-
To all interested:
JazzKat has a new dealer in Poland: OWNSOUNDS TONS OF TONES!
Cheers,
asedas
-
04-12-2010 05:03 PM
-
As the owner of both the original JazzKat (8" speaker, non-ported) and the TwinKat (2-10" speakers, 12AX7, ported), I couldn't be happier. Granted, guitar and amp purchases are based on an individual's preferences, style of music played and instrument(s) used. Even with those variables, I wouldn't think of using a different amp; in fact, I plan on purchasing the TomKat amp very soon. I love the balanced tone, cabinet resonance and the projection; and, let's face it: light weight and portability are a plus. I have never had an electronic problem with either model, and as far as cabinet integrity is concerned, they are rock-solid. Boutique amps can be more expensive compared big production amps, but to me, value, rather than price, is the main issue. You just can't go wrong with JazzKats.
-
I recently bought a Tom Kat, and LoVE it!
I use it primarily with my seven string classical guitar, not for jazz usually, but for Brazilian choro and samba. It has a lot of power and a fairly transparent sound - I use a AT lavaliere mic in the soundhole, so I plug into the 2nd channel xlr input (no tube on that channel), I run it clean with no effects, and I can say that of all the amps I auditioned it was the best save for the schertler (more on that in a moment). It beat out the Loudbox, AER, Acoustic Solutions, all of the roland stuff. The schertler (David) was amazing, but perhaps too transparent for my purposes, and not enough headroom for me really. If I were playing solo classical gigs, the schertler would be the obvious choice.
I also had a chance to sit back and listen to someone plug it her guitar (nylon string) and a microphone and do a half hour set. She sounded great. Filled the (medium sized) room with a P.A. like clarity.
The EQ on the amp is fantastic, 5 bands, very gradual knobs, little movements (1 notch or less) make perceptible differences. Can't say much about the effects, as I don't really use them, although I did try some of the reverbs set very low (between 1-2) and that thickened up the sound a bit with out sounding like an effect (to my ears anyway). Seems like if you use effects you would probably want to plug you own ones in anyway, and it does have an effects loop.
Great little amp!
-
Do not buy this amp! Mine worked for two months and then in the middle of a gig it lost power. This kept happening. Also the reverb unit failed to turn on unless you powered amp on and off. At one point the power failed completely.
I called the owners of JazzKat and was told that the reverb module was defective and they may have sent out some bad circuit board. If I wanted it fixed I would have to return on my dime pay for shipping both ways. This was their problem and their answer was unacceptable. After paying an amp tech $150 he tightened some connections. It worked and then when I brought it home it stopped working.
I took it apart myself put it back together and it works now but if I move it then it will stop working.
I replaced this this amp with a DV Mark
-
Sorry to hear you had problems. I bought mine used last year and this is the only I amp I need anymore. Great sound, reliable. I also put a Joyo Anerican pedal in front for rock and it sounds just like a Fender DR. Great amp and inexpensive on the used market.
-
It is the principle of the thing. The company admitted that it send out faulty circuit boards and then refused to take responsibility for it. One person on Amazon reviews paid to ship it back paid to repair it paid for return shipping and months later still has not received the amp back.
If you are able to moved the amp around then you lucked out and have the later model.
Like I said my amp works but I cannot or do not dare to use it on a gig for fear it will crap out on me.
Also since I use it primarily for a Jazz sound I have found the DV Mark Jazz 12 to be a much better sounding amp. It retails for $499 but you can get it for $299.
The reverb is lush the sound full too.
-
8 year old thread. Jazzkat has gone bankrupt.
-
I just spoke with Lou at G&J. He said they are going out of business, but are still making (only) the TomKat. Don't know if he's correct or not.
Originally Posted by DRS
-
Does anyone know if JazzKat will still fix their stuff for just the price of shipping?
My AcoustiKat has held up fine for over two years, and it's fine for small rooms.
I'm playing a show right now where we
are going to be playing huge halls, so I hauled out my PV Transtube EFX112. I couldn't believe how small the JazzKat is compared to the PV-it looks like a little shoe box!
JazzKats aren't as well regarded as I thought it was. Paul Bollenback emailed me the other day saying that it would make a nice coffee table...
-
Its been years since I've posted here.
And I am the original author, with a new username.
Update on my Jazzkat Tomkat:
Sadly the company went under a few years ago.
But my Tomkat is still working.
I had some repair work done on it, when it developed a "hum."
But I was able to find a repair shop here in Vancouver, WA USA.
Got it fixed and its still working.
My gear requirements have changed. Now I play with an FAS FM9 and don't use amps anymore.
Sold the Taylor T5 and upgraded to a Gretsch Black Falcon too.
I use the Tom Kat with my students ( guitar and keyboard )
This amp does low / bedroom volume really well.
Mine is in excellent shape, as I have a nice amp cover.
Would I buy it again? Probably not as it was pretty expensive at the time.
Better options available too.
In closing, I hope this update is of help to anyone who needs more info about JazzKat amps.
Cheers.
-
I’ve still got two of the original Jazzkat model, one bought new and the other an ebay deal. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of them and so far have had no failures. I’d love to have a Henriksen Blu 10 but it obviously wasn’t an option in 2006. Unless both of the Jazzkats fail I think I’ll just stick with them.
I wish schematics were available in case they need repair. but I’ve opened them up and I the electronics don’t seem too difficult to figure out. The most common failure point I’ve heard of is the digital reverb. That’s a separate board on the Jazzkat, so could probably be disconnected and use a pedal for reverb instead.
The Tomkat came out after I bought my Jazzkat. I tried it and liked it at the time. They occasionally turn up on eBay and Reverb.
-
Speakinawich, I'll be posting this Jazz Kat for sale sometime this week, from the citizenk74 collection. It works like a charm, but, I must admit, the tweed cracks me up:
-
I have this amp. I use it daily and for all my gigs. I run my acoustic (k&k piezo) and electric, and mic through it. Handles everything I throw at it. The effects don't work and I had to eventually replace the Neo speaker with a 8-beta, but its still a keeper in my book.
Reply With Quote
Track off new album release for anyone interested.
Today, 07:21 AM in Composition