Vintage Hiwatt DR103 Amps: Wet/Dry, Plus UA OX & Fryette Attenuators - That Pedal Show

In this video we indulge in TWO vintage Hiwatt DR103 guitar amp heads (1972 and 1973). We begin by hearing them in a wet/dry configuration including an original Binson Echorec Baby, before moving on to (slightly) more real-world volumes using two different types of attenuator.
Hiwatt 1 is demoed using the Fryette Power Station (V1), Dan’s favourite attenuator. (Timings listed below.)
Hiwatt 2 is demoed with the Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box, a reactive load attenuator that includes speaker and mic modelling. You can hear both the real mic’d cab and virtual mics. Obviously, we include a selection of nice pedals along the way.
A note on volume. The Hiwatt DR103 is ludicrously loud, so to have two of them going at once is borderline barking mad, not to mention dangerous. We don’t get into cranking them unattenuated.
It might be confusing when Dan and I are sat there remarking how crazy loud it is… when your experience via the KZbin video is that everything is a similar volume. We explain that in the video, in terms of adjusting the mic input gains accordingly: loud amps, less mic gain. Quiet amps, more mic gain. If we left the mic gains low, the quieter, attenuated amps would sound thin and rubbish (because they're quiet in your speakers/headphones).
The point is that the physical experience in the room differs from what ends up being recorded - such an important topic when listening to gear demos online. We should never forget it!
Life too short for long KZbin videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.
Pedals in this video…
• Fulltone Clyde Standard Wah
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2n375iZ
• Boss TU-3S Tuner
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2nUhodT
USA: bit.ly/31U0q53
Australia: bit.ly/2Li9A0Y
• Analog Man Sun Face BC183
www.buyanalogman.com/Analog_Ma...
• Fulltone Octafuzz
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2eG68c3
USA: imp.i114863.net/7PaQA
• Tru-Fi ColorDriver
tru-fi.com/
• Klon Centaur
No longer made
• Fulltone Mini Deja-Vibe MkI (MkII version linked below)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2pKQOCY
USA: imp.i114863.net/xMLRA
Australia: bit.ly/2A3ZtGA
• Boss DC-2w Dimension C
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2QITxIG
USA: bit.ly/3dPAyJX
• Analog Man ARDX 20 Dual Analog Delay & Amazeo
www.buyanalogman.com/category...
• Neo Instruments Mini Vent II
www.neo-instruments.de/en
USA: imp.i114863.net/jbeae
• TheGigRig G2
www.thegigrig.com/g2
Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 00:00
- Old sheeeat! And welcome… 1:35
- What are we doing? 3:00
- Questions from our last Hiwatt video: 4:20
- This is not the real world: 4:50
- Macaris, PowerBoosts etc: 7:00
- Discussing dynamics: 8:00
- Two Hiwatts?! 9:00 (10:30)
- Boss DC-2w Dimension C, wet/dry: 11:20
- … and Fulltone Vibe and Neo Mini Vent II afterwards
- Klon Centaur: 17:20 (18:35)
- Analog Man BC183 Sun Face Fuzz: 20:47
- Fulltone OctaFuzz: 22:09
-and Deja Vibe: 23:50
- Fuzz into a high-headroom amp? 25:18
- …unusable: 27:20
- On to attenuators: 29:00
- Mick’s moan! 29:35
- How have we got all this connected? 30:34
- The OX iPad interface: 31:50
- Both amps before attenuation: 33:10
- What about phase? 33:50
- Hiwatt 1 & Fryette Power Station: 34:20
- How loud before and after? 36:45
- Tru-Fi Colordriver, Hiwatt, Fryette: 38:27 (39:34)
- …Klon: 39:52
- …Sun Face: 40:10
- …Octafuzz: 41:20
- Attenuation sweet spot? 41:50-42:20
- Hiwatt 2 and UA OX: 44:50 (45:37)
- OX Attenuation at 3 and 4… 47:00
- OX mid’d and virtual comparison: 49:30 (50:08)
- Two Hiwatts! One mic’s, one OX’d: 52:25
- Macmull S-Classic - Mick has schwang: 52:50
- Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard: Dan has schwang: 58:27
- Hearing? 1:00:40
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender ’60s Reverse Headstock Strat - Mick’s video at bit.ly/2BuMqMZ
• Fender Custom Shop 1963 Telecaster - Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dlZJ6K
• Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 - no video yet
• Macmull S-Classic: www.macmull-guitars.com/s-cla...
• Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard - Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dbwbvS
Amps in this episode
• 1972 Hiwatt DR103 and custom 212 cabinet with EVM12L speakers
• 1973 Hiwatt DR103 and Two-Rock 212 cabinet with TR1265B speakers
• Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2JxqKmd
USA: imp.i114863.net/k6OAz
• Fryette Power Station
www.fryette.com/power-station-...
Please subscribe to our channel.
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/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedalshop.com/

