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Average Price: $3,100
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$300
$801+
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Description
Step into the world of classic rock power with the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head, a legendary piece of gear that has shaped the sound of countless iconic guitarists. Renowned for its robust construction and unrivaled tonal clarity, this amplifier head is a testament to Hiwatt's commitment to quality and innovation. Originally produced from the mid-60s to the mid-80s, the Custom 100's 11-tube chassis delivers a commanding 100 watts, providing a rich and dynamic sound that can fill any venue.
Designed for versatility, the Custom 100 features two separate channels, allowing you to tailor your sound with precision. Whether you prefer the warm, clean tones of its first channel or the gritty, overdriven power of the second, this amp head caters to a wide range of musical styles. With options to use either two or four inputs, musicians have the flexibility to experiment and find their unique voice.
For those who demand both performance and reliability, the Hiwatt Custom 100 is engineered to withstand the rigors of touring while consistently delivering top-tier sound quality. Its robust build and meticulous attention to detail make it a favorite among professional musicians and enthusiasts alike.
Key Features:
- 11-tube chassis
- 100 watts of power
- Two separate channels for versatile sound options
- Option for two or four inputs
- Built for durability and superior sound quality
Product specs
| Brand | Hiwatt |
| Model | Custom 100 DR103 |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head?
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The Hiwatt Custom 100 is known for its clean, powerful tones with a rich harmonic content. It delivers a classic British sound that's ideal for rock, blues, and even jazz, providing plenty of headroom for clean playing and a smooth transition to overdrive.
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Is the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head suitable for gigging?
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Yes, with 100 watts of output power, the Hiwatt Custom 100 is more than capable of handling live performances. Its robust design and powerful output make it suitable for both small venues and larger stages.
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How many channels does the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head have?
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The Hiwatt Custom 100 features two channels, allowing for versatile sound shaping and easy switching between different tonal settings during a performance.
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Does the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head have built-in reverb?
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No, the Hiwatt Custom 100 does not include built-in reverb. It is designed to deliver pure, uncolored tone, and external effects can be used to add reverb if desired.
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What are the impedance options for the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head?
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The Hiwatt Custom 100 offers multiple impedance options, including 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 16 ohms, providing flexibility for different speaker cabinet configurations.
Videos
Chicago Music Exchange
Hiwatt Custom 100 Head | CME Gear Demo | Brian Westfall
Hiwatt Custom 100 Head | CME Gear Demo | Brian Westfall
Chicago Music Exchange
Reviews
PROS
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Suitable for both guitar and bass on small to medium stages
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Hand-built to order quality
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Delivers classic British sound
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Exceptional clean sound output
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Preferred over other brands for its unique tone
CONS
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High price point
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Less effective on low frequencies compared to the 200 model without additional headroom
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head.
User experience
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The amplifier is noted for its gut-punching sound, especially when using overdrive and sub-octave effects, while maintaining clarity and sparkle in the highs.
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The amp is considered extremely loud, with room-rumbling volume even at a setting of 4, indicating its suitability for band practice and larger venues.
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Owners emphasize that the Hiwatt Custom 100 can achieve an "insane crunch tone" by cranking the input volumes, making it ideal for those seeking high headroom and clean tones.
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Comparisons
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Owners report that the Fane speakers provide superior clarity compared to Egnater cabinets with V30s, contributing to a more distinct sound.
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Some prefer the Biacrown-era DR103 over the Hylight for its tonal qualities, though it may be too loud for smaller spaces like apartments.
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An owner highlighted the superior synergy between a Hiwatt 4x12 cabinet with Fane speakers and the Custom 100, describing it as a powerful combination tailored for each other.
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Features and functionality
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The amp's bright input delivers a classic British rock sound, reminiscent of The Who and Pink Floyd, with a spanky twangy tone ideal for clean/crunch rock styles.
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The normal input channel is preferred for its deeper low end and balanced clarity, making it a versatile choice for a range of musical styles.
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Owners appreciate the four inputs available on pre-'76 models, which allow for channel linking, offering more tonal flexibility.
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The ability to switch wattage, as seen in other models like the 40/20, is praised for providing a flexible solution for both home and studio settings.
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Use cases and applications
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When used for both guitar and bass, the DR103 delivers impressive sound quality, enhancing versatility for musicians who play multiple instruments.
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The amp excels in handling effects, with users noting it takes pedals exceptionally well, making it ideal for complex pedalboard setups.
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It's noted that the amp is extremely loud, even at low settings like 2 or 3, which can still produce a thunderous sound, suitable for live shows and loud band practices.
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Build quality
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The pots on the DR103 offer an even sweep, allowing users to achieve quality sound even at lower volumes, which is useful for home studio settings.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 15 Ratings
Buy once Cry once
I've mixed a few bands that use Hiwatt heads and if you like a British Sound This will do it for you. Price and Used values are what you should expect for a hand built to order piece. The 100 will also handle bass guitar duty for small to medium size stages but the 200 will definitely out run it on the low frequency due to more headroom when pushed hard. Side by side with a Marshall I'd choose this one over anything aside form an actual 50's Plexi. which even in unrestored and especially in unmolested state would be far out of most touring budgets to own or lease. If you are given a half hour to really go through this amp it would be time well spent.
235
If'n Their good enough for Gilmour !!!!!
