First: This thing is build like a tank. Solid metal case. And it got this nice 50ties design, everything is well rounded. The nobs are metal too. Logo and plate looks stunning. Knobs, switch and plugs are a little bit too shiny in they golden plating for a real vintage piece from the 50ties or early 60ties, but I like that trim. Second: The sound. I can only say one thing: WOW! Even at full gain, it's quite, when we are speaking about noise. But when you hit the strings, it sounds like a full cranked JCM800. That "Deep" knob is simply amazing. It gives your sound a kind of low bottom fundament. Hard to put it in words. To make it simple, it's a marshall in a box and does a very good job at that. What it does not? Ultra high gain modern shred guitar! At least not on it's own. If you are after the tone of hard rock and "classic" metal, that is your device. Third: It works on it's own quite well, but if you want the real deal: Put an overdrive before. I took my Behringer Tube Monster VT999. That thing can go from boost to overdrive and has a nice blues like distortion when maxed out. But I bet a tube screamer or any clone will do magnificent too. My conclusion: If you want the sound of JCM800 and similar, but can't place a full stack in your bed room, that thing is build for you! For a mordern metal sound, you would need more pedals in the chain! But I would bet a solid JCM800 simulator is a good place to start.