Cub 40R Player Series Walk Through with John Thompson of Bad Cat

[@mattw7579]

I called Bad Cat today because I had a question and guess who answered the phone...Mr. John Thompson. He took the time out of his busy day to talk with me and answer all my questions. Incredible service!! Thanks John and you’re right, that is a beautiful Les Paul!

[@jbandy10]

Yep. Same. John is a great guy.

[@gregmullins6927]

That's an excellent response,I envy you.

[@jakelevinson5046]

This is how a manufacturer demo should be - I've had my cub for a few years now and it has performed flawlessly.

[@GokiGandalf]

The versatility and the clarity on this one are insane..

[@kissaguitar]

i've had this beast for three years now, i'v been in studio and gigs with it and have to say, everybody keeps asking, how can it really sound this good... i love my Bad Cat !

[@JonBingham-dy5rk]

We love to hear it!

[@voodooswampthang]

I've owned one for a couple of years and it is legit. I play lead/rhythm in blues/classic rock band and an 80's band. It has sounded killer on every stage both indoors an outdoors.

[@bad_cat_amps]

Glad to hear that!

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I just ordered one of these (Player Cub 40 1x12 combo) after watching Phil McKnight's review. I'm excited for it to arrive!

[@timothyd4y]

Wow that amp sounds good. I worked with a Bad Cat combo at a studio years ago and was VERY impressed with the responsiveness of it. Glad to see them continuing to do great work.

[@micahdj2309]

I own it.. and I love it. I have never been happier with an amplifier purchase. Bad Cat stands behind their products and John and the team are awesome to talk to if you ever have questions or need help. It makes for an incredible pedal platform and is plenty loud enough for just about anything, but it's ability to get real tone at any volumes is really amazing.

[@guyx6x]

I love mine!. And with the analogman prince of tone. It’s a match made in heaven

[@bad_cat_amps]

Oh, that's a great combination!

[@stinkymolly1]

great walk through John. you did it from a real players perspective which is refreshing. awesome job.

[@bad_cat_amps]

Thank you!

[@kosmicwizard]

You are a killer player, John! And I am going to get one of these someday. There are a lot of fantastic tones in that amp, wow!

[@nickmartinez229]

Just ordered mine today, custom color. Way excited to get it. These next two weeks are gunna drag!!!

[@cacaloca5434]

Cool, how did it turn out? Im considering a bad cat

[@XGuitarSean]

Such a great sounding amplifier. I've had experience using the cub series in the studio and you can't get a bad sound out of it as it just slots in to any situation so well and responds to any guitar or pedal you put through it. I'll be purchasing this very soon as my main amp!

[@bad_cat_amps]

That's awesome, Sean! We feel the same way.

[@rasmusvadavlund7270]

So Sean, did you get it? And how are you liking it?

[@Terribleguitarist89]

I've been a Mesa fan since I was a teen but man am I digging the sound of the Cubs and Hot Cats. Started challenging myself to build patches on my Helix with amps I hadn't used before and have fallen in love with the Vox/Matchless amps for my Edge and Pushed tones... Bad Cat seems like they're nailing that vibe in a package that's more affordable for us mere mortals.

[@FIN_Der-Otter]

the last amp i bought was an engl, almost 10 years ago.. now, ive placed my order for this one. cannot wait!

[@MrKnisterable]

So how it goes on?

[@cacaloca5434]

Cool, any uodates. Im considering a bad cat

[@sorashima]

John, I have to say, the way you quickly shuffled past the reverb without showing it off, made it seem like you disregard it? You went through all the other controls in a lot of detail but glazed right over the "digital reverb" - it was pretty blatant. The reason I say this is because I have this amp, and I love the reverb!! I really like that it's not an analog spring tank verb - I've got those in all my other amps (yawn). It means less tube maintenance too and actually, that kind of modern hall/plate style verb is perfect for adding space to the guitar, like a classy studio mixed sound. So - I dig the reverb and I don't think you should be shy about it - that's all. Great demo and love this amp so much.

