player opinions

Hiwatt Lead 30

  1. Name: Paul Nichols

  2. Band: Endahl

  3. Model Year: Early 70’s

  4. Price Paid: $600

  5. Performance

  6. This amp is incredibly simple, one channel design with a preamp volume which makes it more versatile than its big brothers like the Custom 50 or 100. This is because Hiwatts have the most amazing gain and crunch but with the 50 or 100 watt models you need to crank it up so loud that you can’t be in the same room with your amp. This is the same problem with the Marshall Plexi heads from the 70’s. The model I have is from the early 70’s and I couldn’t ask for a better amp. I had a chance to get any amp I could when I bought this and it is a better amp then any Mesa Boogie or Marshall out there. The only other amp that I would play would possibly be an Orange.

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. I’m plug and play player. I haven’t used any effects in years so this amp is perfect for me. The tone of this amp is pristine, when clean it is beautiful but when you turn the gain all the way up (as I always do) this amp just hums. It will not whine and hiss like many other amps will when their gain is cranked, but when feedback is needed you can get close to it and easily control it. The one thing I have noticed is that you need a high quality guitar to make this amp sound great. I play a 1972 Guild S-100 through it and it is super punchy and defined. Also and Gibson sounds great and also any vintage Fender, but I would not recommend playing any second rate guitar through this amp. It would be, frankly, a waste of time. Even though this amp is rated at 30 watts, it is just as loud, if not louder than a JCM 900 and has way more punch.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. This amp, as I said before, is simple in its design and is solid. No chrome to dent, or multiple knobs to worry about. The only thing that is flawed in its design is the ohm selection switch, since I have broken mine twice. I would recommend getting a case for your Hiwatt if you tour or play out a lot. If you show this amp love, it will love you back for years to come.

  13. Construction Rating: 8

stats

  1. Average Ratings
  2. Performance: 10
  3. Sound Quality: 10
  4. Construction: 8
  5. Ratings Key
  6. 10: Excellent
  7. 0: Useless
  8. Company
  9. Hiwatt

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