HIWATT Custom Shop Studio/Stage MK III SSH 20/40W Head Class A Made in England New Boxed

HIWATT Custom Shop Studio/Stage MK III SSH 20/40W Head Class A Made in England New Boxed


Welcome to the listing of this classic British brand of amplifiers. Today’s Custom Shop hand-wired, point-to-point amps feature the meticulous original wiring improved by Harry Joyce Electronics in the early 70’s. This 20/40W Head MK III is made in England with the best available components for those guitar players who want a pure and classic Hiwatt sound based on the early 70’s model as played by Pete Townsend and David Gilmour.

The Studio/Stage amp is more of a recent design and it is a response to the high demand for a Class A head amplifier, which features 4 x EL84 valves in the switchable 20/40W power stage. Along with Custom 20W head, these are the only Class A amps in the Custom Shop range. The SSH produces even harmonics but with more attack and clarity.

Hiwatt, along with Marshall and Vox, are largely responsible for shaping the sound of British rock during the 1960s and 1970s. Bands such as Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, the Rolling Stones, and The Who have all used Hiwatt amps to help create their legendary sounds. With their military-spec chassis, point-to-point wiring, and marine-grade cabinets, Hiwatt amps are also known for being very solidly built.


DESCRIPTION

The Studio/Stage MK III Head offers a switchable output of either 20W or 40W via a switch on the rear of the chassis. This is perhaps the most versatile Custom amplifier from the Hiwatt Custom Shop! The amplifier boasts all the usual Hiwatt Custom features: Variable voltage selection (100V, 115V, 230V, 240V - means this amp can be used anywhere in the world), an impedance selector and two parallel speaker jacks. As a custom order option, the MK III has a footswitch for both reverb and gain boost!

It is powered by 4 x EL84 in the power stage, with 3 x ECC83 & 1 x ECC81. The Studio/Stage Head employs the original Partridge designed transformers. Switchable to 4, 8 & 16 ohm output impedance, the Studio/Stage Head allows you to select from 100, 115, 230 and 240 volt sources. The pre-amp has high & low sensitivity inputs. Add your favourite pedals to create your own personalised sound. Drive the amp harder in Studio 20W mode with just with 2 x EL84 valves operating just like the Custom 20W combo. For more volume and headroom switch the amp to Stage 40W mode with all 4 x EL84 valves operating. For more drive pull the Gain knob to boost the signal and for space dial in the real spring valve-driven Reverb.

There is simply no better sounding, looking or engineered Class A head in the world! This amplifier will last a lifetime!


FEATURES

Front Panel Controls: MAINS SWITCH, STANDBY SWITCH HIGH, MASTER VOLUME, REVERB, MIDDLE, TREBLE, BASS, GAIN (BOOST), HI INPUT/LOW INPUT.
Back Panel Features: SPEAKER OUTPUTS, OUTPUT IMPEDENCE SELECTOR, STUDIO/STAGE SWITCH, VOLTAGE SELECTOR.
Output Power: 20/40W. Please note this is an All Purpose (AP) amplifier, which can be used for guitar and even keyboards.  
Valves: 4 x EL84’s, 3 x ECC83/12AX7’s, 1 x ECC81/12AT7
Dimensions (Unboxed) L x H x D: 59 x 25 x 28 cm
Weight (Unboxed): 17 kg
Colour Options: custom colours are available on request: White, Red, Blue, Union Jack and others. Please contact us for a quote.
Options (Sold Separately): External Cabinets SE212F/SE4123F=Fane Loaded Cabinet (Custom Fanes are Manufactured in England). Celestion option available.



HISTORY

Kicking off in the late 1960s, under the guidance of Dave Reeves, Hiwatt gave Marshall a run for their money, contributing hugely to the sonic landscape that became known as The British Sound.

With artists such as The Who and Pink Floyd, the brand was at the forefront of guitar amplification for the remainder of the 1960s and much of the 1970s. Reeves’ untimely passing and licensing problems threw the trademark into a grey area for the next two decades.

In 2016 the trademark passed to the present owner, who strengthened the Hiwatt brand. A further generation of artists – U2, Nirvana, Oasis, Coldplay, The Killers, The Black Keys, Foals, Circa Waves and Japandroids – have all embraced the unmistakable Hiwatt sound.



The result is that unique Hiwatt sound, rich in third and fifth harmonics, as effective in the studio as it is on stage.
These amps sound like no other.
The sound of a Custom Studio Stage Head at full tilt is truly awesome.
The sheer power and responsiveness is guaranteed to blow you away.


THE BRITISH SOUND

Hiwatt is rooted in the British Sound that emerged in the mid 1960s.

It was The Who’s John Entwistle who first traded in his Marshall stacks in favour of Sound City at the beginning of 1967. Sound City, the precursor to Hiwatt, produced customized L100 amplifiers later that year for Pete Townshend.

At this time, Dave Reeves was providing Sound City with OEM amplifiers. The design layout and controls on the customized L100s were identical to the Hiwatt CP103 that was to come. These customized L100s were the first in a lineage of amplifiers that would quickly evolve into Hiwatt.

Around this time, Jimi Hendrix and his manager Chas Chandler approached Townshend, asking for his opinion on amplification. Townshend told them that he had stopped using Marshall, as he thought Sound City were better. The Jimi Hendrix Experience subsequently started using Sound City L100s, but set them up together with their Marshall stacks instead of replacing them.

In late 1968, The Who approached Dallas Arbiter, the makers of Sound City, asking if their equipment could be modified slightly.

This request was denied, but independent amp designer and manufacturer Dave Reeves agreed, and created customised L100 amplifiers under the name Hylight Electronics.

Hiwatt was born.

This model was named the Hiwatt DR103, which would be modified in 1970 into the CP103 ‘Super Who 100’ model, which Townshend used almost exclusively for over a decade. In 1973, the updated DR103W model was created. It has been the central piece of equipment around which Townshend’s various rigs were built for the next thirty years. The DR103-Hiwatt Custom 100 Head is still Hiwatt’s flagship amplifier to this day.


DELIVERY TIMES

We endeavour to deliver all Custom Shop purchases within 14 days. However, some amps will be built to order, which may result in slightly longer supply times. Please feel free to contact us for more accurate delivery times.


DISCLAIMER: Hiwatt Electronics Ltd owns the Hiwatt trademark worldwide except USA, Canada & Japan, the trademark in these 3 countries is owned by a third party. NMP Studios will not sell to these territories. Hiwatt Electronics Ltd is the only company building genuine hand-wired Hiwatt amplifiers in the North of England by the original engineers and subsequently Hi-Gain, T & G series in the Far East. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

WARRANTY: Custom Shop Hiwatt amplifiers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for 7 Years from the date of purchase. To validate this warranty, the registration form and proof of purchase (bill of sale, receipt or invoice) must be included to register and obtain Warranty Service. Further details will be provided with purchases from the Custom Shop range.

Please note: NMP Studios is an authorised Hiwatt Dealer. NMP Studios will not ship new Hiwatt amplifiers to Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Israel. Please contact local dealers.