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musical instrument details
VINTAGE 1960s Watkins Copicat VALVE Tape Echo Effects - WEM probably MK2 - RARE!
Estimated price for orientation: 740 $
Category: Vintage Pro Audio Equipment
Class:
Description Type: Vintage Echo Unit Model: Copicat Brand: Watkins (WEM) Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Condition:I purchased this Copicat used / second-hand in England from a guitarist friend around 1970, give or take a year or two. It is 210 - 240 Volt switchable and was only ever used when plugged into 240V, 13 amp, 3 square pin power sources (UK plug still attached) This Copicat was used for gigging 2 - 3 times per week for around 5 years in the 1970s.It is 100% original with the exception of two of the four feet. The two clear plastic feet are the non-original parts you can see in the photosSpeaking of originality, I don't now for sure but I believe the unit may have been rewired to include the earth before I purchased it. The power cable is newer than the other cables and is white 3-core with all cores correctly wired in the mains plug. The original power cable on these units were brown, 2-core cables. Again, I cannot be sure the mains cable was replaced and rewired to include the earth but indications are that it wasYou can see all the dings on the case in the six photos (top, bottom and four sides) and there are quite a few The bottom plastic vent is cracked and brittle as it was when I purchased the unit and shows signs of heat from the valvesOne of the retaining screws on the metal face of the unit has always been missing but obviously doesn't affect operationThe foot switch cable shows it's age and wear, especially at the plug endAll pots / knobs turn nicely and tightly as they always did and the three push buttons work correctly in their up or depressed positionsI haven't cleaned the unit or tried to polish the black face of the deck so it still shows visible vintage '60s to'70s grimeI did quickly clean the record and playback heads and the tape transport wherever it was in contact with the tape using Isopropyl AlcoholAlthough everything appears to work, if I intended to start using this Copicat again I would have it serviced, cleaned, degaussed and lubricated.... my recommendation My Limited Testing:Quickly cleaned the tape transport which required no disassemblyPurchased new third-party tape loops and fitted one onto the CopicatBecause the unit is 210-240V, I used an international adapter and a 110-220V transformer to convert the mains voltage as can be seen in one photoPlugged the foot peddle inPlugged the Copicat output 1/4" jack into a Fender ampPlugged a guitar into the Copicat's Input 1 jackTurned the Copicat on with the Swell knob, increased Gain One and heard my guitar as expected with the tape Motor OFF. Gain and Swell work as expectedTurned the tape Motor ON, the tape loop rotated and tried each of the effects buttons in different combinations; Halo, Echo, Repeat..... all worked I have to sell this Copicat AS-IS and based only on my testing above. I believe I tested the motor and the electronics fully but know my testing cannot be considered a complete, professional bench test. I would recommend the unit be serviced if it will be used as intended.My Comment (for what it's worth):This version of the Copicat is now rare. An advantage I discovered when I was gigging is that the valve preamp in this Copicat is amazing, somewhat over-powered I feel, but adds a great deal of warmth and enhances the input signal to the amp with or without the tape Motor running. It adds the Warmth of valves / tubes to a solid state amp and enhances the signal into a valve amp. Pretty nice! What will be delivered:The Watkins CopicatThe original foot pedal20 tape loops, one of which is installedThe 13 amp British mains plug still wired onto the mains cable. If the unit is purchased for use other than in the UK, you will need a transformer to convert the power to 210-240V as expected by the unit.Thanks for your interest.......A note to potential international buyers which in my case are buyers located outside the USA. This is of no relevance to buyers in the USA: I only use eBay's Global Shipping Program to make items available to folk outside the USA. Whether I've specified Free Shipping or buyer paid shipping choices, this refers to the cost of shipping from me in CA to a US Global Shipping Center. All costs incurred from the Global Shipping Center and onwards to the buyer's address associated with a transaction, including but not limited to Shipping, Value Added Taxes, Tariffs, Duties, Excise Taxes, Brokerage Fees, Penalties as detailed in eBay's Global Shipping Program buyer's information, will be the responsibility of the buyer. The price /value of items shipped internationally which may be requested or shown on shipping or customs documents will be the price paid by the buyer.
