STUDIO RATS DEMO:
THE MOD SHOP HOTCAT 50
Searching for an amplifier that delivers both breathtaking, high-headroom cleans and huge, high-gain distortion often feels like Noah trying to catch a unicorn in the rain. You end up just giving up. Far too many multi-channel amps do one thing really well while treating the other channel like a consolation prize or a throwaway afterthought. You either end up with incredible heavy gain paired with a flat, lifeless clean channel, or pristine, glassy headroom alongside a gain channel that sounds thin and/or harsh. That exact frustration is why Paul over at The Studio Rats was so eager to put the Bad Cat Hot Cat 50 Mod Shop Edition through its paces. Equipped with a 50-watt EL34 power section, this amplifier was engineered specifically to eliminate that compromise. After putting the Hot Cat 50 through a full test run, Paul gave his honest take: "This is, as far as I'm concerned, the most versatile amp I think I've ever played through." You should really take the time to watch the Youtube view from Studio Rats, but in the meantime here is a brief synopsis:
Four Distinct Voicings, Zero Compromises
At the heart of the Hot Cat 50 is a versatile two-channel design. Each channel features two separate gain modes (Lo and Hi) which you can easily toggle directly on the amp or using the included footswitch. That gives you instant access to four completely different, fully realized tonal textures.
Channel 1: Crystalline Cleans to Organic Chime
- Low Mode: Delivers rich, classic American big bottle clean tones. It is glassy, open, and offers immense headroom. Great for jazz, country, or a harmonically rich canvas for pedals.
- High Mode: Shifts the character into classic British and vintage chime territory. Pushing the gain knob here introduces a warm, dynamic edge-of-breakup grit that responds to every subtle touch of your pick attack. (When this sound is paired with a Telecaster, we often refer to this setting as the “Mud on the Tires” sound that invokes that Brad Paisley tone.)
Channel 2: Classic Rock Punch to Huge, Hot-Rodded Gain
- Low Mode: Serves up the punchy, mid-focused crunch of classic British rock amps. It is tight, articulate, and cuts effortlessly through any live or studio mix.
- High Mode: This is where the Hot Cat 50 unleashes its full potential. You get thick, high-gain distortion with deep low-end tracking and liquid sustain. Whether you are laying down heavy rhythm tracks or playing soaring lead passages, complex chords stay completely defined without ever turning into a muddy mess.
As Paul pointed out during his review, amps that try to offer multiple flavors often have one standout setting while the rest sound mediocre. With the Hot Cat 50, every single channel and voicing feels like a premium, standalone flagship tone.
Lush, Transparent Digital Reverb
A high-gain amplifier requires a reverb that respects your core signal. The Hot Cat 50 includes an onboard digital reverb specifically voiced to complement both channels. Because it operates cleanly without altering the underlying tube circuit, you can turn it up for deep spatial ambience without washing out your high-gain notes or muddying up your low end.
See and Hear the Hot Cat 50 in Action
Reading about this amp can only tell you so much- hearing it in action is where the real magic happens. Paul’s full video on The Studio Rats provides an incredible, hands-on walkthrough of every channel, voicing, and tonal nuance this amplifier produces. Click the link below to watch the Mod Shop Hot Cat 50 demo by the Studio Rats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNMut6IWzSc&t=26s