Tell us about your Jazzkat "Tomkat"

**Hotraman** · 11-10-2008, 12:20 AM

I have a new Jazzkat "Tomkat" coming soon.
I've heard an older Jazzkat with a pedal steel guitar, Taylor T5, mandolin
and was impressed!
Great sound, and you can't beat the size & weight.
The days of hauling a big 55 lb amp are over for me.
Anyone play through one of these amps?
Care to share some playing tips and experiences?
Thanks in advance for responding.
Steve

**asedas** · 11-13-2008, 08:15 AM

I would like a tomkat also, but I'm still waiting, becouse never heard it "live" [i'm from poland and in europe it's very rare stuff]. I heard a lot good about jazzkats, so could You write a short review of Your tomkat if You'll get it? I would be grateful...

**valriver40** · 11-16-2008, 08:31 PM

hi hotraman.do you get your jazzcat amp?if so we want to hear your report. thanks.

**Hotraman** · 11-17-2008, 12:29 PM

Hello all;
Hopefully it will arrive today.
I have an hour's drive to pick it up,
but I think it will be worth it.
Regarding a review,
what would you like to discuss?
I'm not much of a "gear head"
but I've had a chance to see/hear/play a
wide variety of amps.

**derek** · 11-17-2008, 04:38 PM

I have one of the first run John Pizzarelli model JazzKats. 110 watts, 23lbs, 2 channels, with one voiced for acoustic and vox, and a 2nd jack that will handle 1/4" or XLR. On board effects, that frankly I don't use much, just a tad bit of reverb. 8" speaker with bass port in the back. I have had it for 2-3 years now, about 6 months or so after they first came out.

I have gigged weekly with it for a year and a half, and have had zero issues. I play pretty quietly as it is a small restaurant, but get a good tone even at lower volumes. It does sound a bit small compared to a Raezor's Edge cab, but it was the best value out there at the time. I like the tone and portability better than the Roland Cube 60, which was another amp I considered at the time.

I have played it in a jazz ensemble with keys, sax, drums, & bass, and had no trouble hearing or being heard. When I bought it, they hadn't begun putting the top mounted strap handles on yet, and only had the heavy duty side handle. I emailed them to quote me parts for the handle, and they shipped it to me free of charge. My two encounters with them have been very positive, and they have excellent customer service according to my experience and with two pros I know who use them.

If $ wasn't an issue, I would have bought an Acoustic Image Clarus head and Raezor's Edge cab. However, the JK is an excellent value and compromise. I would not hesitate to buy one again.

**Hotraman** · 11-19-2008, 12:06 AM

Derek;
Thanks for posting.
Acoustic Image Clarus makes great gear.
I found out today that
Jazzkat is running a little behind in filling orders.
I hope to have it by next week.
I'll keep everyone posted.

**asedas** · 11-24-2008, 03:40 AM

I was wondering about a tube in TomKats preamp. Is it making sound more like in tube amps or only a new, useless feature? Do You feel the big difference between tube/solid channel?

My second question is "how sensitive is the volume knob?". I really don't like volume knobs in most amps, becouse are too much sensitive. If I have to play quiet, very small difference of volume knob setting make a big volue change. That's why I would like to know if on this amp You can set low volume level and the knob scale isn't like that: eg. 10point scale: 0-1 quiet/medium, 1-10 loud [fender ;P]. In most cases I don't need all power from amp.

I don't know if I made myself understood, but hope yes

Waiting for some review of new TomKat.

**asedas** · 11-27-2008, 06:41 AM

Does anyone has TomKat and could answer my questions?

**Hotraman** · 11-27-2008, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by asedas

I was wondering about a tube in TomKats preamp. Is it making sound more like in tube amps or only a new, useless feature? Do You feel the big difference between tube/solid channel?

My second question is "how sensitive is the volume knob?". I really don't like volume knobs in most amps, becouse are too much sensitive. If I have to play quiet, very small difference of volume knob setting make a big volue change. That's why I would like to know if on this amp You can set low volume level and the knob scale isn't like that: eg. 10point scale: 0-1 quiet/medium, 1-10 loud [fender ;P]. In most cases I don't need all power from amp.

I don't know if I made myself understood, but hope yes

Waiting for some review of new TomKat.

