Asking for a friend: Catalyst vs. Spider V?

[Byrdman]

First off, great post.

I think my friend started out with the same posture one often assumes when they don't have a lot of experience, which is to look at the options and assume you need them all, on the mere basis that they exist. But he's just coming away from a bad experience with a modeler/ multi-FX box (NUX MG-30) and he really wants to simplify.

He was looking at the Fender FR-10 to amplify his NUX, but I think the cost scared him off. Then I lent him my ancient Flextone II thinking he could just use the power amp and speaker, but he wound up just using the whole combo standalone... and having a blast with it. (Unfortunately, its power amp started to crap out a few hours later, so that's back to being an end table LOL.)

This brings us to his current dilemma of going Spider with a software editor and a zillion effects, or Catalyst with fewer effects and perhaps better tone, or a Katana that seems to hang somewhere in the middle depending on how you're judging it, but at a higher price point. But as I've said, he's looking for "simple", and he's not a huge effects guy, so a decent variety of good amp tones is the important thing.


I just sold my HX Stomp for a song but I don't think my friend was ready to invest in both a Catalyst and an arguably redundant modeler anyway.


I'm just waking up to these DSLs myself - cheap, LOUD, easy, and they sound great! Who knew?! (Well, everybody but me it seems...) I'd have pushed him in this direction but again, he was fixed on an all-in-one modeling combo. I don't think he has any interest in "being a tube amp guy" and jumping into rabbit holes filled with overdrive pedals etc. etc. etc. for the next few years. He just wants something he can stick in the corner and play some cool riffs on every couple of days. :)

Thanks!! BTW, I wasn't interested in being a Tube Amp guy either until I picked up a DSL100H and a cheap 412 cab. Me after...

 

[mbenigni]

Thanks!! BTW, I wasn't interested in being a Tube Amp guy either until I picked up a DSL100H and a cheap 412 cab. Me after...

All in good time...

 

[timbuck3]

First off, great post.

I think my friend started out with the same posture one often assumes when they don't have a lot of experience, which is to look at the options and assume you need them all, on the mere basis that they exist. But he's just coming away from a bad experience with a modeler/ multi-FX box (NUX MG-30) and he really wants to simplify.

He was looking at the Fender FR-10 to amplify his NUX, but I think the cost scared him off. Then I lent him my ancient Flextone II thinking he could just use the power amp and speaker, but he wound up just using the whole combo standalone... and having a blast with it. (Unfortunately, its power amp started to crap out a few hours later, so that's back to being an end table LOL.)

This brings us to his current dilemma of going Spider with a software editor and a zillion effects, or Catalyst with fewer effects and perhaps better tone, or a Katana that seems to hang somewhere in the middle depending on how you're judging it, but at a higher price point. But as I've said, he's looking for "simple", and he's not a huge effects guy, so a decent variety of good amp tones is the important thing.


I just sold my HX Stomp for a song but I don't think my friend was ready to invest in both a Catalyst and an arguably redundant modeler anyway.


I'm just waking up to these DSLs myself - cheap, LOUD, easy, and they sound great! Who knew?! (Well, everybody but me it seems...) I'd have pushed him in this direction but again, he was fixed on an all-in-one modeling combo. I don't think he has any interest in "being a tube amp guy" and jumping into rabbit holes filled with overdrive pedals etc. etc. etc. for the next few years. He just wants something he can stick in the corner and play some cool riffs on every couple of days. :)

I tried out to use DSL 40 at guitar center and I was not impressed. The cleans were pretty good Matt sparkley how I like them but the overdrive sounds were kind of fuzzy

 

[Stratzrus]

Then I lent him my ancient Flextone II thinking he could just use the power amp and speaker, but he wound up just using the whole combo standalone... and having a blast with it. (Unfortunately, its power amp started to crap out a few hours later, so that's back to being an end table LOL.)

That's how my Roland Cube 60 ended up.

Once I started using a pair of George Benson Hot Rod Deluxes in stereo I stopped using my Cube 60 but I kept it handy because I used it as a backup at gigs or for late night basement jams in shady neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

But eventually it ended up at the end of the couch and sat there for years serving as an end table until I moved.

I still have it. It's totally bulletproof and for that alone it's a keeper.

I picked up a Catalyst CX 100 to replace the Cube 60 and it sounds much better. It's significantly louder which is an asset since I play in venues without sound reinforcement. The clean tones are great for Jazz and R&B, and by all accounts it takes pedals well. Paired with my FM9 or even by itself it should be a pretty decent grab and go rig for the times I don't want to haul a tube amp around.

 

[mbenigni]

I tried out to use DSL 40 at guitar center and I was not impressed. The cleans were pretty good Matt sparkley how I like them but the overdrive sounds were kind of fuzzy

I've become a DSL fan (mainly in terms of performance per dollar) but I had the same experience with the 40W combo, FWIW. That little open back cabinet and speaker don't complement the DSL's gain at all.

 

[JiveTurkey]

 

[norminal]

 

[Byrdman]

I've become a DSL fan (mainly in terms of performance per dollar) but I had the same experience with the 40W combo, FWIW. That little open back cabinet and speaker don't complement the DSL's gain at all.

Most change out the speaker to something better for their playing style. I prefer the DSL heads and a 212 cab to the combos.

 

[laxu]

That's honestly a rare pretty decent video from Schull. It's clearly aimed at the more newbie players. There's room for that sort of content where someone shows how to get different sounds out of what is ultimately a budget tier rig.

It's still shilling for the Katana, but at least it comes with some substance. I too would've loved to have something like that when I started, instead of a shitty little Crate amp.