WATKINS DOMINATOR CABINET

echuta13 · Post by **echuta13** » Sat 03/17/07 2:28 am

I like it with the rounded corners personally. Color wise this amp looks good with the colors you selected, but black/tan, black/blue, black/red might also look nice (I"m partial to the black/tan). Can't do black/yellow... it look like a frickin bumble-bee.

Piping, and grill accents could run gold, silver, black, white.

Methinks with some modding this could also make a great 4x10 cab.

The 2x10 cab I built was wired for stereo (8 ohm), or mono (4 ohm) operation. Which could be a wiring option.

Mr_dB · Post by **Mr_dB** » Sat 03/17/07 3:53 am

user669 wrote:I am glad to have such a good response to the cabinet!!

I am finishing the details on this cabinet and need your help on some things.

1. The corners for the baffle. The original dominator had 90 deg. corners and I have curved corners on the prototype. Should I keep it that way or do you like it better with sharp corners?

2. If you had a dominator cabinet what colors would you choose?

I would be interested to know what everyone’s responses are!

I am getting ready to build a small run of Dominator style cabinets and would like to know what people think!

The question of the corners of the grilles is a tough one. I think the radius looks better, and if I hadn't gone looking for pictures of Dominators after reading your question, I would have bet money that yours looked "right". I tend to be a tedious stickler for authenticity though, so I vote for square.

I bet a 2-tone with the two Fender "brownface" Tolex colors, rough white in the middle and rough brown on the top and bottom, would look great. There are a lot of traditional and untraditional materials that could look good. The 1990s Vox wheat-textured fawn Vynide in the middle with Vox black "basket" on the ends would be cool too. Tweed in the middle and brown leather on the ends...

tarzanalog · Post by **tarzanalog** » Sat 03/17/07 8:27 am

I think a few departures from the original design are fine... rounded baffle corners, etc. You have to remember that the WEM stuff changed it's look a few times as well. Particularly where the chassis is exposed.

I think do whatever makes sense from a production standpoint...

Colors?!? For the style of the cabinet, anything in the Art Deco realm would fit. With the white cloth you're on the right track with what you chose for the prototype. Although anything that might hint at the automotive (metal flakes, etc.) would look sweet and draw in more of the rockabilly crowd, keeping true to the originals with something that would look right sitting next to a Big Band orchestra riser would make the most sense. With what's available out there these days for tolex, cab string, and piping you could do almost anything but I'd stick close to the monochromatic look with black white and one accent color like gold, silver, tan, maybe cordovan like the new Gretsch combos but nothing like a Ferrari red. Even just doing the top and bottom black with the accent parts as a black sparkle would set it off enough to catch the eye. (Like the white cloth's not gonna do that anyway...)

For me, I play a '74 LP Signature goldtop so I'd be happy as a clam with your prototype.

E-rex · Post by **E-rex** » Sat 03/17/07 12:20 pm

That is a beautiful cab

user669 · Post by **user669** » Sat 03/17/07 4:26 pm

Thanks for the input everyone. I think what i am going to do is build them uncovered and cover them in whatever colors that are chosen, that way I have the cabinet ready to go and I can still offer many color combinations.

The grill cloth was real hard to pick. There were two that I really liked here are the samples

<img border="0" src="http://www.ampcabco.com/pics/clothsamples.jpg" />

The one on the left is the weave that I choose for the prototype and the one on the right was the runner up. You may not be able to tell but that is gold woven into white. I did decide however that I am going to order that too. I wish there were places that I could get it from by the yard but I have to order large amounts from the manufacture.

The corners were real hard for me to decide on but I am going with the rounded look. I just like how it looks more over the sharp corners. I already had to lower the rear vent so it would not show the chassis and vent the tubes. So one more small change won't be a biggie besides if someone wanted a exact copy of the dominator I could offer that too.

I am going to take photos of the next builds to show some details.

The prototype is sold but I can remake it for anyone else that liked how it looked. I didn't realize how fast it would go.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Sat 03/17/07 5:02 pm

Over many years of selling everything from stuff to things, I've learned that options, options, options are a businessman's best friend. If someone wants Clemson orange mixed with Georgia Tech gold, with a cane grill, it's an option! Pay more, get something different. You make a bit of profit if done right. And you have a bunch of happy customers.

I'll bet that if you offered just the raw cabs there would be several folks out there who would provide tolex services in many different colors and styles.

chriswu101 · Post by **chriswu101** » Sat 03/17/07 6:03 pm

So, are the dimensions exactly the same as the original Dominator? I remember you said you were just eyeballing it at first. Did you ever get the exact dimensions? I'm with Mr_dB on this one, keeping it just like the original would be nice. If you have the dimensions and angles, I would be interested to see what they are. How does it sound anyways? With those offset speakers, does it leave the middle sound stage somewhat empty in larger rooms? Thanks,

Chris

Also, where did you get the gold braces that are outside the grill cloth? Very cool.

user669 · Post by **user669** » Sun 03/18/07 4:28 pm

Hey Chris,
I have been working my butt off e-mailing folks all around the world about the dimensions of this cabinet and I almost have all of them. I am missing the size of the front two square cutouts height and width. So I am waiting to hear back from someone about that.

