WEM/Watkins COPICAT Mk2

Compared to the later IC Copicats, the valve units don’t produce such clear echoes, even when in good order as the heads are 45 plus years old (and the early valve units were never exactly crystal clear when new). This machine has seen little use and sounds lovely both as a pre-amp and as an echo unit. It has 2 yellow print Mullard ECC83s and a Brimar 6BR6. All three heads are in incredibly good condition (see photos below), are working well and sound lovely – nice warm repeats that break up in an evocative fashion, and run into self-oscillation when the ‘reverb’ knob is turned up for authentic dub/psychedlic effects. The echoes have warm rounded tone and sit behind the dry signal beautifully – they cannot be desribed as accurate repeats as this is not a digital delay, but they have a sound and vibe that is most pleasing and create a unique effect that sounds ‘right’.

These valve Copicats make great preamps, and are increasingly sought-after to add character and warmth to modern digital recordings (the Arctic Monkeys used a valve Copicat when recording their recent ‘Suck It And See’ album – see Sound On Sound magazine July 2011), as a result they are becoming harder to find, especially in such good cosmetic condition. A really clean Mk2 like this takes some searching: ones like this are seldom found. These are valued in Vintage Guitar Magazine’s 2014 Price Guide at $1050 in top condition.

It’s fitted with a new tape – these are easy to bulk buy online, but if the buyer wants some spares, please message us for prices/quantities. For best performance tape loops should be changed regularly.

It is a UK 240v model so will require a step-up transformer for use in countries with 100-110v mains supplies; the UK plug will be removed for overseas deliveries unless otherwise requested (will be left on for USA/Canada/Japan).

Many Copicats for sale online are not in great shape and (at best) need a service – this one is working fine, apart from the faults detailed, but please be aware that it is a vintage unit and may not take kindly to being shipped. It will be well-packed, but if it’s not behaving as it should on receipt, please get in touch.