Classic, vintage and exotic electronic instruments and recording equipment.
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Top Front)
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Top Front 2)
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Back)
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Top Front)
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Top Front 2)
Watkins WEM Westminster
vintage guitar amplifier (Back)

Product

WATKINS WEM WESTMINSTER

Brand: watkins/wem

Categories: Guitars, Amps & Pedals, Vintage Amps

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Offered for sale is rare maroon and cream Watkins Westminster valve (tube) amp in exceptional cosmetic condition and...

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Offered for sale is rare maroon and cream Watkins Westminster valve (tube) amp in exceptional cosmetic condition and perfect working order. This stunning-sounding vintage guitar amp has just had superb rebuild courtesy of Mac Amps with all failing components replaced. Watkins amps of this era are full of failing and out of spec caps: a good rebuild can really transform them into stunning little amps. Everything important is still original and in very good condition; it sports a full complement of original Mullard valves, and has the original Elac speaker and blue footswitch, both in excellent order.
 
Dating from between 1959-1962, this one’s really been looked-after: looking at the footswitch I doubt it’s ever been out of the previous owner’s home. The only flaws being missing gold inlays for the control knobs and some woodwrom holes (see detailed photos further down this description).
 
My scruffy Westminster has been a go-to amp in the studio for me: often outclassing the vastly more expensive – and admittedly better-looking – Vox AC-10s (see our other listings).
Don’t be fooled by this amp’s staid 50s looks – sonically it’s a cracker. Close your eyes and listen – the sound is unmistakably that of a great vintage valve amp – rich, warm, huge tones with great break-up when pushed hard. This little 10w amp has all the right components brought together in one of Charlie Watkins best amp designs, including a great tremolo circuit complete with footswitch. It sounds fabulous, is a a joy to play through and an absolute revelation when recording, sounding bigger and more expensive than it’s diminutive stature suggests. In short, a belter of an amp that’s not so loud that you can’t use it for great tone at home – delivering sweet creamy valve tones at living room levels.
 
There are two inputs and controls for Volume, Tone and Tremolo Speed.
It is a UK 240v model and will require a step-up transformer for use in Canada and USA.

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