The Cub III and Black Cat amps offer the ability to switch from a 12AX7 to an EF86 front end, providing tonal versatility.

The Cougar 50's two-channel design delivers both high gain and clean tones, with potential for customization through tube swaps to tailor sound further.

The Cougar 50's components are higher quality than typical for its price range, enhancing durability and reliability in professional settings.

Built with higher quality components than typically found at this price, the Cougar 50 provides exceptional value and durability.

The Cougar 50 is considered loud with significant headroom, ideal for live performances across various venues.

The Cougar 50's gain channel can be harsh; replacing with an AU7 tube is recommended for smoother tones suitable for classic rock crunch.

The Cub III pairs well with Alnico speakers for increased chime and "3D" sound, preferred by gigging musicians.

The Cub III's built-in boost provides a slight gain boost and approximately 6dB volume increase, ideal for lead parts without overwhelming the mix.

The amp's high gain lead channel is ideal for loud, intense performances, while the clean channel supports clear, punchy tones suitable for various genres.

Owners report the Cougar 50 as a best-buy amp deal, with tonal quality comparable to amps twice its price, offering unmatched value.

Owners report that Bad Cat amps come with lifetime transferrable warranties, covering even accidental damage such as being dropped down stairs.

Owners express surprise at the Cougar 50's tonal quality, often comparing it favorably to more expensive, boutique amplifiers.

The Cougar 50's distortion is high gain, yet smoother after tube swaps, rivaling expensive amps like Mesa and Marshall in tonal versatility.

The Cougar 50's clean tones rival those of the Bad Cat HC-30, a $2800 flagship amp, offering punchy and crisp sound quality.

The Cougar 50's clean channel rivals the American-made, hand-wired Hot Cat 30, offering surprisingly close quality in tone despite the price difference.

When cranked, the Bad Cat Cub's tone becomes "thicker" compared to the Vox AC15, offering a more substantial sound.

The Cougar 50 is a final opportunity to purchase a USA-designed boutique amp inexpensively due to the end of an overseas licensing agreement.

The Cougar 50 is seen as an unbeatable deal at $429, comparable to $1200+ amps, especially given its USA design by renowned amp designer James Brown.

Swapping the AX7 for an AU7 in V2 smooths gain and reduces harshness, with 2-3 o'clock on AU7 equating to maximum AX7 gain.

Swapping the AX7 preamp tube for a 12AY7 provides moderate gain reduction while maintaining some higher gain settings; AY7 offers about 41% of AX7's gain.

Replacing the AX7 with an AU7 tube significantly reduces harshness and smooths the gain channel, equating 2-3 o'clock on AU7 to max AX7 gain.