Crazy Tube Circuits Hi Power [Hiwatt In A Pedal? - Effector Du Jour]

A Power Boost & Hiwatt DR103 in a pedal? Hmm…
Welcome to the show and welcome to Effector Du Jour!
Dan and I have never been huge fans of amp-in-a-box pedals, but Crazy Tube Circuits from Greece has a unique approach to the concept that has really impressed us to date. Here then is a mighty challenge: the Hi Power vs the real thing! And while there is a bit of Gilmour flavour here, I tried to not make it all about that. Erm, also, I didn’t do much in the way of low-gain sounds today. The Hi Power can do those too, but I just got carried away on the crunchies!
Enjoy!
Pedals & stuff in this show
• Crazy Tube Circuits Hi Power
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
• Catalinbread Echorec
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia:bit.ly/2BWjXTM
USA: bit.ly/3zSgnHI
USA: sweetwater.sjv.io/JzXE12
• Wampler Terraform
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: bit.ly/2V3GtDc
USA: bit.ly/339aKX3
USA: sweetwater.sjv.io/zNGLW0
• TheGigRig AB Baby
shop.thegigrig.com/products/a...
Guitars used in today’s show
• Collings 290 DCS - Mick’s video here: • That Pedal Show - Our ...
• 1961 Fender Stratocaster - Mick’s video here: • Three New Strats For M...
Amps used in today’s’ show
• 1973 Hiwatt DR103. Link to new version
britampco.co.uk/hiwatt/shop/d...
• PRS HDRX20
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
USA: bit.ly/3TDM12g
USA: htt[s://sweetwater.sjv.io/KjmnV7
• Custom Zilla 412 with 2 x 12-inch Jensen Raptor 100 (top) and 2 x 12-inch Celestion Vintage 30 (bottom)
www.zillacabs.com/
Recording chain is:
• Close mics - Sontronics Delta 2 Ribbon into Neve 1073DPX
• Room mics - AKG C414XL x 2, arranged mid-side, into Neve 1073 LB, into Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor EQ
• Universal Apollo x16 interface
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
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/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf

[@bluesful]

We need more DR103 on the show.

[@HiwattOfficial]

We agree 😁

[@rkphilpot]

I just got the T40/20. Id like to Mick and Dan get their hands on that thing!

[@josephesposito3499]

I have an Audio Brothers1990's Hiwatt DR103 based on the 1975 version.

[@__dormant__]

I must admit I watch a lot of TPS, but by god Mick I feel like I could recognise your playing sight unseen any time. You very much have a very specific voice in the way you play. Always a pleasure to hear.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you! It’s the best compliment anyone could have!

[@nilsx3020]

@@ThatPedalShowand it’s oh so true in your case. Very few players come to mind, like Ariel Posen, Joey Landreth and Josh Smith to name my other faves.

[@jonathonawarnberg]

"For what we are about to recieve." Well played, Old Beans ; )

[@stemmers]

That Gilmour riff at 11:22 and the look on Mick's face - priceless!

[@MrBiggordy]

Yes, Mick, it's ALWAYS good to hear the HiWatt kicking you guys in the back! I return to the original video, where you compared various boosts through the HiWatt, whenever I feel a bit jaded in my playing - it always makes me smile!

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

Been patiently hoping and waiting for this one! Thank you Mick du Jour!

[@erik2446]

Thanks Mick for these fun videos! 🔥🔥🔥

[@danottley2627]

Those four notes sounded perfect Mick! Such a simple signal chain to get such an amazing sound. Wow the Hiwatt on it's own sounds so brutal, I love it, I just wouldn't be able to play it. Thanks leg-ends!

[@SouvenirsdeLemamba]

Reminds me that day you broke the interwebz during a pedalboard contest with Dan. That Strat was involved. Awesome tones. Félicitations Monsieur Mick du Jour !!!

[@thirrteenthirrteen5528]

That was a excellent example of a 16:14 sonic pleasure of Mick laying down killer tone. Well done, and keep them coming!

[@ianmartens5286]

Great pedal! And that Hiwatt was amazing on its own too

[@simonhirstmusic]

The Collings!! Yeeees 🔥 I don’t trust people who don’t like P-90’s, ha! Rock’n’roll for days. Good to see you playing it, Mick!

