaper HG is made in China of "birch ply" however no mention of whether or not the rear panel is MDF. The HG has typical metal handles and the SE has the internal box handles found in vintage Hiwatts. The dimensions are also slightly different between the two:

SE: 30" x 30" x 13"
HG: 30" x 29" x 13.7"

Both are rear ported and I've never played a ported 4x12 before. Has anybody used one of these cabs, or even any Hiwatt 4x12, even vintage ones?

The Super-Hi is a hot-rodded DR504... a modern high-gain amp, not a vintage Hiwatt. So I imagine the port could affect things differently in that context? There's a third option—the "Super-Hi" cab that pairs with the amp. But it's a hybrid cab: front loaded, 2x12 on top and 1x15 on bottom. While it's made for the Super-Hi amp, if I don't like it, it might be hard to sell because not a lot people want a cab like this. So that's why I'm focusing on the 4x12s.

 

[the4thlast1]

Im assuming they come with Fane speakers? Only experience I have that might remotly help would be with the newer Fryette cabs that have Fane F70g, I have also tried the regular Fane F70s as well as a bunch of other Fanes. If the speakers in these are similar then they will have a smoother tone compared to celestions. The F70s have more low mid and low end than V30s. They do sound good if you are looking for a different flavor than the typical British sounding stuff. When it comes to ported cabs the only company I found that does it well so far is Mesa Boogie. Ive had Port City 4x12, Mojotone 4x12 and Friedman 2x12 ported cabs. I didnt find the port to do what most would think, the port can actually yield less lowend. In the case of Mesa Boogie my 1x12 and my 2x12 half back have ported sections in them and whatever they did in the placement and size of the port they got it right. The other cabs mentioned had a port on the bottom in the front of in the back where the Mesa has front ports on either one side or both sides of the cab.

 

[Devin]

I have the modern Sound City (Fryette) 4x12 cab - it has Fanes and the rear slit port and sounds amazing for any style of music in my opinion

I assume construction-wise it is faithful to the original Sound City (Hiwatt) cab

Definitely my favorite cab

 

[Klauth]

I'm thinking of getting a Hiwatt 4x12 to match my Super-Hi 50.

They offer two versions: HG and SE. The SE is made in England of "birch ply" (they don't specifically state "void free, Baltic birch" though). The cheaper HG is made in China of "birch ply" however no mention of whether or not the rear panel is MDF. The HG has typical metal handles and the SE has the internal box handles found in vintage Hiwatts. The dimensions are also slightly different between the two:

SE: 30" x 30" x 13"
HG: 30" x 29" x 13.7"

Both are rear ported and I've never played a ported 4x12 before. Has anybody used one of these cabs, or even any Hiwatt 4x12, even vintage ones?

The Super-Hi is a hot-rodded DR504... a modern high-gain amp, not a vintage Hiwatt. So I imagine the port could affect things differently in that context? There's a third option—the "Super-Hi" cab that pairs with the amp. But it's a hybrid cab: front loaded, 2x12 on top and 1x15 on bottom. While it's made for the Super-Hi amp, if I don't like it, it might be hard to sell because not a lot people want a cab like this. So that's why I'm focusing on the 4x12s.

The SE cabs are made in canada...NOT UK

 

[Greazygeo]

I would get a new Sound City cab if you want a Hiwatt cab. If you want it to say Hiwatt on it, that is different. Vintage Hiwatt cabs, some were front loaded with ports ( my 78-79 cab is like this) and earlier were rear loaded with the rear port at the bottom. No idea on the new ones.

 

[FourT6and2]

The SE cabs are made in canada...NOT UK

I know you have one (and a Hi Tone). How does that port on the back affect how it sounds? Compared to a similar closed back cab?

 

[FourT6and2]

Im assuming they come with Fane speakers? Only experience I have that might remotly help would be with the newer Fryette cabs that have Fane F70g, I have also tried the regular Fane F70s as well as a bunch of other Fanes. If the speakers in these are similar then they will have a smoother tone compared to celestions. The F70s have more low mid and low end than V30s. They do sound good if you are looking for a different flavor than the typical British sounding stuff. When it comes to ported cabs the only company I found that does it well so far is Mesa Boogie. Ive had Port City 4x12, Mojotone 4x12 and Friedman 2x12 ported cabs. I didnt find the port to do what most would think, the port can actually yield less lowend. In the case of Mesa Boogie my 1x12 and my 2x12 half back have ported sections in them and whatever they did in the placement and size of the port they got it right. The other cabs mentioned had a port on the bottom in the front of in the back where the Mesa has front ports on either one side or both sides of the cab.

I'd swap the speakers out either way, so that doesn't really matter. I'm talking about the enclosure itself. Also, the Hiwatt Fane speakers are not the same as the Fanes you can buy in the USA. The ones in the Hiwatt cabs are Octapulse, F150, F75, or Purplebacks.

 

[D-Rock]

You just watched the Russian Circles rig rundown too huh?

 

[FourT6and2]

You just watched the Russian Circles rig rundown too huh?

I did see that, yeah. But I've been wanting a Hiwatt cab for years. Was torn between the Super-Hi cab to match my amp or the SE412. But I figured I'd never be able to sell the Super-Hi cab if I didn't like it because it's a 2x12 + 1x15 in a 4x12 enclosure and nobody would ever buy it. And I never pulled the trigger on the regular 4x12 because there are so many companies offering "Hiwatt" cabs that it's hard to know which one's the best: Hiwatt, Reeves, Sound City, Hi-Tone, and Hylight.

