NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

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Davidandrew

New member
Well I picked this up today and I am amazed ! I have played quite a few amps and this is by far the best amp I have ever played. It has amazing range and versatility very tight low end with sparkling (I like sparkling over shimmering) highs. I haven't heard much about the reverb on Badcat amps but I think it has a very beautiful quality even cranked it seems to sit right in the perfect place. This amp is very touch sensitive as all Badcat amps are. I have played quite a few BadCat amps and to be honest I haven't played one that I didn't like but this one really stood out to me. When I talked to John about what I was looking for on the new album he new exactly what I wanted and I am damn glad he pointed me in this direction. The guys at Badcat make buying an amp an amazing experience couldn't be more happy. I am heading into the studio next wednesday and cant wait to get this thing on a record I will update with some clips as soon as I can.

BadCat Cub II 30R
30/15 watt half power
Class A amp
Reverb W/ Footswitch
Custom Badcat Celestion 12 inch speaker
Master Volume W/ out switch (allows you to take it out of the circuit)
Along with all the controls you need
badcat custom shop.jpg


https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Bad%20Cat%20Cub%2030r%20Sample.mp3?w=ebe5f805

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=967105

there is a little clip I did messing around still trying to dial everything but damn to my ears this amp sounds so freaking good.

This is two guitar tracks.

1st track is middle pick up on my strat, vintage noiseless straight into the amp just a little reverb.
2nd track is Boss Od3 (lol probably blasphemy to you guys but I freaking love this pedal for light overdrive) Also have a little delay using the EHX memory toy and bad cat reverb. This is on the neck pick up

I didn't roll back the volume at all on my guitar. Also I am recording with a Senheiser 421 dead center about 1 inch from the grill. I panned each guitar where I thought they should be but this is just 1 track each I didn't duplicate any tracks.

I will try and add more tomorrow just had to pick my bro up from the airport didnt have much time.
 
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Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

That's one amp that I consider one of the greatest ever made. I've played that exact model many times, and am astonished at how great the breakup is, how full and rich it sounds, and how it's addictive to play. Mark Sampson really nailed it with that amp.

I'm a big fan of Matchless/Bad Cat amps, and have owned 2 Chieftains and a DC-30. I think some of Mark Sampson's newer Bad Cat amps are even better than his classic designs. [edit] Is Sampson still with Bad Cat, or does he only make Star amps now?

By the way, can you tell us which speaker they put in it? I know it's rebranded Bad Cat, but I'd like to know the Celestion model it started as.
 
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Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Nice! One of the guys I play with at the church has just bought the 15 version without the reverb, looking forward to hear that thing!
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Mark Sampson isnt with Bad Cat anymore he went on to Star but I'm pretty sure star went out too.James Heidrich and Mark are designed most of the early Bad Cat amps before he left, James is still there and he builds a bad ass amp. The speaker is a modified Vintage 30 im not really a fan of the vintage 30 to be honest so I went in to badcat with all intentions of having them put a Eminence speaker in its place was eyeing a texas heat but once I cranked the amp up I was amazed.

Its hard to explain the tone that comes out of this amp, it has a very complex tone with a 3 dimensional aspect to it man thing just sounds amazing. I might just keep it in my living room so I can just play it all day LOL

I do really enjoy Matchless amps aswell. There are so many amazing amp companies out right now its crazy to thing all the tonal possibilities. What draws me to Bad cat is they are really trying to push the boundaries and be innovative.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Congratulations! I really mean it. The sparkle, the growl, the warmth... Badcat amps sound truly brilliant. I have been wanting one badly since they lowered all of their prices. Custom options are mostly no extra cost and their build times are far less than other boutique builders. I agree, the reverb is spacious and beautiful. That's a real nice score and I'm saying that after just purchasing an XTC 20th anniversary. Please provide some clean and dirty clips man. I'd love to hear it.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

I Will definitely record some clips possibly tomorrow ! if you decide on getting a Bad cat call up john or email him I can give you his email he loves to talk to people. They have treated me so good there these guys hands down want to get you exactly what you are looking for an will pull out all the stops to get there.