[@phaedrus1117]

Been waiting for this one!

[@RichardPribbernow]

Mick, your recording skills are impeccable, seems time for a TPS band cd to hit the store. I know Id buy one !

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you Richard!

[@timchalmers1700]

Excellent !! Thanks Mick!

[@anandadyes4152]

I think vacation weeks should have more videos than a normal week just to get us through the separation anxiety from the missing Q&A.... This was a good start 🤣

[@RobSM-au]

Got mine today. Love it to bits.

[@iwiggs6870]

"I think we've had enough of the HiWatt now" No. No we haven't. We never have. The answer is always MORE HiWatt, never LESS.

[@hellosailoreffectsofficial]

Get in! I absolutely love p90s & it's great to hear the Collings in action again.

[@peterhall4852]

I knew it was you playing,Mick. Sight unseen.

[@wgb01001]

Great video. I think HiWatts are the best sounding amps ever made. Pete Townshend’s live tone from ‘69-‘73 will never be topped.

[@josephesposito3499]

Not even by him. His sound today sucks

[@stanislavmigra]

I think CTC made awesome job here. The main thing Im hearing here is the small output section of HRDX20 versus the infinite output section of DR103. But greatstuff non the less. Awesome sound and sends you to that vibe instantly.

[@Wadey1960CS]

Afternoon Legends, I really enjoyed this one. I have the Crazy Tube Circuits Crossfire and use it quite a lot in junction with other pedals to get that Blackface flavor, it's like having another style amp in your arsenal without owning an actual Fender. Might end up picking one of these up as well now, as I have a Tru-Fi Pedals ColorDriver to put with it. Sounds great!

[@tompoynton]

Ooh been waiting for this one

[@GIBKEL]

That was like getting a dried up communion wafer and washing it down with some fine wine. I’m sure that amp is great in the right context but that boost was cinematic in effect.

[@christopher-miles]

that cab sounds and looks great.

[@AudioWonderland]

This pedal has a quality I am hearing more and more in modern stuff that I do not like. The bass is wooly and almost separated from the top end somehow when trying to do edge of break up / low gain sounds. Can't put my finger on what it is but I hear it and I don't care for it. Maybe its just too much bass or at least in the wrong spot.

[@AS__77]

Episode Idea!:I recently stumbled upon Hiwatt actually putting out their own pedal line?! Have you tried their overdrive pedal before? What about a show featuring more obscure amp pedals to see how they can make one amp sound like the amp they are wanting to mimic? Hiwatt overdrive, Friedman overdrive, Orange overdrive, and maybe one of the Fender amp pedals.

[@solomonsanchez1897]

Unless it's a custom shop edition, I would skip right over them. I believe the company changed hands quite a few times and one of those lines was made in China by Mars Music. I'm not saying the pedals don't sound good, but you will probably over pay for what they are.

[@chinaski2020]

Ooh that Collings is beautiful

[@wolfnstrings]

I have one of these pedals and it gets really close to the Gilmour tones at lower volume. It even improves the feel under the fingers.

[@alguitarchristie]

I had one of those Hi-Watts and sold it for 250 quid in the 90's. Wished I kept it, it was instant Pete Townsend with the volume pushed! Crazy Tubes are great. I have the Unobtanium, which is awesome. Both sounded great to me, but the CTC is more board friendly!

[@egg43002]

Love that Collings

[@Shadoweclipse1386]

Killer playing Mick! It's a lovely pedal, I definitely want one. I'm a bit of a Floyd/Gilmour fan, and with the Echorec and the vibe from the Terraform was just heavenly. Glad you played a little from The Who too though!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you! Not sure Pete ever used that much gain, but hey. :0)

[@Shadoweclipse1386]

@@ThatPedalShow Probably not intentionally, but I like to imagine that as loud as his Hiwatt probably had to be for Live At Leeds, that it sounded similar up close like you had in the room 😂

[@frankphvrvon3153]

On my list ❤

[@robb4340]

Are You Kidding? I Have My Echorec Pedaal At The Same Setting 🙂 As Always Cool Tones & Playing.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Excellent episode! Hope you're doing well Mick!!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Shawn! Thank you, all great here. Big love mate!

