What Amp Are You Playing Today?

[Byrdman]

I'm still practicing using the Catalyst CX 100 using a clean tone for Jazz.

I just turn it on and start playing. No tweaking, no gain tones, no effects, just a clean tone with the highs rolled off (somewhat but not completely) on my 335 or 137 Custom and I'm good to go. It's the answer for my quest for simplicity.

The best thing about it for me is that it has allowed me to concentrate on the things I need to work on as a player without gear becoming a distraction. There are a bunch of features the amp has that I could explore but I've chosen not to so far. When I want gain tones or effects I use the FM9, The Catalyst is my plug and play amp.

I keep feeling like I should use my Tone King Imperial Preamp which sounds wonderful, or my FM9 more but for the last few weeks I've inevitably just been flicking on the power switch of the Catalyst and having at it.

It's proven to be a wise choice so far as a practice amp.

Great amp!! Have you put it in poweramp mode and run the FM9 Direct in or 4CM? I use to do that with my Catalyst 200 (before I sold it) and my Stomp XL, I had a lot of compliments on my tone and I thought it sounded great. I personally preferred going direct in to the return.

 

[Stratzrus]

Great amp!! Have you put it in poweramp mode and run the FM9 Direct in or 4CM? I use to do that with my Catalyst 200 (before I sold it) and my Stomp XL, I had a lot of compliments on my tone and I thought it sounded great. I personally preferred going direct in to the return.

That's the way to go.

I definitely plan to try the FM9 with it but so far I've just been using the FM9 with my V3 Archangel preamp mod Fender FR-10 which sounds wonderful.

I want to try the Tone King Preamp with the Catalyst as well.

The FR-10 with the preamp mod installed was around $750 total. If I'm happy with the Catalyst and FM9 I can use it to reduce my financial footprint when it's grab and go time. Also, I suspect the Catalyst is louder which is a plus because clean headroom is a priority for me.. The downside is that the FR-10 with the V3 is dead silent while the Catalyst is not.

 

[sleewell]

wanted a little more umph last night so i played the 6505. def felt bigger than the 50w 5153.

 

[LCW]

Killer custom tele. I thought for a minute it was one of the Japanese customs but it’s hard to tell.

No it’s USA. Got it used for a price I couldn’t pass up.

 

[ejecta]

Playing the Snorkeler today. Been having a ton of fun. As a Marshall style amp I have to say I like it as much is I like the Suhr SL68. They’re not the same in all ways but there is some overlap. The Snorkeler is very in the Marshall sound and not more what some Bogners lean into with the low mids.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

 

[riffy]

With what the little I can actually play right now, I was playing through the JMP today. I got rid of the hot mod V2 and got the Mr. scary mod. It sounds pretty BA even though I can’t play.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Kemper

 

[LCW]

FM9 through Matrix power amp into a Mesa half back 2x12.

 

[gearJunkie]

Please refer to the post linked below for pix of my July 4th amp gauntlet repeat.

Post in thread 'What Amp Are You Playing Today?'

Jun 27, 2025

It's turning into another amp gauntlet day. Here they are in no particular order.

• gearJunkie

• 
• 
• 

 

[spawnofthesith]

Please refer to the post linked below for pix of my July 4th amp gauntlet repeat.

Post in thread 'What Amp Are You Playing Today?'

Jun 27, 2025

It's turning into another amp gauntlet day. Here they are in no particular order.

• gearJunkie

• 
• 
• 

How would you characterize/describe the two rock overall?

 

[gearJunkie]

How would you characterize/describe the two rock overall?

Extremely satisfying standalone, and best pedal platform ever.

When played with some volume, clean and EOB waves fill the room making the air around you feel thick and weighted. It's the only clean amp I've ever played that can hold my attention for hours without ever a desire for pushing the gain. Clean punch and sustain for days while reflecting the individual character of the instrument in hand.

From a practical perspective, it's a ridiculous over indulgence, a beautiful piece of furniture, and one of the best purchase decisions I've ever made. It's truly a work of art regardless of the position of the power switch.

 

[TSJMajesty]

This brand new monstrous beast that is difficult to tame!

Seems to be a bit of interference between the size of the head and my monitor stands, lmao.

View attachment 47442

Cool table!

 

[TSJMajesty]

Seems like all I do is buy fucking cables.

Yeah, right.

 

[Warmart]

Cool table!

Thank you, I love it, except when I had to get the 2x12 up in it.

 

[Warmart]

Yeah, right.

Ok, that was pretty damn funny Tom! Points awarded.

 

[Dave Lewis]

View attachment 47988

I’ve got a brilliant red head.

 

[gearJunkie]

Custom USA built (Jacksonville, FL) Ceriatone King Kong 50 with a Ceriatone C-Lator fx loop buffer into a Park 2x12 loaded with Creambacks.

 

[JiveTurkey]

#mom'sspaghetti

 

[greatmutah]

View attachment 48180
#mom'sspaghetti

This is the way.