Hiwatt SA112/30

I acquired this 30 Watt Beauty at a Guitar Show in London about a year ago. I have been told by several HIWATT Historians that this is a very rare piece as it was manufactured around 1978 and features the original style HIWATT point-to-point wiring on Tabs and no P.C. boards! It is a Single-Channel set-up with just one Input (obviously High-gain), no effects loop,but it does feature a D.I. out on the back panel.When I purchased it, it was outfitted with original Mullard El84's which have since been replaced with Tesla EL84's, which work superbly. The amp is being used in both Club and Recording studio work, has more than enough power for either application,and sounds incredible.

I am currently using several different guitars through it,A 60's Fender Strat,A Hamer California Elite,and a MusicMan Van Halen Model. The amp performs equally well with Humbuckers or Single-Coils. With the Master Volume on 9 and the Gain Volume on 4 I can get the distinctive "clean" HIWATT sound with great articulation.Reversing the settings gives an incredible Overdrive Like I have never heard out of a HIWATT.(more of a "plexi"-style distortion). I also own several 70's and early 80's HIWATT units (50 and 100 watt/Heads and Combos)and none of them get this "brown" tone. The amp,like most early HIWATT's is virtually noise free. The only drawback I can find in its sound is the original 12" Fane (it's going soft)

Never Had a problem with it outside of Tube replacement.

Like other users on the Home Page I have called Fernandes about parts and Technical Information, and they don't have a clue. this seems to be the Norm with the various companies who have "owned" the HIWATT name since 1983. I was told at the British guitar show that the only 2 reliable History sources for HIWATT were Harry Joyce (currently Harry Joyce Amplifiers U.K.) HIWATT's original chassis builder, and Dave Strelz(currently BULLDOG Amplifiers U.K.) an original Designer for HIWATT.

Incredible amp , wish I could find another one.