[@HiwattOfficial]

Hey guys, you really do ought to get some Hiwatt cabs ;)

[@nbrosens]

Hook them up then! I'm sure you guys have a couple laying about that you could let TPS borrow ;)

[@fernandobarrera6440]

How am I just seeing this comment? I LOVE my Little D 20w. Send these guys some gear to play! That amp and the WEM cabinet are never leaving my side.

[@SeanMRoberts]

It’s so funny to see you guys finally seeing the light and embracing Hiwatt. They are truly in a class of their own and don’t get enough love.

[@DarrenDoo]

I played through a vintage HiWatt 50W head the other day because of seeing your other videos and now all I can think about is trading in everything I own and buying a HiWatt.

[@tapilaha]

i used a hiwatt many years ago.. when doing a gig, i hit a high note in a solo... it was so loud, the bassplayer who was standing in front of my cab literally felt sick to his stomach 🤣🤣🤣 powerful indeed

[@GoDrex]

That happens with clams occasionally 😂

[@tompoynton]

I love how it took half an hour to actually get on to the actual topic of the show. Never change you guys ❤️

[@JackBealeGuitar]

That's why I watch it

[@guitarsimon1]

Hahaha, loving Dan’s impromptu Radiohead/Soundgarden outbursts lately!

[@2yugen2]

I love it when Mick gets out the 335.

[@pd4165]

If only I got that kind of reaction from my beloved when I get my '335' out ;-P

[@Micky-yo3ng]

One of the best electric guitars I’ve ever heard

[@Smurfman256]

I honestly wanted to hear him play that with a mid boost and chorus with both channels cranked and see if he could get that magical Hemispheres to Moving Pictures era RUSH tone.

[@drnemoali]

Hard to beat a Hiwatt. Best amps ever made in my opinion.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

It is.

[@gonebymidnight2881]

Dan playing black hole sun was so awesome!! 👏🏻 It’d be cool to hear bits of real songs more often.

[@Bullittbl]

I’m so glad you guys are starting to settle in to your new place. It’s good to see you getting back to what made the show great. Two guys sitting around and bullshitting about pedals, amps and guitars. There are thousands of guys that demo pedals. Your appeal was built on your fun personalities, your mind boggling knowledge and your crazy tangents( the out of phase speaker dance). Screw Simon and his damned clock. Let the shows go on until you finish whatever subject or tangent you are on. Thanks for the education into a world of effects I didn’t know existed before your show.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ah, cheers mate :)

[@GitShiddy]

Dan's suggestion of "Wish people could experience this" made me think, what a brilliant idea for a Patreon contest or tier perk.

[@ThatPedalShow]

I like this. :0)

[@ryndanriley5348]

One of the most underrated guitar tones I've ever heard was a band called Brand New. The singer ran his guitar through a dr103 and a modded od120. Absolutely massive.

[@tituschalk]

The sight of Dan having a tone epiphany never fails to fill me with joy. Belated happy birthday to him and have a lovely Friday gents. :)

[@BlueSkyDogs]

Please stop apologising for the back ground noise. We all live with it every day. I'm pretty sure that it makes things sound better. Or is it just good stuff makes noise!

[@JackBealeGuitar]

Yes, the constant apologising about the noise is more annoying than the noise itself

[@powdermnky007]

I can almost never hear the noise

[@JackBealeGuitar]

Sometimes I want to shake Mick and tell him, stop apologising, you're a great player, don't put yourself down, don't worry about the noise, don't call youself stupid, you understand a lot. His self deprecrication is relatable, but come on man. Be proud, where's your guitar players ego? :D

[@edadpops1709]

Mick relax the sound levels are perfect, no need to say sorry. It comes with the terrain

[@WarrenMovies67]

Mick, If I may be so bold, please PLEASE... i.) stop talking about the back ground noise. ii.) stop stop stop keep looking right to check noise levels. Other than that, brilliant !

