Musicians Hotline is proud to present a company profile on Reeves
Amplification. "The Great British Legend Lives On". Faithful reproductions
of Dave Reeves legendary Hiwatt designs. Here is what Bill Jansen shares
with Musicians Hotline.

MH: Bill, how did you first get involved with the Reeves Amplification venture?

BJ: I had purchased vintage Marshall amps from Music Ground in Leeds, U.K. and during the course of several emails and telephone conversations I came to find out that they manufactured "true" HIWATT amplifiers for the European market. Fernandes owns the U.S. trademark rights to HIWATT, hence prohibiting Music Ground from selling their HIWATT amplifiers in the states. So, being the true capitalist that I am, I asked HIWATT U.K. to OEM amplifiers for us to be marketed in the U.S. under the Reeves name.

MH: Reeves amplifiers are true to the original design of early Hiwatt
models that were initially produced in England. Tell us how the Reeves
brand has authenticated the early models?

BJ: The amplifiers are very much true to the originals in many ways. All of the amplifiers are using tag boards and wired point to point. All of the wiring is laser straight with ninety-degree bends. Partridge reproduction transformers are used to get that special chime. And of course, the cosmetics are true to the originals from the basket weave tolex to the chicken head knobs and engraved faceplates.

MH: How many models are currently being produced by Reeve's, and describe
each and how they relate to early models?

BJ: Well, currently we breakdown the lineup into a few different categories - Classic, which are based off of the original DR-201 (head), DR-103 (head) and DR-504 (head & combo) amplifiers. The Signature is modeled after the CP-103 (head) designed for Pete Townshend. All of these models are voiced and built to the same specs of the originals built back in the '60s and
'70s.

We also have newer models that are built to the same standards as our replicas. The Studio/Stage model is a 40watt, switchable to 20watt, Class A, EL-84 powered amplifier. What is different about this amp, besides the lower power, is reverb and a separate gain control. The Studio/Stage (head or combo) has a very cool vintage Hiwatt "chimey" tone and if you like you can dial in some gain and get a nice overdrive tone without loosing your hearing.

MH: Hiwatt was obviously instrumental in helping launch the British amp invasion. What do you feel are unique about these designs, and the players who use them?

BJ: The one thing that I keep hearing over and over again are players telling me how they had a Hiwatt back in the '70s but they had to sell it or trade it or whatever...and they want that "sound" back. That "sound" that Dave Reeves put into those original Hiwatts was so unique that many great British players ...David Gilmour, Pete Townshend used then and still use today. The players that used the original amplifiers and/or have used our amps know how responsive the amplifiers are to touch. And when it is time to move some air...watch out here comes tons of headroom and pounding bass response.

MH: Original Hiwatt amplifiers are becoming extremely rare. What do you feel the Reeves line can offer to players on a quest to find those early models?

BJ: The biggest thing a player will find when he plugs into one of our amps is that he isn't going to miss anything from the original. I hear it all of the time, from players at guitar shows or from new customers, they'll say "Yep, that's how I remember it". At that point what else can I do but smile and shake my head in agreement. Besides the tone our amps, like the originals, are built like tanks and very road worthy.

MH: What improvements do you feel the Reeves line offers over some of the early Hiwatt models?

BJ: Well, there isn't a whole lot of room for improvement but a few minor changes were made...better caps, better wiring.

MH: What do you feel is the future vision of the Reeves line, and what do you feel has attributed to the success of these amps thus far?

BJ: The early success of our company has been directly related to players hearing and using the amps. We are a small fish in a large pond of amplifier companies, so we are putting our profits right back into advertising and promotion.

As far as the future goes, we will be introducing one or two low powered models to address requests we have received. Additionally, we have been actively putting on quality dealers who understand what we are doing and can appreciate the product.

Information:
Reeves Amplification, LLC.
4582 Montgomery Rd.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
513-451-1071
www.reevesamps.com