Anybody own a Bad Cat Hot Cat 45?

[napalmdeath]

I'm amp shopping, and found some good deals on them used. I got one on accident when I ordered a Lynx and thought it sounded pretty good, but I only spent less than an hour with it since I had to send it back.

I'm tired of the Friedman cycle, owning Runts 50's and PT20 V2's. I recently tried a JJ Jr. and I didn't care for it. I liked the Bogner 3534 50 watt, but don't need 3 channels, and I'm not spending that kind of money. I'm looking at $1500 tops.

I read mixed reviews on the Hot Cat. Many say it has plenty of gain, and tight low end. Thrash metal territory with a boost, some say it's not a metal amp at all, but neither was the Runt without help, or a JCM 800 for that matter..

That said, an 800 Studio is on the list, maybe a mini Jubilee.. But I'm intrigued by the Hot Cats descriptions. It's a smaller footprint and made well, better than the Marshalls, and on par with the Friedmans. The Lynx is a no go, I hated that amp. Overly bloated sounding and very flabby. I don't hear this about the Hot Cat.

I did come across a Splawn Competition in a mini headshell which is ideal, but the guy wants too much. It's listed on Reverb for $1550, and he wants another $144 in shipping! Fuck that. Add tax, and it's not worth it to me. Overpriced. I got him down to $1575 shipped, but again, tax makes it overpriced. I want something EL34 based, smaller footprint, and 80's thrash tones with ease, and a boost for the icing on the cake. I wish Engl would do an Artist 25!

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

I've tried lots of shit and nothing is really going to sound better than a JCM800 or Plexi with pedals. Moded Marshalls can be betterish at lower volumes, but if you can wind 'em up or use a powestation, I haven't heard anything better.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have a Hot Cat. I've never owned a Marshall, so I don't know if they sound similar.
I like plugging a fuzz into it. Channel 1 with Lo/Hi switch on Hi.
I haven't boosted it yet, but I never really boost anything, but it probably could do thrash.
From what I understand, the Lynx is supposed to pick up where the Hot Cat leaves off.

Overall, it doesn't take much for me to find sounds I like, but YMMV.

 

[napalmdeath]

I have a Hot Cat. I've never owned a Marshall, so I don't know if they sound similar.
I like plugging a fuzz into it. Channel 1 with Lo/Hi switch on Hi.
I haven't boosted it yet, but I never really boost anything, but it probably could do thrash.
From what I understand, the Lynx is supposed to pick up where the Hot Cat leaves off.

Overall, it doesn't take much for me to find sounds I like, but YMMV.

The Lynx is way overgained and woofy/flubby for me.

 

[Rising Farce]

I've been curious, as it seems like it could be their best "all-rounder" amp.

Have you considered a Synergy IR20?

 

[napalmdeath]

I've been curious, as it seems like it could be their best "all-rounder" amp.

Have you considered a Synergy IR20?

No EL84s for me. And yes, they say it's their best all arounder. Even the owner says it's his favorite of the line.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

The Lynx is way overgained and woofy/flubby for me.

I haven't tried to get super tight high gain sounds out of my Lynx.

I have several short clips, but I recorded them using my Silver Sky plugged straight in.

If I'm honest with myself, the Lynx gain structure is overkill for what I play.

I'd probably just stick with the Hot Cat if I had to choose one over the other.

 

[LP Freak]

I had one some years ago and sent it back. Knowing the amps you tend to gravitate toward I’d say it’s not for you

 

[The~Kid]

For the money if you could get one Id go for it over any of the Marshalls mentioned.


The Hot Cat is similar to the Lynx with lower gain stages and a different EQ. For me the Lynx is just a better Marshall in all regards, tons of gain too and very flexible. Pretty much a JCM800 meets a Peavey 5150.


The Studio Marshalls just aren't any good IMO, bloated and don't move the proper air.

 

[Rackman]

I tried one Hot Cat 100 I thought had some balls. The rest, the vox flavor high gain thing just isn't me. I'd boost a Dr. Z Z-80 before I'd mess with most of them.

 

[TheBiggestJerk]

I tried one Hot Cat 100 I thought had some balls. The rest, the vox flavor high gain thing just isn't me. I'd boost a Dr. Z Z-80 before I'd mess with most of them.

My only experience with hot cats. I think these little fuckers are aliens .

 

[napalmdeath]

For the money if you could get one Id go for it over any of the Marshalls mentioned.


