Thanks for the great review! Based on your comments and the reviews from others I decided to purchase a Black Cat. I have been gigging with the Black Cat most recently. I ended up with both a combo and a Black Cat head. I love the way these amps sound, particularly with my PRS DGT. However, I have not been thrilled by issues I have had. I first gigged with the head but shortly after the first gig the tremolo went out on the amp. It was sent in for repairs but after weeks of not hearing anything the store traded it out for me for a Jet Black. I started gigging using the Black Cat combo, but on the third gig it quit working (still don't know why). Took it back to the studio where two days later it appeared to operate normally. However, three gigs later it crapped out in the middle of a gig again. Replaced all the tubes but still nothing. It's now dead and sitting on the floor of the dealer. I still love the sound of my Black Cat, but I'm gigging with the Jet Black now and hoping for better luck with it while I wait to see about my Black Cat combo.
Dang, that is a versatile, great sounding amp. One of the best digital reverbs paired in a tube amp. The trem is sweet, the crunch and overdrives are awesome
Definitely not cheap, but still affordable in comparison with other boutique brands. Of all the range, it's the one I prefer: 20W, EL 84's, reverb & (very good) trem. Packs it all in a very attractive presentation. I would probably go for it if I wasn't already loaded with too many amps (6).
Been a while since I’ve watched any gear reviews and this amp sounded amazing with overhaul. And WOW Phil, your rhythm chops and groove have really improved with the time you’ve Ben putting in.😮🎸
I listened to this on the Patreon site and it piques my curiosity. I don't have any valve amps, I have a Katana Artist and these Bad Cat amps just have something that makes my valve curious.
I think you got the best tones out of all the tubers for this one. Ordered a black cat and a hot cat. Like these tones more but was worried about headroom.
Hey Philip. Great demo. I have a bad cat cub which is great but it does have issues. The front facing knobs are not great when stood up gigging. The writing on the controls is tiny and virtually invisible when playing live. The effects send is too quiet. It hardly drives my pedals. And lastly, it isnt quite loud enough. It does sound nice though. I use mine with a Kingtone Duellist.
I'd love to see a video of the Cub as well! Thanks for all the details and the review. It's interesting that the amp sounds so different (much warmer and less high endy) than most of the other video demos of this.
I think that, in its head format, might be my new small/medium venue amp, plugged into the Mojotone 2X12 Creamback cab!! Or the 2- 1X12 Alnico_Blue Pine cabs? I wonder why they can't use a 5-6 band EQ instead of treble/mid/bass? Or if anyone has tried to do that before? Maybe the 'ol Boss EQ pedal to experiment? Something to try anyway... Thanks!! 8) --gary
Used to have a Hotcat 30R and 2x12 cab. Super versitile! I found the gain top be a little fizzy. I just use Axe FX III now. Just better and more practical.
For real it's bogus! Instead of having an amp that does everything like Boss downloadable upgrades. It's Break my wallet please, with more hardware I don't need. P. T. Barnum said it better.
The Black Cat was previously a Vox style amp that sounded stellar as a Vox style amp. This new amp is no longer that and sounds just like any other heavy bottomed Marshally crunch amp.
Are these made buy the mesa boogie people?I noticed that it is made in the same city in California as mesa boogie. Also there price points are similar. Also the eq controls work the same as a fillmore style of amp.
PCB's get a bad rap in tube equipment. It's not deserved. The bad rap comes from poor quality boards and sub standard implementation(Fender/Mesa/PRS are major offenders). A high quality, double sided, through hole plated, high copper PCB will last as long as any eyelet/turret hand wired board AND if designed correctly, it will be quieter.
Hey Phil nice review. I'm curious...they apparently eliminated the K Master feature? Did you experiment with bedroom level sounds to see if you could get good tones that way? Thanks!
