ce blues said:
... I've got a buddy who has a vintage one that he uses with his tweed Deluxe.... If I can put a couple bucks together it might be a really fun build/project. I have heard that the Weber kits don't use terribly good parts... But, I don't know this first hand and only by hearsay (and we all know what that can be worth).
Hi ce; unlike wine, electronics don't necessarily get better with age; arguably, they go the other way. Given a choice between moderate price and high performance (Weber) viz high price and moderate performance (vintage Fender), this is the way to go.
If you think you're interested, talk to Steve; he's got some valid criticisms of the parts too but having danced the dance, he now knows all the steps. He has a source for very high grade hookup wire and I'd expect the next default-verbs to probably have shielded inputs and a more better gooder pilot light assembly.
In some respects, it can't be helped; if Weber is going to do all the bull-work and package these up and still make a buck or two, something's got to give ... if you're serious, default is the man to see.