[@DIYivan04]

David Gilmour got to do this at work every day

[@Smurfman256]

With 8 100-watt speakers, nonetheless. And a Leslie 147.

[@TomWebbFilms]

Those amps are just indescribably amazing. The tones in this video are to die for. Being one of those people who have spent most of their guitar playing lives playing at low volume on an HT5 (recently it died!) and using headphones and a Line 6 PodXT I would happily volunteer to experience the glory that you’ve displayed in this show. Keep up the great work guys! I learn so much from this show!

[@unautomne1980]

Through a recording, the only way we can feel the sound is by watching your body reactions, but it still feels phenomenal: thank you guys!

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Nothing sounds like a Hiwatt. I have a tiny T20/10, and it’s still amazing. Oh, and the original Fane-equipped cabinets sound mind-boggingly good, worth every penny.

[@albehan215]

Hey lads, great video as always.. The beaming smiles throughout say it all!! Dan mentions that he would love having someone in the room to experience the sound.. You guys should run a competition and the winner gets a That Pedal Show Experience and get to hear what you hear.. Keep up the great work men!!

[@seanmudge7546]

Please stop playing Hiwatts. I just got over your last episode with one. You are killing me. After the last Hiwatt episode I went to my wife declaring I needed a vintage hiwatt to find my tone. I really can't describe the look I got. Regardless, I pushed on with "would you have me settle for something less that what I need"... her response still stings... she simply said "why not I had to" as she looked right in my eyes and smirked. I hate you guys. Now please get the 20w hiwatt LDR In and see if we can get some big brother tones out of it . .. so I can prepare my "can i settle for this pitch".

[@ThatPedalShow]

Hahahah, touché Mrs Mudge :)

[@CarbonTom666]

oof

[@lkassimatis]

Yes please try the smaller ones so us normal people have a chance of salvaging our dreams!! D':

[@victormaniaci2104]

Hi-tone makes 30w amps with 6v6s and I would love to know if they can get the sound.

[@j.petersen3886]

I second the Hi-Tone.... best clone on the market I think. Their 18 watt low-watt is killer too. @@victormaniaci2104

[@underground_man]

Amazing tones, black hole sun sounded enormous in the wet dry rig. Thanks for doing this, guys.

[@fourthkingaudio1159]

This is the best you guys have ever sounded. Now I'm drooling for a hiwatt

[@oisinmcphillips2090]

Dan blinking really rapidly and wincing constantly whenever there's playing is the best indication of how damn loud it is in there

[@billsherrington5996]

Bit rude of Dan to take a nap during that epic intro! :-)

[@definandstuff8926]

You guys are legitimately shaken by the sheer power of these amps. That’s... incredible. I’m ashamed to say I’ve often looked past Hiwatt amps in general, I just kind of never listened to them properly. But... I need to play a Hiwatt like right now.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Dan here, I was exactly the same, I’ve been walking past these amps my entire career without giving them a second thought. Crazy stuff

[@definandstuff8926]

That Pedal Show Hahaha, kinda scary just how good they sound. Great playing in this one by the way!

[@jimmynorris]

I absolutely adore those amps. I wish I could get one. Thank you guys for sharing!

[@lespaul6550]

So glad you guys did this. I'm a huge Hiwatt fan.

[@simonwilliams9916]

I had a hiwatt 100 watt head and a 4 x 12 cab. Fantastic amp but soooo loud and sadly too loud for pub gigs so I sold it and bought a Peavey Delta Blues 20 years ago. Great show as always. 🤘🏻🎸👍🤘🏻🎸👍🤘🏻🎸👍🤘🏻🎸👍🎸

[@echicago841]

Really cool show, that was a great experiment, love that kind of stuff

[@patricschoenaker]

Finally Hiwatt are getting some much deserved attention again! I have 2 newer Hiwatt Custom combos (SA112 and SS212) , and they are just as amazing. Have had them for a couple of years now - never looked at another amp again!

[@chedhead3278]

Blinkin' marvelous! Cheers chaps, some astonishing, invigorating tones there. Encore une fois.... :)

[@chrissguitarshow206]

Love your show here in alabama. I have a marshall dsl40cr but one day hope to own a hiwatt saw gilmour in Birmingham in 1994 the sound was incredible.

