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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
Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1956 Gretsch Duo Jet and 1960 Watkins Dominator

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1956 Gretsch Duo Jet and 1960 Watkins Dominator by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1956 Gretsch Duo Jet and 1960 Watkins Dominator

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

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Artist usage

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See how Josh Klinghoffer uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Pearl Jam

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an article from Premier Guitar, Josh Klinghoffer is noted for using a Watkins 1960 Watkins Dominator amplifier, as seen in the gear section.

See how Daron Malakian uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Daron Malakian

Music Producer, Guitarist

System of a Down

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Troy Van Leeuwen uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Troy Van Leeuwen

Guitarist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via Guitaraficionado

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

See how Ritchie Blackmore uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Ritchie Blackmore

Guitarist

Deep Purple

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

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.

See how Taylor York uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Taylor York

Guitarist

Paramore

...
Verified via Equipboard

Taylor York's studio gear includes a Watkins 1960 Watkins Dominator, as mentioned in an Equipboard article.

See how Ronnie Wood uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Ronnie Wood

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

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."

See how Sarah Lipstate uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Sarah Lipstate

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Sarah Lipstate, a 1960 Watkins Dominator amplifier is visible in the background, showcasing her gear collection.

See how Eric Erlandson uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Eric Erlandson

Guitarist

Hole

...
Verified via Archive

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."

See how Mick Abrahams uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Mick Abrahams

Guitarist

Jethro Tull

...
Verified via Welcome to Squirrel Music - the official website for Mick Abrahams and Blodwyn Pig

"Watkins Dominator. The one with that funny triangular shape. Shared between me and the bass player - well, we were hard up!"

See how Clint Walsh uses Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)

Clint Walsh

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Motels

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In a feature by Premier Guitar, Clint Walsh is shown using the 1960 Watkins Dominator amplifier in the gear section.

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.

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2
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1
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1
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1
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Fulltone OCD Overdrive Effects Pedals
1

4 alternative and related items for Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965), curated by the Equipboard community.

Marshall 1974X Handwired 18-Watt 1x12" Combo

$1,709.00 - $2,549.99

similar sound

The 18-watt Marshall circuit, featured in the original model 1974 and 1974x reissue is a derivative of the Watkins Dominator.

Marshall 1958X Handwired 18-watt 2x10" Combo

$2,083.93

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

The Marshall 1958X is a handwired reissue of the original Model 1958, itself a copy of the MK1 WEM Dominator circuit.

Marshall 1973X Handwired 18-Watt 2x12" Combo Amp

$2,322.10

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

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

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    austinmw
    austinmw

    Gear IQ 5227