The restoration of a very old Watkins Warrior Bass Amp.
It has been laid up with broken/missing valves for many years.
Circa 1963
This is one of two designs, fitted with a 12" loudspeaker and boost switch. There was another model fitted with 15" speaker, a tune tone switch and no mains supply for your Copycat.
I cannot remember which one came first but would guess this is the newer model as the name changed to WEM from Watkins.
Needless to say, no circuit diagrams exist so the only way to repair it, is experience.
Let's take a look inside and see what is entailed in getting her going
I have my work cut out here, lots of patina (rust) to deal with but it is age related so in keeping with its age.
Here we are, after a few hours of getting it ready to test. Valves missing etc.
Yes there is raw mains on these contacts. Watch your fingers!
Didn't take long to spot the rookie mistake. Bringing the chassis to the 3.15v heater supply and not its centre tapping! Error circled in red. Move the black chassis wire to the centre tag.
Replaced all of the leaky capacitors and after checking the resistors, they were all within specification.
New valve holders and spring retainers, for the EL84s, as the old ones were intermittent.
Working like it should, no guitar and quiet, guitar playing sound very AC15.
The switch repair on the rear is a contour switch, or boost switch, now working as it should without the bodged homemade board.
Had a serious rattle from the loudspeaker and then a piece of glass envelope from a broken valve dropped out. Sounds nice now.
Valve line up; Four ECC83, two EL84 and one EZ81.
More photos of the completed amplifier to follow.
Above
New valves and holders.
Below
A very British notice.
(Other countries demand it is not used without a suitable earth connection.) We're British, and have sense.
