I don't know if it sounds like older versions of amplifiers and to tell you the truth I don't really care,
I made a special cabinet 112 for it`s size with Celestion Alnico Cream 90W and it`s beautiful, I am very happy with the results,
It smells beautiful and sounds beautiful to me, this amplifier is the king of all amplifiers, the rest of the them are just variation of it,
Great sounds with Gibson SG, Yamaha Revstar with Duncan Antiquities, PRS 277 baritone, Fender LTD American Performer Telecaster. You can try it with simply any guitar and it`s sounds really good,