WEM/Watkins ax100

Found this at a junk auction for 40 (aus). As far as i know this is a early (late 60's to 70's) solid state amplifier.

1oo watts head, with two channels (4 inputs) as well as treble, bass, presence for each. also has a slave output and echo/return input (not sure what it is, probably never will)
Surprisingly it worked first go (good considering half the stuff i get at auction usually is broken)

I only had two nine inch speakers lying around to test it, but this thing is seriously loud. with a bigger cabinet it would probably fill a large hall easily.

I was surprised at how well it sounded (seeing as it was lying beneath a pile of tape decks destined for the tip). It has a nice clean sound at low volumes but breaks up as the volume rises. connecting both channels justs adds to the grunt.

Grunt...that word best describes this amp. having only ever really played on mall practice amps, i could feel my ears in pain next to this one. Add my stonebender to it and my head exploded. Ive been looking for a good gigging amp...this is probably it.

Well seeing as it was ready heap i was expecting problems, but it managed to hold out...almost. It sought of turned itself off after a while of playing...still not sure why. I would love to gig with this amp, but if this problems keep up, id have to go shopping again.

It is after all, 40 years old, and from the cosmetics, reasonably battered.

don't need it...

i challenge anyone to find a better 100 watt head for under $40s. If this was stolen i would be p*ssed...id never find another one like it for this price. I would be stretching it to say it is the best solid state ever, but it is a damn fine one. The roughness (and grunt) is perfect for those into old rock or anything with a bit of grit.

All i need now is a old school speaker cabinet (preferable another saved from the scrap heap...just to make it a bit sweeter).