i have other amps that are smoother, tighter, do other things well, so i like having the 5e3 be kinda what its supposed to be. albeit with less mush on the bottom. ive done three hour rock/blues gigs with an esquire straight into the 5e3 bright 1 input, basically all knobs on 9, and using the volume and tone controls on the guitar to do the work. its a skill to be learned for sure, but the 5e3 circuit, and im sure the modded version as well, can deliver.