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Quick answer: The Hiwatt Studio/Stage Head is a Hiwatt guitar amplifier head with valve (tube) power. Sold brand-new by Victory Musical Instruments, a veteran-owned authorized retailer in Miami, FL. Questions? Call 844-687-4208.
Classic British tone, built to be played.
Overview
The SS20/40 is the flagship of our Custom Shop Studio range, packed with powerful, intuitive features like power scaling, footswitchable reverb and boost, and a wide gain spectrum. Designed for professional session players seeking versatility without option paralysis, the 2025 update brings higher headroom in Stage mode, a Bright switch, footswitchable Boost, and enhanced reverb control—available in both combo and head formats. The circuit begins with High and Low impedance inputs to tailor gain response—Low impedance is ideal for high-output pickups or players wanting less preamp compression. The new Bright switch works across both inputs, adding sparkle to clean tones or tightening higher-gain sounds. The Boost adds preamp gain for harmonic richness and interacts with both the Bright switch and input impedance. It's now footswitchable for on-the-fly dynamics. A traditional 3-band EQ shapes tone before hitting a quad of EL84s, delivering 40 watts in Stage mode or just over 20 watts in Studio mode via smart power scaling. As one of our few Custom amps with reverb, we've refined the onboard spring tank for lush, versatile sound. A new Dwell control adjusts input to the tank, while the Reverb control blends it back in—offering everything from subtle ambiance to expansive textures.
At a Glance
| Brand | Hiwatt |
| Model | Studio/Stage Head |
| Series | Custom |
| Category | Guitar Amplifier Head |
| Color | Black |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Power | Switchable — 40W or 20W (120V / 3A) |
| SKU / MPN | SS2040H-U |
| Condition | New |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer warranty |
| Sold by | Victory Musical Instruments — veteran-owned authorized retailer, Miami FL |
Key Features
- NEW Footswitchable Transparent Boost via Push/Pull Gain Pot
- NEW Bright Switch for sparkling cleans
- Independent Hi and Low inputs. Versatile and intuitive, perfect for bringing life out of dark pickups or taming shrill high end in bright pickups.
- Push/Pull Gain potentiometer providing extra preamp gain at a touch.
- Volume for any gig — Switchable wattage allows switching from 40W down to 20W for smaller venues and practice spaces. Furthermore, this gives the option of more clean headroom in the 40W 'Studio' mode, or natural tube breakup in the 20W 'Stage' mode.
- A fantastic pedal platform, with natural tube saturation and True-Spring Reverb on tap when you have to leave your board behind.
Specifications
| Power output | Switchable — 40W or 20W |
| Inputs | Hi, Low |
| Preamp valves | 3 x ECC83 (12AX7), 1 x ECC81 (12AT7) |
| Power valves | 4 x EL84 |
| Speaker outputs | 2 x 1/4" speaker Out |
| Impedance | Switchable using Impedance Selector on the rear panel — 4 Ω, 8 Ω, or 16 Ω |
Why Hiwatt?
Hiwatt amplifiers are prized for headroom: the ability to stay clean, clear, and dynamic as you turn up. That clarity is also why they are loved as a pedal platform, presenting your effects honestly instead of coloring them. Whether you chase pristine cleans or push the amp into natural breakup, this model gives you that classic British voice in a road-ready package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hiwatt Studio/Stage Head come with a speaker cabinet?
No. This is an amplifier head, so it needs a separate speaker cabinet to make sound. Hiwatt pairs naturally with matching guitar cabinets, and the head works with any cabinet at a compatible impedance and power rating.
Is the Hiwatt Studio/Stage Head a tube amp or solid-state?
It uses valve (tube) power, which is where the classic British warmth and natural breakup come from.
Is the Hiwatt Studio/Stage Head a genuine Hiwatt product?
Yes. Victory Musical Instruments is a veteran-owned, authorized retailer based in Miami, FL. Every unit is brand-new and covered by the full Hiwatt manufacturer warranty.
Can I get help choosing or setting it up?
Absolutely. You will talk to real people, not a call center. Call us at 844-687-4208 and we will help you spec the right rig and get it running.
Why Buy from Victory Musical Instruments
Victory Musical Instruments is a veteran-owned authorized retailer in Miami, FL. Whether you are outfitting a home studio, a touring rig, or a rehearsal room, we will help you spec the right gear and stand behind the sale. Save through our ID.me military discount program for active duty, veterans, reservists, and eligible family. Questions? Call 844-687-4208.