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, these 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.
The WEM Dominator bass had a July 1972 UK list price of £64.50 (with the Dominator mk. III at £52.50)
The Dominator bass Mark I, Dominator Mark III, and Power Musette Mark II as shown in the 1974 Bell catalog. All three models use the same basic circuitry but quite different speaker configurations. The Mark III, "capable of handling any instrument or mike" had a 12" speaker, whilst the Power Musette had a "special twin-cone speaker" and was designed for keyboard and accordion. All three amps were fitted in a 20" x 20" x 8" cabinet.
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.
Find out more about these instruments here: 1973 Fender Musicmaster bass, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
The WEM Dominator bass is a superb sounding British tube amp from Watkins.. it's got plenty of bass, and growls beautifully when volume gets past about half way. A wide tonal palette with plenty of useable sounds. Paired here with a 1973 Fender Musicmaster; a cool 30 1/2" scale bass, at the time inexpensive, but with the usual Fender build quality and a quick easy playing feel. This one is fitted with flats, but the WEM gives plenty of treble with the controls positioned accordingly. Watch the long version of this video in the vintageguitarandbass supporting members area, to hear a bit more of this bass / amp under different settings.
Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 1963 Vox Bassmaster, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
The WEM Dominator bass amp is a British 15w tube amp with a 15" Celestion G15M speaker. And it gets plenty dirty! Always my first choice for some snarly overdriven bass. The Vox Bassmaster is a cool little guitar, and as can be heard here quite capable of laying down some tones! It's very, very, playable, the Vox V1 pickups are pretty sweet, and the combination of short scale and thin neck make this one of the easiest playing basses ever made!
Recorded here with an Electrovoice RE-20 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 1973 Fender Musicmaster bass, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
Long version of this video with extra bass settings. This is a great bass/amp combination with a tone all of its own. Compare this video with the others on this site - ie with the bass DI'd and through an early 1960s Ampeg Portaflex B15.
Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 1969 Gibson Melody Maker D, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
This is a wonderful late 1960s dual pickup Gibson Melody Maker D (pots date to December 1968 / January 1969). It's one of those guitars that you just can't put down! And it sounds great through this 15w WEM. The Dominator bass is technically a bass amp, but is basically the same as the guitar version, save for a bigger 15" speaker cone. Played first at a lower volume, and then ramped up for some lovely distorted valve tones.
Recorded here with an Electrovoice RE-20 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 197X Shaftesbury 3263, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
This is a pretty cool looking bass, and one that plays pretty nicely too. Made by Eko for Rose Morris (UK Rickenbacker distributor) from the very late 1960s. Short scale, and (thanks to the Eko build and components) quite similar to the late 60s Italian Vox guitars. I normally use flatwound strings, but it's demo'd here with some gnarly old roundwounds. They needed changing, but I wanted to document the sound. Played through an early 1970s WEM Dominator bass mk1. Brilliant amp for fuzzy / gritty sounds. Check out the companion video through a 1964 Ampeg B15 to hear it a little (but not a lot) cleaner
There is a longer version of this video in the vintageguitarandbass supporting members area here.
Recorded here with a Shure SM57 (left channel) and a Heil PR-40 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 197X Shaftesbury 3263, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
This is a pretty cool looking bass, and one that plays pretty nicely too. Made by Eko for Rose Morris (UK Rickenbacker distributor) from the very late 1960s. Short scale, and (thanks to the Eko build and components) quite similar to the late 60s Italian Vox guitars. I normally use flatwound strings, but it's demo'd here with some gnarly old roundwounds. They needed changing, but I wanted to document the sound. Played through an early 1970s WEM Dominator bass mk1. Brilliant amp for fuzzy / gritty sounds. Check out the companion video through a 1964 Ampeg B15 to hear it a little (but not a lot) cleaner
Recorded here with a Heil PR-40 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
Find out more about these instruments here: 1966 Gibson EB-0, 1973 WEM Dominator Bass Mk 1
This is a really nice bass - a late 1965/early 1966 Gibson EB0 - single pickup, with that classic FAT Gibson bass tone. The WEM Dominator is harder to date - probably early to mid 1970s. All-valve, with superb clean tones, but super gainy when pushed. This is a really cool combination with a huge range of useable sounds. Watch the vid.. it goes from a relatively 'middy' honk when played at the bridge with a pick - to total mud when played at the neck with the tone down - and to extreme fuzz with the amp driven hard
This bass is fitted with Labella Deep Talkin' flatwound strings (short scale) set 760FL-S. Great great strings (although expensive!)
Recorded here with an Electrovoice RE-20 (left channel) and a Shure SM57 (right channel), through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface - highly recommended gear!
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.
Recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone, into an M-audio mobile pre USB interface. Amp settings are: Channel 1, Volume 5, Treble 5, Bass 5, without the 'Bright' mode activated - unless otherwise specified. 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.
Recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone, into an M-audio mobile pre USB interface.
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