The Hiwatt company was founded in 1964 by Dave Reeves in England. Harry Joyce was commissioned by Reeves to build military-spec chassis in Hiwatt amps. Hiwatt amps from the 1960s and 1970s are known for being very loud, but very well built. Pete Townshend was an early endorser (and early destroyer) of Hiwatt amps. 50W and 100W head models were first introduced with other wattages and combos to follow. Hiwatt didn't change much in their design or product line until Reeves died in 1981. Eric Dixon took over the company and started redesigning amps trying to save some costs along the way. One problem Hiwatt players encountered was the preamp and power tubes were mounted directly to the circuit board. The vibration and heat sometimes caused the circuit board to warp among other problems. The second generation of Hiwatt amps introduced in 1981 aren't noted for not being nearly as dependable as the earlier ones. Hiwatt discontinued their traditional line of amps by the late 1980s and replaced them with the new 2000 series. These amps were produced through the early to mid-1990s with little fanfair. In the mid-1990s, Hiwatt was purchased by the Fernandes corporation of North Hollywood, CA (currently Chatsworth, CA). Starting in 1995, Hiwatt and Fernandes actually shared catalogs as well as booth space at shows. Fernandes decided to reissue models from Hiwatt's heyday in the 1960s and 1970s that were exact replications. Fernandes was also producing amps at this time, but by the end of the 1990s, Fernandes had halted all production on amplifiers and used Hiwatt for their amplifiers. In the 2000s, Hiwatt has expanded their line to include everything from the entry level solid-state Bulldog series to their hand-wired tube amps. By 2005, Hiwatt had a full line of reproduction amps based on 1970s models. For more information, visit Hiwatt's website or contact them directly. Early information courtesy: Aspen Pittman, The Tube Amp Book.
Amplifiers previously produced in England since 1964. The Bulldog series is produced in Asia. Distributed in the U.S. by Musical Distributors Group, LLC in Boonton, NJ. Previously distributed by Hiwatt Amplification in Chatsworth, CA and previously located in North Hollywood, CA.

HIWATT Guitar Amplifiers Models

HIWATT D50L Image

HIWATT D50L

- 50W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 10 chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, Ch. 2: OD, v, t, m, b, All: p, MV),...

HIWATT HI-GAIN 50 HEAD Image

HIWATT HI-GAIN 50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, two white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1 v with a push/pull bright switch, Ch. 2 v with a...

HIWATT CUSTOM 7 HEAD Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 7 HEAD

- 7W, guitar head-unit, three-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 1 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs, five black knobs (MV, m, t, b, h), power switch, standby switch, available i...

HIWATT LEAD HIWATT 30 Image

HIWATT LEAD HIWATT 30

- 30W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 7025, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, front black control panel, single input, seven black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, Brilliant v, Norm v), black covering, black grille, mfg....

HIWATT CUSTOM 20 Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 20

- 20W, 1-10 in. Celestion speaker, tube chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, v), effects loop, line out, black covering, black grille, mfg. 2002-04.

HIWATT CUSTOM 10 Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 10

- 10W, 1-6 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, three black knobs (g, fine, MV), distortion switch, headphone jack, black covering, gray grille, disc. 2004.

HIWATT BULLDOG 10 (BD-10) Image

HIWATT BULLDOG 10 (BD-10)

- 10W, 1-6.25 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, five black knobs (g, MV, t, m, b), headphone jack, black covering, gray grille, disc.

HIWATT DR103 (CUSTOM HIWATT 100) Image

HIWATT DR103 (CUSTOM HIWATT 100)

- 100W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/12AX7, 1 X ECC81/12AT7, power: 4 X EL34/KT77, rectifier: 3 X BYX94, two channels, front black control panel, two or four inputs, seven black knobs (Norm v, Brilliant v, b, t,...

HIWATT SE4122 Image

HIWATT SE4122

- 150W, 4-12 in. speakers, 16 or 4 ohm impedance, black covering, black grille covering, side recessed handles, mfg. 1970s-mid-1980s.

HIWATT BULLDOG 20 (BD-20) Image

HIWATT BULLDOG 20 (BD-20)

- 20W, 1-8 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (g, MV, t, m, b, p), overdrive boost, headphone jack, black covering, gray grille, disc.

HIWATT DR504 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50) Image

HIWATT DR504 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50)

- 50W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, rectifier: 3 X BYX94, two channels, front black control panel, two or four inputs (normal and bright), seven black knobs (norm v, brilliant v, b, t, m, p, MV...

HIWATT SA112 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50) Image

HIWATT SA112 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50)

- 50W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL34/KT77, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, seven black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, brilliant v, norm v), black c...

HIWATT DC40 BULLDOG (CUSTOM HIWATT 50) Image

HIWATT DC40 BULLDOG (CUSTOM HIWATT 50)

- 40W (switchable to 12W), 1-12 in. Hiwatt speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: 4 X EL84, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (effects loop, p, Ch. 1: MV, t, m, b, g, Ch. 2: MV, t, m,...

HIWATT CUSTOM 15B Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 15B

- 15W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state bass chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, five black knobs (MV, t, m, b, p), seven-band EQ, headphone jack, black covering, gray grille, disc. 2004.

HIWATT SE4123 Image

HIWATT SE4123

- 100W, 4-12 in. speakers, 16 or 4 ohm impedance, black covering, gray (early models) or black grille covering, side recessed handles, mfg. mid-1960s-mid-1980s.