[@jakewatson1757]

Greetings from birmingham

[@clayheinzerling1852]

Absolutely astonishing video guys, and I loved that Soundgarden bit at the end was breath-taking. Great playing Dan!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers Clay, yeah, love me some SG :)

[@pedroalmeida7066]

I was seeing this with my monitors a little bit louder than usual so I could feel more immerse. I got a little emotional when Dan played Black Hole Sun, so I cant even imagine how did you guys feel in the room... Amazing

[@ThatPedalShow]

Awesome!!!!!

[@dtop200]

Always fun learning and enjoying watching you guys, and those sounds just WOW By the way Dan nailed Black hole sun 🤘🤘

[@williamsmothers8830]

That was loads of fun!!! Thanks Simon, Mick and Dan of Schwangrila, England.

[@karlboman]

Best bits to me: Dan's face at 51 minutes in and that LP through the fuzz at the very end - the best sound ever to come from TPS, my god what a sound it was. Thanks!

[@Cring0r]

I wish I could get excited about anything in life as much as Dan does when he experiences great tones

[@jonlevymusic]

Wow. Thanks guys. I've been watching for a little while now and have learned soooo much. I've played a ton of Fenders, owned some Voxs and a stunning Mesa Mark iV reissue, been blown away by a Marshall Jubilee, and played a few Matchless' and Two Rocks. And I now run a kemper... But! I have never tried or even been in the same room as a Hiwatt. That is now my mission. Cheers gents! From lovely, and a bit muggy... Darwin, NT. P.S. Those fuzzes are off the chain.

[@krautdrive3673]

This is such good fun! And watching you guys happily indulge in other people‘s objects of midlife crisis makes this whole growing up thing seeming much more optional and fun.

[@EddyTheChump]

This was my favourite video in a long time. Not only did you guys recognise how the un-attenuated sound made you play differently, but to me, it was my favourite playing from you two in recent memory as well. You weren’t playing to test how a piece of gear worked/sounded, the experience took over and you just felt it. Truly a great sound and I understood how it could make Dan emotional, even later when both were attenuated I was right there with you. Thank you so much for this. Time to get on eBay...lol

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers Eddie :)

[@dotpk1382]

Every time you say mind blown, it’s just another level. Cheers!

[@paulboanton8749]

Now, I MUST have a HIWATT!!! Hands down the best sounding amp ever, IMO. Clean sound is big. Overdrive is dynamic and with the right pedal, the lead tone is spectacular. I gotta get one soon.

[@mattheweastel129]

I think that has to be the longest I've ever heard Dan play clean! That's as big a recommendation for the clean tone of the Hiwatt as I can think of. It really is headroom central, so much character but not overly sparkly. I think I'm in love

[@StringsOfCrossroads]

Great episode! What an experience that must have been!! I turned up my Vox ac10 and blackstar Ht5 for the first time last week and within 10 minutes my neighbour was knocking on my door ! Whoops! But I had to give it a go after watching all these episodes! It’s your fault too by the way that I had to go get a second amp! I did try explain to my neighbour that he needs to subscribe to the best show on earth! I might need to move house soon 😜

[@stevep1941]

Nice review. I had a HiWatt 200w head back in the late '70s, and my Strat plugged into that amp through a Marshall quad box, was the greatest Strat tone I have ever had or heard- not so much dirty tone, but almost 3D- it filled the room. I wish I never sold that amp back then..:-)

[@GazMoz78]

That Macmull sounds fantastic and Black Hole Sun was epic! Keep up the good work :-)

[@JamieSingsSometimes]

Ok, both the final two guitars sounded gorgeous - but that Les Paul on 'Black Hole Sun' was divine. Thank you for doing the duo Hiwatt thing, very appreciated :)

[@Richard_P_James]

Great video - always loved the Hiwatt sound.

[@asherbeal8357]

That sounded so amazing! Cheers guys! 👏🍻👏

[@gbaren]

At the end…The two Amps..You both sounded F'n glorious !!

[@denismguitar1552]

Love the Ox/TwoRock attenuated to 3, with the Hiwatt pushed! Epic!

[@guilhermepatto516]

Best TPS video... Dan and Mick reactions were awesome. Now I want 2 Hiwatt lol

[@ttbfan]

I think Dan was feeling it once you kicked on the colorsound power boost with the hiwatt and fryette. Great stuff.