[@jamescashin288]

I have the Cub 15R Player Series Combo. I purchased it, last year, for my teen age son directly from BadCat. We love this amp; many tasty tones come out of this box. Having not much experience with the mechanics of tube amps, Jr. & I had some concerns with our new friend and on a few occasions I contacted BadCat. They were very helpful and answered all our concerns with great courtesy and professionalism. A superb company to do business with. Oh yeah, the amp is extremely pedal friendly as well.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

I love my Bad Cat. I have a Cub 40 Hand wired. I had a few issues after a power tube went out. The customer service team responded almost immediately to have it sent back. Killer amp and even better customer service. Top Notch!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

I’ve been listing after one of these for a while, to feature on my channel. I just KNOW I’m gonna like this amp. Just to save some more pennies. Great demo! 👍

[@stratplayer96]

I LOVE my Cub 40R head. I have it hooked up to #2 Bad Cat 1x12 cabs (One open, the other closed back). Sounds fantastic. It's an excellent pedal platform amp. Buy one, you won't regret it!

[@bad_cat_amps]

Thanks, Steve!

[@anthonyfesta1224]

Soon as I think of BadCat. I immediately think of Steven Wilson. His tone is incredible!!!

[@alexwalker5645]

This amp sounds so damn good!!!!

[@milanberic9212]

Nice amp John. I own the 15 R and love the amp. It’s versatility and range in tones is great. Fine quality workmanship and components too. Well done

[@SkunkworksProps]

I'm waiting for these to come back in stock with some UK retailers. That was a great breakdown, I think this amp is going to do everything I need.

[@Ubi-o]

I have wanted one of these for years. I’m so curious about them.

[@coachtd2163]

Follow up report. I bought this amp a couple weeks ago as an open box from Guitar Center (I do a lot of trading there with the store manager. He brought it in from their East coast store (DC)? and gave me an even deeper discount than OB.) I am blown away by this amp. I know its not being made any longer given the BC line up change/simplification so I am really fortunate to have found this model. So versatile. So many tones explored so far. And this amp moves air too! I had pre-ordered a Cub IV15R hand wired but the order got caught up in the model line change over. Ended up cancelling because the on line GC gear advisor couldn't tell me what equivalent amp I would get instead and it was obvious the 86 pre amp wasn't gonna happen. Bunch of other changes too. So I jumped on this open box instead. This amp just oozes quality. And tone. Still exploring and will be for a good while.

[@Stev0BabaGhanoush]

I miss my Bad Cats every day... some day, I’ll own another. I think this one may be what I need, even though my old Hot Cats were absolutely top-notch.

[@REBELSCL]

Sounds absolutely amazing!

[@adel1abc]

Great Video and great Amp...Thanks for sharing!! I will get mine soon :)

[@jjd2065]

Woow Great amp! Great Tone!!

[@frasersurfs]

Love my Cub 15. The EF86 preamp rules. Never ever selling this one

[@vanielik]

Great to see (and hear) a developer playing his amp! Gives a lot of insight. You have plans to do a video about the Bad Cat Classic Pro 20R?

[@alexwalker5645]

MUST buy!!!!

[@Cluless02]

The EF86 sounds stellar!

[@TheToneLounge]

That amp sounds incredible. I’ve been looking for an amp that can do just that! Wow. I’ll save up and get my hands on this. It would be the perfect amp to use for demos on my channel.

[@sublyme2157]

Thanks for the demo, John, it was awesome and helpful. You mentioned that this is one is your favorite in the line; for the average at home player, what are the noticeable (if any) differences between the 40 and 15 watt versions? Thanks!

[@daviddupree1155]

Bad ass amp I'm sold

[@Cluless02]

Bad Cat amps are stellar.

[@neildenman1776]

Sounds great!

[@cheeks6700]

Just ordered one yesterday.

[@coachtd2163]

I was listening for amp generated hiss at idle. Couldn't hear anyone didn't see any volume/gain knob fiddling to indicate it is being masked for this video but I have to ask.... How quiet is this amp and up to what clock position on the volume/gain knob? Tested a used Hot Cat (2 channel) at local GC. Fabulous tone! BUT, a good amount of amp (transformer?) generated hiss at idle. I don't accept that hiss is a normal output product of a tube amp though I expect some at high gain applications.

[@chrismundayguitar]

Hi John… this sounds awesome… can you do some more up to date demos of the rest of the line please… although for its price this I think has got me sold

[@curtisc9350]

Thanks John for your insight into dialing in your Amp ! 🥰 I just received my 40R Head a couple weeks ago,.and I'm enjoying playing through it ! 😊 I would like to reload a 4×12 Cab I have with Celestion Heritage Greenback 15ohm Speakers . I'd like to confirm if making my Cab a 15 ohm Load, and running the 40R Head on 16 ohms, if this will create any Issues ? Thanks again for building a very versatile Amp ! 🙂👍👍 #badcatamps

[@leo777lee]

Hi John love the amp nice sounds I play a lot of clean sounds chorus delay but I also play o/ drive sounds rocky to joe sat stuff, would the hotcat suit best ? Ideal foot switch these

[@emanhacker]

My thing is what truly makes an amazing tube amp is the not needing any pedals to really sound great. These seem to need zero pedals to shred which is why Ive always loved bogner amps. This amp looks and sounds like a work horse and will be my next purchase! The main reason I got bogner is because of ronnie montrose.

