Bad Cat TSG Exclusive Era 30 Purple Sparkle 30w Hand Wired Head

The Bad Cat Era 30 Head is a modern boutique amplifier built around one goal—delivering the absolute best of Mark Sampson’s legendary EL84-driven design philosophy with the flexibility and authority of a professional head format. Designed as Sampson’s return to Bad Cat after more than two decades, the Era 30 blends the unmistakable chime, punch, and harmonic richness of his most celebrated circuits with modern refinements that make it one of the most complete boutique amplifiers on the market today.

This Tone Shop Guitars Exclusive version is finished in custom Purple Sparkle, giving one of Bad Cat’s flagship amplifiers a look as bold as its voice. Built for players who want standout tone and standout stage presence, this exclusive finish turns the Era 30 into something truly special without changing what makes the platform exceptional.

Channel One is powered by the iconic EF86 tube, delivering the harmonically rich, three-dimensional voice players associate with vintage boutique British amps. Its 6-way Depth control shapes low-end response with precision, while the Treble control acts as a highly interactive tone-shaping tool. Channel Two shifts to a 12AX7-based preamp for tighter, punchier response with vintage chime and articulate attack. Both channels feature independent gain and pre-phase inverter volume controls, plus a global post-phase inverter Master Volume for rich, dynamic tone at any level. The included two-button footswitch allows effortless channel switching or blending both channels together for expanded tonal flexibility.

Built in Costa Mesa, California with a heavy-duty aluminum chassis, custom Pacific transformers, premium leather corners, and true point-to-point hand-wired construction throughout, the Era 30 Head is every bit the flagship amplifier it was designed to be.

Highlights

• Tone Shop Guitars Exclusive Purple Sparkle finish
• Mark Sampson-designed 30-watt hand-wired boutique amplifier
• Channel One EF86 preamp for harmonically rich vintage British-style tone
• Channel Two 12AX7 preamp for tighter punch, chime, and articulate attack
• Included 2-button footswitch for channel switching and channel blending

Specifications

Amplifier

• Power Output: 30 Watts
• Power Tubes: 4 x EL84
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x EF86, 3 x 12AX7
• Rectifier Tube: 1 x 5AR4
• Channels: 2 Independent Channels, Switchable or Blendable
• Master Volume: Global Post-Phase Inverter Master Volume
• Effects Loop: Buffered with Hard Bypass
• Speaker Outputs: Switchable 4, 8, 16 Ohm

Controls

• Channel 1: Gain, 6-Way Depth, Treble, Volume
• Channel 2: Gain, Bass, Treble, Volume
• Global: Master Volume
• Footswitchable: Channel Switching + Channel Blending

Construction

• Chassis: Heavy-Duty Aluminum
• Transformers: Custom Bad Cat Transformer Set by Pacific Transformers
• Covering: Purple Sparkle Tolex
• Corners: Premium Leather
• Hand-Wired: True Point-to-Point Construction

Included Accessories

• 2-Button Footswitch
• Protective Amp Cover

Miscellaneous

• Built In: Costa Mesa, California, USA
• Warranty: 5-Year Limited Warranty

Why Buy from Tone Shop Guitars?

At Tone Shop Guitars, we specialize in hand-selected premium gear built for serious players who care about tone first. Every boutique amplifier we bring in is chosen for feel, response, reliability, and the kind of musical inspiration that separates good gear from truly unforgettable gear. We work directly with the brands and builders we believe in, and we only bring in products we’d proudly put on our own stage. When you buy from Tone Shop, you’re getting more than an amp—you’re getting confidence that the gear behind you is as serious as the music in front of you.