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Average Price: $627
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Description
The most famous Tape-Echo Unit in Britain, and possibly in the World, the Copicat also happens to be the first repeat-echo machine manufactured as one compact unit. It was designed by Charlie Watkins in 1958, apparently after he heard a similar sound effect generated by two linked studio quality tape recorders for the Italian singer Marino Marini. Following its introduction, the tape-echo sound revolutionised pop music during the late 1950's and early 1960's, being behind the guitar sound of the top British bands including The Shadows. It also served a secondary purpose after being adopted for providing echo on vocals - the two volume controls acted as a rudimentary microphone mixer. These little machines sold by the thousand!!
Product specs
| Brand | WEM |
| Model | Watkins Copicat IC300 Tape Echo |
| Finish | Metal with Black Case |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Delay Pedals |
FAQs
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What type of delay does the WEM Watkins Copicat produce?
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The WEM Watkins Copicat produces a classic tape delay effect, known for its warm, analog sound and natural echo decay, characteristic of vintage tape echo units.
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Is the WEM Watkins Copicat suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the WEM Watkins Copicat is suitable for live performances, offering reliable tape echo effects that add depth and character to guitar and vocal performances on stage.
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How does the WEM Watkins Copicat differ from digital delay pedals?
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Unlike digital delay pedals, the WEM Watkins Copicat uses an analog tape mechanism, providing a warmer, more organic sound with natural modulation and subtle imperfections typical of vintage tape echoes.
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Can the WEM Watkins Copicat be used with instruments other than guitar?
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Yes, the WEM Watkins Copicat can be used with a variety of instruments, including vocals and keyboards, to add rich, analog delay effects to any audio signal.
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What maintenance does the WEM Watkins Copicat require?
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The WEM Watkins Copicat requires regular maintenance, such as cleaning the tape heads and replacing the tape loop, to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the tape delay effect.
Videos
Nick Adams
Watkins Copicat Mk3 Valve Echo Demonstration.
Watkins Copicat Mk3 Valve Echo Demonstration.
Nick Adams
WEM Watkins Copicat Analog Tape Delay SS with Wet / Dry Mod
marcusdolby1
Watkins WEM Copicat 60 Second Demo IC-300
jrsrareguitars
Sabella Studios: Watkins Copicat Mk II & Mk IV comparison (solid state & valve) also MXR Carbon Copy
Sabella Studios
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional analog delay tones, crisp and genuine
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Offers a variety of sounds: rockabilly, cavernous tones, haunting pads
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Simple transport design, no need for expensive tape cartridges
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Can be used with a compressor for expanded soundscapes
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Synchronous AC motors minimize mechanical noise
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Footswitch adds practicality for live performance
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Works well for both recording and live gigs
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Unique color and dynamic response not found in digital delays
CONS
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Requires proper earthing to avoid potential electrical hazards
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Finding the "sweet spots" can be time-consuming
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Basic and noisy, inherent to its vintage design
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Lacks varispeed, limiting some sound manipulation options
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about WEM Watkins Copicat.
Use cases and applications
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Owners love using the Copicat for slapback effects on vocals and drums, adding a unique lofi and dreamy quality to recordings.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Regular maintenance such as re-oiling the motor and cleaning tape heads is crucial for optimal performance. A new UK plug might be necessary for older units.
Source -
One user successfully restored a non-working IC400 by resoldering two internal connections, showcasing the potential for DIY repairs.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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A wet-out output mod enhances its use as an outboard effects unit, offering more creative possibilities.
Source
User experience
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Some owners prefer the slight high-end signal loss from worn tape loops, appreciating the added character and uniqueness.
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Owners highlight the short lifespan of the tape loops as a minor inconvenience, requiring frequent replacements for optimal performance.
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Owners report that the IC400 is more durable and reliable for gigging compared to tube models, which are more prone to feedback and less suitable for live use.
Source
Comparisons
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Users note that digital emulations like the GSi VariSpeed plugin can achieve about 95% of the original Copicat sound, but the analog unpredictability remains unmatched.
