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Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head

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$4,799.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (15)

2 Critic Reviews

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Hiwatt Custom 100

3 community setups

57 wishlisted

77 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (14)

$4,799.99 2 available New

$1,400.00 17 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $3,100

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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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

What kind of tones can I expect from the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head?: 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.
Is the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head suitable for gigging?: 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.
How many channels does the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head have?: The Hiwatt Custom 100 features two channels, allowing for versatile sound shaping and easy switching between different tonal settings during a performance.
Does the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head have built-in reverb?: 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.
What are the impedance options for the Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head?: The Hiwatt Custom 100 offers multiple impedance options, including 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 16 ohms, providing flexibility for different speaker cabinet configurations.

Videos

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Chicago Music Exchange

Hiwatt Custom 100 Head | CME Gear Demo | Brian Westfall

Chicago Music Exchange

Reviews

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PROS

Suitable for both guitar and bass on small to medium stages
Hand-built to order quality
Delivers classic British sound
Exceptional clean sound output
Preferred over other brands for its unique tone

CONS

High price point
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.
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Mods and upgrades

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A modded Thermion that serves as a dual guitar or bass head is mentioned, suggesting potential versatility for those who enjoy experimenting with their gear.
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Critic Reviews

Hiwatt Custom 100 review

guitarmasterclass.net

The Hiwatt Custom 100 Amplifier Head is a powerhouse of tone and build quality. Its exceptional clarity and headroom make it a dream for clean tones, rivaling even Fender’s best. With its handwired construction, it's a robust piece of gear that’s designed to last. However, its sheer loudness means an attenuator is essential for most modern settings. While it's a bit of a purist's amp with no frills like an FX loop, those seeking raw, authentic sound will find it delivers in spades. A must-try for those chasing the ultimate tone machine.

positive

Full Review

Legendary Tones - The Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103

legendarytones.com

The Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103 amplifier head is a powerhouse of impeccable build quality and tonal richness. Celebrated for its military-spec construction under Harry Joyce, it outshines contemporaries like Marshall with its superior craftsmanship. The amp delivers clean, punchy tones with exceptional headroom, making it a favorite for both pristine cleans and robust overdrive when pushed. Its unique tone controls offer a broad range of sound shaping, and its design allows for linking channels, though it lacks modern channel-switching. While Hiwatts can be scarce and the bias setup may require care with tube selection, the DR103 remains a high-value investment for those who seek a legendary tone machine.

positive

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

richard_leigh_turner

over 8 years ago

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.

pepper_roberts

235

about 11 years ago

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~

skylinerr

5339

about 7 years ago

nice

i got it because i like the who and always wanted one

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

jimmarchi1

41029

7 years ago about 7 years ago

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.

skylinerr

5339

7 years ago about 7 years ago

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