Bad Cat

collapse expand iconDescription

Two EL34s, Class-A power section. Bold, aggressive and plenty of grunt and punch. Glassy highs riding over the top of the complex mids. The Black Cat 40 has two footswitchable channels. Channel one is 12AX7 based with a standard bass and treble tone stack. This channel is warm with punchy tight mids and lows.

Channel one produces thick and richly complex tones with just the right amount of high-end glass sitting on top. Great for chunky rhythms or ˜70s-style crunch tones. Engage the master volume, which can be switched in or out of the channel circuit, to get stage friendly drive. Each channel has its own master that can be switched in or out. Channel two is where this amp steps into its own. EF86 pre-amp pushed into either a five-way tone selector or a bass and treble tone stack, giving this amp a great flexibility in tone shaping. The five-way selector is a five-tone capacitor bank, that it switchable in five different values. Five different levels of low and mid control, gives you the ability to bypass the tone stack and essentially plug into the output power section. There is a three-dimensional hi-fi feel to the sound. The mids are moved slightly forward and the highs become more transparent and clear. The amp sits in your hands more like an instrument.

Switch over to the bass and treble tone stack and get a sweeter more scooped type of tone. Beautiful cleans are to be had here, clear with lots of shimmer. Engage the master volume for channel two and push this is aggressive rock territory. Single-note lines drip in harmonics, notes bloom and sing and allow you to play the amp like you would your guitar. Dual reverb controls and half power switch round out the features.
Bad Cat Black Cat 40W Guitar Head
Bad Cat Black Cat 40W Guitar Head

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Made in USA
  • Power: 40W (tube) Class A
  • Two channels
  • Tube complement: one 12AX7 (pre-amp 1), one EF86 (pre-amp 2); two EL34 (power)
  • Half-power switch
  • FX loop
  • Cathode biased
  • Dimensions: 9.25" x 20.75" x 10.5"
  • Weight: 39 lb.