Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30W Guitar Amp Head - Navy Blue | No Limit Guitar Co, Idaho Falls
The Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30-watt amplifier head represents a legendary collaboration between boutique amp pioneer Mark Sampson and Bad Cat's master craftsmen. This handcrafted, limited-edition head delivers Mark Sampson's final chapter in tone design—a brilliant revision of the award-winning Black Cat platform featuring custom hand-wound transformers and premium EL84 power. Perfect for professional guitarists seeking rare, boutique-quality tone with versatile channel options and studio-grade effects.
Product Overview
The Mod Shop Black Cat 30 showcases meticulous handcrafted construction in Costa Mesa, California, featuring a premium Baltic birch cabinet wrapped in striking custom navy blue tolex with gold piping accents. This limited-edition amplifier represents Mark Sampson's return to Bad Cat in early 2024, bringing his lifetime of experimentation and obsessive pursuit of tone to one of the company's most celebrated designs. The result is a stunning visual and sonic statement piece that honors boutique amp tradition while pushing tonal boundaries.
The amplifier's two-channel architecture provides exceptional versatility for modern players. Each channel features independent gain and volume controls, allowing seamless transitions between pristine cleans and saturated overdrive tones. Shared bass, treble, and cut controls provide comprehensive tonal shaping across both channels, while the responsive EL84 power section delivers the dynamic touch sensitivity and harmonic richness that Bad Cat amplifiers are renowned for.
This head includes studio-quality spring reverb and bias-modulated tremolo effects that enhance your tone without external pedals. The buffered effects loop maintains signal integrity when integrating your favorite pedals, while multiple speaker outputs (4, 8, 16, 2x4, 2x8 ohms) plus a line out ensure compatibility with any cabinet configuration or direct recording setup. Custom hand-wound Bad Cat transformers deliver exceptional clarity, headroom, and that distinctive Bad Cat voice that has defined boutique tone for decades.
Ideal For
- Professional guitarists seeking rare, limited-edition boutique amplifiers with legendary pedigree
- Blues and rock players demanding touch-sensitive dynamics and rich harmonic overtones
- Studio recording artists who need versatile tonal options from pristine cleans to saturated gain
- Touring musicians requiring reliable, road-worthy amplifiers with exceptional build quality
- Collectors and tone connoisseurs looking for Mark Sampson's final design contributions
Key Features
Mark Sampson Modified Design
This amplifier represents one of the final projects from boutique amp legend Mark Sampson, who returned to Bad Cat in 2024 to reimagine the Black Cat platform. His deep understanding of circuit design and decades of tonal experimentation resulted in this brilliant revision—a big, bold voice that honors Bad Cat's roots while pushing into new sonic territory.
Custom Hand-Wound Transformers
Bad Cat's proprietary hand-wound transformers deliver exceptional clarity, headroom, and tonal complexity unavailable in mass-produced designs. These custom transformers are fundamental to the amplifier's dynamic response and contribute significantly to its distinctive voice across all volume levels.
Dual-Channel Architecture
Two independent channels with separate gain and volume controls provide seamless switching between clean and overdriven tones. Shared EQ controls (bass, treble, cut) allow quick tonal adjustments across both channels, while the two-button footswitch enables instant channel changes and tremolo activation during performance.
Premium Tube Complement
Four EL84 power tubes deliver 30 watts of responsive, harmonically rich tone with excellent headroom and natural compression. Three 12AX7 preamp tubes provide the gain staging and tonal character that define this amplifier's voice, from glassy cleans to thick, saturated overdrive.
Studio-Grade Effects and Connectivity
Built-in bias-modulated tremolo and studio-quality spring reverb eliminate the need for external effects pedals. The buffered effects loop maintains signal integrity with your pedalboard, while comprehensive speaker outputs (4, 8, 16, 2x4, 2x8 ohms) and line out provide maximum flexibility for cabinet pairing and direct recording applications.
What's Included
- Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30-watt amplifier head
- Two-button footswitch (channel select and tremolo)
- Premium thick amp cover for protection
- Power cord
- An extra Bad Cat bag (see last picture for details!)
- 3-year limited Bad Cat warranty
- Free standard shipping
Note: Guitar speaker cabinet not included
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 30 watts |
| Power Tubes | 4x EL84 |
| Preamp Tubes | 3x 12AX7 |
| Channels | 2 (independent gain and volume per channel) |
| EQ Controls | Shared bass, treble, cut |
| Effects | Studio-quality spring reverb, bias-modulated tremolo |
| Effects Loop | Buffered |
| Speaker Outputs | 4Ω, 8Ω, 16Ω, 2x4Ω, 2x8Ω, plus line out |
| Footswitch | Two-button (channel select, tremolo) - included |
| Cabinet Material | Baltic birch |
| Finish | Custom navy blue tolex with gold piping |
| Weight | 31.60 lbs |
| Manufacturing | Handcrafted in Costa Mesa, California |
| Transformers | Custom hand-wound Bad Cat |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
Get Your Hands on This Amp Head Today
Experience the exceptional tone and legendary craftsmanship of the Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30-watt amplifier head at No Limit Guitar Co in Idaho Falls. This rare, limited-edition head represents Mark Sampson's final design work and is unavailable anywhere else. Test this amplifier with your guitar and cabinet in our comfortable playing environment to discover why Bad Cat defines boutique tone. Contact us today to schedule a personal demonstration or visit our website for more information.
