Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,078
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Bad Cat Lynx 50". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Designed to cater to the needs of modern high-gain guitarists, the Bad Cat Lynx 50 is a powerhouse of tone and versatility. With its dual-channel design, this 50-watt tube guitar amp head seamlessly transitions from the gritty, crunchy cleans of Channel 1 to the massive, ultra-modern high-gain voice of Channel 2. Whether you're diving into '80s thrash or exploring new sonic territories, the Lynx offers a robust and articulate sound with tight, punchy low frequencies and high frequencies that cut through without harshness.
The Lynx is not just about raw power; it also provides precision and control. With independent gain and volume controls per channel, you can dial in your perfect sound easily. The amp's unique Lo/Hi gain switch, coupled with a patent-pending noise gate, ensures a clean, noise-free experience, allowing your playing to shine through with stunning clarity and articulation. The buffered active effects loop is perfect for integrating your favorite pedals without losing tonal integrity.
Designed and built in Costa Mesa, California, the Lynx is constructed with custom hand-wound Bad Cat transformers, ensuring durability and exceptional sound quality. With multiple speaker output options and a line out, this amp head is ready to adapt to your setup, whether on stage or in the studio.
Key Features:
- 50-watt tube amp head with dual channels
- Independent gain and volume per channel
- Shared bass, mid, treble controls
- Lo/Hi gain switch with two-button footswitch
- Built-in adjustable noise gate and buffered FX loop
- Custom hand-wound Bad Cat transformers
- Speaker outputs: 4, 8, 16, 2x4, 2x8 ohms
- Made in the USA with a 3-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
Product specs
| Available since | August 2024 |
| Powerrate in W | 50 W |
| Power Amplifier Tubes | EL34 |
| Channels | 2 |
| Reverb | No |
| Footswitch | Yes |
FAQs
-
What type of tubes does the Bad Cat Lynx 50 use?
-
The Bad Cat Lynx 50 is equipped with EL34 power amplifier tubes, known for delivering a classic British tone with strong mids and a tight low end.
-
How many channels does the Bad Cat Lynx 50 have?
-
The Bad Cat Lynx 50 features two channels, allowing for versatile sound options from clean to overdriven tones.
-
Is the Bad Cat Lynx 50 suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, with its 50-watt power rating, the Bad Cat Lynx 50 is capable of delivering enough volume for live performances, even in larger venues.
-
Does the Bad Cat Lynx 50 come with a reverb feature?
-
No, the Bad Cat Lynx 50 does not include a reverb feature, focusing instead on delivering pure tube tone.
-
Can I use a footswitch with the Bad Cat Lynx 50?
-
Yes, the Bad Cat Lynx 50 is compatible with a footswitch, which allows for easy channel switching during performances.
Videos
Incognito Guitars
Bad Cat Lynx 50w Head - Demonstration and play-through
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Bad Cat Lynx 50.
Features and functionality
-
The amp's 7 gain stages are noted for creating exceptionally smooth saturation and clarity, even at low volumes.
Source -
The Lynx 50's noise gate is effective but requires higher settings, which can affect sustain on clean and low-gain tones, prompting some users to prefer external noise gates.
Source -
The blue light switch toggles between Ch1 and Ch2, while the purple light switch toggles between regular and high gain modes, both affecting noise levels.
Source -
Even without a guitar plugged in, the amp's channels can produce noise, which may indicate internal issues beyond user setup.
Source
Comparisons
-
Compared to Fryette amps, the Lynx is more saturated but lacks the brute force of Fryette's power section, making it better suited for studio use.
Source -
Some users prefer EVH 5150, Diezel, and Revv amps for high-gain metal tones over the Lynx, noting better metal-focused performance at a lower price.
Source -
Owners compare the Lynx 50's features favorably to the SLO30, appreciating the built-in noise gate as a significant advantage despite shared control similarities.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
The Lynx is praised for its versatility across genres, excelling in shoegaze, downtuned doom, and '90s metalcore with its clear high-gain tones.
Source -
The 2x12 cab, although larger than typical, is praised for its room-filling sound and portability, making it a preferred choice for gigging over a 4x12 cab.
Source
User experience
-
Owners report the amp is incredibly inspiring for mathy, dissonant riffs, with a strong pedal compatibility enhancing its utility.
Source -
After several months, owners remain impressed with the Lynx 50 for recording, highlighting its superior sound quality despite initial noise gate concerns.
Source -
One owner experienced volume cuts and overheating within two months, suggesting potential long-term reliability concerns.
Source
Value and pricing
-
Despite its price, it's considered a worthwhile investment when compared to high-end brands like Boogie, Soldano, and Matchless.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Billie Joe Armstrong frequently used the Bad Cat Lynx 50 amp head during Foxboro Hot Tubs shows. It is also likely that he employed this amplifier while recording "American Idiot," "21st Century Breakdown," and the "Uno, Dos, Tré!" trilogy. This information is supported by a user-uploaded photo.
According to an article on Bad Cat Amps' official website, guitarist Tosin Abasi used the Bad Cat Lynx 50 during the 2023 Dream Sonic tour.
In this rig rundown, Wilson shows his Bad Cat Lynx 50 head. Around 20:40 he says of it, "What I like about the Bad Cat and what I use the most is the fact that the two channels, the clean channel and the dirty channel are simultaneously active."
Keith Urban is list as a Bad Cat artist for using the Lynx 50.
parableofarableI feel a wee shout out to @badcatamps is in order, I must say I'm digging these heads, fanx u guyzzz.
Sterenberg discusses his amps at 11:40 in the video. He says "And on the amp, for the most part, I just have the volume knob. I have volume, and presence." Sterenberg also says that in terms of amps, what he has is "nothing really special" and that he believes you can get that kind of sound out of most amps.
Chris uses a Bad Cat Lynx 50 according to the Bad Cat websites artist page for Daughtry.
The photo is from this exact gear page: https://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/751-relient-k-matt-thiessen-guitar-rig-gear-and-equipment?start=1#gallery771a8672b4-2
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Bad Cat Lynx 50, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
More Bad Cat Guitar Amplifier Heads
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Guitar Amplifier Heads
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
hugo4711Gear IQ 747
-