So- as you all know (that know me well)- I love gear. I worked at a music store for a dozen years or so- and love the guitar world I live in. I am constantly searching for tone- and vibe out of guitars, amps, pedals, etc. So...My good friend John Catt from Colorad0 told me about Category 5 amps. We were in Evergreen watching John Nemeth and Junior Watson at the Little Bear. He said that Bonamassa, Thackery, and even Tab were all into these amps. That they were not like any others- I know Tab- and he doesn't usually like anything except his old Fenders. So, John introduced me to Don Ritter at the BMA's in Tunica, Ms. Cat5 were doing all of the guitar amp backline for the awards show. Don and I really hit it off- and he let me try some amps out. I have tried everything there almost is to plug a guitar into- and I know whats up. not to sound cliche', but these amps are different- much different. They are a combination of vintage sounding- modern design. It's like they took what Leo and Marshall did really good- and then went to the next level with it. I am currently using a 90wt Camille- 212- twin like amp, and a 50wt Andrew- 410 - super like amp. They each have 2 channels. But these are wired like 2 amps in each amp. The first channel may be like a 60's brownface dlx- and the second channel is like a blackface super reverb - completely independent of each other. They also use this power technology known as "power scaling". I am no expert- so I may not be doing this any justice- but...This actually turns the voltage back on the output transformer- rather than attenuating the power tubes- which means...you can turn this amp up loud to get the really good natural tone out of the amp- but cutback the actual stage volume- to a more realistic setting, without eating and compressing the power tubes.
IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!
They have many different designs- Marshall and Fender combinations- imagine having a Fender dlx and a Marshall plexi all in one amp. Completely hand-wired- point to point- and these amps truly react. I cannot explain how good they feel when you play. I am now playing with less gain- and more dynamic clarity than ever before. Don Ritter is the man with Cat5- and he has been nothing short of a true friend. He has gone beyond the call of duty to help me achieve my ultimate goal in tone. PLEASE- take a few minutes and check them out online:
You can see and hear the Camille and Andrew at all of my upcoming live shows. Come on up and check them out.
Peace,
Zito
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