Bad Cat FAT CAT 50 Operating Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING
Your new Bad Cat amplifier is designed for many years of pro-
fessional 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 prob-
lems that you are dealing with; i.e., take your amp to where you
purchased it.
No Power
Check the power source from the wall first. Make sure the power
cord is properly seated at both ends. If there is still no power,
check the fuse and replace if necessary with the correct rating
only.
Weak 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.
Adverse Sounds-Hum, Whistle, Loss of Dynamics, Feed-
back, 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 pro-
cessors. Some of these devices are "amplifiers" 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 damage 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 inconsis-
tencies. 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.
IMPORTANT!
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ
THE FOLLOWING:
Bad Cat Amplifiers warrantees our amps and cabs against workmanship or defect for
WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should
life. The warrantee does not cover tubes or cosmetic damage, or wear and tear or abuse.
not be used near water (near a bathtub,
This warrantee is transferable. Lifetime transferable warranty is only for North American
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a
sales. Please see your local dealer and distributor for warranty information. Modifying or
wet basement, or near a swimming pool,
altering the amp in any way voids the warrantee. Shipping to and from the warranty repair
etc). Care should be taken so that objects
center is the responsibility of the customer.
do not fall and liquids are not spilled into
the enclosure through openings. We have a new Lifetime Warranty on all new amps leaving the factory. We are extending
POWER SOURCES: The appliance should the Lifetime Warranty to all of our pre acquisition amps for $249. Simply send the unit
back to us and we will have one our technicians go through it from the ground up. And to
be connected to a power supply only of
the type described in the operating in- top it all off, we will pay for the shipping back to you. For more information please contact
structions or as marked on the unit. us at sales@badcatamps.com or directly at 800-730-0966.
When RETURNING merchandise to the factory, you must call for a return authorization
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precau-
tions should be taken so that the ground- number.
ing or polarization means of an appliance
is not defeated. HELP SECTION
POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power sup- 1) AMP WILL NOT TURN ON
ply cords should be routed so that they Check the power to the amp. Check for tripped circuit breakers, unplugged extension
are not likely to be walked on or pinched cords or power-strip switches that may be turned off. Check the fuse. If a dark brownish
by items placed upon or against them, color or no wire can be seen within the glass tube, then replace. The amp may be perfectly
paying particular attention to cords at fine but occasionally a fuse may blow because of high AC voltage surges. After the fuse
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the has been replaced with the proper Slow Blow value and if the fuse fails again, the amp
point where they exit from the appliance. will require servicing.
SERVICING: The user should not attempt 2) NO OUTPUT with POWER light ON
to service the unit beyond that described Tubes damaged in shipping will be the primary reason for your amp to not function
in the operating instructions. All other properly. Please give us a call to help guide you through this simple repair.
servicing should be referred to qualified 3) KEEP YOUR AMP LOOKING NEW
service personnel. Use a damp cloth to wipe the controls on the front & rear chassis panels. Wipe the black
FUSING: If your unit is equipped with a vinyl covering with a damp cloth.
fuse receptacle, replace only with the
same type fuse. Refer to replacement
text on the unit for correct fuse type.
CAUTION
This symbol is intended to alert This symbol is intended to
the user to the presence of alert the user to the presence
uninsulated "dangerous of important operating and RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
voltage" within the product's enclosure that maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
DO NOT OPEN
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute literature accompanying the appliance.
a risk of electric shock to persons.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL!
THIS UNIT CONTAINS HIGH VOLTAGE INSIDE!
INFO@BADCATAMPS.COM
WWW.BADCATAMPS.COM
5 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE IRVINE CA 92618
BAD CAT HOLDINGS LLC. USA
Operating Manual
FAT CAT 50
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-
age. Each one of our pro quality models is
constructed with Bad Cat's commitment
to making the highest quality, hand-built,
American-made amplifiers.
CAUTION
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: July 30, 2013
DUAL CHANNEL, 50 WATT,
6L6 BASED AMP WITH 3 KNOB REVERB
Big, bold and punchy! This 50-watt amp has tight lows that hold together even when overdriven hard.
It's unlike anything you have heard on a 6L6 amp. With highs that sparkle this amp boasts tons of
clean headroom. The Fat Cat affords two distinct channels.
Channel one consists of a single volume control and the Bad Cat tone selector that many of you are
familiar with in amps like the Hot Cat 30 and Black Cat. The magic of this arrangement is obvious
from the first note played through it. Because the selector is a five-tone capacitor switch and not a
potentiometer, your signal is running through one pot. Its as if you plugged straight into your output
transformer. There is a purity and clarity of sound that is unmatched in any 6L6 amp. Full and warm
with highs that spank. Engage the master and drive this amp into a sweet soft breakup or into 70's
crunch.
Channel two has a more traditional bass and treble tone stack to give it a big scoop and spanking
cleans. More reminiscent of the sound that came out of California in the 1960's. Only with a greater
complexity and fullness. The highs are glassier – the lows hold together and punch through. Engage
the channel two-master and go from pushed bluesy breakup to fusion and rock crunch.
We still haven't told you the best part. The Fat Cat has a 1960's style three-knob reverb section. This
section is driven by its own single EL84 tube. Making this amp a true tube driven reverb tank. The
flexibility of the reverb settings are amazing. Deep and lush, or subtle, up front or behind. It's all there
to craft your own sound.
The first Bad Cat offering of a 6L6 based amplifier. Does anyone think we wouldn't make it the best?
ELECTRONICS
Power: 50-Watt Class A/B
Channels: 2
Channel 1: Volume, Tone, Reverb, Cut, Master
Channel 2: Volume, Bass, Treble, Reverb, Cut, Master
HARDWARE
Available Configuration: Head, 1x12 Combo or 2x12 Combo
Cabinet Material: Head - Italian Poplar, Combos - 13 Ply Baltic Birch
Speaker Description: 12" Proprietary Bad Cat Celestion Speaker
Impedance: Selectable 4, 8, 16 ohms
Power Tubes: 2 - 6L6's
Pre-Amp Tube Channel 1: 1 - 12AX7
Pre-Amp Tubes Channel 2: 2 - 12AX7's
Rectifier Tube: 1 - GZ34
FOR YOUR RECORDS, YOU MAY WISH TO RECORD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.
SERIAL NO._____________________ INVOICE DATE______________________