[@moonshot1999]

THE BEST show ever ever ever EVER On That Pedal Show.... So Far 😎🤩😎🤩

[@cathaldalymusic]

Wow that sounds amazing!!!! What a great way to wind down after a gig😎🤘🏻🎸🥃

[@Cuardaitheoirfirinne]

Absolutely bonkers!! Totally inspiring.

[@shelbyman6372]

So glad I watched this one through to the end and got to see Dan rip it with Black Hole Sun! Magical!

[@jorisaloranta]

I've known about TPS for quite a while now, but never had the time/interest to really look up at the videos and channel. I got one of their videos at my recommendations and thought ''Why the hell not, seems like everybody likes them so let's see what this whole thing is about''. Now I'm scouting through the internet for a vintage Hiwatt after an hour of just sitting and watching this video in a total bliss. Goddamnit guys.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Welcome Jori :)

[@MarkArtyniuk]

NAILED that blackhole sun sound! Nicely done

[@ITheFight]

What a great episode! You guys killed it.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ah, thanks so much

[@felixsadie1721]

I need that mini vent2 !!! great show guys, cheers !!

[@fossilmatic]

... And through headphones it sounds... not like it would in the room. If only for a brief moment, switch to the room mic just to give an impression of the sound pressure. Without it the tone is marvellous, but the dynamics you speak of just disappear and become compressed. Your descriptions are superb, of course. Everything these days is compromised by the volume wars. Thank God drums can’t be attenuated and there’s still an excuse to turn up! Watched my son play live last night and was so proud that he hit hard and his band cranked it to get through. And contrary to received wisdom, no one complained about the loudness. It was glorious.

[@ThatPedalShow]

The room mics are always up. No amount of switching to them would make any difference in your perception of it. You just have to be in the room. Hmmm. Maybe this is like doing mime on the radio. A waste of time!

[@markedwards1948]

They are TRULY THE BEST AMPS EVER... SO MISUNDERSTOOD AND UNDER RATED!!!! I fell for them in 1984 and still use them now!! Tommy Bolin and Alex Lifeson made me get one... What more can I say!!!!

[@KKMcK1]

A year later and I'm watching this again because . . . HIWATT!!! Delicious musicality! I prefer the Freyette because it seems to compress the top end and gets rid of the 'torn paper' extraneous noise on the top end. Of course, this could be the EVM 12Ls as well. Really, It would be wonderful for you to do a new Hiwatt episode that includes Fane speakers and a 50 watt Hiwatt for comparison. In America we also have the HiTone and Reeves companies as well as Weber speaker company that creates all flavors of cones at all impedances and wattage ratings. As far as the 'ripping paper' thing I don't like, that seems to be cured with higher wattage speakers that do not break up as early, as well as compression to chop the top off before it chops the top off our hearing. For me, harmonic distortion is great in the mids, but unwelcome at the very top. As you say, "Chewy" without the 'ripped paper' on top which always sounds/feels extraneous to the core musicality. I also fear it exhausts the audience after awhile. Then there is the EL34 vs 6L6 'argument' which even EVH dealt with in his 5150 III amps. Another thing to mention about Eddie's sound is the wet/dry/wet setup with the 'stationary chorus' (Dimension C) doubling effect. He used a preamp out/splitter box to stereo effects and back in to stereo power amps to his wet cabs. Speaking of power amps, Freyette is the only one to create stereo power amps with multiple 16 Ohm speaker outs. If I was a rich guy, I'd be knocking on their door in North Hollywood tomorrow; asking (BEGGING) for them to create custom stereo power amps with multiple 16 Ohm outputs and attenuators built in. Use the Hiwatt preamp for tone/texture/dynamics in front of everything. Sorry about rambling here. Blame it on a year in lockdown. Again: HIWATT FOREVER!!! MORE PLEASE!

[@viktorbuck8342]

Holy crap! The Tone at 55-56 min; best yet in TPS history!

[@millershane71]

I think it's interesting that in today's realm of boutique low wattage amplification craze something like this can let us rediscover how exciting and inspiring sheer volume is. While it offers a lot of challenge so far as playing transparency they also open a whole new world of dynamic sonic possibility that low watt amps just don't achieve without the insane volume. It takes no prisoners period. every single molecular sound wave is amplified instantly. 9 dead 3 killed ..... WOW!! I love hearing old amps like this. It really makes you appreciate what the artists whom actually played these back in the day had to work with and how amazing the pure sounds of these amps were albeit at ear bleeding volume. Thanks for sharing!