They have a lot of artist options but like you said even their custom options are amazing I love that you can get exactly what you want.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Those are killer amps!! Congrats on the awesome New Amp Day! I will buy a Bad Cat one of these days... lol
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

I'd love to check out those Cub series amps. I had a Hot Cat that I didn't like very much and the voicing seems a lot more traditional on yours. Bad Cats customer service has really seemed to ramp up in the last few years, so I think you'll be really happy with it. Congrats!
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Well I got an artist endorsement early this year so this is the second amp I have gotten from them this year. I have been down to the warehouse about 6 times this year and all I can say is wow! I have never met a nicer group of people, I can sit and talk to John in his office about anything. The stuff they are coming out with is just so innovative I think you guys will be excited this namm show. I heard a lot of stuff about their customer service and quality not being up to par before but at this point right now I stand 110% behind Badcat amps, Every time I go in there they are looking to improve on the quality and materials and they aren't just looking at new models, they revisit every model and try to literally make the best amp they can. If you ever have a chance to get down to Badcat I guarantee you will have a blast.

Well sorry to get all I love Badcat Yay! on you guys but from an artist stand point it is very exciting to work with a company like Badcat.

That90'sGuy said:
I'd love to check out those Cub series amps. I had a Hot Cat that I didn't like very much and the voicing seems a lot more traditional on yours. Bad Cats customer service has really seemed to ramp up in the last few years, so I think you'll be really happy with it. Congrats!
Click to expand...
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Cool, thanks. I'll look forward to hearing them. Shoot me a PM because I'd like to speak to your Badcat dealer since you seem to trust them a lot.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

I have played one of those and was impressed. That is just about the only other 25-30 watt single 12 combo I have played that will hang with my Zinky Velvet. Great rig and congrats.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

No kidding... I just finished talking to the owner of Badcat who was awesome to talk to. He's willing to rush me an order by New Years if I can put the money together by Wed. I think I'm going to do it. Hot Cat 30R here I come!

I love the tolex and grill cloth on your amp by the way. It looks awesome. It looks like the kind of amp you keep and play all your life.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

UberMetalDood said:
No kidding... I just finished talking to the owner of Badcat who was awesome to talk to. He's willing to rush me an order by New Years if I can put the money together by Wed. I think I'm going to do it. Hot Cat 30R here I come!

I love the tolex and grill cloth on your amp by the way. It looks awesome. It looks like the kind of amp you keep and play all your life.
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Wow awesome did you talk to John ? Hot Cat 30R is an awesome amp, that the Cub and the Black Cat are their best amps imo as far as signature sound goes anyways. Congrats Im sure you love it.

I love the zinky amps they sound amazing I just cant get over the look I've though about build a new cab for one a few times.
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Davidandrew said:
Wow awesome did you talk to John ? Hot Cat 30R is an awesome amp, that the Cub and the Black Cat are their best amps imo as far as signature sound goes anyways. Congrats Im sure you love it.

I love the zinky amps they sound amazing I just cant get over the look I've though about build a new cab for one a few times.
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I would love to have a Bad Cat Club 30 as it and the Zinky are pretty different and those really do sound killer.
Can't handle the Zinky pimped out crushed velvet look myself but I actually like the way mine looks in Black Tolex with white grillcloth.
here she is.
ZinkyBlueVelvet.jpg
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

That looks a million times better than the crushed velvet. A cub and zinky would make fore a very versatile rig imo
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Davidandrew said:
That looks a million times better than the crushed velvet. A cub and zinky would make fore a very versatile rig imo
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Agreed on both points.
The Zinky in particular has a buttery smooooth but VICIOUS dynamic crunch tone that is unique. Nothing else out there responds to touch at high gain like a Zinky does. The Bad Cat has a different type clean that is super nice + does the edgie break up a little better than the Zinky. Both are GREAT rigs!

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Would love to listen to your clips of the amp bro but the link you sent was for members only so when I click it it comes back with you don't belong here!
 
Re: NAD Bad Cat Cub II 30R

Sorry I added it to Soundclick as well let me know what you think im a novice at recording but its alot of fun.
 
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