Hiwatt Guitar Amplifiers
Hiwatt are a British manufacturer of amplifiers for electric guitars, including bass guitars.
While the hollow body of an acoustic guitar transmits the vibrations of string and bridge to the air surrounding it, electric guitars only generate an electrical signal.
An amplifier is a piece of equipment that increases the amplitude of electrical signals. In conjunction with a speaker is creates sound at volume.
Types of Hiwatt guitar amplifier
Cabinet - refers to a speaker cabinet that will need to be used in conjunction with a separate amplifier.
Combo - the combination of an amp and speaker within one unit.
Head - amplifies the electrical signal, but still requires connection to a speaker to create sound.
Stack - a term used when a head amp and cabinet amp remain as separate units but are used or sold together.
Technology types
- Vacuum Tube / Valve - louder, considered by some to give richer, warmer tones and softer distortion. They can prove heavier, less portable, more expensive and the valves deteriorate over time, creating a need for maintenance.
- Solid state - cheaper, lighter and require less maintenance. Some performers consider the sound to be either cleaner or less tonally rich depending on their personal preference.
- Hybrid - utilises a solid state power amp in conjunction with a valve preamp. Combining both technologies, hybrids provide and cheaper option for guitarists seeking that ‘valve sound.’
Power
Power output is stated in watts. The power required varies between guitars and bass guitars. While 100W would be considered a high power for a guitar amp, for a bass this would be considered very low for live performances.
Research the best power output for your intended purpose, depending on whether you want to use the amp for:
- Beginner / learning
- Practice or rehearsal sessions
- Studio sessions
- Live performances in small venues
- Live performances in large venues
Other things to consider
- Budget - for the beginner on a budget, a low powered, solid state combination amplifier is a good first step.
- Channels - the number of channels impacts the variety of sounds that can be produced. Keeping multiple signal paths separate enabling performers to apply different effects, for example, to different channels and switch between these during a performance.
- Effects - some amplifiers have built-in effects such as reverb. Some performers prefer the flexibility of using separate effects units.