Asking for a friend: Catalyst vs. Spider V?

[mbenigni]

Like the title says... A friend of mine just ordered a Catalyst CX 100W, and now he's getting cold feet thinking he might have more fun with a Spider V. (He's looking at the 12" 120W; I might also recommend the 10" 60W if he goes the Spider route.) This is primarily for home practice. His main thing is he wants something fun, inspiring, easy to use. Something with onboard effects that's a little simpler than firing up his whole studio, or plugging a multi-FX pedal into an amp or monitor. He's not as "serious" about guitar or guitar amps, but he does have good ears, and I don't want to see him take a wrong turn.

I've heard the Catalyst and, personally, I think it sounds pretty good. From what I gather, you approach this more or less like a conventional guitar combo, though it brings a few effects to the table, and some modern amenities like USB audio, direct out, headphones, etc.

The Spider V is more like a full-blown modeler/ multi-effects unit built into a full-range speaker, with the option of disabling the high-frequency driver for a "classic" guitar combo feel. On paper, that all sounds AWESOME! The closed back cab might be more versatile, and might even sound good in the cheaper 1x10" configuration. The only obvious miss here is that the Spider doesn't have an effects loop, but there's so much stuff in the box... meh?

So what's the catch? Is there one? The Catalyst is "based on HX algorithms" FWIW. The Spider is based on... Can the Spider sound as good as the Catalyst? Ballpark? Is the variety of amps/effects in the Spider sufficient to warrant any compromise? If you've played both, what are your thoughts?

 

[Byrdman]

IME, the Spider is okay, but the Catalyst is better. Either way for the price, he could get both and not get hurt.

The other guitarist in our band has an older spider he uses at practice and it never sounded better than my Catalyst to me.

A better option would be to get the 100w Catalyst and pick up a Stomp. Best of both worlds , IMO.

 

[mbenigni]

IME, the Spider is okay, but the Catalyst is better. Either way for the price, he could get both and not get hurt.

The other guitarist in our band has an older spider he uses at practice and it never sounded better than my Catalyst to me.

A better option would be to get the 100w Catalyst and pick up a Stomp. Best of both worlds , IMO.

I told him to go with the Catalyst, but I was operating mostly on intuition. They both seem like decent products, but for different applications. The Catalyst seems more likely to put a smile on your face if you just turn it on and judge it as you would a conventional amp.

As for picking up a Stomp, I happen to know a guy who's trying to sell one LOL.

 

[JiveTurkey]

There seems to be a shortage of 'Why not neither?' memes

 

[mbenigni]

There seems to be a shortage of 'Why not neither?' memes

I tried to talk him through all kinds of other "paradigms", but he was pretty fixated on a modeling combo by this point. And my brief time playing a Katana the other day was not a good time. Any other recommendations? (Besides "not a modeling combo"?)

 

[paisleywookiee]

I tried to talk him through all kinds of other "paradigms", but he was pretty fixated on a modeling combo by this point. And my brief time playing a Katana the other day was not a good time. Any other recommendations? (Besides "not a modeling combo"?)

Eh, I'd much rather get a 100w Katana MkIII than either L6.

 

[TravisG406]

There seems to be a shortage of 'Why not neither?' memes

 

[JiveTurkey]

Eh, I'd much rather get a 100w Katana MkIII than either L6.

Kat plus a 112 of your liking? Pretty solid. Though if it's for home practice; that's a potentially huge rabbit hole that has a probably a billion options he might not be wanting to entertain.

 

[norminal]

Catalyst. It’s loud as fuck and uses models from the Helix platform.

I’ve tried Katanas and they’ve always sounded like typical BOSS modeling to my ears.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Catalyst. It’s loud as fuck and uses models from the Helix platform.

I’ve tried Katanas and they’ve always sounded like typical BOSS modeling to my ears.

Yeah I think if your friend is a fan of L6 sounds; Catalyst is a good choice. I definitely gravitate towards Boss if it's between just those 2 so I'd say plan accordingly?

 

[mbenigni]

Yeah I think if your friend is a fan of L6 sounds; Catalyst is a good choice. I definitely gravitate towards Boss if it's between just those 2 so I'd say plan accordingly?

