JJretroTONEGOD,
No audio and at the moment I have no way of recording, but I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. From their website photo it looks exactly the same, except mine has aged and gotten darker, the metal has tarnished a bit and some of the vinyl has cracked. I must have the second version with the vinyl covering instead of the original real pigskin.
I haven't tried the new ones and I haven't examined one either so I can't really comment on the guts of it, but since there is nothing to this amp I don't see why it wouldn't be the same.
Yes, mine has a single on/off volume pot with a set screw on the bottom of the pig nose at 6 o'clock. At about 9 the volume comes on abruptly and maxes out at 4. It opens up like a book with the ceramic speaker on the left side above the on/off volume pot which is flanked, on both sides, by the AA battery holders (3 on each side). The right side bottom has the circuits under a cover and what looks like a bracket to wind up the cable of the AC adapter. From what I've read the Pignose AC is a must for a hum free recording. I’ve been using a cheapo RS 9V 300mA adapter (for now). On the back there is a small plate with the AC jack and a preamp out under it.
Unlike most here, I have played only a very few amps, but for comparisons I would say it has a voice and characteristic similar to small Fender tweeds. With its opening back and small size you have a lot of options for playing around with recording it. I've been using it with the POD to set up different sets of amps for the guitars I have, but it certainly stands up on its own.
Over all it's a LOT of fun for $75.
