This page about Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965) is a stub. You can help improve it:
Pricing and availability
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Step back into the golden age of rock and roll with the Watkins 1960 Watkins Dominator. This vintage combo guitar amplifier is a revered piece of musical history, known for its unmistakable tone and classic design. Originally crafted in the UK, the Dominator became an icon of the 1960s British music scene, delivering rich, warm sounds that defined an era. With its dual EL84 power tubes, the Dominator offers a distinctive crunch and clarity that has made it a favorite among guitarists seeking that authentic vintage vibe. The amp's simple yet effective control layout allows musicians to easily shape their sound, providing a balance between treble and bass that suits a wide range of musical styles.
This amplifier doesn't just rest on its vintage laurels; it remains a practical choice for modern players. Its compact size makes it ideal for both studio sessions and intimate live performances. Whether you're chasing the sound of the past or crafting the tone of the future, the Watkins Dominator is a versatile companion on your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Classic 1960s British design
- Dual EL84 power tubes for authentic vintage tone
- Simple control layout with treble and bass adjustments
- Compact combo design, perfect for small gigs and studio use
- Revered for its distinctive crunch and clarity
Product specs
| Amp Type | tube |
Videos
Emerald City Guitars
"Pick of the Day" - 1956 Gretsch Duo Jet and 1960 Watkins Dominator
Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
In an article from Premier Guitar, Josh Klinghoffer is noted for using a Watkins 1960 Watkins Dominator amplifier, as seen in the gear section.
The distinctive clean guitar intro to the song “Hypnotized” was created on a red Sixties Hagstrom through a small Watkins (W.E.M.) Dominator also of swinging-Sixties vintage. “I tried two or three different guitars for that part to see which one would cut,” he says. “The Hagstrom had just the right tone. And the Watkins gives a very punchy sound. It’s cool for arpeggiated parts or even little solo stuff. I also used the tremolo channel on the Watkins for the tremolo sections in some songs.” - Guitar World.
This blog shows an interview with Troy about his team on the Post Pop Depression tour. You can see two amplifiers, among which is the Watkins Dominator
Fairly early in the article Ritchie Blackmore gets the question What kind of guitar were you playing once you began playing in bands?. Blackmore explains that he together with a Höfner Club 50 he also got an Watkins Dominator amplifier.
and I also got a Watkins Dominator amplifier.
Taylor York's studio gear includes a Watkins 1960 Watkins Dominator, as mentioned in an Equipboard article.
This interview from Vintage Guitar says of Ronnie Wood's setup:
"all cranked up through a ’50s Fender Tremolux, a ’56 Fender low-powered tweed Twin, a ’58 high-powered Twin, and a new Fender Vibro-King. To get an early Hank Marvin/Shadow’s sound when needed, Wood added a ’60 Watkins Dominator."
In an Instagram post by Sarah Lipstate, a 1960 Watkins Dominator amplifier is visible in the background, showcasing her gear collection.
For Celebrity Skin, Erlandson put his Velenos, his '68 Tele and numerous other guitars through a unique setup he devised with producer Michael Beinhorn. The signal from the the guitar was split. One side was sent to a SansAmp and a chain of vintage analog synthesizers that included a Serge modular system, an Arp 2600 and a Moog Modular system with a Boda frequency shifter. The other side of the signal went into a Watkins Dominator, a small but deadly vintage British combo amp. "The boda thing has octaving, phasing, flanging plus a frequency analyzer and shifter all mixed in," says Erlandson. "So I threw out a lot of plans to use a lot of pedals. Meanwhile, the Watkins provided tons of low end."
Album Usage
The Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation4 alternative and related items for Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965), curated by the Equipboard community.
$650.00 - $1,049.99
$1,709.00 - $2,549.99
The 18-watt Marshall circuit, featured in the original model 1974 and 1974x reissue is a derivative of the Watkins Dominator.
$2,083.93
The Marshall 1958X is a handwired reissue of the original Model 1958, itself a copy of the MK1 WEM Dominator circuit.
$2,322.10
The 18-watt Marshall circuit, featured in the original model 1973 and 1973x reissue is a derived from the early 1960's Watkins Dominator, an obscure British amp with a unique 'V-front' grille design.
More Watkins Combo Guitar Amplifiers
Community setups
Gear Guides
Most Popular Combo Guitar Amplifiers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
austinmwGear IQ 5227
-