Great news!!!

Most of the problem was that fact that I was testing it last night using my Jagmaster, which has high output humbuckers. I tested it today using my ’92 Fender Mustang, and the lower output single coils made all the difference in the world – a match made in heaven. I also tightened up all the screws and nuts that attach the circuit to the cabinet. One of the main culprits behind the rattling was the Small Stone switch. Very easy to tighten without any disassembly. Unfortunately, there’s still a minor bit of rattling coming from the silver transistor plate attached to the amp circuit board, , but I can’t tighten it without disassembling the whole thing, and I just don’t have the time or energy to go there right now. It only seems to rattle on a low G at high volumes, so it isn’t a big deal – just me being a perfectionist.

This amps is soooooooooo quiet. Unbelievable. It is so incredibly clean with single coils. The BITE control really does what it says. This amp can get some serious mid range attack, much more so than my eardrums are accustomed to (ouch!). But the response is lovely. I couldn’t be happier.

As for getting a new speaker, the one in there seems to be doing fine now that I’ve solved most of the rattling issues. Eventually I will pick up a 12VR8, with high hopes that it will make this amp sing even more sweetly; but that can wait.

EHman, is that circuit essentially a Freedom Amp circuit? The board looks like it will fit into a Big Muff-sized enclosure, so I wonder if it’s the same circuit.

I finally picked up an EHX 12VR8 speaker last week and installed it. It sounds smashing! No more rattle either.

This amp has endless cool all over it. When I get an opportunity soon, I’ll post some clips of it in action. The cleans are really bright and punchy, and the dirt tones are incredible for a solid state amp (though way too loud for my apartment). I can’t believe EHX hasn’t reissued this gem.