“There’s no doubt in my mind that Mark Sampson was the father of the boutique amp revolution”: An interview with the late, great Mark Sampson, the trailblazing amp designer behind Bad Cat and Matchless

Bad Cat's late amp designer Mark Sampson on the shop floor: Sampson is widely credited as being one of the godfather's of the boutique amp movement.

With great sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Mark Sampson on 27 February 2025. A true pioneer in the world of guitar amplification, Mark was a co-founder of Matchless Amplifiers and a driving force behind Bad Cat and Star Amplifiers.

His vision and craftsmanship helped shape the sound of countless musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.