So the UPS dropped this of late yesterday evening. I've been wanting an old Hiwatt since I started playing, though I've certainly been more than content with my small horde of Sunns. In the last 6 months I started to more seriously keep my eye out for one. Saw this one a few months back on eBay, and have been watching ever since. It was listed under Consumer Electronics instead of Musical Instruments, and the seller was unresponsive to my requests for more photos of the internals. It kept getting no bids and being relisted. No year listed, simply Custom Built Hiwatt. I set about doing my own research based on what I could see in the pictures, and despite the lack of a serial plate, was fairly convinced it was a '68 or '69 DR103, based upon the metal logo plate, and lack of Custom Hiwatt 100 text on the face plate. I could also make out what appeared to be the orange varnish of Partridge transformers, but I was still somewhat apprehensive of bidding without more photos. In the meantime, I missed out on a 1970 DR103 and cab locally, which was a real drag. So after months of watching with no bids on this listing, and jockeying around some other gear and money, I pulled the trigger.
After receiving the billing info, I discovered it was being sold by a Pawn Shop in PA, which might explain the lack of response or particular knowledge of what they had. Their loss is my gain though!
So as soon as it arrived I set about opening it up so do an inspection. Looking everything over, it appears it is an early 1969. Hiwatt 100w A.P. is written inside the chassis, which matches notes written inside other confirmed amps of that period. The pots date from the 47th and 50th week of 1968, and the transformers, consecutively numbered G8655 and G8656, match Partridge dating codes for 1968. So, either a very late '68 or early 1969. The only modifications I can identify thus far are the addition of a power outlet on the back (which resulted in some unwinding of the tidy braided wiring, oh well), an update of the screen grid resistors, and a three prong power lead. Even the capacitors appear original, with Dubilier's up top and a Radiospares unit under the chassis. So, despite the ad saying it was recently serviced by a tech, I'm likely going to take it in to have the caps updated when I get the chance, as it looks like at least two of the filter caps have some bulging occurring. I'll give it a quick test this evening after work, very excited! I knew it was a bit of a risk given the lack of info provided, but I'm very happy that it seems to have paid off, and under the typical going rate of a later 70s model on reverb and eBay!
Anyways, here's the part y'all actually came for, the pictures!
