Bad Cat Handwired Mark ERA 30 30w Guitar Amp Head Mark Sampson Build

The Bad Cat Era 30 is not just an amplifier—it’s a bridge between the past and the future of guitar tone. Designed by the legendary Mark Sampson, whose groundbreaking creations have shaped the sound of countless records, the Era 30 marks his triumphant return to Bad Cat after nearly two decades. Inspired by his iconic designs and refined through thirty-five years of engineering and artistic vision, this amp is a celebration of tone, versatility, and raw power. Every component—from the custom transformers to the hand-wired circuitry—has been meticulously crafted to deliver an unmatched playing experience.

What makes the Era 30 a true masterpiece? Let’s start with its two fully independent channels, each designed to bring out the best in your playing, no matter your style.

• Channel one, powered by the iconic EF86 tube, delivers the kind of harmonically rich, three-dimensional tones that tube enthusiasts dream of. This isn’t your typical EQ: the stepped six position depth control sculpts low-end frequencies with precision, while the Treble control acts as a masterful tone-shaping tool.
• Channel two, shifts gears with a 12AX7-based preamp for a tighter, punchier tone. Its linear bass and treble controls offer intuitive shaping for everything from vintage chime to earthy, woody textures. Both channels feature independent gain and pre-phase inverter volume controls, giving you complete authority over your sound.

Want the best of both worlds? The included two-button footswitch makes it effortless to switch between channels or combine them together.

A FREIGHT TRAIN OF SOUND
The Era 30’s 30 watts of EL84-driven power will produce astonishing sound pressure levels; enough to play any indoor or outdoor stage. Played through the matching Bad Cat 1x12 or 2x12 cabinet loaded with UK Made Celestion Bad Cat Custom Speakers, it’s a freight train of sound—punchy, present, and utterly immersive. Whether you’re playing crunchy leads or crystalline cleans, the Era 30 ensures every note is delivered with unparalleled clarity and power, all while maintaining a smooth, non-fatiguing character.

MASTERFUL CONTROL AT ANY VOLUME
While the Era 30 certainly has a wild side, taming this beast has never been easier, thanks to the global post phase inverter Master Volume. Whether you’re pushing the amp to its limits or dialing it back for bedroom levels, your tone remains rich, dynamic, and full of life. The bypassable buffered effects loop ensures your pedals integrate seamlessly, while the selectable 4, 8, and 16-ohm switchable speaker outputs offer total flexibility for your rig.

BUILT TO PERFECTION
Handcrafted in Costa Mesa, California, the Era 30 embodies Bad Cat’s commitment to quality. From the upgraded aluminum chassis to the rugged void-less Baltic Birch cabinet, to the ultra-durable heather tolex and premium leather corners, this amp is built to withstand the rigors of the road while looking stunning under the stage lights.

THE BAD CAT ERA 30: WHERE LEGEND MEETS INNOVATION
This is more than just an amplifier. It’s a legacy. For players seeking a versatile, meticulously crafted, and truly inspiring amp, the Bad Cat Era 30 stands in a league of its own. When only the best will do, step into a whole new era with the Bad Cat Era 30.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Input Gain Controls: Each channel’s Gain control acts as an input volume, letting you dial in just the right amount of signal as you turn it clockwise. Push it further to add saturation in the first gain stage, giving your sound a bold, dynamic character.
• Depth Control: The Depth control is a stepped six position rotary switch, each step calibrated with a unique capacitor value to fine-tune your bass response. Turn it clockwise to let more low-end energy flow from your guitar into the amplifier, delivering a thick, resonant foundation to your tone.
• Channel Volume Controls: Each channel’s pre-phase inverter Volume control lets you shape how much signal drives the phase inverter tube. As you increase it, you’ll push the tube harder, unlocking harmonically rich gain and delivering the unmistakable warmth of driven tube saturation.
• Global Volume Control: The global Master Volume is a post-phase inverter circuit that tames the amp’s output, letting you transition seamlessly from stage-ready roar to bedroom-level quiet. All the while, you’ll retain the unmistakable power amp saturation that defines the Era 30’s sound.
• Effects Loop: The fully buffered effects loop ensures pristine signal quality, whether you’re using analog or digital effects. For purists, the loop can be completely hard bypassed with a toggle switch on the back, preserving your signal’s pure, unaltered path.

ERA 30 DETAILED SPECS:

• Mark Sampson Design
• True Point to Point Hand-wired Construction
• Made in Costa Mesa California, USA
• Custom Bad Cat Transformer Set by Pacific Transformers
• DC Filament Heaters in Preamp
• 30 Watts of Power
• 4 x EL84 Power Tubes
• 1 x EF86 Preamp Tube
• 3 x 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
• 1 x 5AR4 Rectifier Tube
• 2 Switchable or Mixable Channels
• Independent Gain and Pre-PI Volume Control per Channel
• 6-way Depth Control and Treble Control on EF86 Channel
• Linear Bass and Treble Control on 12AX7 Channel
• Global Post-PI Master Volume
• Buffered Effects Loop
• 4, 8, 16 Ohm Switch for Speaker Outputs
• Heavy Duty Aluminum Chassis
• Void-less Baltic Birch Construction
• Ultra-Durable Heather Tolex with Premium Leather Corners
• 2 Button Footswitch Included
• Amp Cover Included
• 5 Year Limited Warranty