I just got my Tomkat a few days ago.
I'm still playing my way through it, but here are my answers to your question.
Does it make it sound like a tube amp? Yes and no.
Yes... when its engaged you can hear the "warmness" that a tube preamp offers. I've owned a Vox Tonelab SE and POD X3L, and there are slight tonal differences. The average listener may not be able to tell the difference.
No... while the tube pre-amp is a great feature, I have yet to be able to get an "overdrive" tone that I would use playing live. You are better off with a stomp box or modeler. My playing styles require the use of delays, choruses, and overdrive/distortion at times.

However, the Tomkat has a great selection of reverbs. It takes time to dial them in. The other effects are "ok" but I like the option of being able to customize my effects.
Big A1 + the sound of the Tomkat is very large.. Lots of bass when you need it, and volume, too.
The volume knob does give you lots of adjustment. Add the tube preamp and you get more variety.

I've played my Rittenberry 10 string pedal steel guitar through this amp last night. I'm pretty excited to find a small amp that can handle the frequencies of this instrument. Looking forward to playing my mandolin, ES 335 dot, and Telcaster as well.

Final comment: a great amp will sound great with just a guitar-cable-amp.
The Tomkat really shines in this.
I look forward to going back to the basics.
Did I mention its only 20lbs

Steve

**asedas** · 11-27-2008, 01:57 PM

Thank You Steve for large explanation. So... I'm much more convinced to this amp. I'll wait if $ will be chaper and will buy it. Thanks once again

**resonator** · 12-02-2008, 12:28 AM

I was under the impression the Tomkat was an acoustic amp. Maybe from a youtube video.

So is it a good amp for a jazz box?

**Hotraman** · 12-03-2008, 12:24 AM

I was looking for an all purpose amplifier, with an 1/4 input and XLR input.
I found it with the Jazzkat "Tomkat"
All of the Jazzkat amplifiers are designed and played by jazz guitarists.
I never heard of them, until I heard a Kline 12 string pedal steel guitar played through one. I was surprised by the low end sound, coming from such a small amp.
I went with the Tomkat because of the 10" speaker and bass portal design.
I've played my acoustics ( 1973 BC Rich dreadnought and 1970's Gibson J 45) and they sound good. Not perfect, 'cause there isn't a tweeter speaker.
But... my Taylor T5 ( with its acoustic setting) sounded great.
The Tomkat is really light weight, and can give you some great clean jazz sounds. My Gibson 335 sounds great through this amp.
Also... ( don't hit me too hard ) but I play my POD X3L into my Tomkat, and it handles the rock sounds, too.
I was getting tired of lugging around large amps, especially since I started playing pedal steel.
The Tomkat has enough power to sound clean (no tonal break-up ) with an instrument like a pedal steel.
As always, YMMV

**Tom K** · 12-07-2008, 05:28 AM

Lately I've heard of the TomKat, and I'm very interested. The problem is that there seems to be nowhere in my country (Switzerland) to try it out myself. This may be better in the future, hopefully. What seems to speak for the TomKat besides it sound is its small weight (me being 63 years old, this is becoming more and more of an issue). - Another problem is the price: I've no idea how much I will have to pay for postage from America if I order it direct.

**asedas** · 12-07-2008, 06:11 AM

@Tom_K:
I share your problem [not about the age, but location

]. I live in Poland and in europe it is hard to find a TomKat. I don't know how much are the shipping costs to Switzerland, but to Poland it's about 1000$ with tax.
But during my searching I've found a better way. In France is a shop which sell this TomKats. They have few amps per year and give 2 year guaranty. You can also go and try it youself. I'm going to buy it that way, but i'm still collecting the money [you know, poland, many children family, studies, etc - nevermind]. in france it costs ca. 700 EUR with shipping in EU].
This france shop is selling all on the ebay:
TOMKAT Jazzkat Ampli guitare a tube 12AX7 et Celestion - eBay (item 260287740873 end time Nov-04-08 00:20:16 PST)
Propably they don't have it now in stock [no ebay auction] but you can ask.
Good luck with buying

regards,
martin

**Tom K** · 12-08-2008, 05:41 AM

Thanks very much for your sympathy, Martin. I suppose I'm going to try out the way you suggest, one of these days. And I'm sure both of us will finally get our TomKats someday.

Best of luck - and have a happy holiday season!

Tomek.

