Watkins Warrior repair

[Jon Snell]

This will be fun. Another classic to be brought back from the abyss.
Plenty of valves missing plus leaky old capacitors to replace.

 

[SG John]

Very cool. I was just looking at Watkins Dominators again on Reverb. I've always wanted one of those.

 

[PelliX]

Nice... looks like a fun project, Jon. What's the plan on the valve sockets; drill the rivets and clean them? What is that on them, actually, just corrosion?

 

[Jon Snell]

The Watkins Dominator was a nice amplifier, they made three models, similar power as the AC15 as I recall. You have good taste sir.

This amplifier lived for years in a damp garden shed/studio, and there is a lot of rust on the faceplate. Luckily the chassis was stove enamelled when it was made and survived intact and almost damage free.
The valve sockets are plated nickel brass, with no signs of damage as all the valves were present when stored, but removed, for other projects I presume, leaving superficial watermarks, that should wipe off with a cotton bud and IPA fingers crossed. If not I will replace any damaged ones.
I photographed the loudspeaker purposely like the picture as it was fitted upside down
It is on the bench now and assuming I have all that I need in stock, and not too much repair work on, will be completed in a week or so.
There is no service information available from the usual sources, so it may take a little time to work out what that pre-set does, as there is no way of knowing without it powered up and working.
Tremolo balance I would imagine, as it is added on with a piece of Veroboard.

More to follow as I progress.

Edit; More infor added.