WEM/Watkins Powerbass 16

1964 (ish) Watkins 1x12 bass amp. Used for both guitar and bass.

Bronze speaker grille, black and white vinyl. Authentic 60s cigarette burns on top. Two channels, four inputs. One instrument channel, with volume, tone, and depth and rate for tremolo. One mic channel, with volume, and treble and bass controls. No reverb, headphone out (a 60s valve amp...?)
Anyhow, this is a class A amp with three EL84, and three 12AX7. It sat unused in my girlfriend's dad's house for thirty years, and was a bit messed up when I found it. Needed some work to get it quiet, and working properly, but after thirty years this is hardly surprising.
At only 16 watts, it isn't loud, but is loud enough to gig in small rooms.

At this point, I would like to say that even though it lacks a number of controls found on more modern amps, the upshot of this is a pure, brilliant valve tone. Not to say that channel switching isn't useful, but I have found that as I have matured as a musician, I wanted simplicity over versatility. In any case, with subtle use of volume control and picking technique, it can go from clean to drive anyway. I refuse to enter an opinion for this category, because My opinion would be misleading to others. Not that you're likely to find one of these in the shops. This is from before Watkins got big. It may, judging by the style of the logo, the combo's design etc. be from as early as 1962. I've never seen one before.

Incidentally, the speaker may be one of the old Bulldogs, but I can't really tell. Anyways, at full volume, it loses the plot in a very satisfying way. This is one problem, for example of the mighty stacks many players use these days. A component of any overdrive sound is the speaker response, and with eight speakers, or even only four, the headroom is so great the speakers are hardly even working, so don't add that much to the quality of the sound. Old speakers are better. Simple as that.
This is an object lesson in how amp builders thirty odd years ago knew something we don't know now.

Used with a mexican fender P-Bass, old hofner (from around the same time), California Fat Strat, Pacificas, US Big Apple Strat. Excellent clean sounds in lower volume range, and cranked with guitar volume down. Where this amp really shines, however, is in the amazing overdrive sound at full volume. Hard to describe, but is british, easily equalling the drive factor of a 1962 BB. Tends towards treble rather than bass, although with a level of drive not really at home in an amp made in the early sixties, this is a good thing, avoiding flabbiness. A cutting lead sound with the tone control maxed out, and an unbelievably full rhythm sound at low tone settings.

The inherent design of the amp means that the earth loops are not sufficient to cut out all the 50Hz hum, only being silent when you touch the strings on your instrument. The tremolo circuit is also not noisy, adding simply that wobble that VOX owners know and love. The one advantage this thing can really play on is that it isn't that lud when cranked. The AC30 has way too much volume to compete with this thing in terms of overdrive, simply because you need to be in a studio or on a stadium stage to get the best out of a VOX.

Interestingly, although there are similarities between the distorted sound of the two channels, the mic channel is noticably different, a more laid back and smooth sound, compared to the sizzle of the instrument channel.

Unbelievably, though, this amp makes a bass sound like a lead guitar, retaining clarity despite the overdrive. This thing can and does make a better sound than anything you can buy today. The best guitar tone I've ever heard, including records. Simple and brilliant.

Needed a bit of work, but was still functioning (that is, the output was there, just with noise and crackle from dirty pots) after thirty years in a damp garage. Cabinet wood is a bit thin, but this makes the amp lighter. I'm more confident in this than anything I've ever owned, which includes Boogies and Fenders.

Does anyone know how to get hold of Chrlie Watkins? He retired years ago, I know there is still a WEM business, but I don't think he is involved. Warranty takes the form of longevity...

One comment: This sounds better than #1900 worth of Mesa Boogie's finest Heartbreaker. Old amps rule. The only thing I hate about it is that it isn't mine.
Although Charlie Watkins isn't in the business anymore, and they are nowhere near as big as VOX or Marshall, they certainly built amps that are as good. The repair bill was #180, but we only paid #95, since the guy who did it fell in love with it (he is also vintage equipment, by his own admission. He is also currently building me a class A 1x12 combo, which will be reviewed here probably in October). This is the best amp I have ever played through, makes most of Marshall, fender, Boogie, Peavey, Laney and the rest's recent output look silly. The only better sound would be a big stack of four of the things.
This is gear which improves playing. Simple as that. You can get lost in the sound. In the endless search for perfect guitar tone, this comes pretty close, at least for its drive sound. Dynamic is insufficient to describe the sound. Nuff said.