Marking the long-awaited return of legendary amp designer Mark Sampson to Bad Cat after more than two decades, the Era 30 is the result of over 35 years of engineering mastery and artistic vision. Blending iconic circuit design with modern craftsmanship, this amplifier represents everything Sampson is known for—feel, dynamics, and unmistakable tone.

Since 1999, Bad Cat has built some of the world’s finest hand-wired guitar amplifiers, pairing timeless construction with forward-thinking innovation. From the workshop to the stage, every Bad Cat amp is designed to inspire musicians to play their best—and the Era 30 proudly carries that legacy forward.

Input Gain Controls

Each channel’s Gain control functions as an input volume, allowing you to precisely dial in your signal level. As you turn it clockwise, the first gain stage begins to saturate, adding touch-sensitive breakup and a bold, expressive character to your tone.

Depth Control

The Depth control uses a six-position stepped rotary switch, with each position carefully tuned using a unique capacitor value. Turning it clockwise allows more low-end energy from your guitar to pass through the circuit, creating a thicker, more resonant foundation without sacrificing clarity.

Channel Volume Controls

Each channel features a pre-phase inverter Volume control that determines how hard the phase inverter tube is driven. As you increase the volume, the amp delivers harmonically rich gain and the warm, complex saturation that only a pushed tube circuit can provide.

Global Master Volume

The post-phase inverter Master Volume lets you rein in overall output while preserving the feel and character of a driven power section. From full stage volume to bedroom-friendly levels, the Era 30 maintains its signature power-amp saturation and responsiveness.

Buffered Effects Loop

A fully bypassable buffered effects loop ensures your signal stays pristine, whether you’re running analog pedals or modern digital effects. For players who prefer a pure signal path, a rear-panel toggle allows the loop to be completely hard bypassed.

Premium Build Quality

Handcrafted in Costa Mesa, California, the Era 30 features an upgraded aluminum chassis, Baltic birch cabinetry, durable tolex, and premium leather accents—built to perform, and built to last.

Tube Complement

• Power Tubes: 4 × EL84

• Preamp Tubes: 1 × EF86, 3 × 12AX7

• Rectifier: 1 × 5AR4