Bad Cat Cub II and Matchless Spitfire

[NashVox]

Anyone have any experience with these two amps?

How are they alike or different.

Thanks

CJS

[Matt-o-caster]

I have a Bad Cat Cub IIR and love it. I was looking into the Matchless Spitfire before I picked up the BC. There was very nice used Spitfire at one of my local guitar shops. I never actually got a chance to play it, but it seems like it's very similar to the BC. In the end, I went with the BC because it offered a few more features (e.g., defeatable master volume, rotary tone "presets", interactive EQ, etc.).

[Halsey]

The Cub II sort of can be viewed like a Spitfire and Lightning hybrid. With the option of selecting the tone stack or just running straight in (Focus/Spectrum switch on the early ones, now selectable to a rotary control on the full interactive bass/treble controls on the new ones). As Matt-o-caster said, the defeatable master volume is a really nice touch as well. When I played a Cub II at Willie's Guitars, it really wanted to roar. Sadly, I just can't ever get past the Bad Cat logo font and eyes to want one in my home.

[harryjmic]

Originally Posted by Halsey

Sadly, I just can't ever get past the Bad Cat logo font and eyes to want one in my home.

Same thing for me. Had a BadCat for a bit hated the logo, worst amp name/logo ever.

[Matt-o-caster]

Originally Posted by Halsey

When I played a Cub II at Willie's Guitars, it really wanted to roar. Sadly, I just can't ever get past the Bad Cat logo font and eyes to want one in my home.

The store I was referring to in my post above was Willies. Best local guitar shop in the Twin Cities, IMO. I've bought a lot of gear there over the years.

[Matt-o-caster]

Originally Posted by harryjmic

Same thing for me. Had a BadCat for a bit hated the logo, worst amp name/logo ever.

Haha...I agree. Not my favorite aesthetic, but the tone is to die for.

[shark_bite]

Weird, this thread hits real close to home. I played all three (Cub IIR, Lightning, Spitfire) at none other than Willie's...

I bought the Bad Cat.

Halsey is dead on about the focused/spectrum switch and all that it entails. Add reverb and a defeatable MV, I can't imagine why anyone would buy either Matchless, as good as they are.

[Halsey]

Okay, let's try to make this weirder... the Cub that I played at Willie's was a white sparkle head on a white sparkle cab, featuring the infamous "rust" stain discoloration from the feet sitting on the vinyl. Same one?

[shark_bite]

Nope, I actually bought my Cub here on TGP. I was looking at a green one but that one got sold.

[Matt-o-caster]

Originally Posted by Halsey

Okay, let's try to make this weirder... the Cub that I played at Willie's was a white sparkle head on a white sparkle cab, featuring the infamous "rust" stain discoloration from the feet sitting on the vinyl. Same one?

I played that one but decided to get a Cub in better condition from proguitarshop.com. Worked out a trade with them for my '74 Marshall JMP 50-watt head.

[jacobhf]

I played those amps at willies also, ended up with a cubII 2x10

[NashVox]

I guess I will find out.

I picked up a Bad Cat IIR 1x12.

The clips sound terrific!

[shark_bite]

Congrats, I really don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are, then you're looking for a completely different kind of amp.

[Matt-o-caster]

Originally Posted by NashVox

I guess I will find out.

I picked up a Bad Cat IIR 1x12.

The clips sound terrific!

That's exactly what I've got. I love it. Enjoy!

[Kelsey]

Me, too! It's my favorite amp. I wouldn't mind getting something similar sounding in the 5W power range. Any suggestions?