One of my fave classic rock sounds

[FourT6and2]

I don't know what it is, but the classic rock sounds he's getting out of that 20-watt Hiwatt blow me away. Better than any Marshall I've heard. Talk about instant gas!

Just right off the bat, that first riff. Instant heaven.

I wonder if that's straight in or if he's running into a pedal of some sort.

 

[RaceU4her]

i like the SG into the marshall. the hiwatt sounds a little dry to me

 

[FourT6and2]

i like the SG into the marshall. the hiwatt sounds a little dry to me

The Marshall sounds scooped in comparison to my ears. The Hiwatt has less hair on the gain. Maybe that's where the dryness is coming from for you?

 

[RaceU4her]

i like the SG into the marshall. the hiwatt sounds a little dry to me

The Marshall sounds scooped in comparison to my ears. The Hiwatt has less hair on the gain. Maybe that's where the dryness is coming from for you?

im not sure, its a pretty unique gain structure. almost like a more pleasant rockman kind of middy thing going. you can hear him plucking the strings pretty clearly so he cant be playing that loud, im gonna guess its a pedal

 

[311boogieman]

marked

 

[FourT6and2]

I posted a comment in the vid asking if he's using a pedal or something. But I don't think he responds to comments that often.

 

[Racerxrated]

Cool vid. That HiWatt tone sounds very similar to any vintage Marshall, JCM 800 or prior if I dime the mids and keep the presence/treble low. At least to my ears, when I've tried that eq setup.

 

[MrDowntown]

love his vids,,,cat knows his tone...

 

[Crunchity]

Gotta agree with the OP, that first tone in the clip is great and the best of the bunch (for my tastes).

 

[FourT6and2]

Cool vid. That HiWatt tone sounds very similar to any vintage Marshall, JCM 800 or prior if I dime the mids and keep the presence/treble low. At least to my ears, when I've tried that eq setup.

The great thing about this video is you've got a bunch of other amps (including a few Marshalls) right there to compare. Same recording set up. Don't know how they're EQ'd, but the Hiwatt sounds better to me.

 

[Racerxrated]

Cool vid. That HiWatt tone sounds very similar to any vintage Marshall, JCM 800 or prior if I dime the mids and keep the presence/treble low. At least to my ears, when I've tried that eq setup.

The great thing about this video is you've got a bunch of other amps (including a few Marshalls) right there to compare. Same recording set up. Don't know how they're EQ'd, but the Hiwatt sounds better to me.

Right, I get it. Just my observation; it just sounds similar to what I can get maxing the mids and turning down the presence/treble. You definitely lose the 'hair' on the notes that way...cuts super well but I tend to like the high end hair. Seems to add more 'bite'.

 

[FourT6and2]

Cool vid. That HiWatt tone sounds very similar to any vintage Marshall, JCM 800 or prior if I dime the mids and keep the presence/treble low. At least to my ears, when I've tried that eq setup.

The great thing about this video is you've got a bunch of other amps (including a few Marshalls) right there to compare. Same recording set up. Don't know how they're EQ'd, but the Hiwatt sounds better to me.

Right, I get it. Just my observation; it just sounds similar to what I can get maxing the mids and turning down the presence/treble. You definitely lose the 'hair' on the notes that way...cuts super well but I tend to like the high end hair. Seems to add more 'bite'.

Yeah I EQ most of my amps that way. Mids way up high, presence/treble low.

 

[LP Freak]

I don’t love any video where the strings on the guitar are as loud as the amp.

 

[skullfxr]

I can't give the best opinion, as I have only played a few hiwatts EVER, but I feel they are drier than Marshalls. Not a good or bad thing, just different.

 

[Zado]

With the strat it really sounds better than anything else

 

[braintheory]

I have an old Hiwatt DR103 and I agree it is drier sounding than Marshall’s. The Marshalls are more growly/hairy, warm and juicy/saturated, but the Hiwatt sounds bigger and more articulate than any Marshall I’ve tried and moves air like nothing else I’ve played before. Once you get it loud enough, the chugs on it are insane. After I heard those super big, heavy chugs I got on my Hiwatt, I went to one of my Cameron modded Marshall’s to AB, and while it had other things going for it like it’s roar/growl and juiciness, the chugs sounded weaker and less impressive in comparison and usually I’m very happy with how it chugs

The Hiwatt also has nice cleans and it’s eq knobs are way more responsive than Marshall’s. Honestly though I wasn’t impressed with the sound in that video and don’t think it gives an accurate representation of the Hiwatt sound

I can see though how lowering the treble/presence and raising the mids can get a Marshall to be in some ways more like a Hiwatt, but that won’t capture what I think makes them special, which to me is how massive and clear they sound. I still would probably choose a Marshall if I could only pick one between the 2 since I love their growl, but imo Marshall’s can’t do the Hiwatt thing or vice versa

 

[skullfxr]

Is it safe to say that hiwatts are a little more hifi sound than a Marshall? (again I have not played many hiwatt amps) that's the impression that sticks in my head.

 

[Braciola]

You're joking........ right?

 

[Norton666]

I gotta say , I think the HiWatt destroys the 800 in this video. I’m not sure how he has them EQ’d , but the Marshall doesn’t sound at all to me. Just my opinion of course

 

[skullfxr]

You're joking........ right?

Maybe I said the wrong word.

was meaning more dry and articulate and maybe less hairy.