Ceariatone (Hiwatt Clone)?

[jads57]

I`m thinking of having Nik build me a Hiwatt 50 watt clone. He say`s the circuit is based on an early 70`s model w/2 inputs. I`ve heard nothing but rave reviews of his Plexi reissues, but can`t find anything on his Hiwatt clones. I`m curious as to how comparable it will be to say a reeves Custom 50 or an older Hiwatt in terms of clean headroom. Anybody`s input would be helpful. I`d buy the Reeves if I could afford it or even a Heritage Colonial, but I only got 1k to spend. Thanks jads57

[Tripower455]

As long as he builds it to the schematic you want, and uses decent trannies, it should sound pretty close. You want an early '70's 4 holer if you want the most headroom.

Nik does nice work btw.

[iamhammill]

Good thinking jads!

I've been thinking about getting a Reeves, but could only afford a 12 watter.


What about a chassis?

[jads57]

Thanks for the reply`s. Nik said his build is an early 70`s model but a 2 holer. Not quite sure what the difference would be. As far as transformers I beleive he`s has them built, so not sure how they would be different than his plexi ones. Thanks again

[HeeBGB]

Talk to Mark Huss over at Ampgarage. He's built a 100 watt Hiwatt clone that is OUTSTANDING! We've put it up against a real 73 100 watter and it was real close. In any case he may be able to help you with some advice! He may be a member here to for all I know!

[Fifthstone]

Good thinking jads!

I've been thinking about getting a Reeves, but could only afford a 12 watter.

The Reeves 12 watter is awesome. I just got the combo and it wails!

[Ted Witcher]

You know, the originals are still pretty undervalued, at least in comparison to other cloned favorites like plexis, etc. Not sure I see the advantage to a clone here.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Talk to Mark Huss over at Ampgarage. He's built a 100 watt Hiwatt clone that is OUTSTANDING! We've put it up against a real 73 100 watter and it was real close. In any case he may be able to help you with some advice! He may be a member here to for all I know!



I just saw that on the website yesteday!! Nice!


I found an Audio Bros DR 103 that was excellent!! I had two real DR103s to compare to and the AB was right in there as far as tone and quality / accuracy of build. I think I paid about $1200 for it ...... which is $200 over the thread starter's limit, but still it was a killer piece. :drool

[Tripower455]

I've got an original Hylight 2 holer, and a 4 hole clone that I built. FWIW, I like the clone better.......


The trannies would be my biggest concern getting one from Nik.... They do play a big part in the sound...... Make sure they are wound for 120 volt mains (if you are in the states). My Hylight, which is wound for 115V runs all of the voltages too high, and it makes a very noticeable difference in the tone of the amp. It also makes just about every NOS preamp tube microphonic in a nasty way. I run mine with a variac set to 115 and it sounds wonderful.

I built my Marwatt from a kit from Nik, and the tranny voltage problem is the same.

[jads57]

Tripower when I corresponded w/ Nik, he said he only had a 2 hole faceplate. I`m not sure if that also meant the circuit design as well. Thanks for the info on the voltage of the tranny`s, not something I would have thought of. Hopefully he can correct that for me. Is your Marwatt a 50 or a 100 watt version? I`m leaning towards the 50 watter, but a little concerned about having enough clean headroom. By the way I`ll be running it w/either a 2x12" EV12l Avatar open back cab or a 1x15" JBL K130(15") Avatar cab.

[Tripower455]

Tripower when I corresponded w/ Nik, he said he only had a 2 hole faceplate. I`m not sure if that also meant the circuit design as well. Thanks for the info on the voltage of the tranny`s, not something I would have thought of. Hopefully he can correct that for me. Is your Marwatt a 50 or a 100 watt version? I`m leaning towards the 50 watter, but a little concerned about having enough clean headroom. By the way I`ll be running it w/either a 2x12" EV12l Avatar open back cab or a 1x15" JBL K130(15") Avatar cab.


My Marwatt is an 18 watter. It is loosely based on an early DST Marwatt. It is basically a TMB Marshall 18 watt with a Hiwatt tone stack on the TMB channel. This amp has a lot of headroom for an 18 watter, and I could probably use it for small club gigs. It doesn't have the balls of the EL34 amps though. The PT says 120V primary, but it runs the heaters too hot with my wall voltage of 122-123. At 115 in, they run right at 6.3......