The K Master was a master volume solution to give power amp saturation sounds at lower volumes due to the placement of the master volume in the circuit in relation to the FX Loop. The K Master is no longer used. We fixed the positioning of the master circuit in relation to the fx loop and now the amp sounds better, and the master works better, aaannddd the FX Loop works better and cleaner.
Enjoyed your review bud, the amps sound pretty sweet, you said you liked it so if you were going to buy one what would you sell off to get one.? 😂😂👍👍🥃Respect to you mate.
Howdy Phillip! Have you ever played a Yamaha SA-2000 or a Yamaha SA-2200? I would especially like to see that giant grin on your face while you are deciding which axe has to go so that you have room for one of these in your collection.
I was confused why you called this a new amp from them. Haven’t they always had a Black Cat model in their handwired lineup? Any ideas how this compares to the old ones?
Great review, Phil! Love the punchy cleans and mid-gain pushed sounds. There’s a million drive pedals to boost if needed right? So the design is balanced well between all of its features and quality of build & commoners. If I had the coin to buy another amp, Bad Cat would be on my list to try in person, no doubt at all. Thanks again! Cheers
Every tube amp has its niche and not for everyone this ones good. If u want 90% of it all get a fractal or kemper but if you write originals get YOUR tube amp.
Thanks for the great review! Based on your comments and the reviews from others I decided to purchase a Black Cat. I have been gigging with the Black Cat most recently. I ended up with both a combo and a Black Cat head. I love the way these amps sound, particularly with my PRS DGT. However, I have not been thrilled by issues I have had. I first gigged with the head but shortly after the first gig the tremolo went out on the amp. It was sent in for repairs but after weeks of not hearing anything the store traded it out for me for a Jet Black. I started gigging using the Black Cat combo, but on the third gig it quit working (still don't know why). Took it back to the studio where two days later it appeared to operate normally. However, three gigs later it crapped out in the middle of a gig again. Replaced all the tubes but still nothing. It's now dead and sitting on the floor of the dealer. I still love the sound of my Black Cat, but I'm gigging with the Jet Black now and hoping for better luck with it while I wait to see about my Black Cat combo.
Dang, that is a versatile, great sounding amp. One of the best digital reverbs paired in a tube amp. The trem is sweet, the crunch and overdrives are awesome
Definitely not cheap, but still affordable in comparison with other boutique brands. Of all the range, it's the one I prefer: 20W, EL 84's, reverb & (very good) trem. Packs it all in a very attractive presentation. I would probably go for it if I wasn't already loaded with too many amps (6).
I have a Catalyst. I saw your demo. I am selling my Catalyst. The power, fullness and tone with a tube amp can't be beat!!!!
Been a while since I’ve watched any gear reviews and this amp sounded amazing with overhaul. And WOW Phil, your rhythm chops and groove have really improved with the time you’ve Ben putting in.😮🎸
looks just like the blackstar HT studio lineup. simple and sharp. love it
over the years you're playing has improved and improved and improved and improved. Your the only luthier I actually enjoy listening to.
Great sound! Your demos get into just the right info and usage.
I listened to this on the Patreon site and it piques my curiosity. I don't have any valve amps, I have a Katana Artist and these Bad Cat amps just have something that makes my valve curious.
I believe this will become their best selling amp!
This amp sounds so great! What a dream it would be to own one of these.
I’ve had this amp for a month. Love it. I have been playing a Friedman Runt and I like the black cat (at the moment)
Sounds very bass-heavy almost abit wooly. Might be different in the room though. Nice demo and great playing as always.
nifty sounding amp! thanks Phil!
I think you got the best tones out of all the tubers for this one. Ordered a black cat and a hot cat. Like these tones more but was worried about headroom.
Thanks.....some very interesting tones there indeed .
Great review, Phil. Liked your playing a lot on this video too.
I played with a guy that had a Bad Cat & it had the coolest dirty tone I ever heard. Good stuff
Bad Cat makes some of the best amps around. Solid customer service too
It sounds to me that this amp does for low-mids what a Vox amp does for high-mids. I dig it.