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Solid state Copicats are noted to compete well against the Roland RE-201 Space Echo, offering similar quality with less maintenance at a lower cost.
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The IC400 is described as having a lofi, crunchy character in its repeats, contrasting with the RE-201's warm and lush sound, leading some to desire both for their unique qualities.
Source
Value and pricing
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Fully serviced units are available around £175, though some users prefer spending £250 to £350 for models with varispeed control, like the IC400.
Source
Features and functionality
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The IC400 model is favored for its varispeed control, enhancing the delay's versatility and user control.
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The IC400 model is praised for its sophisticated MICR font and IC components, offering a more refined sound compared to earlier models.
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The echo tone control on the IC400 may not offer drastic changes, with some owners recommending keeping it on a darker setting for subtle tonal shifts.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings
1171
My main Echo
I use it on all my recording and live gigs... I plug everything in and go to my loopers... and then my amps cool stuff for a one man band gig...
41029
I miss my copycat, what a great piece
1171
One of the things i'll never sell...
3378
Amazing tone, but with obvious age related flaws
This box has genuinely one of the most crisp, and genuine analog delay tones I've ever heard. It may be basic, and noisy, but those are all part of the fact that it was made fifty years ago. The footswitch also adds a practical element.
41029
you have a copycat? which version? tube or solid state?
3378
Solid state Jim, unfortunately, still good though
Character
A Super Noisy Machine that I fall in love every time I switch it on, even if a vintage tape it brings that kind of color that was just missing before.
Artist usage
Add artist
There was lots of 355, Tele and Les Paul, mainly. I was using AC30s, but also my Boogie MkIII and the Les Paul for the solo on How About You?, a Selmer Zodiac (The Debitor) and an ancient Ampeg combo, which weighed a ton and belonged to RAK (Tonight). Yes uses the 355, with AC30s and a Leslie cabinet for the chorus-y parts, and also some Les Paul on the choruses and outro. I was also using a valve Watkins Copicat for almost everything at the time as a preamp, as well as for echo. The intro to Tonight is my 355 mic’d up with a KM84 taped onto the f-hole.
Daniel Ash states in this interview that he has used the Watkins Copicat.
Synths can easily sound uninspiring, so here is my growing chain of effects. First off, the Copycat tape delay. This is my second one. I love how it breaks up the sound when cranked. The Moog Midimurf I also use to break up the sound into little fragments of stuttered sound. Finally, there’s a simple loop pedal for building layers of ambience.
"I've got two of them and they're really the dirtiest, most psychedelic, warmest tape delays you'll come across. You can do real freaky stuff when you hold your hand on the tape and change the gain on the four tape heads."
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"amazing gift from my mate @edwinpouncey (cant wait to get it sorted/up and running)"
"Adopted by Hank Marvin and the Shadows this classic echo unit was the first – and some still contend, best – of its kind."
Mentioned in Guitar World interview, published in December 2022 issue.
I love echo units. The cheapest one you could buy in the Sixties was a WEM/Watkins Copicat [Tape Delay]. If you’re not technically brilliant, with all the repeats, it can make you do incredible things. Also, I enjoyed early Pink Floyd, so I was a big fan of using weird effects and echos.
Mentioned on page 32 of the June 1999 issue of Guitar Player.
"Then we had a couple of [Roland] RE201 Space Echos and I had a WEM Copicat."
WEM Copicat is included in the list of Gareth Jones' equipment.
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"Not from ballarat. London England in fact. This Watkins Copy cat is the bees knees but quite delicate so it's kind of retired now. Shame"
Album Usage
The WEM Watkins Copicat has been featured on the following albums:
Disposable
The Deviants (2020)
Suck It and See
Arctic Monkeys (2011)
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay (2008)
Violet Hill
Coldplay (2008)
Bring It Back
McAlmont & Butler (2002)
Parachutes
Coldplay (2000)
The Sound Of McAlmont And Butler
McAlmont & Butler (1995)
Ptooff!
The Deviants (1968)
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 WEM Watkins Copicat, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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