Bad Cat Hot Cat Handwired Series 2-Channel 45-Watt Head 2023

Up for grabs is a 2023 Bad Cat Hot Cat Hand wired Series 2-Channel 45-Watt Head in excellent condition, and it absolutely lives up to the reputation. This is the modern evolution of one of Bad Cat’s most celebrated designs, built in Southern California with hand-wired construction and custom transformers, the kind of craftsmanship you feel the second you hit the first chord.

Let’s talk about what matters: tone. Channel 1 delivers that unmistakable Bad Cat clean, wide, piano-like lows, shimmering highs, and a depth that feels almost three-dimensional. It stays articulate even when pushed, and thanks to the Lo/Hi gain switch, it can move from pristine headroom into vintage-flavoured breakup without ever losing its composure. Channel 2 is where things get feral. Thick, harmonically rich gain with exceptional note separation, capable of everything from tight classic crunch to saturated modern drive. The two gain modes per channel open up a surprising range of usable sounds, this isn’t a one-trick high-gain head, it’s a full-spectrum tool.

What sets this version apart is how refined and usable it is. The onboard studio-quality reverb is not an afterthought, it’s lush, responsive, and voiced to sit perfectly with both channels. The buffered effects loop is transparent and pedal-friendly, whether you’re running analog delays or full digital rigs. And the included two-button footswitch unlocks four distinct tonal configurations on the fly, making it equally at home on stage or in the studio.

Under the hood, you’re looking at a 45-watt EL34-powered platform with four 12AX7s, delivering that unmistakable British-inspired punch with added clarity and control. Independent gain and volume per channel, shared EQ, global master and presence, it’s intuitive, but incredibly powerful once dialled in. It also features multiple speaker outputs, line out, and a rugged Baltic birch head shell that feels as solid as it sounds.

Condition-wise, this example is excellent. It’s been well cared for, fully functional, and presents exactly how you’d hope, clean, tidy, and ready to go straight into a serious rig. No stories, no surprises.

If you’ve been chasing that elusive “do-it-all but still sounds boutique” amp, this is it. Sparkling cleans, authoritative crunch, and high-gain that stays articulate under pressure. Plug in, and it immediately reminds you why the Hot Cat has become a modern classic.

As is standard practice with any new arrival in store, this very cool Bad Cat Hot Cat has been through the trusted hands of our team in our onsite workshop to ensure it is in tip-top shape for its new home and owner!

We are an appointment-only store, and all instruments are handled exclusively by MotoMusic staff. We are always happy to consider quality part-exchange instruments.

Fast worldwide shipping available – please contact us for details.