Crazy Tube Circuits launches Hi Power dual Hiwatt and Colorsound pedal
December 7, 2023 · 3 sources
Crazy Tube Circuits revealed the Hi Power on December 7, 2023, an all-analog dual booster and overdrive amp-in-a-box made in Greece12. The Athens-based builder based it on the Colorsound Power Boost and Hiwatt amp combination David Gilmour used on Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here23.
The right side is a reproduction of the Colorsound Power Boost/Overdriver circuits, using BC184 transistors running at 18V DC via an internal voltage booster, with a two-band Baxandall EQ, a bypassable master volume, a reverse-log gain control and a toggle for the higher-gain, lower-headroom Overdriver mode23. The left side mimics a 100W or 50W Hiwatt voiced clean/overdrive circuit, switchable between the DR103 (described as higher headroom and more dynamic) and the more compressed DR504, with Bright, Linked and Normal inputs, Master, Presence, Volume, Bass, Treble and Middle controls12.
Each section has its own footswitch and status LED, with click-less true bypass via relays, and a passive series effects loop allows the two to be used together or as independent effects12. The pedal has top-mounted jacks and runs on a 9V DC center-negative supply, not included12.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Circuits | Colorsound Power Boost/Overdriver (right); Hiwatt DR103/DR504 voicing (left)1 |
| Power Boost voicing | PWR (18V) / ODR (9V)1 |
| Amp voicing | 103 (high headroom) / 504 (higher gain, more compressed)1 |
| Bypass | Click-less true bypass via relays, per section1 |
| Loop | Passive series effects loop1 |
| Power | 9V DC, center negative, not included1 |
| Price | $289 US list1 |
The Hi Power was available for order at launch through the Crazy Tube Circuits webstore, with international dealers to follow, at a listed price of $2891. Guitar World gave the price as approximately $3003.
"The Hi Power is for sure an ultimate snapshot of that 1969 - 1975 peak David Gilmour / Pink Floyd era."
Sources (3)
- Guitar Pedal X - GPX Blog - Crazy Tube Circuits combines 2 Hiwatt Amp Models with the Colorsound Power Boost to deliver the most potent British Voiced Hi Power Boost-enhanced Gilmourish Amp-in-a-box, guitarpedalx.com
- Crazy Tube Circuits HI POWER - Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here tone, gearnews.com
- Crazy Tube Circuits channels the sound of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here in a pedal with the Hi-Power | Guitar World, guitarworld.com