Hiwatt "clone"(?) ebay

[parker_knoll]

i honestly don't think prices are silly, they're actually okay. only some people's prices are silly

So why did this Steve guy get "kicked off" the forum?

it may have been something as small as not quoting a price in his classified listing. i haven't been back to read the rules. Check also that LPF thread i posted. i think he didn't really have his shit together, but it looks like he does more now.

I also PMed you about another Hiwatt clone available. Nothing to do with me, but a good amp at a good price.

[jpfamps]

I'm sort of suspicious of people who make amps that are pretty close to established models front to back, because I take it as a sign they might not really understand the workings fully and that is why they are stuck with copying (familiar situation, but I'm, learning with the poking around in obscurities). I'd like to see some gutshots, see the pride that went in there, as consult with the EEs as to layout stuff, because that's where the real cream is when it comes to boutique stuff.

Regarding making clones, there is also the issue that if you want to stay in business you need to sell amps.

It's easier to sell established designs than "new" ones.

I had a very interesting chat with Andy Marshall of THD electronics; Andy really knows his stuff and his products are well-designed, innovative (well as innovative as you can be with a guitar amp), and well built. Their first product, however, was Tweed Bassman copy, and second a Plexi copy. THD produced these because they needed to stay in business, not because the "don't know what they were doing".

Furthermore, there aren't many examples of the classic amps of the 50s and 60s, so by building copies you are fulfilling a demand in the market.

Building amps, repairing amps, and designing amps are 3 very different skills; no everyone has a handle on all three.

I've met plenty of people out there who build great amps, but have only a fairly rudimentary grip of the theory behind these.

Regarding "knowing what you are doing", there are plenty of self-styled experts posting on internet fora (I'm one of them); it's certainly an environment where a very small amount of knowledge goes a long way.

I too like looking at guts shots of amps (I really should get out more), but how many people really know what to look for? Yes a "rat's nest" of wires means the amp has been built poorly, but I could make an exceptionally neat wiring with a poor ground scheme. A good example of such an amp is the old Hiwatts.

Regardless, the people who, in my opinion, often really don't know what they are doing are the amp modders, not the builders.

Incidentally, in case you infer otherwise from my above ramblings, JPF Amps aren't clones of anything, and I like to think I have a reasonable handle on amp building, design and repair, although to paraphrase Mandy Rice Davis "I would say that wouldn't I".