a Bandit was the first "substantial" amp i played through, although it didn't belong to me. at the time, all i wanted was as much distortion as possible, and it delivered! i seem to remember it sounded pretty good, for what it was. a friend got a peavey stereo chorus combo shortly after, which sounded similar, and he gigged with it for a couple of years before getting a Mesa Recto-verb. i think he still uses the Peavey at home though.
not bad for a tenner, congratulations :)