What is a Hiwatt Hi-Gain 50?
Where’s the Info?
Let’s start with the obvious: there’s not much on the internet about the Hiwatt Hi-Gain 50. Compared to the endless coverage of Hiwatt’s classic DR series or even other British amps like Marshalls and Oranges, this amp exists in a kind of digital black hole.
You’ll find the occasional dusty forum thread, an old review from Guitar Player magazine, and scattered mentions from owners saying, “Hey, this thing rips.” But no deep dives, a couple of demos, and very few firsthand experiences. That makes the Hi-Gain 50 feel like a bit of a secret weapon, and maybe that’s a good thing.
Introducing the Hi-Gain 50
The Hiwatt Hi‑Gain 50, part of the modern Hi‑Gain series, pairs a classic DR‑series clean channel with a dedicated high‑gain lead circuit. Launched in the mid‑2000s, it was designed for musicians craving the vintage Hiwatt tone plus gain and channel switching functionality that contemporary players demand.
Essentially, Channel 1’s clean path is built from Hiwatt’s revered Custom DR amp circuitry, ensuring that bright, chimey, articulate tone – the same DNA that powered legends like Townshend and Gilmour
Channel 1: Vintage Clean Channel (That DR Tone You Know)
Channel 1 offers the DR‑style high‑headroom clean tone with tight bass and shimmering mids. A push‑pull “bright” switch delivers that sparkling top end. Reviews describe it as “huge” and “chiming clarity through the midrange”—classic hallmarks of Hiwatt’s DR series voice
This clean channel is studio‑friendly:
- It remains clear at low volumes (great for home tracking)
- It offers dynamics that respond beautifully to your guitar’s volume knob
- It provides a clean platform for pedals or passive DI reamping
Despite the “Hi-Gain” name, this isn’t a metal amp in the Mesa or Diezel sense. What it is, is a hybrid of classic Hiwatt Custom DR clean circuitry on Channel 1, and a modern, cascading gain Channel 2 that gives it more aggression and saturation than any DR ever had stock.
The Channel 1 clean tone is everything you’d want from a Hiwatt:
- Glassy highs
- Articulate midrange
- Fast, touch-sensitive response
- Loads of headroom
Channel 2: When You Need Gain
Channel 2 features Cascading gain stages before the EQ, a separate gain knob, and a high‑gain pull switch. It delivers gritty British crunch (think vintage rock tones rather than hyper-scooped modern metal), making it a flexible counterpart to the DR‑based clean channel MusicRadar.
Channel 2 surprises you. With the gain switch engaged and EQ set right, you’re suddenly in crunchy British overdrive territory—crank it further, and you’re well into sludge/stoner/doom tones. And that’s where the cab pairing makes all the difference.
Enter the 2×12 Fane Cabinet
Pair the Hi-Gain 50 with a 2×12 loaded with Fane speakers—the very drivers that defined the original Hiwatt cabs—and it’s like unlocking a hidden level. Fanes have that signature tight low-end, prominent upper mids, and that unmistakable “punch” that sits somewhere between a Greenback and an Alnico Blue. They don’t just deliver volume—they project.
Why this combo Works:
- Cleans: Channel 1 into a Fane 2×12 sounds massive, even at home studio volumes. It’s full, detailed, and takes pedals like a dream.
- Overdrive: Channel 2 gets thick and hairy. Push it with a fuzz or overdrive pedal, and you’re squarely in doom territory—without the flubby low-end that kills so many heavy tones.
- Versatility: One minute you’re playing jazz‑voiced chord melodies, the next you’re dropping C tuning and playing Sleep riffs. The dynamic range is staggering.
Why It Works in a Home Studio
- DR‑Series Clean Foundation—Channel 1 inherits the same tube‑driven, high‑headroom, harmonically rich sound of the DR custom amps. Even when hardly cranked, it retains character.
- Master Volume Control—Power-tube saturation (for tonal richness) is achievable at moderate volume, perfect for recording in a small space .
- Pedal‑Friendly Architecture—Its clean channel takes pedals beautifully, making it easy to integrate delays, modulation or boost pedals into your recording chain MusicRadar.
- Channel Switching & FX Loop—Switch between clean and lead instantly. The FX loop enables easy integration with outboard gear or rack effects.
In the Studio: Why It Shines
For a home studio setup, this amp + cab pairing is a tonal Swiss army knife. Here’s how it delivers across the board:
- Clean DI-style tracking with a mic’d Fane cab for that open, wide British sparkle.
- Low-volume gain sounds thanks to its responsive master volume.
- Pedal platform dream: Hiwatt’s DR-style clean channel takes reverbs, fuzz, delays, modulation—you name it—better than most amps twice the price.
- Heavy tracking: Just mic up the Fanes, hit Channel 2, and let the doom roll.
Even without cranking it to ear-bleed levels, the Hi-Gain 50 feels powerful, dimensional, and alive in a studio mix.
Studio Use Case: How It Fits Your Setup
You’ve already experienced the classic DR‑style cleans and loved that harmonic depth and punch. In your home studio:
- Tracking rhythm or clean parts: Use Channel 1. Dial in a blend of clean dynamics and subtle saturation by using master volume and EQ.
- Dialing in crunch or lead tones: Flip to Channel 2. Add pedals in front or go straight into an audio interface.
- Flexibility: Footswitch channel changes, bright and high‑gain pull functions, and the FX loop all contribute to a flexible recording workflow.
- Texture variety: Channel one for ambient, clean parts; channel two for gritty solos or heavy rhythm tracks.
Final Thoughts: A Sleeper Amp for Real-World Players
If you’re chasing tone that’s both vintage-inspired and crushingly heavy, the Hiwatt Hi-Gain 50 is a strange but perfect fit. It’s not the most famous or well-covered amp on the planet—and that’s part of the appeal.
Combined with a 2×12 Fane cab, it can transform from a chimey clean monster into a doom metal tank with just a flick of a switch. It’s one of those rare amps that truly lets you cover both ends of the tonal spectrum without compromise.
For home studio players who want a single amp that can do David Gilmour cleans and Electric Wizard riffs, this oddball Hiwatt delivers.
Summary: DR DNA in a Modern Shell
The Hi‑Gain 50 superbly blends classic DR heritage with modern gain control and features. Channel 1 offers a vintage DR tone, even at clean volumes, making it a studio dream. Channel 2 provides extra drive when needed, without compromising the core Hiwatt character. A built-in FX loop, master volume, and footswitching make it particularly well-suited for home‑studio tracking.
You’ve tapped into its DR‑series DNA—and it rewards that with tight cleans, dynamic range, and versatile gain channels. It pairs vintage amp soul with modern workflow features—a rare combination for studio guitarists.