I just finished this amp build and it sounds fantastic! I also just finished a Marshall 18 Watt clone and I have to say that the Mod102+ holds its own very nicely alongside the Marshall. In fact, I will probably use the Mod102+ for recording because it sounds amazing at lower volumes (the Marshall is loud AF). Honestly, if I were only going to build one of them today, it would be the Mod. I'm blown away by the tone! Great kit with excellent instructions. Great bang for the buck. The parts all seem to be top quality. I love the old style cloth solid core wire, too. I find it much easier to work with than modern stranded wire. The labels are a bit lame but I covered them with packing tape as suggested before cutting them out and they look fine. If you're thinking about building an amp, build this one.

First the down side: I found the labels to be subpar. Printing was flawed with black areas having many non-printed areas leaving a spotted background. When I attempted to cut the labels out with my X- ACTO knife they shredded. I ended up using a label maker.

Now the up side: This was a fun kit to build. I followed the suggestion of a previous reviewer and made sure that all paint was removed where terminal strips mounted to the chassis. I then verified solid ground connections were made using an ohm meter. The component layout diagrams are very helpful for component placement. However, I found it useful to change the sequence of some steps. For instance, where wire or components are soldered to the lower hole on a terminal strip I found it easier to do that before soldering components on upper parts of the strip. I also assembled and soldered the T2/T3 assembly externally by screwing them to a wooden block, soldering all components and then installing it as a unit into the chassis.

The schematic with voltages given for key points was very helpful when I inadvertently skipped a step and the amp did not work. Standard troubleshooting techniques using the schematic found the problem.

Customer support: There was a mix up in parts, partially my error and partially Amplified Parts error. Customer support by Wesley Fleck was superb and reason enough to buy from them. The issue was quickly resolved. Thank you again Wesley!

I will be buying another kit in the future from Amplified Parts.

I got this kit one year ago and built it in about two weeks of evenings. I had a little solid state combo amp with a ten inch speaker that had died on me. So I removed the solid state chassis and fitted the Mod 102 chassis inside the cabinet. With a few slight modifications to the cabinet, and turning over the graphics on the Mod 102 panel, it looks almost like it could have come from the factory that way. The best part is the sound and performance. It sounds much better, much more organic than the SS amp ever did, esp[ecially when pushed a little. Generally I run it with the knobs all on about 6, and there is a nice, soft edge to the distortion. I turn the guitar volume down or play lightly for clean tones and turn it up or dig in for distortion.

It's not only a great little practice amp, but I mic it and play it as a worship leader at my church.

finished the amp. had tons of help from tech support. They were always quick to answer questions and offer advice. All of the problems I had were my own doing, but they made it right. really pleased

Love the sound of this little amp. I took my time. Painted it yellow. Changed out the Chinese tube for a Tungsol. Running it through a 1X12 cab with a Jensen. Classic sound. Overdrives nice a higher volumes.

Use an "external tooth lock washer" between the
chassis and whatever you're grounding. It will cut
through the paint.

I just completed my Mod 102 kit. An excellent experience! I was delighted with the quality of components, clarity of instructions, and, perhaps most importantly, the sound of the amp. It is very loud - currently running into my Fender Twin Reverb cab (2x12) and very sweet! I will be running it into a new 1x12 cab with a new Celestion G12 M Heritage 'Greenback' when I get a case for the speaker (on order).

My only criticism (and something to look out for) is that the chassis is very nicely painted in gray gunmetal paint. Even following the directions to file all the holes, it is very hard to get a good ground connection at every point a terminal strip connects. I worried about this, and about 1/3rd of the way through the build, took an ohm meter to check all the connections, and as I had suspected, some of the connections were not great (9-10 ohms or so!) So I removed the terminal strips (with the components I had already soldered still attached) and scraped away the paint under the tabs of the strips to ensure a good connection. Re-testing showed virtually zero resistance. I'd strongly recommend scraping the paint away at all holes under the chassis before getting started on the build. Even better, suggest that Amplified Parts leave the inside chassis unpainted (at least around the important holes).

Aside that one criticism, I am delighted with the kit and with Amplified Parts. Everything was delivered promptly and they are a class outift. I'll probably try some of their other kits soon.

This amp is a blast to build and it sounds great.Very clear instructions and support online if you need it.