One of the most rare WEM amplifiers ever built. It was quite difficult to find information on this amplifier although with the help of the WEM community I finally found some of the history knowledge. This is a 100 watt bass amplifiers and possibly a custom order by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, although more information is needed on that claim. Supposedly, Roger Water ordered five of these and after ordering, he soon realised that he could not use the quantity and sold a number of them. This particular amplifier was bought in London in the early 1970s and the amplifier joined the Irish showband industry. Included in the purchase of this WEM numerous other amplifiers including the Vox AC-100 were purchased.. Most of the equipment purchased from this London owner is dated to 1968 and all still remain together to this day and is used in my recordings.

Two variation of this amplifier exist even though such a small quantity was made on custom order. One variation has a small logo and no screws on the faceplate which is the variation seen on "Live at Pompeii" by Pink Floyd. The second variation, being this one, has a larger logo and has screws present on the faceplate. This variation can be seen used by Status Quo in 1975 on "Top of the Pops" playing "Down Down". The serial number on this WEM does state that it was definitely made in the late Sixties and more than likely, 1968. Not only the serial number states this, but the tolex is also the thinner "Rexine" based tolex apposed to the thinker basket weave based tolex used in the seventies.

This amplifier holds one of the most clever alterations I have ever seen. As this amplifier came from the same original owner of the Vox AC100, similarities can be found in the output wiring adjustments. While simple to do, the original owner in my opinion improved this WEM amplifier using the very design features the WEM had already provided. Typically of WEM amps of this type, the design of the output consisted of three output jacks all wired in parallel to a 6 ohm output from the output transformer. While the panel may state that there is two twelve ohm outputs and one 6 ohm output, this was to communicate to the owner that they could use either one 6 ohm cabinet, or two 12 ohm cabinets as two 12 ohm cabinets wired in parallel will result in a 6 ohm resistance. First of all, this WEM amp was provided with two wires from the output transformer and a two way switch was now replacing the lower jack marked 6 ohms on the panel. While all three jacks were wired in parallel, a single 6 ohm cabinet could have been used at any of the 3 outputs and removing the lower output did not restrict the options.

The switch was wired in a way that as the toggle faces the old marking of 6 ohms on the panel, the output impedance is 6 ohm, and as it faces away from the 6 ohm marking, it's impedance is 12 ohms. With two outputs and an impedance switch as so, a single 6 ohm cabinet can be used along with two 12 ohm cabinets as per the original design, although now coupled with the added function of the switch, this allows a single 12 ohm cabinet and two 24 ohm cabinets to be used. One of the most clever improvements I've ever seen.

Used with this amp since the original owner is a WEM Reverbmaster spring reverb unit. It is a solid state unit and can slightly increase the output while adding slight overdrive to the signal. Also used and seen in photos is the Elka rotary cabinet and solid state amplifier. The WEM and Elka are not connected in use but have been together for most of their lives and so will remain together.

Currently none of these amplifiers have been used in released music. they do provide a different sound from any other amplifier with the use of the Bass and Treble boost switches on the faceplate. For reference, this amplifier is very reminiscent of the first "Status Quo" album, a very driven, distinctive sound. For an amplifier with such a small number of custom orders and no traces anywhere else other than the history with Pink Floyd and Status Quo. I don't know how certain we can be about declaring it a peice of artist owned equipment, especailly with such names. To it's value, these amplifiers have never come onto the online sales market. I believe there was only five.