The Hot Cat is similar to the Lynx with lower gain stages and a different EQ. For me the Lynx is just a better Marshall in all regards, tons of gain too and very flexible. Pretty much a JCM800 meets a Peavey 5150.


The Studio Marshalls just aren't any good IMO, bloated and don't move the proper air.

Yeah, as mentioned before, I owned a Lynx. Briefly. I hated it. The Hot Cat is supposed to be somewhat high gain, but nowhere near the Lynx. But I'd rather have a nice, tight throaty tone that benefits from a boost vs. way too much gain and out of control. I'm looking at a Hot Cat for $1300 that has 2 hours on it.

 

[The~Kid]

Yeah, as mentioned before, I owned a Lynx. Briefly. I hated it. The Hot Cat is supposed to be somewhat high gain, but nowhere near the Lynx. But I'd rather have a nice, tight throaty tone that benefits from a boost vs. way too much gain and out of control. I'm looking at a Hot Cat for $1300 that has 2 hours on it.

That's a stupid deal..... Pretty much new... Like half off.....The only Bad Cat I've tried is the Lynx.


I haven't tried it but yeah if you have tried both and you personally liked it I'd go for it. Happy with my Lynx and the Hot Cat is a different animal but sounds like more up your alley.

 

[FourT6and2]

Slightly different amp, but I had a Hot Cat 30R years ago. Good rock amp. Can it do thrash? I mean... you can play any type of music on any amp. But the Hot Cat, to me, was rather loose and fuzzy. Not a bad sound, but not my first choice for modern high-gain, metal, thrash, etc. It sounded more like a fuzz pedal in front of a Class A amp. Maybe the 45 is different?

If you want to hear what a Hot Cat sounds on a record, listen to Porcupine Tree's, "Arriving Somewhere, but Not Here". There's also a live DVD. You can probably find the performance on YouTube. All Hot Cat.

Full Show: Arriving Somewhere... Chicago

 

[napalmdeath]

Slightly different amp, but I had a Hot Cat 30R years ago. Good rock amp. Can it do thrash? I mean... you can play any type of music on any amp. But the Hot Cat, to me, was rather loose and fuzzy. Not a bad sound, but not my first choice for modern high-gain, metal, thrash, etc. It sounded more like a fuzz pedal in front of a Class A amp. Maybe the 45 is different?

If you want to hear what a Hot Cat sounds on a record, listen to Porcupine Tree's, "Arriving Somewhere, but Not Here". There's also a live DVD. You can probably find the performance on YouTube. All Hot Cat.

Full Show: Arriving Somewhere... Chicago

Not sure which model he's using on this one, (it's several years ago), but it sounds pretty gnarly..

 

[FourT6and2]

Not sure which model he's using on this one, (it's several years ago), but it sounds pretty gnarly..

Yeah that sounds more aggressive for sure. The 30R I had couldn't get there.

 

[The~Kid]

Slightly different amp, but I had a Hot Cat 30R years ago. Good rock amp. Can it do thrash? I mean... you can play any type of music on any amp. But the Hot Cat, to me, was rather loose and fuzzy. Not a bad sound, but not my first choice for modern high-gain, metal, thrash, etc. It sounded more like a fuzz pedal in front of a Class A amp. Maybe the 45 is different?

If you want to hear what a Hot Cat sounds on a record, listen to Porcupine Tree's, "Arriving Somewhere, but Not Here". There's also a live DVD. You can probably find the performance on YouTube. All Hot Cat.

Full Show: Arriving Somewhere... Chicago

Also I think the older ones were less gain and pretty much a Voxy type thing with more gain I hear.


These new ones like the latest iteration of the Lynx and Hot Cat use El34 vs El84 and IMO as far as the Lynx goes a more Marshall archetype.

 

[FourT6and2]

Also I think the older ones were less gain and pretty much a Voxy type thing with more gain I hear.


These new ones like the latest iteration of the Lynx and Hot Cat use El34 vs El84 and IMO as far as the Lynx goes a more Marshall archetype.

Mine had EL34. At the time, they had the Hot Cat 30R and the Hot Cat Class AB. Both used two EL34. Not sure what they offer now.

 

[napalmdeath]

Yeah that sounds more aggressive for sure. The 30R I had couldn't get there.

I think it's a Lynx 50, but a much older version. This was recorded in 2014, I believe.

 

[napalmdeath]

Mine had EL34. At the time, they had the Hot Cat 30R and the Hot Cat Class AB. Both used two EL34. Not sure what they offer now.

The current Hot Cat is 45 watts, 2 EL34's.