Introducing the Cub V

Point-to-point hand-wired in the USA for unmatched quality and tone.

The Cub V stands as a direct continuation of one of the original Mark Sampson Bad Cat designs — a lineage tracing back through the Lightning, and further still to the AC15 that inspired it all. This latest evolution carries that DNA forward into 2025 with authority, nuance, and agility, delivering the unmistakable chime, midrange bloom, and dynamic touch response that made those circuits timeless.

Hand-crafted in Southern California by our dedicated team of builders, each Cub V is a work of art. Inside, the wiring is meticulous and elegant — every resistor, capacitor, and tube socket placed by hand and tested to spec. Built to perform night after night, it’s as reliable as it is inspiring.

Classic Feel, Modern Refinement

• Point-to-Point Construction:
  Every component is hand-soldered directly to discrete components and terminal strips — no printed circuit boards or turrets. This traditional method ensures superior signal integrity, minimal phase loss, and ultimate serviceability for decades of use.
• Switchable Front-End Design (Footswitchable):
  Switch between EF86 or 12AX7 preamp voices. The EF86 brings rich harmonic complexity and early breakup, while the 12AX7 provides familiar chime and articulate clarity — giving players two distinct characters in one amplifier.
• Dual Master Volumes (Footswitchable):
  Effortlessly set up a rhythm and a lead volume, and switch between them on the fly. No pedals, no compromises — just pure Bad Cat flexibility on stage.
• Tube-Driven Spring Reverb:
  Lush, dimensional, and fully integrated — the Cub V’s reverb delivers that classic, blooming depth only a real tube circuit can provide.
• Precision-Tuned Power Section:
  Available in 15 W or 40 W, the Cub V uses a cathode-biased Class A configuration for natural compression and singing sustain. The 40 W model provides greater headroom, while the 15 W excels at early breakup and studio-friendly warmth.
• Premium Components Throughout:
  From custom-spec transformers to hand selected resistors and capacitors, every detail is chosen for tone, reliability, and longevity. Each amp is burned-in and tested to ensure it meets the highest standards before it leaves the shop.

• Hand-wired in Costa Mesa, California

• Custom Bad Cat Transformers

• 40 Watts

• 2 – EL34 Power Tubes

• 3 – 12AX7

• 1 – EF86

• Gain, Depth, Bass, Treble, Cut, Reverb

• Dual Master Volumes

• Tube Driven Spring Reverb

• Buffered FX Loop

• Foot Switchable: 12AX7/EF86 and Dual Master Volumes

• Baltic Birch Cabinet

• 4, 8, 16-ohm Speaker Outputs

• 5-year Limited Warranty

• 23.75” Width x 10.375” Depth x 19” Height (Combo

Dimensions)

• 48 lbs Combo Weight