Like the DR103, the DR504 is recognizable for its clear, elegant clean tone that magnifies effects pedals and its gigantic volume and headroom. That makes it an all-purpose amplifier which is praised to be used with bass guitars, keyboards, and even acoustic instruments.
This sound quality is due to David Reeve's original and unique, almost Hi-Fi design, its military-grade point-to-point wiring based after the work of Harry Joice, and the choice for the finest components. This includes the famous Partridge™ transformer, specially designed for vintage Hiwatt amps and reissued for new models. Like the DR103, the DR504 is handcrafted in England.
Jumping the two inputs and lowering the output power to 50W on the DR504 allows to reach the wide sound variety of the DR103, but offers the brand's iconic drive tone at a "recording" volume. This natural and punchy sound has a very personal British tint thanks to the characteristic midrange boost, but in a very different way from other major English brands.
As the speaker is one of the most important factors in Hiwatt sound throughout the brand's history, the DR504 combo is equipped with the F75-75 watt model specially developed by Fane for Hiwatt amps. With its modern design, it perfectly captures the amp's character while meeting today’s expectations. It pushes the upper mids, giving it a clear, articulate, and punchy sound, but without being harsh to the ear. It also feels like a much more present guitar. Once pushed to its limits, it produces a subtle saturation that helps the guitar cut even more through the mix.
- Faithfully hand-wired according to Dave Reeve's original late 60's circuit design.
- Hiwatt is the premiere Pedal platform prized for clarity and Headroom. Presents Pedals true to your sound — no effects loop required.
- Normal and Bright channels with independent High and Low impedance inputs for each channel. Versatile and intuitive, perfect for bringing life out of dark pickups or taming shrill high end in bright pickups.
- Link the two channels for extra punch and dynamic control of your EQ via the independent channel volumes. Unleash the ’jumped’ channel sound Hiwatt is famous for.
- All the clean Headroom you could want.
- AP / Truly All Purpose Amplifier. Historically used by the world's most influential artists on a wide range of instruments in the studio and on stage. Ideal for amplifying bass, keys, synthesizers, guitars and other full-range and acoustic instruments.
Wattage: 50W
Channels: Normal, Bright
Inputs: Normal Hi, Normal Low, Bright Hi, Bright Low
Output: 2 x 1/4" Speaker Out
Preamp Valves: 4 x ECC83 (12AX7)*
Output Valves: 2 x EL34
*Optionally replace one ECC83 for phase inverter with an ECC81 (12AT7)
Speakers: 2 x 12" British Fane F75 Speakers
Speaker Wattages: 75W (each)
Speaker Impedances: 16 Ω (each)
Controls:
Normal Volume, Bright Volume
3-Band EQ shared by both channels — Bass, Treble, Middle
Presence — Treble Boost shared by both channels
Master Volume
Standby — On/Off
Mains — On/Off
Voltage: Switchable using World Voltage Selector on the rear panel — 100V, 115V, 230V, or 240V
Impedance: Switchable using Impedance Selector on the rear panel — 4 Ω, 8 Ω, or 16 Ω