[@barriem5318]

Another useful tip. Ted Weber industries makes their own reverse engineered tone clone of the original Fane Crescendo speaker, their model FC12. I have a 2x12 size enclosure with a single Weber FC12 model so I can drive it hard with my DR504. I'll use the 50W Weber attenuator as well. Absolute magic.

[@gussywellz9714]

Very entertaining when Dan goes crazy!..good job fellas!

[@KKMcK1]

Just read about the Freyette Power Station. The brilliant thing is the ability to match mismatched impedances. Of course, one of the marvels of the HIWATT system is the 16 ohm level of fidelity. Thanks for making me aware of this bit of genius tech!!!

[@xMasterxRazorx]

As one who has never plugged into a really loud amp and played, I'd definitely love to experience it!

[@mcmSEA]

I'm just now watching this circa 2021 and quite enjoying Dan turning from Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus over the glorious cleans of a Hiwatt... because I've just acquired a vintage DR504 and I will be making *precisely the same faces* within a week haha.

[@CirilZupan]

Seeing Dan dying while Mick is playing because he just loves the sound that much is heartbreaking!! Amazing video! Man, imagine a dry AC30, wet Marshall Studio Vintage and a Hiwatt!!!

[@harrykadaras9459]

Awesome video, especially since I have a 73 myself with vintage Mullard glass. I have played mine at outdoor gigs with zero pedals and straight into the amp - sometimes used a wah for the Hendrix stuff...glorious tone...and I haven't heard a new amp that sounds that darn good!

[@pillmuncher67]

A vintage Hiwatt is a beautiful thing to behold. Too sad I only own two. 😉

[@Brmmsilva]

Great episode as always. Those Hiwatt's are killer. What a sound. Wish I knew how to play on one of those... :/ Will keep practicing.

[@ramseyjansen]

Great, your attenuator bit, just what the doctor ordered... I believe I just asked for that a couple of days ago. Thanx! :-P

[@badsanta518]

love your show!

[@pedalgazer7109]

Wow- great video- thanks! When you play the sunface fuzz through the non attenuated amps earlier it was amazing- I'm used to the fuzz into marshal/ vox thing, and I love that sound. But here, instead of a sound where the fuzz was squelchy and squishy, the bass just bloomed- I didn't know a fuzz face could do that- it was sort of like a muff, but not muffled( ha ha), and the overtones and hair on the fuzz were so expressive- it was amazing. Later on, through the power station and with the amp cranked up all that magic was gone. It sounded, on my end, like a lot of fuzzes do where you step on the fuzz and the sound gets smaller. I noticed you had to crank the volume a touch just to get it to not seem like the sound was disappearing, and likewise the amazing bass and expressive hair were gone. This could have been the effect of attenuation, or of running the pedal into a gainer amp. Either way it was fascinating. Years ago Dan made the argument that pedals don't have a sound of their own (that it's the interaction with the amp that makes the sound, and that sound will differ sometimes drastically from one amp+pedal combination to another) and nowhere I have I heard this effect more radically demonstrated than in this video. A real education! Some day a lot of us would love to see a Tweed amp video- but I have a feeling that Mick especially would be underwhelmed as the Tweed sound strikes me as the rough opposite of a Hiwatt- aka - an amp that caves fast and, especially the Tweed Deluxe, craps out in a spectacularly crappy fashion that is definitely not about high headroom. On the other end of things, coming through my headphones (AKG Studio phones) I find the unattenuated clean sound of the amps quite sterile. I don't think the mics can really translate what it seems like you guys are hearing, and all that high end cut can come across as a bit spiky, while on the other hand the attenuated cleans sounded fuller and richer to me. I guess they probably also sounded more compressed and less dynamic- aka - more like other amps that we might be more used to hearing. Thanks guys!

[@apolloguitars]

I agree with Dan. It's a completely different experience in room. I can only imagine what that sounds like. My first stereo amp try was U-N-R-E-A-L! PITA for gigging, but for a home experience... all day every day!

[@bjornsahlin]

Great stuff guys, cheers!

