Author Topic: Simms Watts 100 watt head- what the hell is this??? (Read 13730 times)

sambo · « **on:** January 11, 2006, 09:18:53 PM »

considering buying this for dirt cheap - talking under £100. anyone had experience with "simms watts" amps? it's a head- 100 watt, in need of repairs.

i need enlightening people........

Brow · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:23:14 PM »

A guy I was in a band with years ago had a 100w Simms Watts head. From what I remember it sounded quite good. His had this problem of blowing up quite often tho :roll:

If I remember correctly, Mick Ronson used Simms Watts amps during some of the 'Ziggy Stardust' era of his time with David Bowie.

big steve · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:44:59 PM »

i'd go for it! you could always sell it on to an amp-head

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2006, 11:18:34 PM »

I remember them from the 1970's ( yes I am an old git) but I can't tell you much about them. I think they were heavy buggers and blew fuses but I may be wrong.

sambo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:04:07 AM »

ok thanks guys, ill probly go for it then. only thing is, it needs new set of knobs, one new pot, new vinyl convering possibly some wiring not sure. so it's a bit of a risk but who cares.

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:01:33 AM »

Buy it - you can get it modded if you don't like the tone. I think they had Partridge transformers like HiWatt. Reliability issues should be sortable with a few mods I'd guess. £100 you could break it for spares on ebay and come out in profit!

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:10:20 PM »

kk thanks for the info guys. ill keep you posted

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:36:03 PM »

I have three of them that didn't even cost me £100 combined. I have stripped them bare to the transformers and built them up again to my own liking.

The Transformers in all the ones I've seen have been made by 'Allen' - never seen 'em with Partridges. The trannies in mine are big bruisers though and I've not had any reliability problems.

One thing is that they run high plate voltages around 600v with an Ultra Linear output transformer - I always tape up the UL taps and feed the screens from another 'node' on the HT line.

I can record an MP3 of my amp (high gain creation) if you want to hear it.

So to recap, I'd say that the stock tone ain't great but if you know your way round an amp they can be made to sound very nice indeed (this goes for most valve amps of course).

:twisted:

sambo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:44:07 PM »

thanks. that would be excellent if you could record a bit!!!

don't want to be rude or anything but would it be possible to do it before saturday night-ish so upload it tomorrow or saturday daytime??

it's just the auction ends then and i just wanna get an idea of what it sounds like. any clip will do and i understand if you dont get round to doing it.

thanks.

sam

sambo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:53:07 PM »

oh yer also how/where did you get your three?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2006, 09:36:10 PM »

just checked back on this thread - obviously haven't had time to record anything yet.

my amp is in no way representative of how any other Simms Watts amp will sound - I have removed the original turret board and completely redesigned the preamp. I can record a clip if you're interested in what they 'can' sound like if you're upto the job.

I got all three of mine in the local paper classified ads.

:twisted:

sambo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2006, 10:40:28 PM »

yeh a sound clip would be good. the one i was gonna got too expensive but it would be interesting to hear one anyway, even if it isnt what they usually sound like.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2006, 10:50:14 PM »

ok, I'll see what I can do.

HJM · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:16:01 AM »

Have you ever tried a UL poweramp for guitar?

sambo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2006, 04:03:18 PM »

nope whats that???