Bad Cat Era 30 Head
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Bad Cat
Era 30 Head
Product Info
Article Number:
618597
Brand:
Bad Cat
Model:
Era 30 Head
Category:
Tube Guitar Heads
Price:
$4,288.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The Bad Cat Era 30 is a serious contender for players craving authentic, high-end British amp tones. Mark Sampson’s return shines through with its responsive dynamics and beautifully voiced gain stages; it's ideal for players seeking a boutique amp with a distinct character, particularly those in rock, blues, and indie genres.
Product Description
Bad Cat Era 30 Head, Tube Amplifier Head for Electric Guitar
- With the return of legendary designer Mark Sampson to Bad Cat after two decades
- the Point-To-Point Hand Wired Era 30 amplifier represents Sampson's experience of over 35 years in engineering.
- The master volume provides a rich
- dynamic sound at any level
- Switchable or mixable channels
- Two channels
- Power: 30 W
- Preamp tubes: 1x EF86
- 3x 12AX7 and 1x 5AR4 (Rectifier)
- Power tubes: 4x EL84
- Controls in channel 1: Gain
- Depth (6-way switch)
- Treble and Volume
- Controls in channel 2: gain
- bass
- treble
- volume
- Global: Master volume
- Channel 1 switch: EF86/12AX7
- Channel 2 switch: Blend
- Speaker outputs: Switchable 4
- 8 or 16 Ohm (2 x 6.3 mm jack)
- FX loop: Buffered
- Includes 2-way footswitch
- Handmade in USA
PROS
- • Hand-wired point-to-point construction ensures exceptional reliability and tone.
- • EF86 channel delivers a unique, harmonically rich, and responsive clean gain.
- • EL84 power tubes provide a classic British chime and dynamic overdrive.
- • Master volume allows for high-gain tones at manageable volumes, crucial for studio work.
CONS
- • Premium-priced, placing it out of reach for many players.
- • 30 watts might be limiting for players needing serious stage volume.
- • Limited channel flexibility compared to more complex, multi-channel amps.
Product Video
Key Features
Power (Watts)
30
Tubes
1x EF86, 3x 12AX7, 1x 5AR4 Rectifier, 4x EL84
Channels
2 (EF86/12AX7 switchable)
Effects
Buffered FX Loop
Speaker Output
4, 8, 16 Ohms
Weight
Approximately 38 lbs
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Frequently Asked Questions
The EF86 channel offers a cleaner, more articulate tone with a wider frequency response and a touch more harmonic complexity, perfect for sparkling cleans and lighter overdrive.
Absolutely, the master volume is very responsive, allowing you to dial in saturated tones at volumes suitable for home or studio recording without needing a massive rehearsal space.
While both offer British-flavored tones, the Era 30 has a tighter low end and a more refined high-end, delivering a more modern and powerful character than the traditional chime of an AC30.
