Hiwatt Tube Amp Head Custom 20
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- This item is covered for 3 years
The essentials to know about the "Custom 20" amp
The essentials to know about the "Custom 20" amp
- 20 W all-tube head powered by two EL84s for a punchy, responsive British tone.
- 2 channels with shared 3-band EQ, Master Volume, Push/Pull Gain Boost and Bright controls for quickly shaping your clean, crunch or lead tones.
- Hi/Low inputs and 3 speaker outputs for 4, 8 or 16-ohm cabinets: plug and play in the studio, at rehearsals or on stage.
- Compact head format (11 kg) in durable Black Tolex, built to last.
Manufacturer Information
Hiwatt
https://www. hiwatt.co.uk
sales@hiwatt.co.uk
------------------------
Safety manager:
Algam SAS
Email: contact@algam.net
Address:
Essential Information About the "Custom 20" Amp
- All-tube 20 W head powered by two EL84 tubes for a punchy and responsive British tone.
- 2 channels with a shared 3-band EQ, Master Volume, Push/Pull Gain Boost, and Bright switch to quickly shape clean, crunch, or lead sounds.
- Hi/Low inputs and 3 speaker outputs for 4, 8, or 16-ohm cabinets: plug & play for studio, rehearsal, and stage.
- Compact head format (11 kg) in durable black Tolex, built to last.
Historical Context and Positioning in the Range
The "Custom 20" is inspired by British EL84 heads from the 60s/70s, prized for their biting clarity and organic overdrive. With its 20 watts, it positions itself as a versatile all-tube head: more powerful than a small 5-15 W studio amp, yet more manageable and usable at reasonable volumes than a 50 W head.
Who This Amp Is For
Perfect for guitarists from beginners to advanced, as well as stage musicians seeking controllable headroom. Ideal for home studios, rehearsals, and small to medium stages (mic'd). Excels in blues, classic rock, indie, pop, country, and vintage hard rock; for heavily saturated modern metal, it shines as a dynamic foundation before pedals.
Technical specifications
| Effects | EQ, Boost | Cabinet impedance (Ω) | 8 Ω |
| Category | Guitar amp head | Pedalboard included | No |
| Technology | Tubes | Category | Amplifier |
| Input | 2 x jack | Number of channels | 2 |
| Output | Cabinet 3 x jack | EQ | 3 channels |
| External cabinet output | No | Headphone output | No |
| Effects loop | No | Color | Black |
| Reverb | No | Finishing | Black tolex |
| Footswitch input | No | MIDI | No |
| Amp tubes | 2 x EL84 | Power output | 20 W |
| Pre-amp tubes | 3 x 12AX7, 4 x 12AX7 | Weight | 11 kg |
| Cabinet | Straight | Dimensions (mm) | 497 x 250 x 210 |
| Power | 20 W | Inputs | 2 x jack (Hi/Low) |
| Master Volume | yes | Outputs | Speaker 3 x jack |
| Gain control | yes | Speaker impedance | 8 ohms |
| Shared 3-band EQ | Bass, Middle, Treble | Compatible impedances | 4, 8 or 16 ohms |
| Gain Boost | Push/Pull | Footswitch | not included |
| Bright switch | yes | User manual | included |
| Standby | On/Off | Power cord | included |
| Power switch | On/Off | ||
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Questions frequently asked
Is the Hiwatt Custom 20 suitable for rehearsals and small venues?
Its 20 W tube output provides a usable level for rehearsals and small to medium-sized venues when miked. The 2 EL84 tubes offer moderate headroom, conducive to crunch tones achieved by pushing the Master control.
What speaker cabinet should be used with this 20 W head?
Three speaker outputs on jack connectors allow connection of a cabinet with 4, 8, or 16 ohms impedance. The cabinet impedance must match the selected output.
What kind of sound do the EL84 tubes in this head deliver?
The power section with 2 x EL84 delivers airy cleans and a pronounced chime. Increasing the Master adds natural compression and a grainy crunch with present mids.
Is there an effects loop or reverb on the Custom 20?
There is no effects loop or reverb integrated. Effects pedals should be placed upfront, using one of the 2 jack inputs.
How do the channels and boost work?
The 2 channels share a common Gain and Master, as well as a shared 3-band EQ with Bass, Middle, and Treble. A Gain Boost Push/Pull increases saturation, while the Bright switch enhances the treble. The Hi and Low inputs allow adjustment of input level and tone.
