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Wem Control HR30  ~ 1965

Here is a very rare WEM Control HR 30 head with push buttons for tremolo, vibrato presence and high/low volume.  It dates to 1965 and is in excellent shape cosmetically, although the steel chassis has some surface rust to show for its 51 years.  This was apparently Charlie Watkins' take on the Vox AC30, though I doubt it has the same volume.  You can jam both tremolo and vibrato on together for a very unique effect. 

I recently acquired this knowing it had been in an attic for many years.  The seller had it working for me when I picked it up and it sounded great, though in need of a thorough fettling.

The following essential work was carried out:
Full service and clean.
Most electrolytic capacitors were in very poor shape so these were replaced.
Two high voltage filters had literally split open so all were replaced bar one which was a "recent" replacement Daly which measured fine.  The main filter can measured excellent with no signs of leaking or bulging so it was left in place.

All resistors measured very close to nominal values and none looked damaged.

Some re-tensioning of the input jacks as well as thorough cleaning and multiple insertions to shine up the contact points.

The four power valves all seemed fine with no discolouration, but one was not a Mullard so I picked one out of my small stash which worked best with the other three.  It runs a few degrees cooler than the others but they all draw about the same current and are well matched.  Each EL84 has its own bypassed cathode resistor so it isn't too critical to have well matched sets, unlike when multiple cathodes share a single resistor.  

I considered replacing the Bulgin mains socket and lead but decided to keep it in the end.  I did not have an IEC with the same mounting hole spacing and I hate seeing a square peg in a round hole.  However, I did add an earth bond direct to the chassis for safety.  

The speaker output pins had previously been disconnected, along with the original mains out socket and wiring. Two 1/4 inch speaker jacks had been put here instead, fixed to a screwed in plate.  I feel this was a sensible mod as these days we use mains plug with a 4 or 6 gang block to cater for effect etc.

Soundwise it is similar to the ER30 with a good range of treble and bass control.  The presence button really adds some bite and chime. There is a little added gain with the effects engaged which gives a little warm distortion with hum-buckers.  Pushing the low button kicks out the trmolo and vibrato buttons but retains the effects (strangely).

All in all avery nice head.



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  • Repairs & Servicing
    • Guitar Amp Service & Repair
    • Business Card
  • Filmosound
    • Filmosound Guitar Amps
    • Filmo New Style
    • Filmonator Prototype
    • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Amps & Stuff
    • WEM / WATKINS >
      • Watkins Clubman
      • Watkins Westminster
      • Watkins Westminster Mk 9
      • WEM Control ER15 No. 1
      • WEM Control HR 30
      • WEM Dominator Mk3
      • Watkins Copicat Mark 2
      • Wem Watkins Copicat Mk 3
      • Wem ER100
      • Wem PA100
    • Baldwin Burns Amplifier
    • Carlsbro CS 60 PA
    • Elpico AC52
    • Leo Fender >
      • Fender Concert Repair
      • Fender Twin Reverb 1977 Silverface
      • Fender Twin Reverb 1972 Silverface
      • Fender Blues Deluxe
      • Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp
      • Musicman RP 112 Sixty-five
    • Gibson >
      • Gibson Mercury
      • Gibson Falcon GA19RVT
      • Lab Series >
        • Lab Series L2 Service and Repair
        • Lab Series L5 100W Combo (Gibson/Norlin)
    • Hiwatt Lead 50R Combo
    • Marshall >
      • Marshall Artiste
      • Marshall Superbass Mk2 100W Head and Cab Service Repair
    • Miscellaneous Amps >
      • Harmony H307x
      • Hotpup 5F1 Champ
      • Impact 60
      • Mystery Amp
      • RSC Bass Major
    • Orange >
      • Orange OR120 1970s Service and Repair
      • Orange TH 30 repair
    • Schaller KV 40
    • Selmer >
      • Selmer Constellation 20
      • Selmer Treble & Bass Mk 2
      • Selmer T&B 50R SV
    • Traynor YGL 3 Mark 3
    • Tripletone Amp Conversion
    • VOX >
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      • Vox AC 30 TB Restoration
      • Vox AC 50 Repair and Overhaul
  • Blog
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