faz

New here but thought you might like to hear the storyu of my valve amps. 1977-2009. Hiwatt 100 w bought in BRum in the year of punk (see photo); never had a valve change never had electrolytic converters changed (whatever they are). Loud beyond its station, this amp has never had a problem with me. It's only had a flight case since 2002, and has lived in at least ten homes before I 'settled down'. It has been knocked against walls, used as a weights exercise, and gigged with at least 300 times (more prob); used to play through it every day in the 80s. Initially with an Electrovox speaker it now goes through a 500w Ampeg speaker. I've used guitar leads, made up leads, crap leads to connect it to speakers. It's a 1973 model according to serial number/website info. #5310 DR103 Hiwatt Number 2; bought in PEterborough 1979 ex-owner was a member of 801 (Roxy Music offshoot). Exactly as above except maybe 200 gigs and it's a 1974 model. Had all the valves changed and new elec-converters last year. Don't know why - just thought I should, but I kept the old valves of course. EL34s. All I did with these two amps was to treat them with a respectful indifference - they are amps, they will work they will weight a ton, they do the job. I have played thru some truly awful rigs; often Trace Elliot nonsense - why do bass players think 'wooden thunmk' is a sound; do they mistake it for 'warmth'. Ashton is another one. I think I was very very lucky to have bought very sensibly as a teenager. Friend should not be 'electric' but I look after these beauties now. So, I guess I'm on the fence when it comes to valve amps: )