We’re excited to showcase a truly extraordinary pairing: the Bad Cat Mark Sampson Era 30 Custom Head and matching Era Series 2x12 Cabinet, wrapped in a Emerald Green Tolex with Black grille and Gold piping. It looks every bit as stunning as it sounds. Whether you’re chasing inspiration in the studio, dialing in touch-sensitive dynamics at home, or lighting up a stage, this Mark Sampson design delivers a world of tone that feels downright otherworldly.
The Era 30 marks a milestone moment—Mark Sampson’s return to Bad Cat after nearly two decades. Drawing from more than 35 years of amplifier design, Sampson blends classic character with modern precision. Hand-wired, built with premium components, and crafted with intention, this amp isn’t just a piece of gear. It’s a catalyst for creativity.
Channel 1 – EF86: Harmonics With Dimension
The EF86 front end offers a huge, three-dimensional voice with the kind of harmonic bloom Sampson amps are known for. The 6-position Depth control lets you fine-tune the low-end response, while the Treble control gives you nuanced top-end shaping that goes far beyond standard EQ.
Channel 2 – 12AX7: Punch, Clarity, and Authority
Channel 2 uses a classic 12AX7 preamp for articulate, focused tone with impressive versatility. With straightforward Bass and Treble controls, you can sweep from vintage sparkle to thicker, more muscular textures—ideal for chimey cleans or driven rock tones.
Fuse the Forces
With the included two-button footswitch, you can switch channels or blend them for massive layered tones. Independent gain and pre-phase inverter volume controls give you a surprising amount of flexibility and feel.
Era 2x12 Cabinet – Full, Dimensional, Stage-Ready
Pairing the head with the Era 2x12 Cabinet unlocks the full depth of what this amp can do. Loaded with dual UK-built Celestion Bad Cat Custom speakers, this cab projects wide, rich, and authoritative. It’s the ideal companion whether you’re tracking, performing, or just chasing big-room sound at home.
If you’re looking for hand-wired craftsmanship, boutique engineering, and a design that looks just as premium as it sounds, the Bad Cat Mark Sampson Era 30 + Era 2x12 is a standout option. A truly special setup that brings Bad Cat’s legacy and Sampson’s vision together in a way that feels both familiar and completely new.
- 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-Phase Inverter Volume Control per Channel
- 6-way Deep 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
- Voidless Baltic Birch Construction
- Ultra-Durable Heather Tolex with Premium Leather Corners
- 2 Button Footswitch Included
- Amp Cover Included
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Speakers: Dual UK Made Celestion Bad Cat Custom Speakers
- Power Handling: 120 watts
- Back: Semi-Open Back
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Material: Voidless Baltic Birch Ply
- Finish: Heidi Tolex, Black Grille Cloth, White Piping
- Handle: Black Leather Stitched Strap Handle
- Warranty: 5 Years Cabinet, 3 Years Speaker