That said, all the amazing NAMM clips of the Super-Hi prototype were with, what look like, rear-ported 4x12s. So I probably shouldn't worry.

Looks like the Russian Circles guitarist uses the HG cabs, which are the ones made in China.

 

[rottingcorpse]

There's a third option—the "Super-Hi" cab that pairs with the amp. But it's a hybrid cab: front loaded, 2x12 on top and 1x15 on bottom.

I'd be all over that cab. You probably have good 4x12s in your arsenal. Take a chance. I loved my Randalls that had that speaker setup, and love my warhead stacks even more.

 

[Klauth]

I know you have one (and a Hi Tone). How does that port on the back affect how it sounds? Compared to a similar closed back cab?

The sound of the cab is more omni directional than a closed back, which gives it more warmth, also - the venting from the port allows for more speaker movement giving you a fuller sound. also-also...the super-hi cab was a no-go for me. due to the phasing issues of the different size speakers. if you're in love with the concept of that cab, I would recommend their SE 2x12 and an SE 1x15 as you have the luxury of having two super-hi heads...you could use one per cab and dial in the sound you like...also, I would stick to the genuine FANE speakers and not the celestions with these cabs. better to go marshall with those.

 

[thegame]

Not a fan of any cab with a depth of less than 14”

 

[FourT6and2]

The sound of the cab is more omni directional than a closed back, which gives it more warmth, also - the venting from the port allows for more speaker movement giving you a fuller sound. also-also...the super-hi cab was a no-go for me. due to the phasing issues of the different size speakers. if you're in love with the concept of that cab, I would recommend their SE 2x12 and an SE 1x15 as you have the luxury of having two super-hi heads...you could use one per cab and dial in the sound you like...also, I would stick to the genuine FANE speakers and not the celestions with these cabs. better to go marshall with those.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe all the vids of the NAMM prototype of the Super-Hi were with Hiwatt 4x12s with V30s. And those clips all sound absolutely incredible. However, no confirmation on this. And no idea if the cabs were SE or HG as there's no view of the side to see which handles.

 

[Klauth]

If I'm reading it right, sounds like your set on v30's. which I would recommend the 1960B cab. I have all the cabs discussed here (except the HG) although I must say, the best sounding cab with my Super-Hi 50 has been the Laney LA412 with FANE F70's...simply untouchable.

 

[FourT6and2]

If I'm reading it right, sounds like your set on v30's. which I would recommend the 1960B cab. I have all the cabs discussed here (except the HG) although I must say, the best sounding cab with my Super-Hi 50 has been the Laney LA412 with FANE F70's...simply untouchable.

No, I'm not set on V30s. Just looking at the options. The only Hiwatt SE cab I can find for sale comes with F75s, not Purplebacks. The HG cab comes with Otcopulse speakers. The Fane speakers Hiwatt uses in their cabs don't seem to be the same as the Fane speakers you can buy individually in the USA.

The speakers that come in Sound City cabs are some house brand made by Fane and the Hi-Tone cabs come with some unknown speaker. They don't really go into details on their website.

I've been using my Super-Hi with Bogner cabs for years. G12H-75 Creambacks. I've heard good things about the Fryette Deliverance cab as well.

 

[Klauth]

The HI-TONE Crescendo model I have in my cab are made by Eminence. That cab and speaker combination is exceptionally good for heavy rhythm as the MDF back Pannel is dead and tight. current FANE Purple backs are their own thing. the F75's are excellent with the Super-HI 50...just not as musical as the 150 purple backs. the current sound city cabs have more give than the current HIWATT cabs.

Curious as to if you're after a matching cab head look... or specific sound?

 

[FourT6and2]

Curious as to if you're after a matching cab head look... or specific sound?

Both. Would be great to have a matching cab for the looks. But sound-wise, the sound in all the Maxwatt/Hiwatt NAMM prototype videos is what I'm after. That said, I've heard good things about the Super-Hi cab itself from someone who runs the Super-Hi and Super-Hi cab on tour. I'll have a chance to hear that setup live in a few days.

However to buy that cab right now, would cost $2,550 + $200 shipping + 35% import tariff = $3,642

And that's fucking insane.

 

[Devin]

You seem like a pretty crafty guy with the amps and such; ever thought about trying to build your own cab?


$3,642 for a cab is actually insane


Don't buy that lmao

 

[Klauth]

Both. Would be great to have a matching cab for the looks. But sound-wise, the sound in all the Maxwatt/Hiwatt NAMM prototype videos is what I'm after. That said, I've heard good things about the Super-Hi cab itself from someone who runs the Super-Hi and Super-Hi cab on tour. I'll have a chance to hear that setup live in a few days.

However to buy that cab right now, would cost $2,550 + $200 shipping + 35% import tariff = $3,642

And that's fucking insane.

If the HIWATT SE cab with 75's doesn't make you happy with the head your running...I don't know what would. would recommend staying clear of the chinese made cabs though.

 

[FourT6and2]

If the HIWATT SE cab with 75's doesn't make you happy with the head your running...I don't know what would. would recommend staying clear of the chinese made cabs though.

I grabbed the SE with F75s. Will see what happens. That is most likely what was used with the NAMM prototype.