HIWATT D50LR Reverb Image

HIWATT D50LR Reverb

- similar to the D50L, except has a reverb circuit with an additional tube and reverb control for a total of 11 knobs, mfg. late 1980s-early 1990s.

HIWATT CUSTOM 20  Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 20

- 20W, 1-8 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (g, fine, t, m, b, MV), distortion switch, effects loop, headphone jack, black covering, gray grille, disc. 2004.

HIWATT DR103 (CUSTOM HIWATT 100) Image

HIWATT DR103 (CUSTOM HIWATT 100)

- 100W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: 4 X EL34, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black chickenhead knobs (Norm v, Brilliant v, b, t, m, p, MV), black covering with whi...

HIWATT SA112FL (CUSTOM HIWATT 100) Image

HIWATT SA112FL (CUSTOM HIWATT 100)

- 100W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X EL34/KT77, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, seven black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, brilliant v, norm v), black...

HIWATT CUSTOM 20 HEAD (DR-20A) Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 20 HEAD (DR-20A)

- 20W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, two inputs, five black knobs (g, b, t, m, MV), available in black covering with white...

HIWATT HI-GAIN 50 SER HEAD Image

HIWATT HI-GAIN 50 SER HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, two white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1 v with a push/pull bright switch, Ch. 2 v with a...

HIWATT BULLDOG 30 (BD-30R) Image

HIWATT BULLDOG 30 (BD-30R)

- 30W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, seven black knobs (g, MV, mic level, t, m, b, r), overdrive boost, headphone jack, CD in, black covering, gray grille, disc.

HIWATT OL103 (HIWATT LEAD 100) Image

HIWATT OL103 (HIWATT LEAD 100)

- 100W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X EL34/KT77, rectifier: 3 X BY127, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs (normal and bright), eight black knobs (OD, norm v, bright, b, m, t, p, MV),...

HIWATT SA212 Image

HIWATT SA212

- 50W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X KT77, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, seven black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, brilliant v, norm v), black cover...

HIWATT D100L Image

HIWATT D100L

- 100W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 10 chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, Ch. 2: OD, v, t, m, b, All: p, MV),...

HIWATT OL504 (HIWATT LEAD 50) Image

HIWATT OL504 (HIWATT LEAD 50)

- 50W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL34/KT77, rectifier: 3 X BY127, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs (normal and bright), eight black knobs (OD, norm v, bright, b, m, t, p, MV),...

HIWATT BULLDOG 20 BASS (BD-20B) Image

HIWATT BULLDOG 20 BASS (BD-20B)

- 20W, 1-6 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, five black knobs (v, t, m, b, MV), headphone jack, CD in, black covering, gray grille, disc.

HIWATT DR504 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50) Image

HIWATT DR504 (CUSTOM HIWATT 50)

- 50W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: 2 X EL34, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black chickenhead knobs (Norm v, Brilliant v, b, t, m, p, MV), black covering with whit...

HIWATT CUSTOM 20 MINI-STACK Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 20 MINI-STACK

- 20W, 2-10 in. speakers in separate cabinets (one per cabinet), solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (g, fine, t, m, b, MV), distortion switch, effects loop, headphone jack, black co...

HIWATT SA212R Image

HIWATT SA212R

- 100W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X KT77, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, vibrato, front black control panel, four inputs, 10 black knobs (MV, vibrato depth, vibrato speed,...

HIWATT S100 MAXWATT Image

HIWATT S100 MAXWATT

- 100W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X EL34/KT77, rectifier: 5 X BY127, two channels, front black control panel, four inputs (two normal and two bright), seven black knobs, black covering with white pi...

HIWATT D100LR Reverb Image

HIWATT D100LR Reverb

- similar to the D100L, except has a reverb circuit with an additional tube and reverb control for a total of 11 knobs, mfg. late 1980s-early 1990s.

HIWATT BULLDOG 30 BASS (BD-30B) Image

HIWATT BULLDOG 30 BASS (BD-30B)

- 30W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (g, MV, t, m, b, c), headphone jack, external speaker out, black covering, gray grille, disc.

HIWATT SA112 BULLDOG CUSTOM Image

HIWATT SA112 BULLDOG CUSTOM

- 50W, 1-12 in. Fane 75 speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: 2 X EL34, single channel, front black control panel that reads, four inputs, seven black knobs (MV, p, m, t, b, brill. v, norm. v), black covering, gray gri...

HIWATT CUSTOM 50 HEAD (DR-504) Image

HIWATT CUSTOM 50 HEAD (DR-504)

- 50W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, four inputs, seven black knobs (Norm v, Bright v, b, t, m, p, MV), available in black...

HIWATT HI-GAIN 100 HEAD Image

HIWATT HI-GAIN 100 HEAD

- 100W, guitar head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, two white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1 v with a push/pull bright switch, Ch. 2 v wit...

HIWATT HI-GAIN 100 SER HEAD Image

HIWATT HI-GAIN 100 SER HEAD

- 100W, guitar head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, two white chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1 v with a push/pull bright switch, Ch. 2 v wit...

HIWATT DR201 (HIWATT 200) Image

HIWATT DR201 (HIWATT 200)

- 200W, head-unit configuration, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X ECC83/12AX7, 1 X ECC81/12AT7, power: 6 X EL34/KT77, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, seven black knobs (Norm v, Brilliant v, b, t, m, p, M...

HIWATT S30LC COMBO Image

HIWATT S30LC COMBO

- 30W, 1-12 in. Celestion speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X ECC83/12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, single channel, front black control panel, single input, five chickenhead knobs (Mv, b, m, t, g), black covering...