[@Scoots1994]

Haven't seen the Collings in a while. I think I first saw Mick play it about 8 years ago ... that's when I learned that my local guitar maker was more global than I had realized :)

[@danielr8932]

Fun episode with Mick du Jour. Lovin’ this format. To fans of Pete, Dave & Hiwatt, have any of you tried the Tech 21 Sansamp Character Series Leeds?

[@miguelteixeira1979]

Really cool usable sounds. And you were able to build a pretty interesting small board there. With 3 pedals you could get a multitude of sin going on. It would be really interesting looking at a board you use, not under the perspective of the pedals you have in there, but what sounds you actually use. I usually find that small boards give me a lot of options in terms of sounds. Not sure I can wrap my head around a big board (larger than 4/5 pedals). The headspace it would require to memorize that I have 40 sound options (with combination of pedals) would subtract from my already underwhelming ability to play.

[@oldguitarjames9303]

I have a Power Boost built into a dual pedal alongside a Muff (a bit like a 'Comfortably Plum' but handmade in Spain). It does the boost thing and it does that wonderful fuzzy thing really well. The problem I had was I wanted both and ended up with neither because I couldn't choose. First world problems. So this 'Hi Power' pedal allows me both and a nice slice of that HiWatt tone to boot, especially when used with the slightly flat sounding Victory V40. Combined with a Jam Pedals Pink Flow and it's Gilmour, plus a bit of Ronnie Wood or Pete Townshend on the side, at reasonable pub-gig volumes.

[@dizzyrider3883]

That guitar life. Thankfully more of a blessing than a curse.

[@nickk8650]

Anymore videos on the echofix? I’ve seen they’ve released new models and I’m very curious, I played an Ef-x2 and it sounded incredible. Maybe could do a vid with trex drum or something?

[@bleeknoir]

That Collings. Man I love a good junior style guitar.

[@gffg387]

that's weird.

[@snakeplissken6649]

I already have the HDRX20 looks like now i need this pedal lol.

[@davidbabington7225]

Yo Mick! Excellent vid- been looking at this pedal, BUT… is there any chance of you plugging the hi power direct into the effects loop of a neutral amp, and using the pedal as a preamp, and then comparing that with the dr103?? Please?? :) I believe that is one of the intentions behind the design of the pedal… then we could really see how close we get to the Hiwatt sound?! Cheers from NZ, Dave

[@Airfire21]

Oh man, the Collings sounded crazy good 😍 Love that guitar. Hi Power sounded great. Not for me! But great regardless. I'd be interested to see if the left side of the pedal can actually serve as a pre-amp. My thought is probably no (as most pedals don't) but especially with it's own inbuilt effects loop, that could be really cool if it did.

[@Smurfman256]

Also, one other thing to try with that pedal: run the FX loop out of the pedal into the FX loop in of that amp to completely take the PRS's pre-amp out of the equation.

[@bluesful]

I wonder how much break up, and how close those speakers were to the edge when the DR103 was cranked + a boost slamming it, given the only 120W total rating.

[@rogerYT69]

a very cool pedal, love mine. perfect for gilmour tones ...and others as well😊

[@Twylightt]

This and a muff , all sounds?

[@rogerYT69]

@@Twylightt yes I think so ...and maybe a RAT 😉

[@jrh954]

Hi Mick, good review. Does the Hi Power sound like a cranked Hiwatt? It would sound closer if you turn Master and Volume both up to 2:00. 103 mode, linked channels, it sounds glorious that way! So many YT reviews of this and very few spend time showing just the Hiwatt side, and almost nobody turns Master and Volume past 12:00.

[@Fret-knot]

I wonder if putting that rig through something like a Seymour Duncan powerstage would give different results? In other words, I wonder how much the PRS amp colours the sound?

[@Unusednickname_1970]

I was really excited about this one. Looks so good on paper. Unfortunately, for me, the distortion is too raspy and harsh. Doesn’t really sound, or feel, like an “amp in a box”. I’ve had other pedals from CTC that are great. This ain’t one of them.