[@minorharmonicscale]

53:53 nothing beats a "Stratocaster"-type guitar in semi-dirty/clean tone :) It gets me everytime. Epic tone in this epsiode, well done!

[@jasondeli]

The Life Of The Garage Guitar Player Macmull guitars are pretty sweet and expensive that one runs around $5000+

[@Cluless02]

HIWATT is stellar - no other word for it!! Right when Dan strums it at 34:56 it's that shering HIWATT tone - it's brilliance!

[@jebmcgovern3744]

After your color driver video I bought that True-fi you have on your board. Not only does it sound great with yall's two rock. It sound killer through my Ac15 (w/two blues) a DRRI and.... with a Pbass through a ampeg b15 clone in a 2x10 configuration. True-fi puts out some sick pedals.

[@whiskersb5296]

Dan's led paul never gets enough love as an amazing sounding guitar and I loved the soundgarden stuff.

[@garywordsworth9302]

That's the power of a Hiwatt ! even not playing anything at 30:36 the grill cloth is feeding back ;) ha ha top work guys .

[@gatlinjb]

Hello Humbolt Hendrix at the end of Micks opening riffage..lol I am proud to say I was one of the first ten subscribers and never looked back cheers from Newport Beach, CA.

[@TheRealReTox]

My god what a sound and I'm only 15 seconds in!

[@pd4165]

Have you got a big one? ;-P

[@ripplebear]

@@pd4165 lolz

[@jordmosselman3403]

Ahh yes!! Some Black hole sun at the end. NICE!! Killer amp boys.

[@omiska]

What is this middle of the night sonic sorcery!?!?

[@jesseyasaitis9036]

Well shit......there goes going to bed early tonight!

[@pabcrane]

Crickey. These amps sound bluming lovely. I think quite a few of us would really like to hear some lower watt Hiwatt models compared to the attenuated ones. Cheers.

[@BathedInMilk]

Other than the Coxon episode, this is the best sound on the channel thus far for me. Monsterously good tone. I'll never be able to afford one or need one but yeah. HiWatt forever.

[@pillmuncher67]

I'm a simple man. I see vintage Hiwatts, I click like.

[@pd4165]

I clicked your like, but don't like mentioning it ;-P

[@bertagriese8282]

pillmuncher67 that line really gets old now

[@pillmuncher67]

Berta Griese That's true. Still, I stand by what I wrote, because it's also true.

[@Escapism7133]

I've just recently bought an Electro Harmonix Mig-50 and boy is that thing loud. Never played the original Sovtek but I'm sure they were much the same. At "only" 50 watts it will rip your face off. I believe they're based on the Fender Bassman/Marshall JTM45. Non-Master volume. So good. I can't imagine the loudness of these Hiwatts!

[@francescocagnacci]

I have a little hiwatt t40... god damnit it's so loud and I LOVE IT! few pedals straight into it and the tone is other wordly!

[@adamsedgwick3539]

Honestly, I’ve commented this so many times on your videos - but Hiwatts have basically become this golden tone for me ever since I recorded with a dr504 in 2019. It’s the best guitar tone I’ve ever had and I’ve become obsessed with it ever since - hopefully the dream comes true where I can have one, but I’m also jonesing for an EVH EL34.... those two together would be INSANE!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Tis a glorious thing. Clarity, headroom, power. Visceral. We think you’ll find the modern EVH a little flat by comparison with a well maintained old Hiwatt. Still great, but nothing has the smack of those old hardwired beasts!

[@adamsedgwick3539]

@@ThatPedalShow Thanks for the reply guys! Absolutely - it's what I adored about the Hiwatt for all the rhythm tracks, it just had this beautiful open clarity in the mix that was just phenomenal (this is with it jumped and boosted by a Boss SD-1, it was immense!) But my favorite high gain tone has come from the EVH gear as well - we used both for my bands EP with the EVH as the lead tones and clean tones! Both amps just speak to me in such a beautiful way, I love them haha! If you ever want to hear the nonsense I'd love to send the single your way to hear what you think! Thank you again for the reply guys!

[@marknachmias423]

Now I need a Hiwatt. Thanks a lot

[@hadin101]

I watched the video last night and now im going to watch it this morning with my headphones and a cup of coffee

[@pd4165]

Dirty great big monitors.

[@graemero5532]

Perfect timing, I can't sleep.