Hiwatt FL-112 112 Combo

This particular Hiwatt was made in 1980. It's rare, because most that aren't the cheesy 80's Lead models had 4 inputs. These models only had 2 (bright and normal). Both are useful, but I prefer the normal input . . . more depth. The original Fane was replaced before I got it, and a 200 Watt EV was put in. Weighs a ton! I've used this amp in small clubs and in large halls. It always gets attention, from guitar players in the crowd, to the soundman beggin' me to turn down! The LOUDEST amps on earth! The best part, is it's simple to use, and it doesn't care if you're a pro or a weekend warrior! That's cool . . . more companies should follow their lead. Every feature on the amp serves a purpose, and is dynamic. A perfect, efficient, ear-killing machine!

I play an '81 Les Paul Dlx. with a Big Muff, Chandler Tube Driver, Fender Blender, and other stuff, as I see fit to what I'm doing for a particular gig. I've played hard rock, metal, country, jazz . . . you name it, with this amp. It's E.Q. section really allows the user to let it do with it what you want. Add the presence knob, and the amp can get dangerous to the ears! The E.Q. section really allows the amp to go in any direction. There isn't much distortion to be had with this thing, but if you dime the normal volume and add some compression . . . think Malcolm Young. I run the master volume almost full, and regulate the overall volume with the normal volume, as to let the tubes get good and responsive. This amp is as nasty as the pedals you put into it. I use to run a Matchless Dirt Box and a Univox Superfuzz at the same time, and I've nevvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeerrr heard a nastier, gut wrenching, bone-breaking tone in my life!!! One thing though, and this is IMPORTANT. If you're guitar is out of tune, everybody's gonna know it! Why? Because, even on 10, the amp's pretty clean. It will make your pants shake and your ears will bleed! If you can find one . . . pawn your children if you must!!!!!!!!!!!

Military wiring . . . need I say more? This thing is simply designed, and simple to maintain. I've had it retubed and rebiased a couple of times, and recently had it recapped. Once, I thought I'd be cool, and slave it with a Soldano HR-50 I had. Bad move. I blew the Soldano up, and blew the output transformer in the Hiwatt. It sounded great before it blew, I just did it backwards! Ooooops! This part isn't cheap, but any amp guy, worth his/her salt, can work on these. As far as a backup, this thing has NEVER acted contrary when I had her out on the town, and it's always on it's best behaviour. I've smashed guitars on top of it, threw it down, spilled drinks on it, and it's never acted the worse for it. Any problems I've had with it, have been of my own doing.

When I called Hiwatt (Fernandes) about my transformer problem, they'd never heard of my model and told me, "Good luck". I asked around, and found a guy with a good reputation with older tube amps. He fixed the transformer, rebiased, recapped it and was more excited than me when he brought it back to me. It didn't cost me the kind of headache or money it would've, if I'd have delt with a music store or with Fernandes. It sounds better than ever, and I plan on using it til it or me dies.

I've been playing for about 15 yrs, and I've owned this amp for about 10. I've had a lot of other tube amps: Marshalls, Fenders, Peavey, Crate, Soldano, Mesa, Sound City, and they just don't do for me like this amp. It's the foundation of my sound, and I feel lucky that I don't have to run around and try to find what works for me. Any other amp I play, now, I approach it like I approach my amp. I know, pretty quickly, if it can cut it. If something ever happened to this amp, I'd collect all my money, and go get another one. If someone stole it, they'd have a problem! Finally, to those who think these amps can only do one thing, I've got 2 names for you . . . David Gilmore & Pete Townshend! 2 opposite ends of the tone spectrum, all built from the Hiwatt!

This is the purist's amp - like most hiwatts, it is a canvas for pedals. Amplifies your guitar down to a T. Only versatile if you run your favorite pedals in front of it. without them, you're stuck with the best clean around. since it's not the jack of all trades, but the master of one, I give it a middle score for versatility.

This is a rare model - it's a hylight made point to point combo with a fane speaker and black grillcloth. don't see to many around. built in 1980.

I am currently using a basic american fender strat. signal goes:
guitar-->teese picture wah-->keeley compressor-->zvex super hard on-->foxrox captain coconut 2-->fulltone fulldrive TR100-->maxon ad-900-->amp. All george l's cables.

The tone is my own, although I am a huge Steve Hackett fan and am able to capture those early genesis tones even with a strat. the most beautiful sound comes with the zvex(highly recommended), the fuzz section of the CC2, and the fulldrive used together. I put the mids way low on the amp, the treble at about 2 o clock, and the bass at about 3 o clock. I mix the rythm and middle pickups of the strat. Ultimate half clean/half overdriven/sparkly/LOUD tone. if using humbuckers this produces a nice lifeson sound as well.

Even with a strat with mediocre pickups, the amp is verrrrry silent. even with the setting/pedal conjuction used above the only noise is a little hiss....no feedback, no hum. By the way, I just finished playing - my ears are ringing and my head hurts. This amp is suited for large venues and I play it in a small bedroom...not good.

To sum up, this amp's clean is loud and better than fender. it is difficult to get overdrive without a pedal. GET A HIWATT AND A FULLDRIVE AND YOU'RE SET!

Come on....it's a hiwatt built in the kingston factory under hylight electronics. Point to point, military spec, you;ve all heard it. A bad tube or fuse is the worst of you're troubles. Impossible to damage otherwise. The amp is the ultimate power in the universe.

Hylight electronics is no more and hiwatt has gone through a couple places since. They're currently being produced by fernandes and I've never dealth with them. if you're looking for a hiwatt, music ground is very helpful.

I'm 16 and proud to own a vintage hiwatt. I've been playing for about 5 years. Compare to orange, marshall, matamp (very very cool), fender....the hiwatt is just better. Jimmy page, pete townshend, dave gilmour, STEVE HACKETT all used hiwatts,