Vintage Voxes are quite scooped in the high mids when driven. I call it Vox 'growl' to Marshall 'bite'.
This sounds bananas. I love it. Watched year end video and had to come back to this. Great review, great amp
Best amps out there 🎉❤
As always, great job, Phil!
Would love to see the Lynx - curious to hear this brands approach to metal
I would like to see the higher gain Lynx.
Reminds me slightly of the Fender Bassbreaker, that full bodied tone.
I think you'll dig the cub even more
Hey Philip. Great demo. I have a bad cat cub which is great but it does have issues. The front facing knobs are not great when stood up gigging. The writing on the controls is tiny and virtually invisible when playing live. The effects send is too quiet. It hardly drives my pedals. And lastly, it isnt quite loud enough.
It does sound nice though. I use mine with a Kingtone Duellist.
I'd love to see a video of the Cub as well! Thanks for all the details and the review. It's interesting that the amp sounds so different (much warmer and less high endy) than most of the other video demos of this.
man that is so punchy I love it! I want one!
Gosh I love this channel.
Damn that tremolo sounded like a great sounding Leslie!
Great review! Was wishing for some examples with different pedals.
Wow, that really sounds good
Great review as usual Phil. Def want you to review the Cub & Hot Cat plz.
That dude from 60 cycle hum is gonna love this amp.
Wipeout!
Sounds awesome!!!
I would love to see you do a review of the Lynx. That looks like the one for me and I’m really interested what your thoughts are.
I think that, in its head format, might be my new small/medium venue amp, plugged into the Mojotone 2X12 Creamback cab!! Or the 2- 1X12 Alnico_Blue Pine cabs? I wonder why they can't use a 5-6 band EQ instead of treble/mid/bass? Or if anyone has tried to do that before? Maybe the 'ol Boss EQ pedal to experiment? Something to try anyway... Thanks!! 8) --gary
Used to have a Hotcat 30R and 2x12 cab. Super versitile! I found the gain top be a little fizzy. I just use Axe FX III now. Just better and more practical.
This is a great amp. I own a DC30 (one of the few 2x10's) and a Redplate Magic Dust Duo. I want this amp.
Great video and I bought the head after watching it.
Note that the volume on this video is quite low
Phil, play the Olive SG behind you sometime.
Lynx review for sure! Oh I did not know that bad cat even built a high gain option.
Man, I love the cat eyes. I may need to grab an older one before they’re gone.
Eyes gone is a sad move. They want the new generation to notice BCA.
@@nicolasrivera5310 I agree 👌🏼
For real it's bogus! Instead of having an amp that does everything like Boss downloadable upgrades. It's Break my wallet please, with more hardware I don't need. P. T. Barnum said it better.
Its where the tone is 😁
my thoughts exactly! these were on my wishlist when I was very young.
The Black Cat was previously a Vox style amp that sounded stellar as a Vox style amp. This new amp is no longer that and sounds just like any other heavy bottomed Marshally crunch amp.
No....actually Phil has 2-3 quarters of the high end rolled off. it doesn't sound this tubby in real life
Wondering why I had to go to Bad Cat's page to find this video? Great video though. Can't wait to order one!
It showed up with a notification for me here on yt.
We need a updated best $1000 or under guitar list with all the market changes that have gone on.
Should Have kept the eyes! Great Amps!
Dang Phil nailing it,✌🏻🎸🎶
Very nice review!
Sounds great with that strat
Nice amp and video! To me it sounds very similar to Orange Rockerverbs?
Are these made buy the mesa boogie people?I noticed that it is made in the same city in California as mesa boogie. Also there price points are similar. Also the eq controls work the same as a fillmore style of amp.
Nope. Bad Cat is not connected
@@PhillipMcKnight Thanks for answering me phil !
PCB's get a bad rap in tube equipment. It's not deserved. The bad rap comes from poor quality boards and sub standard implementation(Fender/Mesa/PRS are major offenders).
