100W of pure valve-driven Hiwatt Headroom. The DR88 occupies the sweetspot between crystal clean and silky overdrive. Push the channel volume or jump the channels for dirt and saturation. Designed for bass tones, the DR88 also excels for down-tuned guitars, baritones, or just a different flavour of KT88-based tones.

The iconic British sound trusted by musicians and engineers for generations.

Feature Overview

• Faithfully hand-wired according to Dave Reeves’ original late 60’s circuit design.
• A unique, silky character set apart by the dual KT88 output valves.
• Hiwatt is the premier pedal platform prized for clarity and headroom. Presents pedals true to your sound — no effects loop required.
• Normal and Brilliant channels with independent high and low impedance inputs for each channel. Versatile and intuitive, perfect for bringing life out of dark pickups or taming shrill high-end in bright pickups.
• Link the two channels for extra punch and dynamic control of your EQ via the independent channel volumes. Unleash the “jumped” channel sound Hiwatt is famous for.
• All the clean headroom you could want.
• The DR88 comes fitted with a transparent PPIMV control for phase inverter distortion at lower volumes.
• A truly all-purpose amplifier. Historically used by the world’s most influential artists on a wide range of instruments in the studio and on stage. Ideal for amplifying bass, keys, synthesizers, guitars, and other full-range and acoustic instruments.

Specifications:

• Wattage: 100W.
• Channels: Normal, Brilliant.
• Inputs: Normal Hi, Normal Low, Brilliant Hi, Brilliant Low.
• Output: 2 x 1/4" Speaker Out, 1 x Speakon Speaker Out.
• Preamp valves: 3 x ECC83 (12AX7), 1 x ECC81 (12AT7).
• Output valves: 2 x KT88.
• Controls: Normal Volume, Brilliant Volume, 3-Band EQ shared by both channels — Bass, Treble, Middle, Presence — Treble Boost shared by both channels, Master Volume, Post-Phase Inverter Master Volume, Standby — On/Off, Mains — On/Off.
• Impedance: Switchable using impedance selector on the rear panel — 4 Ω, 8 Ω, or 16 Ω.
• Road Ready — Rugged 18mm Birch-Ply Construction.
• Band Ready — ’Soak Tested’ by our Custom Shop Technicians.
• Touring Ready — World Voltage and Impedance Selectors.
• Based on Hiwatt’s original circuit, designed by Dave Reeves.
• Original Partridge spec English transformers.
• Meticulously hand-wired to Harry Joyce’s exacting military standards.
• 🇬🇧 Proudly manufactured in the Hiwatt Custom Shops.

Special Note B-Stock

• This item is considered "B-Stock."
• B-Stock items are new instruments that did not get an A+ in QC.
• B-Stock is the closest to a new condition. There are very small blemishes categorized as “an inch or less”. Many times, these instruments are like new.
• They usually have minor cosmetic blemishes; none of these issues will affect overall playability.