A staple of '60s echo and psychedelia, the Watkins Copicat is the iconic British tape delay that launched a thousand dub sirens and space rock jams. Introduced in 1958 by Charlie Watkins, the Copicat was one of the first affordable portable echo units, and it quickly became a fixture in studios and stages alike—used by the likes of The Shadows, Pink Floyd, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Its warm, warbly repeats and saturated self-oscillation come from a spinning tape loop running past multiple record and playback heads, with controls for repeat intensity, echo duration, and wet/dry mix. The result is a lofi, characterful delay that’s gritty, unpredictable, and full of vintage charm. Whether you’re adding slapback to guitar, dub wobble to synths, or just mangling your mix into a blown-out sci-fi loop, the Copicat is pure retro magic in a box.
Modified with Dry/Wet switch.
Video: https://youtu.be/C7inyUhMJPE&ab_channel=FreekWessels
Product Specs
- Item Number: 38960
- Make: Watkins
- Model: Copicat MKVI
- Condition: Very Good
- Finish: Silver
- Categories: effects-and-pedals ⇒ delay
- Year: 1960s
- Made In: United Kingdom
- MPN: 38960