Category 5 JB Model recieved!!!

Hey folks...first off this is not a spam ad for Category 5 but an honest review on the first JB spec-ed Cat 5 head sold in the US besides Joes of course.

Not alot of time right now for a full review but I did receive the Category 5 Bonamassa spec
head last week and have spent some time with it...alot of time.
This is Joes "Ace in the Hole" as he says and a very kicka%% amp though the one I ordered is a 50 Watt version by choice as I play smaller venues but this amp could definitely pull off some larger shows.

Excellent tone, very loud if needed, the Mid Scoop switch  on the back is very cool...
Stay down on the volume, beautiful cleans, very musical.
Start coming up around 6 and beyond and she starts getting more agressive without a ton of "non musical" distortion, very nice.
Shes a little pricey but worth every penny...and hand built in the good ole USA by good ole American craftsman.

I do use this amp as a partner in a stereo rig (looking at the Cat5 1900 as a possible future partner) with a baffled Marshall cab split vertically.
Removed the stereo/mono switch in the back of the cab, play strictly 4 ohms per side as the speaker wiring has been changed.

Currently using Weber VSTs on one side Celestions on the other.
Still in the R&D stages here.

I will be posting an in detail review later on H/C when time allows but I must say, this thing sounds incredible and I can hear some Joe in there somewhere at times though it really does come down to the fingers on that fret board...

The craftsmanship is beautiful and I was lucky enough to get backstage with Joe in San Francisco (Thanks Don Ritter and Dave Pate and of course Joe himself)and Joe autographed a Strat pickguard for me. Category 5 then took a photocopy of that autograph and had it added (etched) to the gold plating on the head...I don't think you'll find that at Gitar Center, Musishians Frend, etc. no offense.

For all you serious blues players and those who really take tone seriously, consider one of these heads...you will not be disappointed.

One other thing I want to mention right now is I have never experienced the fine customer service I have received from Cat 5 (Don Ritter to be quite specific) and when throwing your hard earned cash around for music equipment its nice to have that kind of "friendship" with your vendors.
Cat 5 has even sent me equipment to my front door to demo...still have one of their other amps on loan...don't know if this is a practice they do all the time but its damn nice of them I'll say that and very much appreciated.

Thank You Don for all you've done and Joe for allowing the head to be released.

Til next time,

Get practicin!

Tim V

Hey Joe, I'm the guy who had the twin daughters backstage with ya in SF...you autographed one of their sets of Vans shoes, you're a real class act, gracious performer, and one helluva guitar player/singer...Thanks for everything