A perfect reissue of the 50W version of the DR103. An amp which also has the reputation of having contributed, since 1970, to making the Hiwatt sound legendary.
With half the tubes and half the power of its big brother, it offers the same sonic quality while delivering the iconic Hiwatt drive tone at a lower volume, ideal for recording.
Like the DR103, the DR504 is recognizable for its clear, elegant clean tone that magnifies effects pedals and its gigantic volume and headroom. That makes it an all-purpose amplifier which is praised to be used with bass guitars, keyboards, and even acoustic instruments.
This sound quality is due to David Reeve's original and unique, almost Hi-Fi design, its military-grade point-to-point wiring based after the work of Harry Joice, and the choice for the finest components. This includes the famous Partridge™ transformer, specially designed for vintage Hiwatt amps and reissued for new models. Like the DR103, the DR504 is handcrafted in England.
Lowering the output power to 50W on the DR504 allows to reach the brand's jumped drive tone at a "recording" volume. This natural and punchy sound has a very personal British tint thanks to the characteristic midrange boost, but in a very different way from other major English brands.
This version of the DR504 is equipped with the 12" 150W Purpleback speaker. This Fane Acoustics™ speaker, custom-developed for Hiwatt, is essential for recreating the brand's signature sound. With a power handling capacity of 150W, it has tremendous headroom making it ideal for maintaining pristine, clean tone at really high volumes. This feature, perfectly aligned with the design of the DR103 and 504, is also important for handling the ultra-powerful overdrive sound these amps can deliver.
Designed at the time according to David Reeve precise specifications, including a molded frame and maximum headroom, the Fane speaker is part of the Hiwatt sound. This 12" 150W Purpleback is still manufactured in England by Fane Acoustics™. It meets these same specifications and also features a cast frame and all the necessary headroom to make a DR504 sound exactly like it did in the past.
- Faithfully hand-wired according to Dave Reeve's original late 60's circuit design.
- Hiwatt is the premiere Pedal platform prized for clarity and Headroom. Presents Pedals true to your sound — no effects loop required.
- Normal and Bright channels with independent High and Low impedance inputs for each channel. Versatile and intuitive, perfect for bringing life out of dark pickups or taming shrill high end in bright pickups.
- Link the two channels for extra punch and dynamic control of your EQ via the independent channel volumes. Unleash the ’jumped’ channel sound Hiwatt is famous for.
- All the clean Headroom you could want.
- AP / Truly All Purpose Amplifier. Historically used by the world's most influential artists on a wide range of instruments in the studio and on stage. Ideal for amplifying bass, keys, synthesizers, guitars and other full-range and acoustic instruments.
Wattage: 50W
Channels: Normal, Bright
Inputs: Normal Hi, Normal Low, Bright Hi, Bright Low
Output: 2 x 1/4" Speaker Out
Preamp Valves: 4 x ECC83 (12AX7)*
Output Valves: 2 x EL34
*Optionally replace one ECC83 for phase inverter with an ECC81 (12AT7)
Speakers: 1 x 12" British Fane Purpleback
Speaker Wattages: 150W
Speaker Impedances: 8 Ω
Controls:
Normal Volume, Bright Volume
3-Band EQ shared by both channels — Bass, Treble, Middle
Presence — Treble Boost shared by both channels
Master Volume
Standby — On/Off
Mains — On/Off
Voltage: Switchable using World Voltage Selector on the rear panel — 100V, 115V, 230V, or 240V
Impedance: Switchable using Impedance Selector on the rear panel — 4 Ω, 8 Ω, or 16 Ω