The room that I tested the cabinet out in was about 20 X 20 with the cabinet about 5 ft from the rear wall and centered. I stood 10 feet directly in front of the cabinet and it sounded as if you were standing 2ft to the side of a normal amp and standing a little to the side sounded like you are standing in front of a normal amp. There is not an area that is low vol. but you can hear a slight difference. It filled up the room pretty good. I also removed the back and this allowed more mids to come out and it seemed louder to me. (but just in the slightest)

Maybe someone would like to demo the next one I build so everyone can have a more independent review

brownnote · Post by **brownnote** » Sun 03/18/07 7:02 pm

Put me on the list for one of those...

chriswu101 · Post by **chriswu101** » Mon 03/19/07 8:01 pm

user669 wrote:Hey Chris,
I have been working my butt off e-mailing folks all around the world about the dimensions of this cabinet and I almost have all of them. I am missing the size of the front two square cutouts height and width. So I am waiting to hear back from someone about that.

The room that I tested the cabinet out in was about 20 X 20 with the cabinet about 5 ft from the rear wall and centered. I stood 10 feet directly in front of the cabinet and it sounded as if you were standing 2ft to the side of a normal amp and standing a little to the side sounded like you are standing in front of a normal amp. There is not an area that is low vol. but you can hear a slight difference. It filled up the room pretty good. I also removed the back and this allowed more mids to come out and it seemed louder to me. (but just in the slightest)

Maybe someone would like to demo the next one I build so everyone can have a more independent review

I would love to demo one, I would also be interested in what you think of a 2x10 vs the 2x12 versions. Really cool you have this thing almost nailed to the original specs too. I would LOVE to see a drawing of all the dimensions........I've been longing for a Dominator cab for my next build.....

argus · Post by **argus** » Mon 03/19/07 9:56 pm

User669, SELL ME A 2X12 DOMINATOR CAB, PLEASE!!!

Even the shell without tolex, or covered with your logo, whatever, I want that shape for a Ceriatone 18 watt TMB combo amp! I've been putting off getting an 18 wt (do have a Ceriatone DC30 already), as I couldn't decide on the box. You have solved that problem for me!

I'll pay extra to go to the head of the waiting list, I really want that! Do you have a website?

chriswu101 · Post by **chriswu101** » Mon 03/19/07 10:03 pm

argus wrote:User669, SELL ME A 2X12 DOMINATOR CAB, PLEASE!!!

Even the shell without tolex, or covered with your logo, whatever, I want that shape for a Ceriatone 18 watt TMB combo amp! I've been putting off getting an 18 wt (do have a Ceriatone DC30 already), as I couldn't decide on the box. You have solved that problem for me!

I'll pay extra to go to the head of the waiting list, I really want that! Do you have a website?

Try the "www" at the bottom of his posts....

argus · Post by **argus** » Mon 03/19/07 10:26 pm

Thanks Chriswu101!

I saw the company name, but didn't notice the "www",

. Guess I only had eyes for the cabby

!

I predict a cool retro looking 18 wt 2x12 in my future!

tarzanalog · Post by **tarzanalog** » Tue 03/20/07 9:05 am

user669 wrote:I have been working my butt off e-mailing folks all around the world about the dimensions of this cabinet and I almost have all of them. I am missing the size of the front two square cutouts height and width. So I am waiting to hear back from someone about that...
Maybe someone would like to demo the next one I build so everyone can have a more independent review

Mike,

I found another place that has dominators:

http://www.ampaholics.org.uk/watkins_photo.htm

Contact them if you haven't already. Maybe they could help with the other dimensions you need.

Please PM me on the demo gig! I'd also like to buy one of the shells to cover myself.

user669 · Post by **user669** » Tue 03/20/07 6:58 pm

Argus: Glad to see you are excited about the cabinet! Last week I had food delivered here and this British guy maybe in his 50's brought the food and he saw the cabinet and started freaking out! "Is THAT a WATKINS DOMINATOR!" I had to tell him It was a copy I made and he told me it looks better then the ugly colors that the original he had was. He also said he bought his new at 48 pounds.

Chris: As soon as I have all the specs I will draw up some plans and post them on my site. I have the option to pick your speaker size 10" or 12" on my site.

If anyone is interested in this cabinet you can e-mail me (I'm a nice guy, I don't bite

) and let me know. I am interested to see how many people are and how many would like the plans to build it.

Tarzanalog: I have a e-mail off to them too so I just have to play the waiting game.

Mr_dB · Post by **Mr_dB** » Tue 03/20/07 7:58 pm

I wouldn't count on much from Ampaholics, their web site is ancient and I don't know if they're even still in business. They certainly don't bother to update their "For Sale" inventory, which seems to date from 2002-2003.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue 03/20/07 8:23 pm

Hi Mike,

Which chassis on Turretboards.com fits this cab? Just ordered one of your cabs.

Thanks,
Michael

user669 · Post by **user669** » Tue 03/20/07 8:37 pm

Mr_dB wrote:I wouldn't count on much from Ampaholics, their web site is ancient and I don't know if they're even still in business. They certainly don't bother to update their "For Sale" inventory, which seems to date from 2002-2003.

Yeah, I got that feeling too... But I have a guy in Cal. that I have been talking to who has one for sale and will send me the information I need.
But I did have to bribe him to do it.

Michael, Thanks! It is the combo chassis. I think I had a photo of it in one of my posts.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue 03/20/07 8:42 pm

user669 wrote: Michael, Thanks! It is the combo chassis. I think I had a photo of it in one of my posts.

My pleasure. Can't wait. Am I one of your first orders? Just curious.

Thanks again,
Michael

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue 03/20/07 8:53 pm

Does anyone know a source for an etched chrome faceplate?

Thanks,
Michael

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WATKINS DOMINATOR CABINET

Which chassis fits this cab?

Chrome faceplates?