Amp Kit - MOD^® Kits, MOD102 guitar amplifier

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.

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.

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.