I've Play through one when I was at the Studio in Calif. I was really surprised by just how Clean a sound Ya get. A lot of People don't know the difference between loudness and Volume. These Hiwatt 100 watt tube Heads are by far INCREDIBLE !!!!!!!! Of course They also come with a Hefty price tag as well. Well ..... wanting to drive a BMW but only have a City Bus Budget. LoL ~Pepper~
41029
pete's actually is quite a bit different than what's probably inside yours, more of a fender/vox tonestack and the old hiwatt and sound city style cathode follower direct coupling the power section at low imepdance. there's a few other little things. different top end due to the differences in the feedback loop. 2 less channels but 2of them were dupes anyway. I could tell you how to turn it into a 2 channel CP103 Who amp with a mid control and a presence control with a handful of parts. Its a simple conversion actually, a handful of pots, caps and resistors. The pete amp is less versatile but is gainiery. Punchy in a different way with powerful upper midrange, even more chiming top, deeper lows.... I know, sounds crazy... oh and it has a big mid dip in the muck range around 330hz built into the tone controls. Unless you're a davi Gilmour guy I think the older hwiatt circuits kick the crap out of the later, more polite ones as far as playing rock. For reference I build my own amp design that's very pete Townshend hiwatt inspired, although tis even gainier.
5339
i bought this from a friend and i loved its sound and i knew pete mained these and im a big fan of him so i jumped on this
Artist usage
Add artist
Dave Grohl uses the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head during live performances, particularly following the release of "Wasting Light," as seen in the Foo Fighters' live session at Studio 606 on YouTube.
John Frusciante is clearly seen using a Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head in the provided image.
In the article, we can see that he uses the Hiwatts.
Jimmy can be seen on this photo playing his guitar with a violin bow. Behind him there are two Hiwatt custom amps that he used on the Royal Albert Hall concert.
This amp can be seen on Heart Like A Hand Grenade at 18:01. This amp is also used on Nimrod and Warning.
In an interview where Noel Gallagher talks about his guitars, gear, and his band High Flying Birds, he reveals some of the amp choices, and how he focused on trimming down and taking away from the "excesses" of the Oasis sound:
"Hmm…[long pause] Well, it is a new sound…but only from taking things away. I didn't invent anything. I just took elements…and the excesses of Oasis, like the extra guitars and the fucking…I just took 'em away. I didn't add anything; I just left the space. The new sound is me singing all the songs and there's one less guitarist.
"As far as amps and stuff, what did I use?... I used a Hiwatt Custom 100, a Blackface Fender '64 Deluxe, a 1980's Vox AC30… I'm not sure I've used any of these on Oasis records before… I can't remember!"
Original article can be found here.
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Hiwatt stack behind him. Probably tried it out being so close to The Who at the time.
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During most of the 70s Roger's rig consisted of Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103s and WEM Super Starfinder 200 (4x12) cabinets. This setup would last utnil about 1978 when Phil Taylor built him a new Phase Linear 700 amplified bass rig.
used on Hemispheres album, and live slightly before, afterwards. Two heads power 2 bottom cabinets, a 3rd head for the Leslie rotating speaker cabinet (under the Tapco Reverb and EQ to the left of the Hiwatt stacks) and a 4th head is the spare.
From the 1979 Hemispheres tour book:
Alex Lifeson
My amplifiers are three Hiwatt 100's spread over four 4x12 Hiwatt cabinets and one Leslie cabinet, with one spare amplifier and two spare cabinets. A Fender J.B.L. Twin Reverb is used for primary p.a. miking.
My guitars are one each Gibson ES335, Gibson ES355, Gibson Les Paul Standard, Gibson Custom Double-Neck, custom built Pyramid, Fender Stratocaster, Roland Guitar Synthesizer, Gibson Dove, Gibson J-55, Gibson B45-12, Gibson C-60 classical, and a Ramirez classical. I also play a set of Moog Taurus pedals.
The effects I use are three Rolands 301 Space Echo's, one Roland chorus, an Electric Mistress, a Morley volume pedal, a Cry Baby Wah Wah, a Maestro parametric filter, Ashley pre-amps for the acoustic guitars, and a custom build effects board designed by L.B., and built by Steele-Power Supply.
Here's the link to the original article
http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/HEMtourbook.htm
There's a ton of info in his 1980 Guitar Player cover interview...
http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19800600guitarplayer.htm
Peter Hook reportedly used the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head during Joy Division's performances. This information is derived from limited live footage, audio recordings, interviews, and eyewitness accounts, as documented by Joydiv.
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Album Usage
The Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head has been featured on the following albums:
White Noise
Official髭男dism (2023)
Nothing as the Ideal
All Them Witches & All Them Witches (2020)
Jar
Superheaven (2013)
Wasting Light
Foo Fighters (2011)
Beastwars
Beastwars (2011)
Warning
Green Day (2000)
Nimrod
Green Day (1997)
In Utero
Nirvana (1993)
![Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head as heard on Keep Your Hands To Yourself / Can't Stand The Pain [Digital 45] by The Georgia Satellites (1986)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/170825/keep-your-hands-to-yourself-can-t-stand-the-pain-digital-45.jpg)
Keep Your Hands To Yourself / Can't Stand The Pain [Digital 45]
The Georgia Satellites (1986)
Hemispheres
Rush (1978)
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick (1977)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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