Hiwatt Amp

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Author Message jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 418 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 6:53 am:    My dream amp has come up for sale on ebay. Vintage 1977 Hiwatt...one owner...perfect condition. Sounds to good to be true. That 0 feedback is keeping me from bidding. If it were close, I could at least drop by and have a look. Anyone here live in Omaha? Hiwatt (Message edited by davehouck on May 04, 2006) zuperdog Junior Username: zuperdog Post Number: 49 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 7:30 pm:    Jonathan- If this really is the "one" amp for you, maybe it's worth jumping on a plane to pick up. You could probably do it in a day, including packing it up there and shipping it back to yourself, and it won't cost you much for the peace of mind. Just a thought. kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1884 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 5:26 am:    I thought the guy wanted $3k? Now he's got it at $10k!!!! Is he smokin' somethin' or does he know something I don't? You could almost buy a STORE full of amp rigs for $10K!!! I guess his dream of being Pete Townshend sort of came true: you NEED to be PT to be able to afford the thing, LOL! davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3808 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 7:29 am:    Inflation. A 233% increase in price in just six days. Better buy it now; in another six days it will be $23,000. In the "questions from other members" section of the listing, he's still on the record stating that he will sell the amp and guitar together for $4,900. jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 423 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 7:34 am:    Kevin, I have spoken with the seller and I have bought the amp. I'm picking it up on Saturday. Had him come down a bit on the price. The reason for the price increase was so that no one else could bid on it. I figured I'd save the guy the ebay commission by not clicking on the B.I.N. For some reason, he couldn't remove the item, so the only way to protect us both was to jack the price to the point where no one else would bother with it. Long story short...this weekend I will get my dream amp. A mint condition 1977 Hiwatt!!! I can't wait. lbpesq Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1281 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 7:53 am:    Jonathan: Congrats! I also recently picked up a 1977 amp I had been lusting after. An original Mark 1 Boogie. Santana-in-a-box. Enjoy the Hiwatt and go easy on the Pete Townshend windmills. You don't need any rotator cuff problems! LOL Bill,tgo tom_z Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 383 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 8:00 am:    Great score Jonathan! Congratulations. =) davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3809 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 8:13 am:    Congrats!! Glad to see it wasn't inflation! lidon2001 Intermediate Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 151 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 8:27 am:    Nice purchase Jonathan. Enjoy! T zuperdog Member Username: zuperdog Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 4:59 pm:    Good Show! Congrats! kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1891 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 4:54 am:    Ahhh! There was a method to his madness! Congrats Jon. Enjoy and give us a full report (pix wouldn't hurt either). Cheers, Kevin jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 424 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 3:53 pm:    Kevin, I'll post pics on Sunday. Of course, if there's so much as a single scratch on the tolex, I'm coming home empty handed (16 hour drive or not). That's why it's so hard for me to buy used equipment. I expect things to look as though they came home from the factory yesterday, regardless of age. I'm a pain in the ass that way. But nothing beats finding that closet classic! Like Bill's Series 1...lucky bastard! Regards, Jonathan kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1895 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 5:35 am:    I'm with you, Jon. I like my stuff pristine and go to great pains to keep it that way. That's why I didn't go for a vintage plexi. They're all spanked cosmetically and electrically and need lots of work. Add the high price of admission and you'll understand why I went for a new custom amp instead. Still, there is nothing quite like an 'original', warts and all. Enjoy! Kevin jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 426 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 12:38 pm:    Well...I did it. I drove the 1000 mile round trip to Omaha, cash in hand, and came home with the amp of my dreams. It was just as the seller described. A near-mint 1977 Hiwatt DR103 and 4x12 cab. It is a true closet classic. He bought it 29 years ago and it basically sat in his house, seeing the light of day only twice when he moved. I don't think it's possible to find a Hiwatt of this vintage in any better condition. The sound is unbelievable! The chime is so warm and clean. I will never say that I don't need another guitar, but I can't imagine ever needing another amp. For me this is a dream come true. I did, however, want to give the tolex a good wipe down, to bring out that Ajax shine and get rid of 30 years of closet dust. Anyone have any good recommendations for a tolex cleaner? Regards, Jonathan lbpesq Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1293 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 1:10 pm:    Jonathan Lookin' good, like it was frozen in time! As for cleaning, I'd go with a soft cloth and warm slightly soapy water. Squeeze the washcloth pretty well before applying. I'd stay away from the ajax. If you really want a shine, how about something like an automobile vinyl clean and shine type product? Bill, tgo (MISTER Lucky Bastard, to you) tom_z Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 385 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 2:06 pm:    Very nice Jonathan! I'm glad that your trip worked out and you came home with your dream amp. It looks pretty sweet. Rock on. Peace Tom jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 427 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 5:54 pm:    Thanks guys. Bill, I was wondering if something like Armor All was safe to use on tolex. I don't see why not. lbpesq Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1294 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 6:16 pm:    Jonathan: I was thinking the same thing, but you might want to try a little on another, less valued, amp first, just to be safe. Bill, tgo zuperdog Member Username: zuperdog Post Number: 54 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 7:33 pm:    I use Armor-all on my amps. Works great, and leaves 'em nice and shiny, but doesn' leave a bit of a slippery, slightly greasy feel for a few days. Really seems to help prevent fading from the sun if your gear is near a window. Haven't had any problem, yet. Nice buy! jalevinemd Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 428 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 7:36 pm:    I think I'll try it on one of the others and see how it goes. (Message edited by jalevinemd on May 14, 2006) kmh364 Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1898 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:26 pm:    Nice!