Does my Hiwatt need a cap job?

[bionic]

I have an '81 DR 103which had a fairly recent cap job and it sounds way punchier with more low mids than my '78 DR 103 that still has the original caps. Both are equally silent though and the '78 caps have no bubbles. Will a cap job on the '78 give me the punch and low mids of the 81?

[GearHeadFred]

32 years - I would say it's time for a cap job, regardless of tonal effects! Electrolytics anyway.

[gldtp99]

It's hard to say----you almost always get the orig punch/dynanics back with new filter caps and it's rare to hear that an amp sounds worse with new filter caps.
With the natural differences between individual amps of the same make/model and the differences between individual tube sets--- this is something you'd have to try for yourself--- A/B'ing the '78 against the '81, both with new filter caps and comparable tube sets.
Has either amp been modded in any way or are they both bone stock ? I'd think that both would have the Late 70's 2-Input preamp but if the '78 has the Mid 70's 4-Input preamp then there would be definate tone differences................gldtp99

[zzmoore]

Yes it needs a cap job, it does not matter what the caps look like. If those are original to the amp, everybody and their brother has gotten their money's worth out of them. You may have to source those replacements from a few different dealers. I would avoid purchasing from VHR unless you are worried about cap color, size, and other useless cosmetic considerations...... There are much more affordable alternatives.
Good Luck