Bad Cat Black Cat - User Manual

Bad Cat Black Cat/Wild Cat Amplifier
OwnerÕs Manual
Welcome to the Bad Cat Family of Amplifiers
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing a professional tube amplifier 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 package. Each one of our pro quality models is constructed
with Bad CatÕs commitment to making the highest quality, hand-made, 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
ampÕs 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 itÕs supposed 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.
Operation
If this is your first all-tube amplifier. Please become familiar with a few issues that differentiate
your amp from solid-state or hybrid amp products. Only a few precautions are required but they
will insure that you will get the most of your new all-tube amplifier. Vacuum tubes are Òold
worldÓ thermal devices that require more attention than transistors, but thatÕs the reason they
sound so much sweeter and more musical than integrated circuits and other solid-state
components. A little heads-up on following points will ensure maximum performance from your
Bad Cat amp.
1

Summary

Operation

Caution

Essential guidelines for safe usage and maintenance to prevent damage to the amplifier.

Grounding

Critical safety instruction regarding proper connection of the power cord plug to a true ground.

Tube Amplifier Operation Best Practices

Advice on ventilation, warm-up, idle periods, impedance matching, and attenuators for optimal performance.

Maintenance

General Maintenance and Tube Care

Instructions for cleaning, storage, and recognizing signs of tube wear and tear.

Tube Replacement and Preamp Tubes

Guidance on replacing power tubes, preamp tubes, and identifying micro-phonic issues.

Front Panel Controls

Channel 1 Controls

Explanation of Volume, Bass, and Treble knobs for Channel 1 operation.

Channel 2 Controls

Details on Volume, Bass, Treble, Tone, Tone Switch, and Reverb for Channel 2.

Universal Front Panel Controls

Explanation of the 'Cut' knob which affects both channels.

Back Panel Connections

Power and Switching Controls

Covers A/C Plug, On/Off, Standby switches, and Channel Switching Jack.

Power Modes and Effect Jacks

Details on Full/Half Power switch and Reverb Footswitch Jack for tone shaping.

Speaker and Impedance Configuration

Details on Speaker Jack, Phase Switch, and Impedance selector for optimal sound.

Troubleshooting

Common Power Issues

Steps to diagnose and resolve 'No Power' problems, including fuse checks.

Addressing Sound & Output Problems

Guidance on diagnosing weak output, hum, feedback, and tube-related issues.

Warranty Information

Limited Lifetime Warranty Terms

Outlines the warranty coverage, exclusions, transferability, and contact information.

Bad Cat Black Cat Specifications

General

Type	Tube Amplifier
Power Output	30 Watts
Channels	2
Reverb	Yes
Effects Loop	Yes
Controls	Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Master
Tubes	3x 12AX7