So usually has the phrase “Mark Sampson period” been utilized to pre-2000 Matchless amps or early examples of the Dangerous Cat line that the time period has change into a “factor” in and of itself. As utilized to Dangerous Cat’s new Period 30, it means Sampson is again within the fold (see our interview within the March ’25 situation) whereas giving the corporate’s newest providing the complete weight of his acknowledged mastery of tube-amp design and development.

As such, there are few surprises relating to specs and construct high quality, but a number of intelligent twists that take acquainted Sampson designs ahead. For shorthand, we would contemplate the Period 30 an up to date Dangerous Cat Black Cat or Matchless DC30, every of which shares Sampson’s flagship circuit with one EF86 pentode-preamp channel, one 12AX7 channel, and 30 watts of ostensibly Class A (a.okay.a. cathode-biased) energy from 4 EL84s. Notable updates to the format embody a Treble management to boost the six-position Depth change on the EF86 channel, particular person Quantity controls for every channel along with the worldwide Grasp, and footswitchability to pick out or mix the 2. Circuit development is hand-wired/point-to-point utilizing top-quality elements and the outside is austerely trendy, with two phases of illumination for the title plate to point standby/on standing.

Examined with an ES-355 and Telecaster into 1×12″ and a pair of×12″ cabs, the Period 30 cruised straight to the sound and really feel of a number of Sampson-designed amps from the previous. The phrases “chime” and “bloom” inewvitably come to thoughts, together with an simple depth, multi-dimensionality and readability. With both guitar, the Period 30 delivers spectacular headroom earlier than issues begin to sizzle – with somewhat extra girth on the EF86 channel versus added treble shimmer on 12AX7 – however its clear tones are all the time wealthy and toothsome.

Pushing it additional revealed the delectable edge-of-breakup tones that made Sampson’s designs well-known, good for all the things from meaty nation twang to crisp blues soloing or textured indie/garage-rock grind. Regardless of the a number of output-level controls, although, the Period 30 actually sounds its finest when pushed fairly exhausting, the place issues get loud and the EL84s start to sing. A half-power mode (as discovered on a number of of his earlier 30-watters) could be good, to allow this at barely decrease volumes. Overdrive tones lean somewhat fizzy when reining within the Quantity and Grasp controls an excessive amount of, however there’s wonderful stuff right here in any other case, and a really welcome return from one of many founders of the boutique-amp growth. – Dave Hunter

This text initially appeared in VG’s April 2025 situation. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited