Bad Cat Hot Cat series Operating Manual

TrOUbleShOOTINg
Your new Bad Cat amplifier is designed for many years of
professional trouble free operation. Common sense will tell
you that if you notice any severe abnormalities in operation
like burning smell, smoke, etc.; you need to shut down the
amp immediately. Always consult your Bad Cat dealer if you
are unsure of the problems that you are dealing with; i.e.,
take your amp to where you purchased it.
helP SeCTION
Amp Will Not Turn On
Check the power to the amp. Check for tripped circuit break-
ers, unplugged extension cords or power-strip switches that
may be turned off. Check the fuse. If a dark brownish color
or no wire can be seen within the glass tube, then replace.
The amp may be perfectly fine but occasionally a fuse may
blow because of high AC voltage surges. After the fuse has
been replaced with the proper Slow Blow value and if the
fuse fails again, the amp will require servicing.
Weak or No Output level
Verify the signal output from your instrument first. Check
guitar's controls and that the cables are working properly.
Also, check any effects pedals that may be connected in
between the guitar and the amplifier.
No Output with Power light On
Tubes damaged in shipping will be the primary reason for
your amp to not function properly. Please give us a call to
help guide you through this simple repair.
Keep Your Amp looking New
Use a damp cloth to wipe the controls on the front & rear
chassis panels. Wipe the black vinyl covering with a damp
cloth.
Adverse Sounds-hum, Whistle, loss of Dynamics,
Feedback, howling
Check loudspeaker cones, frayed guitar cables, controls on
your instrument, the guitar's pickups and any other devices
that many be connected to your amplifier such as effects
pedals or rack processors. Some of these devices are "am-
plifiers" in their own right with gain and boosted volume
levels and they may cause hissing and unwanted feedback
if set too high in front of the amp. Shut down the amp and
check the tubes. Wait for the amp to cool down. Remove
the back panel of the amplifier. Avoid handling hot tubes
as they can cause severe burns. Check the larger output
power tubes first by carefully removing the tube shields
or loosening the clamps, and then unseat the tubes from
their sockets but note from which sockets you removed the
tubes. Inspect the integrity of the filaments in the tubes. If
one or more of these tubes are bad, you will need to replace
the entire set of the power tubes. If all the tubes are OK, you
can eliminate the adverse sounds by swapping the location
of these tubes. If this fails to fix the problem, you may need
to replace the entire set of power tubes with a new matched
set. Use of inferior quality (unrated) tubes may cause dam-
age to your amplifier. You should also check the preamp
tubes, especially the first input stage tube (far right if you're
looking at the amp from the back). Microphonics (feedback
noise that cannot be controlled by turning down the volume
pot on you guitar) indicates a bad preamp tube(s). You may
want to swap the position of preamp tubes to see if this will
fix the microphonics problem. Preamp tubes can go bad
without warning but can also last many years without any
problem whatsoever.
As you can see when handling tubes, they are sensitive, fragile and somewhat
prone to inconsistencies. Please handle your amp with care when transporting
it. Although your Bad Cat amp is sturdily built and designed to take years of
rugged use, the tubes are not. It's always a good idea to keep extra tubes (both
preamp and output power tubes) handy, especially for performance situations.
An overwhelming majority of minor problems on tube amps are tube-related
and it's just a matter of swapping one or more out to have your amp performing
like brand new again.
Tube Chart
hot CAt 15R
Input Jack
12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7
12AX7
Choke
gz34
EL84 EL84
x x
Back Panel
Outside View (Tubes Up) Input Jack
Copyright ©2014 Bad Cat Holdings LLC. USA. All rights reserved.
12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7
Tube Chart
12AX7
hot CAt 50R
Input Jack
eL34 eL34
12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7 12AX7
x
12AX7
Choke
Outside View (Tubes Up)
Copyright ©2014 Bad Cat Holdings LLC. USA. All rights reserved.
eL34 eL34 SS ReCT.
x x
Back Panel
Outside View (Tubes Up)
Copyright ©2014 Bad Cat Holdings LLC. USA. All rights reserved.
imPortant!
FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ
limited liFetime warranty
THE FOLLOWING:
WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should
Bad Cat Amplifiers has a limited lifetime warranty on select amps and cabs agains work-
not be used near water (near a bathtub,
manship or defect. The warranty excludes pedals, The Unleash and accessories. The war-
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a
ranty does not cover tubes, speakers or cosmetic damage, wear and tear, or abuse. This
wet basement, or near a swimming pool,
warranty is transferable. Modifying or altering the amp in any way voids the warranty.
etc). Care should be taken so that objects
Shipping to and from the warranty repair center is the responsibility of the customer.
do not fall and liquids are not spilled into
We have a new Lifetime Warranty on all new amps leaving the factory. We are extending
the enclosure through openings.
the Limited Lifetime Warranty to all of our pre-acquisition amps for $349. Simply send
POWER SOURCES: The appliance should
the unit back to us with an approved RMA number, and we will have one our technicians
be connected to a power supply only of
go through it from the ground up. Shipping to and from the warranty repair center is
the type described in the operating in-
the responsibility of the customer. For more information please contact us at sales@
structions or as marked on the unit.
badcatamps.com or directly at 1-800-730-0966.
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precau-
tions should be taken so that the ground- When returning merchandise to the factory, you must call for a return authorization num-
ing or polarization means of an appliance ber (RMA). Any items arriving without a proper RMA number will be rejected at customer's
is not defeated. expense. Bad Cat Amps may update its warranty from time to time. When we change
POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power sup- the warranty in a material way a notice will be posted on our website along with the
ply cords should be routed so that they updated warranty.
are not likely to be walked on or pinched
by items placed upon or against them,
paying particular attention to cords at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
This symbol is intended to alert This symbol is intended to
point where they exit from the appliance. the user to the presence of alert the user to the presence
uninsulated "dangerous of important operating and
SERVICING: The user should not attempt
voltage" within the product's enclosure that maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
to service the unit beyond that described
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute literature accompanying the appliance.
in the operating instructions. All other
a risk of electric shock to persons.
servicing should be referred to qualified
service personnel.
reFer serviCinG to QualiFied serviCe Personnel!
FUSING: If your unit is equipped with a CAUTION
this unit Contains hiGh voltaGe inside!
fuse receptacle, replace only with the
same type fuse. Refer to replacement RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
text on the unit for correct fuse type. DO NOT OPEN
inFo@badcatamPs.com
www.badcatamPs.com
140 technology drive suite 500, irvine ca 92618
bad cat holdings llc. Usa
operating manual
Hot Cat series
Congratulations and thank you for
purchasing a professional tube ampli-
fier from Bad Cat. As with all Bad Cat
products, your amplifier is designed from
the ground up to provide the very best
tones possible in a rugged, reliable pack-
Tube Chart
age. Each one of our pro quality models is
hot CAt 30R
constructed with Bad Cat's commitment
12AX7 12AX7
to making the highest quality, hand-built,
American-made amplifiers.
Choke
gz34
x
Caution
Back Panel
With a little care and caution, your Bad
Cat amplifier should provide you with
years of trouble-free operation and
enjoyment. Please avoid damp areas and
moisture during operation of the amp
and in storage. This includes placement
of beverages near or on the amp that
could spill into the amp's chassis. Liquids
can easily damage tubes, switches and
other parts. Immediately disconnect the
amp from power source should a spill
occur and dry the amp thoroughly prior
to switching on the amp again. Drying
may require the complete removal of the
chassis from the cabinet and the removal
of the tubes for cleaning. Avoid tipping the
amp, using it in unbalanced positions, or
lifting it unassisted to awkward heights. A
little common sense will go a long way in
making sure the amp does what it's sup-
posed to do: provide you with dependable
operation and great tone on a consistent
basis.
GroundinG
Please check thoroughly that the ground
tip on the power cord plug is connected to
true ground prior to operation of your Bad
Cat amp. Using unfamiliar junction boxes
can cause potentially dangerous floating
grounds. Please do not cut or defeat the
ground tip.
Phone 800.730.0966
Fax 714.630.0106
Last updated: March 12, 2014 - Rev. 08
led Channel indiCator
Bass and treBle Controls on the new hot Cat series Give you FlexiBle Clean Channel
simPliFied Gain Channel: Bass, mid, treBle tone staCks
seParate reverB Controls For eaCh Channel
15-watt 30-watt 50-watt
2-el84
2-el34 2-el34
Cathode Biased Cathode Biased Grid Biased
2-Channel Foot switChaBle 2-Channel Foot switChaBle 2-Channel Foot switChaBle
halF Power switCh
halF Power switCh halF Power switCh
modeled & imProved From
the lynx
A little over ten years ago Bad Cat created the worlds first Class A high gain amplifier. One decade,
multiple editors pick awards and in 2004, Guitar Player Magazine recognized the amp with a 2nd
place in the top ten best combo amps ever made! The honor was presented at the Summer NAMM
Nashville show.
Bad Cat has once again defined and refined the best. We have taken the best clean channel in the
business and expanded its capability. We have added a bass and treble control for added versatility.
Along with the defeat-able master volume the clean channel can cover everything from sparkling
pristine clean to the type of crunch found on 70's vinyl.
The Hot channel has been simplified in its controls and expanded in its capabilities. The controls
have been simplified to gain, bass, mid, treble , master and now for the first time reverb. The gain
structure has been reconfigured to begin with a bluesy smooth breakup and gradually roll into thick
syrupy high gain.
This amp covers everything from clean sparkle to harmonically rich saturation.
available with or without reverb.
eleCtroniCs
Power: 15 Watt Class A, 30 Watt Class A, 50 Watt Class A
Channels: Two
Controls: CH. 1 - Volume, Bass, Treble, In/Out, Master, Reverb, Presence
CH. 2 - Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Master, Reverb, Presence
hardware
Available Configuration: Head Shell, 1x12 Combo
Cabinet Material: Head - Italian Poplar, Combos - 13 Ply Baltic Birch
Speaker Description: Head Shell: N/A Combo: 12" Bad Cat Proprietary Celestion Speaker
Impedance: Selectable 4, 8, 16 ohms
Power Tubes: 15 Watt - 2 EL84, 30 Watt - 2 EL34, 50 Watt - 2 EL34
Pre-Amp Channel 1: 12AX7
Pre-Amp Channel 2: 12AX7
Rectifier Tube: 15 Watt - GZ34/SS, 30 Watt - GZ34/SS, 50 Watt - Solid State
For your reCords, you may wish to reCord the FollowinG inFormation.
serial no._____________________ invoiCe date______________________