Bad Cat Mod Shop Cub 15 vs. Mod Shop Black Cat 30: Which Amplifier Is Right for You?
Choosing between the Bad Cat Mod Shop Cub 15 and the Mod Shop Black Cat 30 comes down to your headroom needs, tone-shaping preferences, and overall rig setup. While both amplifiers deliver world-class boutique tones, their features cater to completely different playing styles.
To hear these tonal differences side-by-side, check out our full YouTube “Mod Shop Shootout” with Nate. Nate dials in both amps to identical control settings through a Bad Cat 112 Extension Cabinet so you can hear the raw, uncolored character of each circuit through different guitar pickups and gain levels.
Bad Cat Mod Shop Cub 15 Overview
- Channels & Layout: Single-channel amplifier with a front-panel toggle switch to jump from clean to dirty by driving the front end with extra gain.
- Dual Master Volumes: Includes two foot-switchable master volumes (Rhythm and Lead), giving you a built-in lead boost without extra pedals.
- Tone Control: Equipped with a Presence knob alongside a traditional tone stack (Treble, Mid, and Bass).
- Onboard Reverb: Features built-in, studio-quality digital reverb for spatial depth without needing an external pedal.
- Sweet Spot: Thrives at the "edge of breakup" at manageable volume levels thanks to its 15-watt EL84 power section. Ideal for a minimalist, "plug-and-play" rig.
Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30 Overview
- Channels & Layout: True two-channel amplifier, featuring independent Gain/Volume and Master Volume controls for both Channel 1 and Channel 2.
- Tone Control: Inspired by classic 60s-era AC-style circuits featuring Treble, Bass, and Cut controls. Turning up the Treble reduces low-mids and bass frequencies for unique tone shaping.
- Onboard Reverb & Tremolo: Features onboard studio-quality reverb alongside a lush tremolo control (footswitchable).
- Sweet Spot: Offers massive clean headroom, a robust bottom end, and a full, percussive sound with natural bloom.
- Pedal Platform: The ideal higher headroom choice if you already rely on drive and boost pedals for your main gain stages.
Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | Mod Shop Cub 15 | Mod Shop Black Cat 30 |
Wattage | 15 Watts | 30 Watts |
Channels | 1 Channel (Clean/Dirty Toggle) | 2 Independent Channels |
Master Volume | Dual Master Volumes (Rhythm/Lead) | Individual Master per Channel |
EQ Stack | Treble, Mid, Bass + Presence | Treble, Bass, Cut (60s AC Style) |
Built-in Effects | Studio-Quality Reverb | Studio-Quality Reverb & Tremolo |
Best For | Edge-of-breakup & minimal rigs | High clean headroom & guitarists who want the flexibility of 2 independent channels |
Tone Breakdown & Final Verdict
As demonstrated in our side-by-side YouTube comparison test through a Bad Cat 112 Extension Cabinet:
- Choose the Cub 15 if: You want a Spartan rig where you can set an edge-of-breakup rhythm sound, dial in lush reverb, and hit a secondary Master Volume for an instant lead boost.
- Choose the Black Cat 30 if: You need high clean headroom, rich low-end fullness, onboard Reverb and Tremolo, and a versatile two-channel platform.
Watch the full video demonstration to hear both amps in action, or reach out to our team directly at badcatamps.com to find the right Bad Cat for you!