[TWRC]

The HC30 is high on the list, that's for sure. I'm not averse to bright amps, having firm roots in the AC30 camp. I'm just looking for something like that - but with "more", hence why I'm down this rabbit hole.

On the other hand; sadly, I have yet to play a Bad Cat, and I don't know of anyone who has played one either, let alone owned one. I love the idea of the K Master, which makes a lot of sense to me. I don't intend on gigging this amp, as I have plenty of other amps I'm happy to lug around with me. This would purely be a home amp used for jams and recording, so the weight and size don't really bother me. I like the idea of getting a head version because I have a few cabs I could match it up with, and would like to avoid the microphonic issues I've had in the past with other combos.

Anyone with any experience with the Cub 40R care to throw in their $0.02?

 

[TWRC]

I have yet to play a Bad Cat and have been really interested in their offerings and the model that seems to interest me the most is the Black Cat. I've read a lot of comparisons between the Black Cat and C30, and know that there are similarities amongst the two models.

I have an old AC30 that isn't going anywhere, but I'd like to find something that can compliment it and maybe address a few things that have always bugged me about AC30s. I'd like to find something that has bigger and tighter low end, but still retains that Vox chime. The only other amps that I have personally played that does that has been the Top Hat King Royale, and the DC30. As much as I would like to own an HC30, I want to be open to trying a couple other amps before making that decision. On the list are the Divided by 13 RSA31, and the Bad Cat Black Cat (and Cub 40R to an extent).

On the topic of improvements, I like the refinements found in the Black Cat such as the independent bass and treble EQ in the EF86 channel, and their K-Master MV control. I Figure those features can't hurt to have, so Bad Cat definitely have my attention.

Ultimately it's great to hear that people have had great experiences with both brands, and it seems that I can't go wrong either way, so I must be on the right track! 😎

 

[TWRC]

Woah, old post resurrection!

I currently own a Bad Cat Black Cat that is a crazy good amp. It needs to be played fairly loud in order to be fully appreciated, but it does sound pretty good at lower volumes with pedals in front of it.

Since this post, I also ended up buying a Matchless Clubman to go with the Black Cat. It definitely has it's own thing going on, but does have some of that mid chime that these amps are famous for.

 

[TWRC]

It the hum level greater with the Clubman, compared to the Black Cat?

They're pretty much the same. The Clubman has a lower frequency hum to it vs the Black Cat, but that could be due to the different speaker set up, but then again, in my experience with both amps, the Clubman has a more extended low range and top end over the Black Cat. I wouldn't call it scooped, but it definitely sounds scooped when A/B'd against the Black Cat.