I think he thinks (because marketing) that HX is important. I don’t think he’s had an opportunity to form a first-hand opinion. I personally found the Katana shrill and boxy (and yes, bossy) which jives with what I’ve since read. Not that I spent much time with it. I’ve heard the Catalyst sound good at shows and in my own basement, but it also had the benefit of running at much higher volumes.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I think he thinks (because marketing) that HX is important. I don’t think he’s actually formed his own opinion. I personally found the Katana too bright and boxy (and yes, bossy) which jives with what I’ve since read. Not that I spent much time with it. I’ve heard the Catalyst sound good at shows and in my own basement, but it also had the benefit of running at much higher volumes.

If they made a 200w Catalyst head, it'd be more compelling.

 

[mbenigni]

If they made a 200w Catalyst head, it'd be more compelling.

But not to this guy.

 

[paisleywookiee]

But not to this guy.

This guy has issues I can't help with then.

 

[mbenigni]

This guy has issues I can't help with then.

I mean, he wants a cheap, light combo. That happens occasionally. :)

 

[KingsXJJ]

I’d vote Catalyst if he digs those HX tones. If he went Boss, I’d snag the 1x12 Artist MKIII. Killer speaker IMO.

 

[dbagchee]

Cat or Kat for sure. The Catalyst has a nice mobile app for deep editing when needed.

 

[timbuck3]

Like the title says... A friend of mine just ordered a Catalyst CX 100W, and now he's getting cold feet thinking he might have more fun with a Spider V. (He's looking at the 12" 120W; I might also recommend the 10" 60W if he goes the Spider route.) This is primarily for home practice. His main thing is he wants something fun, inspiring, easy to use. Something with onboard effects that's a little simpler than firing up his whole studio, or plugging a multi-FX pedal into an amp or monitor. He's not as "serious" about guitar or guitar amps, but he does have good ears, and I don't want to see him take a wrong turn.

I've heard the Catalyst and, personally, I think it sounds pretty good. From what I gather, you approach this more or less like a conventional guitar combo, though it brings a few effects to the table, and some modern amenities like USB audio, direct out, headphones, etc.

The Spider V is more like a full-blown modeler/ multi-effects unit built into a full-range speaker, with the option of disabling the high-frequency driver for a "classic" guitar combo feel. On paper, that all sounds AWESOME! The closed back cab might be more versatile, and might even sound good in the cheaper 1x10" configuration. The only obvious miss here is that the Spider doesn't have an effects loop, but there's so much stuff in the box... meh?

So what's the catch? Is there one? The Catalyst is "based on HX algorithms" FWIW. The Spider is based on... Can the Spider sound as good as the Catalyst? Ballpark? Is the variety of amps/effects in the Spider sufficient to warrant any compromise? If you've played both, what are your thoughts?

Katana artist gen3

 

[mbenigni]

Katana artist gen3

Assuming those recommending the Kat over the Cat just prefer the voicing overall? Anything else? Elaboration welcome.

 

[timbuck3]

Assuming those recommending the Kat over the Cat just prefer the voicing overall? Anything else? Elaboration welcome.

View attachment 44850

I tried the catalyst at the guitar Center for two hours and while some of the boutique voices were OK, I just fell to amp for me was lacking in versatility and effects that I needed to have on board. That’s just me because I don’t use a paddleboard.
When I tried the katana artist GEN three I was pretty much surprised that really how good it sounded versus the one I used to have now I also have a GEN two 212 combo that I got like two weeks before the GEN three artist and I run them in stereo, but I seem to like the flavors of tone that they give you and the variations along with the bloom button and the new pushed on the GEN three artist but I think for me the biggest thing is running him in stereo and having those effects become stereo because there’s a ton of effects in there and like I said, I don’t have a paddleboard so That was a plus for me and they’re pretty decent effects for on board. I’m sure they’re not fractal quality but for what I need them for for my type of playing they’re very versatile plus with the artist you have that extra solo section where you can actually add a delay and a boost into your preset just by the press of a button and you can do a lot online with the editor as far as programming what you want in there
Like I said, it’s not for everyone, but for some reason, I liked it and I do enjoy the tones that I get from it