1960s Watkins Dominator amp advice

[PaulXLE]

Hi, I hope this is the right place to ask a couple of questions about my old Watkins Dominator amp.

I've had it a long time, and it is no longer in use, but I had a fiddle with it the other day, took the back off for a quick look.

As far as I know it is totally original, I've had it since the 70s, the guy I bought it from had never messed with it, and inside it looks okay.

However, see picture, there is a capacitor hanging loose... would I be right in thinking (surely) that it should be attached to the corresponding lug on the circuit board?

The amp comes on and kind of works... played quietly it's fine, turn it up and it goes distorted, and not in a good way - clearly there is something amiss - though putting a jump wire to attach this cap didn't seem to fix the problem.

I guess the caps probably need replacing, so here's question #2 - if I wanted to sell the amp one day (I know it's worth a lot) would it be better to leave it alone so it is perfectly original, or would it be better to get it fixed so it actually works ?

Thanks for any input on this

Paul

[Dad3353]

29 minutes ago, PaulXLE said:

...Thanks for any input on this ...

 

Good afternoon, Paul...

 

Ah, memories of my Watkins Westminster amp, over half a century ago..! Happy daze..!
As these amps are now very collectable, I think I'd recommend confiding the amp to a specialist who knows what he/she is doing, and respects the vintage nature of the amp. I can't see your location, but I have two addresses (there may be others...) that are experienced in this field. One in Nottingham (Champ Electronics, hoping he's still working..!), the other in Wiltshire;(Vintage Amp Services...). They can get your amp back to its best performance, maintaining its value as much as possible. Either would, I'm sure, be able to estimate repair costs.

The alternative would be to sell the amp 'as is', hoping that the buyer understands that it's a vintage amp, with all the foibles of its age, and will, in any case, need to be attended to.

If you intend to keep it, of course, it's a 'no-brainer' : get it fixed by the experts for another fifty years of loyal service.
Hope this helps. 

 

Douglas

[PaulXLE]

Hi Douglas

 

thanks for that reply, it has helped me... I'm actually on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, so not exactly handy for either of those places, and I would agree that I need to find a specialist.

Though, as you say, actually I'm never going to use the amp any more, so just selling it 'as is' might be for the best. 

I'm a very poor guitar player, and just mess about, its never been gigged or put under any stress, so it is in great condition for its age - my thoughts are that the longer I keep it, the more it'll be worth, but I dunno, maybe not.

I suspect I might get a really good price in the States, but the shipping would be a worry with all the delicate parts. Anyway, thanks for the advice. 

 

Paul

[Dad3353]

8 minutes ago, PaulXLE said:

... I'm actually on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales...

 

Paul...

 

You might be in luck, then; try to contact The Repair Studio, Mark Adams, at 4 Caer Berllan, Llangefni, Wales LL60 6ND for advice.('Phone zero seven, followed by  ..817 479374...). No personal knowledge of his services, but if he can't do the job, he'll know someone who can, I'd hope. Worth a shot..? 

 

Douglas

[PaulXLE]

 

Well, I'm only 15 minutes from Llangefni, I'll give him a try - thanks very much for that

 

Paul

[Stoneham]

Hope you can get it sorted locally Paul.  The capacitor that's broken off is a filter capacitor, there to reduce noise on the preamps' power supply.  On clean, vintage amps like this it won't make much difference if disconnected.

If it's not sounding right, could be any number of issues.... most common are valves, leaky signal capacitors, and open circuit resistors.

It will be worth much more working than not.  If you don't get sorted I can put it right (Newcastle).