❌SOLD❌ HIWATT Custom 50 DR-504 Tube Amplifier Head, 1974

The Hiwatt DR504 50 Watt amplifier is one of the classic English Invasion amplifiers originating in the hottest periods of the Volume Wars. Known for large amounts of headroom provided by relatively low gain-preamps and high volume provided by custom transformers, these amps and its 100 watt cousins were found on stages with many of the largest acts of the time.

Built during 1974 at the Hylite Electronics plant in Kingston, southwest of London, this Hiwatt DR-504 is in good working order. It has recently been tested and serviced by John Fletcher. Some filter capacitors have been replaced, but critically the transformers are original. This 50-watt tube amp has two channels, Normal and Brilliant, each with two inputs 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.

Having been sold and used in Canada, the rear panel features an orange Ontario Hydro Electrical Approval sticker. (That sticker is part of the dating of the amplifier, as Ontario Hydro ceased operations on March 31, 1999 when the government of the day split it into five different entities).

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.