Bad Cat Hot Cat 212 Combo

Not many features available in this amp. Dual input amp (swichable with an A/B box) without a lot of extra frills. Class A 1x12 combo,EL34 powered, no reverb, no effects loop.

These amps pretty much have their own sound which to me is dull and bland. There is nothing special about the tone of this amp. Any Diezel amp sounds much richer and complex than these. The clean channel sound at low volumes is ok. The gain tones are like I said bland and unusable live. All my guitars sound the same through this amp. The one good thing is that the Bad Cat emblem glows, yeeha!

Didn't have a problem with the electronics of the amp but the speakers suck. They sounded flabby at anything other than low volume. I wouldn't gig without a backup. Actually I wouldn't gig with this amp at all.

These guys are hard to deal with. Wouldn't return my emails or phone calls. Then when I finally got to talk to someone (James I think) the guy had an bad attitude.

Buy an amp that doesn't suck and has a good customer service department like a Diezel or Soldano!

This amp is an early Mark Sampson design during the transition from Matchless to Bad Cat. This is a 30 watt class A hand-wired point to point amplifier with two channels. The channels are not switchable, and the clean channel only uses the volume control, however the clean sounds very rich, resonant and three dimensional. There is no need for additional tone controls on the clean. The dirty channel is very versitile. The pre-amp gain is grainy and provides a nice "halo" over the note, very early Allman Brothers sound. Turn up the power amp section and this amp shines with upper mids, nice bass, and a very musical crunch without shrill. Two 12' celestions, tone wood cabinet, high quality build. There is no reverb, but the large cabinet creates a nice resonant overtone. This amplifier does great in medium sized clubs, small coffee houses, and could hold its own in large venues. The versitily of this amp is found in the fact that there is not a bad sound in it. All the tone controls created different and pleasing sounds, that are usable in just about any setting.

The Hot Cat is clearly centered in blues, jazz, and classic rock. With an emphasis on sweet mids, rounded highs and a nice tight bass. I tested this amp side by side with my Marshall JTM30, and it made the Marshall sound thin and weak. Even though its 30 watts, the Bad Cat sounded much louder and fuller than the Marshall. The clean channel will grind nicely when pushed, very similar to BB King tone. If you push the pre-amp, and power amp section your in rich high-gain territory. The distortion is not a "shearing" mesa booogie tone but the distortion serves the tone and your playing dynamics. Your guitar choice has much to do with how you sound. With my Strat, I get a perfect Hendrix tone, with my PRS McCarty, I get everything from Santana to Allman Brothers. I personally prefer good humbuckers with this amp. The hand wired PTP construction keeps this amp quiet and noise free. With single coils there is a natural 60 cycle hum, but that is common with standard single coils. The most impressive aspect of this amplifier is the fact that it blends very well in a band. It doesn't create a wall of noise as other amps do, and it cuts nicely. Its very responsive to the player and the guitar's tone controls. This amp caters to the player who doesn't rely on effects pedals, rack sysetms and who maximizes the relationship between the player, guitar, and amplifier.

I have used and gigged extensively with this amplifer without a problem. This is classic quality from Mark Sampson. I would make sure and have spare tubes just in case, but definately far more reliable than your average tube amplifer.

I purchased this amp used at Guitar Czar in Salt Lake City, Utah and Eric will do anything for his customers. I have not dealt with the company directly, but if there ever were a problem I have full confidence that it would be taken care of. Bad Cat's web site is under construction at this point, but there is contact information if needed.

I have been playing for over 25 years and I have gone through many amplifers. I own several Strats, a pair of Paul Reed Smith guitars, Several Gibson semi-hollows. As far as how the Hot Cat compares to others is like comparing apples and oranges. I have a few Marshalls, and they are good amplifiers, they do not compare to the Bad Cat. I have owned several Mesa Boogies in my lifetime, and they do not have the mojo of the Cat. If it were lost or stolen I would definately replace it. I love every aspect of this amp, the only drawback is the weight, but that is unavoidable. I would not recommend this amplifier to players who want endless effects, amp modeleling and modern appointments. This amplifier is for players who need outstanding tone that is pure and uncomplicated. Players who utilize their guitar controls and fingers for their tone will love this amp.

I am not sure when the amp was Made. This amp has great gain and great clean. You have to dial in all the knobs to get a really dialed in sound. knobs are very responsive! you know what this amp has. I love and hate the two different channels, hate it because I would like to be able just switch back and forth between the gain and clean like most amps. love it because you can run effects through just the channel you want them on. this amp suprized me big time, I wanted to get a lower watt amp for smaller clubs and such but man this thing is just as loud as mu bogner uber! best high gain to clean ratio I have heard yet.. a lot of amps you have to crank the clean to keep up with the gain channel not so with this bad cat the clean screams right a long with the gain.

I own a few prs guitars ie.. custom 24, classic 24, standard 24, and a fender and a few custom guitars all sound different through this amp. wich i love because its not just a big mess sound wise were everything blends in and sounds the same. love that different guitars give different response like it is supposed to. the gain at first seemed a little lacking but when you get the gain level and edge level and bass and treble in there sweet spot very nice!! you will get very nice harmonics that give you inspiration for new playing techniqes. Love the sound I think this amp comared to others is also quiet in the noise dept.. you get a little but HELLO it is a tube amp with gain of course there is a little. but over all I love the amp and am glad I get to play this thing, it is a WALL OF SOUND ran with my uber Amazing!!

i think this thing will last longer than me!! It is fargen heavy!!! but that is good shows someone still takes pride in quality in there craft!!

Never delt with the company besides asking questions before i even owned the amp. they got back to me quick so I hope if some thing happened they would treat me the same!!

I have been playing 12 years and I love guitars and equipment and this one is a fun one!! I own bogner uber, mesa triple, lots of guitars and such I play mostly hard rock not metal, but this thing works great for me! I would probaly go cry if this was lost it is expensive to buy a new one!! It definatly has become a mainstay in my lineup I am glad that i have it! it is like a vox on steroids !! very clean but gets real nasty. I also love that this is a 2x12 it gets a nice full sound!! suprizing The 1x 12 also sounds huge for a combo. I would just like to try sampsons new gain star someday!! but all in all this amp for what it is ment to do is a sure 10. I hate when people say that you cant rate a 10 and be honest!! I dont rate this amp for what it is not ment to be or do, if it is not your sound then dont buy it!! TONE IS RELETIVE nobody can say what amp sounds good and what one sounds bad. one mans trash is another mans treasure!!!
that is my rant for giving this rockin son of a beoooch a 10