Legendary British amplifier manufacturer Hiwatt has officially shaken up the high-gain guitar market by announcing the release of two formidable new amp heads: the Super-Hi 33 and the Super-Hi 50.
Known historically for their pristine, high-headroom clean tones favored by classic rock royalty, Hiwatt is pivoting hard into the modern metal and heavy rock spheres. These two new additions promise to seamlessly blend iconic Hiwatt clarity with modern, ripping high-gain tones.
From Custom Shop Luxury to Tour-Ready Powerhouses
The Super-Hi 33 and Super-Hi 50 represent a more accessible, PCB-designed evolution of Hiwatt’s renowned, handwired Custom Shop Super-Hi circuit.
The original Custom Shop model—originally hot-rodded by legendary amp designer Mike Fortin using a classic DR504 chassis—marked Hiwatt’s first major foray into the high-gain arena.
It quickly became a weapon of choice for heavy hitters like Josh Elmore (Cattle Decapitation), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), and Ben McLeod (All Them Witches).
By utilizing precision British engineering and professional PCB design, Hiwatt has shortened the signal path to lower the noise floor, replicating that boutique, fire-breathing Custom Shop magic into two tour-ready, production-line heads.
Comparision Chart
| Feature | Hiwatt Super-Hi 33 | Hiwatt Super-Hi 50 |
| Street Price | $1,549.99 | $2,299.99 |
| Power Output | 30 Watts | 50 Watts |
| Power Tubes | 2x 6V6 | 2x EL34 |
| Tonal Character | Rich bass response, sweet high-end | Classic headroom, solid bass, dynamic gain |
| Channels | 2 Channels (All-valve gain) | 2 Channels (All-valve gain) |
| Gain Stages | 4 (Including independent Super-Hi Boost) | 4 (Including independent Super-Hi Boost) |
| EQ Controls | 3-Band EQ + Presence & Depth | 3-Band EQ + Presence & Depth |
| Circuit Design | Professional PCB (Based on Custom Shop DR504) | Professional PCB (Based on Custom Shop DR504) |
| Transformers | Custom ‘Oversized’ Full-Range | Custom ‘Oversized’ Full-Range |
| Effects Loop | Clean, neutral post-preamp FX loop | Clean, neutral post-preamp FX loop |
| Included Accessories | Dual-button footswitch | Dual-button footswitch |
Quad-Level Gain and Absolute Versatility
At their core, both the Super-Hi 33 and 50 are highly versatile, two-channel all-valve amplifiers. Each channel boasts independent gain and volume controls, but the real secret weapon is the “Super-Hi” Boost. This independent fourth gain stage acts as a meltdown switch, effectively giving players four switchable levels of gain and volume right at their feet via the included dual-button footswitch.
Despite the high-gain mayhem, Hiwatt hasn’t sacrificed its tone-purist roots. The amps feature:
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Interactive Tone Shaping: A classic 3-band EQ section paired with post-EQ Presence and Depth controls for deep bass resonance.
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Oversized Transformers: Crucial for Hiwatt’s signature full-range frequency amplification, ensuring crystal-clear highs, punchy mids, and a tight low-end.
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Pristine FX Loop: A clean, quiet post-preamp effects loop ensures your time-based and modulation pedals (like delays and reverbs) stay perfectly clear, even behind a wall of high-gain distortion.
Whether you play Metal, Punk, Prog, or Psychedelic Rock, these heads are engineered to adapt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main difference between the Super-Hi 33 and Super-Hi 50?
The main differences lie in wattage and tube configuration. The Super-Hi 33 runs on a pair of 6V6 tubes pushing 30 watts, offering a sweeter high-end and rich bass response. The Super-Hi 50 utilizes a pair of EL34 tubes to output 50 watts, delivering classic Hiwatt headroom, aggressive mids, and dynamic gain tones.
Are these amps handwired?
No, these specific models use a professional, high-quality PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design. This streamlines production to offer a lower price point than the handwired Custom Shop version while shortening the signal path to reduce unwanted noise.
Does the amplifier come with a footswitch?
Yes, a dual-button footswitch is included with both models, allowing you to switch channels and engage the “Super-Hi” boost on the fly.
Where can I buy them and how much do they cost?
The Hiwatt Super-Hi 33 is priced at $1,549.99/£919.00 street price, while the Super-Hi 50 sits at $2,299.99/£1379.00.
Verdict & Score
The Verdict
Hiwatt has successfully bridged the gap between their historic heritage and modern high-gain brutality.
By making the legendary Mike Fortin-designed circuit accessible via high-quality PCB engineering, the Super-Hi series offers an incredibly versatile solution for the modern heavy guitarist. It delivers crushing distortion without sacrificing the articulate note definition Hiwatt is famous for. If you want high gain with unparalleled clarity, these are a must-try.
Total Score: 8.1 / 10
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Tone & Gain Versatility: 8.5/10
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Build Quality: 9.0/10
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Value for Money: 7.8/10
Where To Buy
Available at Andertons – Hiwatt Super-Hi 33 and Hiwatt Super-Hi 50
#Hiwatt #Super-Hi 33 #Super-Hi 50
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