Wayde Audio FireCat amps are built using classic tube circuits updated with modern design. Saving the tone of the classic amps and unafraid to move forward with modern components and designs that improve and redefine the state of the art musical amplifier.

Preamp

Let the sound begin!

The preamp is based on the black face Fender™ amp of the 60's. The passive three knob tone circuit, as used in Fender™ black face Bassman™ and Twin Reverb™, is placed directly after the first gain stage. This is followed by the second stage. This topology provides a clean sound that breaks up nicely when cranked up past 2 o'clock on the preamp drive control.

Reverb

"What we need is a little more of that there reee..verb"

The preamp is then split, one side going to the reverb for the 'wet' sound and the other to the 'dry' side. The reverb is based on the classic tube reverb circuit designed by Leo Fender. Leo had a great ear and this circuit still has the best sound produced today. This deign uses a tube which powers a transformer to drive the Accutronics™ 2 spring long delay reverb tank. This is the same reverb tank used in the classic amps. After the 'wet' and 'dry signals are mixed back together the signal is sent to the phase splitter.

Output Volume / Phase Splitter

When is a master volume not a master volume? When it's turned all the way up!

This is where the signal gets to the output volume control and creates two out of phase mirror images of the input. The two signals are used for the classic "push - pull" class AB power amp. The phase inverter is the "long tail" circuit used in most modern guitar amplifiers for many years. The master volume control, more aptly named "Output Volume" is built into the phase splitter circuit. This form of master volume control is normally only used in high end professional audio systems. It creates and active volume control that has advantages over the standard methods that virtually all other guitar amplifiers use today. The other circuits just redirect some of the signal to ground and reduce the level. One advantage to the method used in all Wayde Audio amps is the active control will maintain the tone of amp . even when turned down. Other master volumes will lose bass and sound thin when turned down. This change in tone is why many players hate master volumes. Another advantage of the Output Volume control used in FireCat amps is that when the control is turned all the way up it's essentially out of the circuit. The design makes it so when the control is set to twelve the phase splitter circuit is exactly the same as if the master volume control was not there. Conventional circuits can't say that.

Boost Mode

Need a Boost for the lead?

The Boost mode is just what you want. FireCat amps are now available with the Boost Mode. A foot switchable setting that boosts the volume by about 10 decibels and increases the midrange tone. It's great to kick in when when it's time for a lead, or use it all the time for a crunchier sound.

Now for the Power

Let's take the best from both worlds

The power amp comes next. Based on the Fender™ and Marshall™ output stages. The FireCat amps have minimal negative feedback like a Marshall and input levels like a Fender. Enhanced with features that make the output stage more reliable and sound tighter. Each output tube has an individual bias control that, in most amps, is user settable so you can use any brand of tubes and in the FireCat amps you don't need matched tubes because you can set the bias to match the tube.

The power supply is a Marshall style silicon type for extra voltage and headroom power, coupled with a rectifier tube emulator circuit to give you the 'sag' and feel you expect from a tube amp. You get the best of both worlds. Beyond that the power supply uses isolated connections to each gain stage in the amp. Yes, this cost more and is not done by classic amps. It gives each stage protection from being negatively effected by the other stages in the amp. This gives FireCat amps the clearness and sustain that can't be beat.

Grounding

Ground control to Major Tom... the circuits live, there's nothing wrong.

The grounding method isolates the chassis from all signal grounds until the last connection is made. This connection can also be "lifted" which will isolate the chassis from all except very high RF frequency signals. This is used to eliminate buzzing from ground loops that can happen when you use separate effects with there own power supplies and therefore grounds. This grounding method isolates the grounds in each stage so the low level signals are not corrupted by high level signals or power supply noise. Each stage is grounded locally to it's individual power connection then each node is connected from low signal to stronger signal. This creates an amp that is so quiet you won't believe it's an all tube amp.

Custom Made

They don't make them like this anymore

Construction uses handmade, custom designed eyelet boards made of G11 material. This allows components to be placed directly to the tubes pins which provides the best connection and lowest loss of high frequency sounds. This is not a printed circuit board as used in most modern production amplifiers and is not the same old "card board" as used in old classic amps. The FireCat amp brings modern construction advantages without the losing the tone in the process.

Cabinets

Dovetail Joints: "I don't know what that means, but I know I want it".

Each cabinet is handmade using the finest solid woods. Dovetail joints are used to give strength as well as great looks.

Moving Forward

We can't go back now

The FireCat amps are modern versions of old designs. Wayde Audio is not afraid to move forward yet will not move forward for the sake of economy at the cost of tone. This is new construction of well known circuits with innovations and modern techniques. Don't be afraid to move into the modern world of classic designs! Get a FireCat amp today.

The FireCat 25 and FireCat 50 Amps were formally known as The Balls Amp and The Blues Balls Amp.

© Wayde Audio 2008. FireCat ® is a registered trademark of Wayde Audio. All rights reserved.

Fender™ Strat, Bassman, Twin Reverb are all tradenames of Fender Musical Instruments. Wayde Audio is not associated with Fender Musical Instruments.

Marshall™ is a tradename of Marshall Amplification.
Wayde Audio is not associated with Marshall Amplification.