Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head

$4,700.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (5)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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1 community setup

10 wishlisted

19 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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Price

5.0 (7)

$4,700.00 1 available New

$2,510.22 18 available Used

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Average Price: $3,605

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 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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Introducing the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head, a classic guitar amplifier head unit for the discerning musician. Renowned for its remarkable tonal clarity and distinct warmth, this vintage all-tube amplifier head harks back to the golden age of rock music. Built to last with the high-quality components, this amplifier underwent a meticulous manufacturing process that ensured its place as a legendary music gear. It's not just an amplifier, it's a piece of musical history that continues to inspire musicians across generations.

Key Features:

Original all-tube 50-watt Hiwatt head
Renowned for its tonal clarity and warmth
Manufactured with high-quality components
Legendary status in the music world
Produced from 1970 to late 1980s

Product specs

Brand	Hiwatt
Model	Custom 50 DR504
Finish	Black
Year	1970s
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)	50
Power Tube Type	EL34
Reverb	None

FAQs

What type of music is the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head best suited for?: The Hiwatt DR504 is renowned for its brilliant clean tones and detailed sound, making it ideal for rock, blues, and classic rock genres. Its ability to maintain clarity at high volumes is perfect for guitarists seeking a rich, dynamic sound.
How does the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head handle pedals?: The Hiwatt DR504 is known for its excellent pedal compatibility, offering a clean and transparent platform that enhances the characteristics of effects pedals. This makes it a great choice for players using overdrives, delays, and modulation effects.
What are the core tonal characteristics of the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head?: The Hiwatt DR504 delivers a powerful, clean tone with a tight low end and sparkling highs. It maintains clarity and detail even at higher volumes, making it perfect for players who require a robust and articulate sound.
Is the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head suitable for gigging?: Yes, with its 50-watt EL34 tube power, the Hiwatt DR504 is loud enough for live performances and can cut through a band mix effectively. Its robust build and reliable performance make it a solid choice for gigging musicians.
What are the input and channel options on the Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head?: The Hiwatt DR504 features four inputs and two channels, allowing for versatile tonal options and easy switching between clean and overdriven sounds. This setup provides flexibility for various playing styles and performance settings.

Videos

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The Guitologist

AMPS THIS BEAUTIFUL Don't Need 'Repair'…Only Love ❤️ - 1971 HIWATT CUSTOM 50 DR504

The Guitologist

1974 Hiwatt DR 504 Demo

Parkway Music

Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50

SuperPlanetk

Hiwatt Custom 50 1974 DR504

Creso

Reviews

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PROS

Produces sweet, warm tones distinct from Marshall and Vox
Excellent clean to crunch transition without pedals
Compatible with both single coils and humbuckers
Massive transformers contribute to superior sound quality
Ideal for achieving classic rock tones with huge headroom
Enhances effects placed before it without needing additional pedals
Overdrive offers high fidelity overtones and harmonics at high volumes
Works as an exceptional pedal platform for a wide range of effects
Vintage aesthetic adds to its charm and appeal

CONS

Large size may be cumbersome for some setups
Rarity of the product can make it hard to find and expensive

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head.

Use cases and applications

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The DR504, even at 50 watts, remains exceptionally loud and clean, making it suitable for large venues without being mic'd.
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Despite being a collector's item, large amps like the DR504 paired with a 4x12 cabinet can be challenging to sell due to a shift towards smaller, high-quality heads for home use.
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The DR504 excels in delivering clean sounds and serves as an exceptional pedal platform, even at low volumes.
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It can deliver a wide range of tones from heavy grunge shoegaze to twinkly mathrock, showcasing its versatility across genres.
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Owners highlight the DR504's unique ability to perform well at both high and low volumes, maintaining a rich, full sound.
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Features and functionality

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The DR504’s tonal quality is partly attributed to Partridge transformers, known for their superior component quality compared to those used in Marshall or Laney amps.
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The master volume on both models is before another gain stage, impacting how volume adjustments influence the gain structure.
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The immense headroom of the DR504 makes it unsuitable for "edge of breakup" without using a transparent overdrive pedal.
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Value and pricing

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Vintage Hiwatt amps with replaced parts, like non-original transformers, can be devalued in collectors' eyes, impacting their resale value.
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Build quality

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It's been noted that some vintage Hiwatts, like the DR504, may have replacement transformers such as Dagnall, which differ from original Partridge models.
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Partridge transformers are crucial for the authentic Hiwatt sound due to their overspec'd nature, allowing more bandwidth suitable for lead, bass, and keyboards.
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User experience

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Users seeking Gilmour’s tone often prefer the DR103 due to its larger headroom, though the DR504 can achieve similar tones with the right setup.
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Owners who've played hundreds of shows with the DR504 find it maintains a clean and chimey tone at high volumes, yet can deliver beautiful overdrive when desired.
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Owners often find the DR504 louder than many 100-watt amps, emphasizing its powerful output.
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Comparisons

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Modern clones from brands like Reeves and HiTone are considered by some as good as vintage Hiwatts, providing similar tonal quality without the vintage price tag.
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The DR103 offers broader and tighter bass response compared to the DR504, which affects overall tonal depth.
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Unlike Marshalls, the DR504 doesn't require pushing power tubes to avoid sounding thin, making it more versatile at different volume levels.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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bas_verweij

over 10 years ago

This is my holy grail... I found one on Ebay around 2005 and immediately fell in love when I plugged in my guitar.

Comprehensive, in-your-face, pure and direct, warm with lots of presence.