❌SOLD❌ HIWATT Custom 100 DR103 Tube Amplifier Head, 1981

The Hiwatt DR103 100 Watt amplifier is one the classic English Invasion amplifiers, seen and unquestionably HEARD in the backlines of many huge shows by bands like The Who, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, and many more. These amps have very large amounts of headroom, and the power amp sections and transformers allow delivery of clear tone at high volumes.

This Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103 amplifier head was built during 1981, either at Kingston or Surbiton, and possibly under Biacrown management following the death of compay founder David Reeves. It has been tested and inspected by John Fletcher. In terms of modifications and repairs, a trim pot has been added for bias adjustment, and a North-American style power connector has been installed to the back panel and the voltage selector disabled. The tubes have been tested, the pots, sockets and jack inputs and outputs cleaned. The Master Volume pot has been rebuilt and tested.

This 100-watt DR103 tube amp has two channels, Normal and Bright, each with one input, and separate volume controls. Tone shaping controls include Bass, Treble and Middle, and there is a Master Volume. The Standby and Mains switches are on the front panel.

Hiwatt produced high quality amplifiers in England, typically for high powered applications, from 1963 to 1984. The company was founded and first run by David Reeves. In 1981 management shifted to a group of Hiwatt employees, known as ‘Biacrown Ltd.’ after Reeves died suddenly. Unfortunately the company folded in 1984. From 1990 to 1994, amps bearing the Hiwatt name but designed by Frank Levi were built in the USA. Hiwatt re-launched in the UK during the late 1990’s and produces the original designs, plus some new models.