In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
The earliest versions of the Vox Stroller were actually copies of an early Japanese electricguitar, the Guyatone (also sold under the brand Antoria) LG50. These Strollers, although short-lived did undergo a few changes before taking on the more familiar Strat influenced style of many mid-sixties UK-built Vox guitars. The biggest difference between early and late LG50-style Strollers (and the two pickup version, the Shadow) was the larger pickup, a shade longer, but noticeably wider used in the very first Vox guitars. Compare this early Vox to a 1963 Stroller with the later V1 pickup. For more information about Vox guitar pickups in general, see the Vox guitar pickups page.
The WEM Dominator Bass MK1 bass amp was WEMs bass version of the Dominator MKIII tube amp, first available in 1972. Both were 15 watt amps, electronically identical, but the Bass had a 15" Celestion speaker (G15M, 55 Hz, 16 ohms), as used by Marshall and other British amp manufacturers.
The valves are 3 x 12AX7 preamp, and 2 x EL84 power tubes, perfect for an overdriven sound at low volumes. Despite the intended bass use, this may be more widely used as guitar amplifiers. All the same, it is a nice bass amp for a grittier retro bass sound. Check out the sound clips below.
Although probably not powerful enough for gigging with louder bands, the WEM Dominator is a fine recording amp; famously durable, and easy to find in working order at a reasonable price.
Amp settings are: Channel 1, Volume 5, Treble 5, Bass, without the 'Bright' mode activated - unless otherwise specified.
Recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone, into an M-audio mobile pre USB interface.
The WEM Dominator Bass amplifier is very responsive to playing style. At middle volumes it can go from clean to overdriven depending on how hard you play.
Guitar: volume 10/10, tone 10/10. Significant distortion, even with the amp at just 50% volume, especially, as here when played hard, with a pick. Guitar: volume 10/10, tone 10/10. Fingerstyle, but still digging in for the overtones. Amp in 'Bright' mode. Guitar: volume 10/10, tone 10/10. Played with a pick.
Amp settings are: Channel 1, Volume 5, Treble 5, Bass, without the 'Bright' mode activated - unless otherwise specified.
Recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone, into an M-audio mobile pre USB interface.
The WEM Dominator Bass amplifier gets growly, even at lower volumes, particularly when played hard.
Tone selector on 'H' (switch 4). Fingerstyle. Tone selector on 'L' (switch 3). Fingerstyle. A more extreme amplifier setting; both treble and bass upped to 10/10. Guitar tone selector on 'H' (switch 4). Fingerstyle.
Neck pickup
Tone selector on 'L' (switch 3). Played fingerstyle.
Both pickups
Tone selector on 'H' (switch 4). Fingerstyle. Still with the brighter tone setting; 'H' (switch 4), but played with a pick
oldmanblues Comment left 28th September 2012 14:02:02 This brings back some memories. Great dirty bass sound coming from that WEM amp. I had a friend (now sadly departed) who used this bass model for lead guitar and it sounded wonderful. It was definately a great all-round guitar and bass amp, and solid as a rock. Not so good for cleaner sounds, but for rocking out...