Description
| Type: | Vintage Echo Unit | Model: | Copicat |
| Brand: | Watkins (WEM) | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United Kingdom |
Condition:
I purchased this Copicat used / second-hand in England from a guitarist friend around 1970, give or take a year or two. It is 210 - 240 Volt switchable and was only ever used when plugged into 240V, 13 amp, 3 square pin power sources (UK plug still attached) This Copicat was used for gigging 2 - 3 times per week for around 5 years in the 1970s.It is 100% original with the exception of two of the four feet. The two clear plastic feet are the non-original parts you can see in the photosSpeaking of originality, I don't now for sure but I believe the unit may have been rewired to include the earth before I purchased it. The power cable is newer than the other cables and is white 3-core with all cores correctly wired in the mains plug. The original power cable on these units were brown, 2-core cables. Again, I cannot be sure the mains cable was replaced and rewired to include the earth but indications are that it wasYou can see all the dings on the case in the six photos (top, bottom and four sides) and there are quite a few The bottom plastic vent is cracked and brittle as it was when I purchased the unit and shows signs of heat from the valvesOne of the retaining screws on the metal face of the unit has always been missing but obviously doesn't affect operationThe foot switch cable shows it's age and wear, especially at the plug endAll pots / knobs turn nicely and tightly as they always did and the three push buttons work correctly in their up or depressed positionsI haven't cleaned the unit or tried to polish the black face of the deck so it still shows visible vintage '60s to'70s grimeI did quickly clean the record and playback heads and the tape transport wherever it was in contact with the tape using Isopropyl AlcoholAlthough everything appears to work, if I intended to start using this Copicat again I would have it serviced, cleaned, degaussed and lubricated.... my recommendation My Limited Testing:
Quickly cleaned the tape transport which required no disassemblyPurchased new third-party tape loops and fitted one onto the CopicatBecause the unit is 210-240V, I used an international adapter and a 110-220V transformer to convert the mains voltage as can be seen in one photoPlugged the foot peddle inPlugged the Copicat output 1/4" jack into a Fender ampPlugged a guitar into the Copicat's Input 1 jackTurned the Copicat on with the Swell knob, increased Gain One and heard my guitar as expected with the tape Motor OFF. Gain and Swell work as expectedTurned the tape Motor ON, the tape loop rotated and tried each of the effects buttons in different combinations; Halo, Echo, Repeat..... all worked
I have to sell this Copicat AS-IS and based only on my testing above. I believe I tested the motor and the electronics fully but know my testing cannot be considered a complete, professional bench test. I would recommend the unit be serviced if it will be used as intended.My Comment (for what it's worth):This version of the Copicat is now rare. An advantage I discovered when I was gigging is that the valve preamp in this Copicat is amazing, somewhat over-powered I feel, but adds a great deal of warmth and enhances the input signal to the amp with or without the tape Motor running. It adds the Warmth of valves / tubes to a solid state amp and enhances the signal into a valve amp. Pretty nice! What will be delivered:The Watkins CopicatThe original foot pedal20 tape loops, one of which is installedThe 13 amp British mains plug still wired onto the mains cable. If the unit is purchased for use other than in the UK, you will need a transformer to convert the power to 210-240V as expected by the unit.Thanks for your interest.......
A note to potential international buyers which in my case are buyers located outside the USA. This is of no relevance to buyers in the USA: I only use eBay's Global Shipping Program to make items available to folk outside the USA. Whether I've specified Free Shipping or buyer paid shipping choices, this refers to the cost of shipping from me in CA to a US Global Shipping Center. All costs incurred from the Global Shipping Center and onwards to the buyer's address associated with a transaction, including but not limited to Shipping, Value Added Taxes, Tariffs, Duties, Excise Taxes, Brokerage Fees, Penalties as detailed in eBay's Global Shipping Program buyer's information, will be the responsibility of the buyer. The price /value of items shipped internationally which may be requested or shown on shipping or customs documents will be the price paid by the buyer.