WATKINS / WEM AMPLIFIERS

THE  WATKINS / WEM DOMINATOR

 

c1960 Watkins Dominator

 

The V-front Watkins Dominator is the stuff of legend, and a very rare and collectable amp nowadays. Although it's 17 watts precluded it being used on-stage by the main protagonists in the "beat boom" of the 1960s, just about every famous British guitarist either used one or coveted one in the days before they were famous. An icon!

It made it's debut in 1956. Charlie says that he thought the angled 10" speakers would give a better spread of sound. Maybe so, but they certainly gave the amp a uniquely distinctive appearance. Most are seen in turquoise & cream coverings : there may have been early maroon & cream and later black & cream versions. Early versions have a black control panel centred in the top of the amp. Later versions have a blue control panel positioned at the rear and wrapping around into the back panel. All seem to have Elac 10" speakers. 2 channels, 4 inputs and tremolo. 2 EL 84s provide the output power.

In 1964 the V-front became to Dominator Mk II, in a styling perhaps considered more modern at the time. The chassis remained similar, control panel chromed, mounted in a tall rectangular black cabinet with red/gold diamond pattern on black grillcloth and a single 12" speaker (usually Goodmans). An all-but-identical Power Musette was introduced for use with organs, having a twin-cone speaker.

It stayed that way until circa 1970, when the Dominator Mk III was introduced in a large square 1 x 12 cabinet. The tremolo was omitted, either to reduce cost or because it was considered old-fashioned by that time. The Power Musette Mk II and Dominator Bass Mk I shared the same cabinet and chassis but had 12" twin-cone and 15" speakers respectively.

Later in the 70s more powerful EL34-equipped versions of the Dominator combo were produced - the Dominator 25, 30, 50 and the solid-state Dominator 100. Some were made as "piggy-back" head & cab versions. It seems that Dominators were still being made when Wem closed down in 1982, a 25-year run. Up to very recently, Charlie still offered a re-issue version of the V-front, updated to the modern player's requirements.

And just by way of a change.............

and.........

 

 

!!!   THE V-FRONT DOMINATOR HAS BEEN RESURRECTED   !!!

I think we have all wished that the old-style amps were still made. Well, now that dream has come true! Visit John Beer's AMP-FIX WEBSITE to view the new re-issue of the Watkins V-Front Dominator:

 

WATKINS DOMINATOR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY RE-ISSUE  1959-2009

 

The V-Front Dominator returns!! This amp is now being produced again by John Beer of Amp-Fix, who has recently taken over the licence previously held by the late and much respected Barry Spong of British Amplifiers/Electro Acoustic Ltd. Charlie Watkins has authorised the production of 100 of these amps, which are available in Golden Brown, Red/Cream, and of course Blue/Cream. As at October 2011, 25 of this total had already been sold.

John Beer is now the sole supplier of these amps, and is building up his stocks. At present (October 2011), the custom colours of Red/Cream and Blue/Cream will for the time being be only built to order but the standard Golden Brown is available from stock. John hopes that my the middle of 2012, he will be in a position to maintain a stock of two of each colour, in order to minimise the time between order and delivery.

CONTACT JOHN BEER AT john@amp-fix.com

 

 

 

 

 

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