[@HiwattOfficial]

Sounding superb as always and that Hi Power isn't bad either 😉 Really got to get you guys a smaller amp with a Fane loaded cabinet!

[@ThatPedalShow]

YES! Hope you guys are great!

[@HiwattOfficial]

@@ThatPedalShow All good here cheers! Better yet, you should come up for a day trip and pick some gear out by hand.

[@patrickmckay6621]

Hey Dan and Mick, off topic,but wow, just discovered Ralph Beerkircher, thats what i call open minded free playing, the NoHum album rec live in 2021.. mind blowing, Dan you will love it,the chord work is off the charts. "Jazz momente" on youtube is a short documentary which you might like. Enjoy

[@classicraceruk1337]

I have been waiting for you to test this pedal….BTW has the ringing in your ears stopped from that magnificent HI Watt amp……….

[@Amish_Trivedi]

Where would you put the knobs BUT 2 o'clock??

[@rgr4929]

For the next comparison video could you compare the Kingsley Constable with anything alse you consider similar? :) Thanks!

[@nicksummers2252]

Mick - have you played through the Castledine Wizard pedal? Would be very curious how cranked-to-hell 60s Laney you could make a clean amp sound …

[@tpherndon]

I'm hearing more low mids from the PRS + HiPower combo than from the Hiwatt, in the comparison at the beginning. For what that's worth.

[@GoDrex]

I'd love to know what DB meter would say if it were in front of the amp. I bet you would be around 115

[@marslightsnoise]

Wow, sounds good and has the HW vibe

[@curtisboswell2619]

That's some heavy vintage AC/DC tone... Nothing wrong with that at all. It's like "instant Angus and Malcolm"...

[@Smurfman256]

Have you considered getting a Hi-Tone cab for that DR103? I know Mr. Calloway is really backed up right now (I'm still waiting on my 2x12 50-watt combo), but those who have finally gotten their hands on his products have nothing but good things to say about them.

[@fletches4084]

The Hi Power doesn't sound bad. Be interesting to hear the HiWatt turned down to match the output levels of the PRS. Of course this is really just an attempt to bring sanity and practicality to something that is, these days, fundamentally insane and impractical which is what we love about HiWatts. Also be interesting to hear that with the Neo vent instead of the Terraform. Thought that came across as more univibe than Leslie but nary a bad sound throughout. The world needs more HiWatts in any form.

[@LaLa-dh7bl]

Have one. Running thru a Princeton. Awesome

[@Twylightt]

For pink floyd you have a big muff, modolation and a delay to?

[@DrDrake_Ramore]

Mick De Jour….. I need that pedal and a Catalinbread Echorec. I wouldn’t want to put it through my AC15 or my Princeton, but it might be good through a Boss Katana and 2x12 with V30 speakers????

[@VonBlade]

Close enough for jazz. Especially with the Wampler.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

THANX ...

[@00028EC1]

Great tones with that strat

[@tompoynton]

The Collings! Been a while

[@jips123]

I get great results with this pedal into the OX Stomp.

[@middle_pickup]

What's the blue partscaster on the stand with the pickup rings on the humbuckers?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cutler Custom Panama Classic. Super thing!

[@user-jy3us9rl7n]

hard to resist not playing it

[@jamescourt2842]

It should be illegal not to play those 4 famous notes from Shine on you crazy diamond when your playing through Hiwatt 😂🤣 Mick that sounded cracking 🤟🤟🤟

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you James!

[@void_snw]

I'd love to build my own of those, hope someone traces one someday :')

[@scottholz9449]

Man… every time I hear Mick or Dan play an Echorec I just want one! Then I own one and I can’t make it sound good at all… I’ve had two now… tempted to try one more time after this video… but alas… I must be Echorec deficient.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Turn the effect level down lower than you think. Like almost to nothing. That's the key!

[@geoffnightingale9290]

DR103 at 2pm, are you mad. I can barely play my 1974 at 10am and thats through a Fryette! Love it. What speakers in the Zilla BTW?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Info in the description. Cheers!