A high quality, double sided, through hole plated, high copper PCB will last as long as any eyelet/turret hand wired board AND if designed correctly, it will be quieter.
Hey Phil nice review. I'm curious...they apparently eliminated the K Master feature? Did you experiment with bedroom level sounds to see if you could get good tones that way? Thanks!
He does speak about that in the video 👍🏼👍🏼
16:05
Oh ok great…thanks you!! I was doing other things while watching. I’ll check that out. Much appreciated!
Oh ok great…thanks you!! I was doing other things while watching. I’ll check that out. Much appreciated!
Sounds great
Hello 👋 How are you doing today??
Would love to see you review the 15 watt Cub and explain the K master?
My understanding is they no longer make that amp. I will verify when I can
The K Master was a master volume solution to give power amp saturation sounds at lower volumes due to the placement of the master volume in the circuit in relation to the FX Loop. The K Master is no longer used. We fixed the positioning of the master circuit in relation to the fx loop and now the amp sounds better, and the master works better, aaannddd the FX Loop works better and cleaner.
Great video Phil, question are you going to try out one of the Cream T guitars? They sound amazing!
Instant Judas Priest tone with your SG! Great sounding amp.
How about a one year later review of this amp?
Enjoyed your review bud, the amps sound pretty sweet, you said you liked it so if you were going to buy one what would you sell off to get one.? 😂😂👍👍🥃Respect to you mate.
Great job !
Just saw a Boogie MK VII demo on TH-cam - lots of bells and whistles, but to me the Bad Cat sounds better. Cheaper too.
Nice, i'm only now able to get a Fender Blue JR iv. Sooooooo, anyways. Nice amp.
How’s the shared eq when toggling between channels live?
sounds fantastic thru my denon amp
Howdy Phillip! Have you ever played a Yamaha SA-2000 or a Yamaha SA-2200? I would especially like to see that giant grin on your face while you are deciding which axe has to go so that you have room for one of these in your collection.
That thing kicks!!!
Nice sounding amp.👍🎵
Does it have a headphone out ?
Any chance of a firefly thinline P-90 telecaster style guitar they’re only $169.91!
Why did you take the duesenberg off the sg? did you like it??
Since you have never played through one, how about the Lynx next!
Very nice. I want one😊
How’s the master on this compared to the k master?
I was confused why you called this a new amp from them. Haven’t they always had a Black Cat model in their handwired lineup? Any ideas how this compares to the old ones?
+++tnx Phil, cool video+++
I love older gear .
Maaaaaaaannnnnn......killin me
Sounds good
Awesome amp
How much are they
Very fat sounding amp. Very effective tone controls. Love it. 👍
Do they make a all tube amp?
I think the reverb is the only digital element. So any of there non reverb amps should be “all tube”.
Great review, Phil! Love the punchy cleans and mid-gain pushed sounds. There’s a million drive pedals to boost if needed right? So the design is balanced well between all of its features and quality of build & commoners. If I had the coin to buy another amp, Bad Cat would be on my list to try in person, no doubt at all.
Thanks again!
Cheers
Looks like a boss katana artist or the other way around
yup, the Hot Cat.
Everything was sounding great until the price was mentioned… oh well, I’ll keep my $600 PRS MT15 which sounds AWESOME!!
10:31
Its a Fox AC20!
They moved away from the whole reason I liked them in the first place. Class A powered.
This is probably a good amp , looks good but to much like blackstar to me .
I was hoping that the amp redesigns were going to take the company in a more modern direction, with features that competed with something like a Revv.
Every tube amp has its niche and not for everyone this ones good. If u want 90% of it all get a fractal or kemper but if you write originals get YOUR tube amp.
fart on that
It's still a *really* ugly logo... less ugly without the spread-way-too-far-apart eyes, but still ugly nonetheless. :(
Oh man, l love 💕 TREMELO!!!
great demo as always phil.
linx please and thank you :)
Sounds great