[@krausewitz6786]

Any chance of a two channel version of the Cub? I have a Black Cat (which I love), but I basically use it as a clean platform. It would be great to be able to have the great, crystal cleans AND the big overdrive in the same amp. Imagine two identical Cub channels (with preamp switching and fat switches) in one box. The Top Cat!

[@basselmtaweh3103]

I'm buying this.

[@juanochoa7191]

Besides getting higher headroom with the 40 watt can you get similar tones with the 15 watt?

[@kickit301]

What’s the cleanest amp BC makes? I’m on the hunt for a new rig, and I’m a “big and clean” guy. I love my Bassman, but it’s too precious to bring to most gigs 😊

[@chrisyoung8062]

John how does this amp take pedals? Is the FX loop buffered? I like to place time based effects in the loop with tone shaping going front of amp.

[@henrycoreas97]

I love the sound of this amp and I already have a 6L6, and would love to consider another amp like this badcat, I'm not sure if I caught it but is this one the El34 model or El84 model?? 😅🙈🙃 tones from it are amazing!!

[@VapnFagan]

he says el34 in the video

[@paulm6341]

Hi John - Bad Cat Amps. I’m a little late to the party. Tossing up between the 15w and 40w hand wired for home use. Will the 15w have enough clean head room for BF cleans at volume. Much difference between the two tone wise with the different tubes in the 15w ?? Appreciate any feedback - thanks.

[@beukems]

Amazing! Is this a 1x12 being demo’d here?

[@duderdudeedoo1984]

Cosmetically, are these coming with that white piping/trim instead of the silver/gold looking piping?

[@bad_cat_amps]

Stock they are coming with the white piping but you can call our shop and we can do gold if you'd like.

[@jordanprysmiki5361]

I want a no reverb tube rectified version. That possible?

[@xriz8409]

love it :) hot cat coming next :)? oh: what is that flame top? havent seen one like it from gibson ! lovely

[@bad_cat_amps]

It's actually a Les Paul Standard, I believe!

[@_davidpoveda]

I wanna get this one and another amp to pair it with (20w amp). Do you think is better to get the 15r to match a little the output of the amps or do you guys think It'll be OK having a 40w amps along a 20w? I don't wanna push the 20w a lot into distortion zone but I don't wanna take this bad boy super dimmed and at the end, have a weak sound. Any opinion? Thanks a lot!

[@manke59]

I have a 2005 cubll I am looking for a owner’s manual could you please help me?

[@marvelharris9540]

what guitar strap is that?

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

Why does the Cub15 weigh 51 lb. when the 40 weighs 48 lb? (according to Musician's Friend specs)

[@Stefano_Rodriguez]

I live in an apartment with thin walls. Can I play this with out my neighbors calling the cops on me? OR should I just get the 'Paw'?

[@michaelaugust9021]

You can TOTALLY play it in an apartment

[@silviopimentel7247]

I have the cub 3 & the matchless monza & wonder what happened to bad cat 🤔 y they don't sound as good 😔

[@rasmusvadavlund7270]

How well does the effects loop work on these?

[@voxcaster]

I own one and the effects loop works very well

[@Fenderstratosphere98]

I second that! It sounds very professional

[@mofongotron]

Dammit. Now I need this amp, haha.

[@gregjandt2841]

What a great sound although another 1 trick pony. No clean channel. I would love a 2-channel amp 40 lbs. or less with an effects loop and reverb. My Bogner Shiva with that killer Marshall Esq sound and sweet Drive channel. It was great however it ate preamp tubes weighed 85 Lbs. Ad a bad back in the mix as well and geeze...So my search goes on. Any suggestions anyone

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

A chinese Hughes and Kettner or a USA Class A for the same price? Thats a toughy...

[@jutublizard]

Ive emailed them once. No Reply

[@kgradio]

I heard some sweet sounds but I have to say that an amp review means noting to me when I see a string of seven petals in the signal chain; I want to know what the amp sounds like. A great rock amp should make you want to toss your distortion / OD petal in the closet.