[@GCKelloch]

The Raptor 100 has even less above 3kHz than an older G12M25-75. The cloth dust cap certainly aids in the silky highs. Technically, it makes more sense to have the brighter V30's up top, but that would be harder on the ears on stage. They can of course be blended for recording or what not. I keep trying to get them to try a 100W Weber 1230-55 with the cloth surround. It has more 4-6kHz without being harsh, is pretty flat in the mids with less pronounced 2~3kHz, and has that deep bass. Should mix well with the Raptor 100.

[@rlsittler]

Here's a question you may be able to answer: which is the better Power Boost clone - the Hi-Power, Tru-Fi Colordriver, or PastFX Power Booster?

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Hey Mick, nice to see the Collings again! Do you think the HiPower would work going into a loud clean Twin Reverb?

[@CrazedFandango]

I use mine into a clean Victory V40 Deluxe.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Totally yeah

[@johnmcelhaney8490]

for me the original amp and colorsound is just sweet

[@CrazedFandango]

I've had this pedal since December. I don't have a Hiwatt....yet, so I don't know how it compares, but the pedal is a keeper. I'm looking forward to watching this video later on decent speakers.

[@wellsroadband]

Is it clipping the interface a bit?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Possibly a teeny touch. Definitely not the mic pres tho. Alternatively, there is a lot of very mad treble!

[@gordonrankin3995]

You know ok so 20W into 8 ohms is 12.65Vac rms and 100W into 8 ohms is only 28.28Vac rms so the gain between 100W to 20W is only 7dB, crazy!!! Hope those 551 are working out for you! Thanks!

[@JonNewquist]

Even before My Generation I was hoping for windmills. Fingers crossed...

[@DrClaw78]

109 bB ! Rock on!

[@chrisquinn9104]

?Mick! As a guy that’s played Hiwatts for years, I’ve always found explaining Hiwatts without directly playing one or being in the room with it impossible. The same can be said for most classic amps, it’s just more so with a Hiwatt. BTW I’ve also found that P90s are just magic with a Hiwatt Thoughts?

[@ThatPedalShow]

My thoughts are ‘YES!’. That’s why I picked the Collings. :0)

[@ABCDEF-ks5op]

killer

[@ksharpe10]

my favorite part 13:33 to end

[@musicmann1967]

I'm always a little bit leery of Hiwatts in a box. Personally, I don't think I've heard a totally convicning one. This sounds the best to me. I wonder what it would sound like though my Vox though. The voicings are *so* different. I feel like the PRS amp is a more neutral pedal platform than a Vox. (I played through a Hiwatt way back when I was in a band in the 70s - 80s. Now I'm a Vox guy) It might be an interesting marriage.

[@kylethompson1987]

For what it’s worth I have the Hi Power and a victory copper, Marshall jtm studio and mesa rectoverb. I love the Hi power, but like it best through the JTM and the least through the victory which is Vox ish. Not that you don’t get good sounds out of that combination, but I certainly found it easier to get the sound I was after putting it through the JTM.

[@musicmann1967]

@@kylethompson1987 Thanks very much for your input! Much appreciated

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Go Hiwatt \o/

[@bigupbebop4706]

So! I have 20ish guitars, none of them cheep also none of them hidden away in cases as investment, I just love their look. Half of them have never been plugged into an amp. Is this a thing or am I a total a-hole. Do I need therapy?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Whatever you are, you are definitely not alone!

[@BrenQ99]

Dan. Where’s Dan?

[@PoochysUncle]

This

[@stephpride9374]

As Pete Townsend always says..."What?"

[@cartwright21]

Hard to judge from a KZbin video, but they sound very far apart to me. I had a similar reaction “itrw” to the Unobtanium, which I just couldn’t get a good sound from, so it’s possible that Crazy Tube Circuits’ stuff just doesn’t appeal to my ears. Your mileage may vary.

[@Superphilipp]

Good Lord!

[@loopdawgg]

think you blew up my pc

[@Timthecommenter]

HRDX just can’t generate bass like the Hiwatt.

[@PoochysUncle]

I mean it’s a video

[@fredwagner240]

Top of the line demo. More DB please..

[@toms5951]

This was just to get back at Chainsaw Man wasn't it?