I own a '79 DR504 and I built a 4 hole DR504 clone. My clone has modern Heyboer Trannys in it, and at 122-123, the PT runs the heaters at 6.5, which is definitely acceptable. The real one runs them at around 7.5 or so at the same input voltage, which is too much.

I use my DR504s for gigging with my 5 piece classic rock cover band, and they have plenty of headroom. I run one amp (carry the second head for a backup), both channels clean, and use an AB switch to split the channels. One for clean stuff and one for dirt with various pedals (OCD, RAT, Superfuzz and Bad Monkey). I have no problem keeping up with a heavy handed drummer.

I am not familiar with the EV12s. I run my Hiwatts with a Swanson 2-12 ported cab and Weber Thames. I also have an open back Avatar 2-12 with G12H30/V30 combo. I like it MUCH better with the Webers than the Celestions. I sometimes plug them into a 1-12 closed back with an Tonker in it, but that speaker is going into my SF Twin with another Tonker to replace the JBL K120s in there. I may put one of the JBLs into that cab and see if I like it in there.

[jads57]

Tripower what are your thoughts on running 6550`s or KT-88`s in your Hiwatt. Also do you run a 12ax7 or a 12AT7 in the PI of your amp. I`ve noticed that different circuits from Hiwatt use both. Thanks again, Ialso emailed Nik about the voltage being 120 at your suggestion, Thanks again

[Tripower455]

Tripower what are your thoughts on running 6550`s or KT-88`s in your Hiwatt. Also do you run a 12ax7 or a 12AT7 in the PI of your amp. I`ve noticed that different circuits from Hiwatt use both. Thanks again, Ialso emailed Nik about the voltage being 120 at your suggestion, Thanks again


The only other power tube I've tried in my Hiwatts are JJ 6V6s With JJ 6V6s, you'll probably need a rebias. Mine did. The JJs are supposedly good to 500 v on the plates. I've got about 20 hours on a pair of them with no issues whatsoever, and they sound great. I've heard that the KT88s are nice in there too.


For PI, I am running a 12AT7 in the 4 holer, and a 12AX7 in the 2 holer, as designed. I've played with a bunch of different preamp and power tubes with these things and came to the conclusion that the amps sounded best like this. Go figure! As for power tubes, my current, easy to get and won't break the bank favorites are the SED Winged Cs. Very close to my '60's vintage Teslas.

As for the voltages, you want a primary that will give you between 6 and 7VAC on the heaters at whatever your wall voltage is. Both of mine run around 480 on the plates with the proper input voltage. The vintage one goes over 500 v with wall voltage.

While you're at it, have Nik install a bias pot. Current and NOS tubes are all over the map these days......

[jads57]

Thanks for the bias pot recommendation, I`d never thought of that. Any other ideas? Last email I got from Nik at Ceriatone, he informed me that voltages are no problem but that his output transformers only go to 50k instead of 120k as per the original Hiwatts. Any thoughts on that as well? Thanks again for the info, John D.

[jads57]

Any more info would be appreciated before I order one from Nik. Thanks!

[jads57]

Just about to pull the trigger on ordering the amp from Nik, final specs early 70`s 2input circuit, 50 watts 2 EL-34 JJ`s, bias pot control on back, 12at7(ecc81) phase inverter preamp tube, anything I`m missing? Thanks for responses

[martyhk0]

is the hiwatt clone listed on Niks wesite, cause I don't see it?

[Squigglefunk]

is the hiwatt clone listed on Niks wesite, cause I don't see it?

http://www.chocosho.com/admin/images/380x285/79485_1_ninja.jpg

[martyhk0]

http://www.chocosho.com/admin/images/380x285/79485_1_ninja.jpgWhat the hell does this mean?:):confused::)

[85db]

My Hylight, which is wound for 115V runs all of the voltages too high, and it makes a very noticeable difference in the tone of the amp. It also makes just about every NOS preamp tube microphonic in a nasty way. I run mine with a variac set to 115 and it sounds wonderful.

Is your Hylight not a USA model? This whole 115v/120v issue is pretty confusing because I think remember seeing some USA destined equipment designed for 115v.