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Hiwatt B60
Warranty from the manufacturer: 12 months.
Description of the Hiwatt B60
General overview
If you’ve been wanting a confident, punchy bass tone at home and in the studio – tight in the lows, clear in the highs and without harshness – this is exactly where the Hiwatt B60 combo steps in as a proper workhorse that covers several jobs at once, without demanding complicated tweaking or a huge budget.
First, let’s work out what kind of amp this actually is and why you might need it. It’s a classic solid-state bass combo, designed both for live rehearsals with a drummer and for recording straight into an interface or mixing desk. There’s enough power here for your bass to cut through guitars and drums in a small rehearsal space, while still being perfectly usable at moderate volumes at home without losing its character. Think of it as a bass player’s utility knife: not the loudest beast on the planet, but it just gets the job done day in, day out.
The brand itself is no accident either. British amps with this logo have long been associated with a tight, slightly dry but very articulate sound. The bass range follows the same philosophy: no mush in the low end and minimal fuss with settings. Plug in your instrument, set the three-band EQ, dial in the output level you need – and you’re ready to record or play with the band. For beginners or self‑taught players, this is a real lifesaver. You don’t have to wrestle with a hundred parameters; what matters is hearing how the bass sits in the mix.
At the same time, the amp is far from a toy. A metal grille, tidy vinyl covering and a clear, sensible control layout all inspire confidence and make it easy to drag this combo to rehearsals and small gigs. For musicians whose bass is more than just a hobby and closer to a day‑to‑day job, the reliability of the cabinet and hardware often matters more than yet another built‑in effect. That’s exactly what you get here: minimalism, but in all the right places.
Why choose this model?
- A distinctive sound where the bass stays solid and defined, even on the lowest notes
- Enough power for rehearsals with a live kit and for small club gigs
- A three‑band EQ and additional controls let you quickly shape your tone to suit any playing style
- Built‑in headphone and line outputs make home practice and recording much easier
- A rugged cabinet, speaker protection and reliable fittings make the amp easy to transport and use every day
Model overview
In practical terms, the Hiwatt B60 is a compact, grab‑and‑go bass combo. The power section delivers around sixty watts into the built‑in speaker, and that really is enough for most everyday tasks. You can play in a small band, run rehearsals, work on your parts at home and never feel like the amp is gasping for air. The speaker responds well to both fingerstyle and pick dynamics, keeps your articulation intact at moderate levels and remains controlled when you turn it up a bit.
The control panel is laid out logically, without unnecessary complications. A dedicated input gain control helps you match levels between different basses, especially useful if you own instruments with active electronics. The traditional three‑band EQ for lows, mids and highs gives you instant access to your core tone. Need more low‑end foundation for reggae or dub? Push the bass up and clean up the top a little. Want extra attack and presence for funk or rock? Add some highs and nudge the mids so the bass slices through the mix without fighting the kick drum.
The connectivity is also worth mentioning. The line output lets you send a signal straight to an audio interface or mixing console, opening the door to recording without a microphone. That’s handy in small studios and home setups, especially if you’re just getting into recording and don’t want the hassle of matching a mic to a speaker. The headphone output is a lifesaver when you need to practise late at night or in shared accommodation. You can keep the overall level fairly low and the amp will still retain its recognisable tonal colour.
A key point for working players: the combo is reasonably light, so carrying it to rehearsal doesn’t turn into weight training. Its footprint is compact enough to fit comfortably in a home setup alongside your computer, interface and a couple of stands. At the same time, it’s sturdy enough to ride in a car boot without worry, sit on a club stage or travel to a studio. All the controls are on the front panel, so you can quickly tweak settings between songs without turning the amp around or crawling behind it.
Another pleasant detail is how predictable the sound is. Some amps drastically change character with the slightest twist of a knob; here the response is smooth and gradual. That makes life much easier for beginners who are only just starting to understand how frequencies work. You nudge a control, hear what’s changed, draw your conclusions and then move deliberately towards the tone you’re after. For engineers and producers this is a bonus too: the rehearsal room sound stays consistent, and bass players don’t waste half an hour per song hunting for a new magic setting.
Who is this model for?
In terms of audience, the Hiwatt B60 is a genuinely versatile option that feels comfortable both for those who’ve just bought their first bass and for players who’ve been tracking in studios for years. If you’re a beginner or self‑taught, the amp lets you hear a clear, focused sound straight away instead of hiding your inaccuracies behind layers of effects. You work on your technique, listen to your attack, control your sustain and gradually get used to how a bass should actually sit in a mix. It’s a solid ear‑training tool without unnecessary “cosmetics”.
For hobbyists who mainly play at home and occasionally head out for jams, the combo offers a convenient balance between volume and sound quality. At home you can practise comfortably at low levels, plug in headphones and keep the neighbours happy. For rehearsals you simply turn it up and become a full part of the band sound. There’s no need for two separate amps for different situations. One unit covers both practice and live meet‑ups with friends.
For professionals, session bassists and sound engineers, this model works well as a dependable workhorse. In a rehearsal room it can serve as the main amp that’s always available. In the studio it’s a handy option for live monitoring or quick demo tracking when you don’t want to build a complex multi‑mic setup. Producers will appreciate its stability and sensible frequency balance. It makes arranging easier, without battling flabby lows or a muddy midrange.
It’s also a good fit for teachers and music schools. Students will find the controls straightforward, and you can be confident that everyone will hear the nuances of their playing. For composers and soundtrack writers, the combo becomes a reliable partner for sketching bass parts. At any moment you can plug in, quickly dial in a usable tone, record the idea into your interface and get straight back to working on the arrangement.
Specifications
- Type: solid‑state bass combo amplifier
- Power: 60 W
- Speaker: 1 x 12" bass speaker
- Channels: single channel
- EQ: 3‑band (bass, middle, treble)
- Inputs: bass input (instrument)
- Outputs: line out, headphone out
- Controls: volume, bass, middle and treble
- Cabinet construction: closed‑back cabinet with front protective grille
- Power supply: mains AC
- Applications: home practice, rehearsals, small gigs, recording via line out
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