**asedas** · 12-08-2008, 08:09 AM

No problem. Happy Christmas to You!
martin

**Hotraman** · 12-08-2008, 12:27 PM

If you can buy one in France, it would be the way to go. Shipping costs are on the rise here in the US.
I've had a few chances to gig with the Tomkat this past weekend. Last Sat afternoon, I went Taylor T5, volume pedal, into the Tomkat. Very nice jazz and pop feel. I used the XLR out for my FOH mix, the sound mixer was happy to get a lot of clean signal.
Also , I had to unload and walk my gear in... love the fact that this amp is light-weight but can be loud.

**Hotraman** · 12-08-2008, 12:33 PM

FYI...
I contacted Marty from Jazzkat regarding questions about the tube preamp.
I got a reply within the hour, and was pleased with his responses to my questions.
Regarding the tube-preamp overdrive/ distortion, I would like to amend my previous response. Marty gave me some settings to try. I saw a older Blueskat amp on Youtube that had a great distortion tone. I thought it was from the Blueskat, but "Chaz" told me he used a Tube-screamer pedal for his leads.
You can get an overdrive tone, but you need to activate by hand.
I like using pedals or modelers instead.
YMMV
Steve

**Tom K** · 12-09-2008, 06:57 AM

A question, Steve: Does your TomKat produce any noise? (besides the sounds you want it to make!)

**Hotraman** · 12-09-2008, 11:30 PM

Hi Tom;
Its pretty quiet. Nothing at all.
At 125 watts, it gets loud or soft.
The tone remains the same at any volume.
The tube preamp isn't noisy at all.
But its not designed to be a overdrive/distortion preamp,
like some pedal ( Womanizer, for example)
Today I was teaching guitar thru the Tom kat in my office, so I had to keep the volume down. But when I've had to play loud, I just hear the tone from the guitar.
I've yet to play my telecaster with single coil pickups, so I bet there is some hum, which is common to these pickups.
All of the youtube clips of the Tomkat are jazz driven: those guys play well!
Hope this helps.
Steve

**Tom K** · 12-10-2008, 05:14 AM

It certainly helps a lot, Steve - thanks very much. The reason I asked is that one of my amps has a hiss which can be quite unpleasant at times.

**Drifter** · 06-28-2009, 05:18 AM

Hi to everybody, I'm just joining in.

Everything I read about the Tomkat sounds awesome. It seems to have the Jazz tone we're all looking for, even at low volumes. My most important question is: How low can you adjust it? Is it possible to play at bedroom volume and still get that tone?

Another thing I'm wondering about is tube rolling. Different 12AX7s can make a huge difference in sound, at least with other amps. Is it easy to change the tube on this little amp or do you have to take it apart completlely to reach the tube?

I'd also very much appreciate every hint where in Europe this amp can be bought online in a European version with a standard power plug as used in Germany and other European countries. Thanks a lot in advance!

**Tom K** · 06-28-2009, 10:50 AM

Drifter:
Just a little question (from somebody who doesn't know anything about electricity) about European standard plugs: Couldn't one just fix a Euro plug on the cable instead of a standard American one - or would one have to make further changes?

**asedas** · 06-28-2009, 11:52 AM

hi Drifter, i'm from Poland. I wanna buy TomKat from long time, but not have money now for it - it's still first on my list ToBuy

I know, that in Europe You can buy it in Italy. Check http://www.jazzkatamps.com/dealers.htm to see dealers in Europe. JazzKat amps are with built-in volts converter, so amp can be used in 220/110V countries all aver the world. That's another point why JazzKats are the best ;P Are You from Germany?

**Drifter** · 06-28-2009, 02:42 PM

Tom K, I wouldn't recommend to change the plug because it voids the warranty. It's much easier to use an adapter plug like the ones you can buy for travelling so that you can use your electric razor in foreign countries. Good thing the amp has a switchable power supply. Still my guess is that it might go along with a slight deterioration of the sound quality. I don't like those adapters for any kind of audio gear. For that reason I would prefer the amp to have the Euro plug.

asedas, I'm from Berlin, Germany and unfortunately the Jazzkats are very rare over here. Music /guitar shops have never heard of it and try to sell other amps instead. I'm still looking for a reliable seller with good pricings anywhere in Europe. Do you have a weblink to this French seller that used to sell Jazzkats over ebay? The Italian distributor only seems to have the Jazzkat, not the Tomkat. I might try and ask them. But either way, I'd still have to save some money, it's not a small investment for me, too.

But I'm not in a hurry. At the moment I'm playing through an Epiphone Valve Junior head + cab, it has a nice and tubey sound but it definitely lacks the body I hoped for. The Tomkat should have it all.