Anybody own a Bad Cat Hot Cat 45?

[The~Kid]

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.

Your right, I think the older Lynx back then also had El34.


Yeah now they still use El34.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

 

[Spaceboy]

I had an older Bad Cat 50 w/ EL34s for a few years and deeply regret selling that amp. It's the only amp I've ever owned were I consistently got compliments from sound guys. It seems like Bad Cat has been going through a lot of changes in the past few years, but John has given me some of the best customer service I've had from any company, even going so far as to personally call me to make an order right that I made through one of his retailers. I hope they have settled on a lineup, because it seems like they've been adjusting their offerings every year, premiering amps that never fully make it to market, or discontinuing things without much announcement.

I've owned a handful of their older line, only owned one of the Player Series, the Cub IV I think. I can't speak on how the current era Hot Cat compares to the old one, but that custom 50w was absolutely spectacular. That version also had an amazing NMV clean channel that seriously transformed into a different amp with every overdrive I fed it. At that time I wasn't a huge pedal guy but it proved itself to be extremely versatile, and ended up being my go-to amp and channel for a cleaner style indie band I was doing at the time. Hotcake into that clean channel with an OCD for thicker parts.

I've tried to find the dude I sold it to so that I could offer to bring it back, but since it was through Craigslist it was an encrypted email and I wasn't able to get a response. I'd love to plug into the current generation Hot Cat and Lynx to see how it lives up to my memories.

Damn, I think I'm talking myself into Bad Cat GAS again...

 

[napalmdeath]

I went with a Marshall JCM 900 Studio.. Been curious about this since they came out.

 

[acidvoodoo]

I went with a Marshall JCM 900 Studio.. Been curious about this since they came out.

Good choice, it’s a badass amp. For my tastes, it’s the best out of the studio series. The only thing it needs is a little volume to sound it’s best. No pedals needed.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

Good choice, it’s a badass amp. For my tastes, it’s the best out of the studio series. The only thing it needs is a little volume to sound it’s best. No pedals needed.

It sure sounds great in the demo vids. The big brothers got a bad rap from people that didn't know to maintain them. In good proper condition there are some great tones to be had

 

[napalmdeath]

Good choice, it’s a badass amp. For my tastes, it’s the best out of the studio series. The only thing it needs is a little volume to sound it’s best. No pedals needed.

I've read several reviews saying it was the best of the line. From my experience before these came out, the 2525H got my my vote. But, these seem get get some praise, saying they're somewhat revoiced and really deliver.

 

[Little B]

Hot cat is very flexible. I gigged with one for a while.Theres different versions of hotcats out there so that may make a difference for you. The latest 45 covers a ton of ground,all but death metal.
The lynx is a great amp too--if you change out a few preamp tubes,( tame it down a tad) the whole gain range becomes way more usable and flexible.