You have correctly observed the shortcomings of Ceriatone.com and Ceriatoneforum.com. The basic information you want is not readily available. Ceriatone does not provide amp descriptions, much less specs or objective sound clips.

However, anyone with even a cursory knowledge of guitar amps can easily glean which classic amp models Nik is producing. All models have layouts which clearly show the amp's controls, components and tube compliment. Wattages will fairly faithfully follow the classic amp being reproduced.

I don't think it's very difficult to understand what's included in the kits. The kits include EVERYTHING needed to complete the amp chassis, and Nik simplifies the kit options by specifying what's not included, rather than what is included. So you can get a kit without tubes (nice if you already have tubes) or without transformers (transformers are heavy and some folks save a few bucks on shipping by sourcing transformers stateside, or they simply prefer sourcing their own transformers.) In this regard, Ceriatone compares favorably to ... say ... Weber, which are some of the most popular kits going (Nik uses higher quality components than Weber, but Weber kits are very affordable). To sum up, kits include all the parts -- chassis, faceplates, assembled circuit board, pots, jacks, switches, flying lead wire, transformers, tubes, caps, resistors, diodes, terminal strips, fuse holders, tube sockets, pilot lamps, bolts, nuts -- everything needed to complete the amp. Cabinetry is optional.

Assembly instructions are not provided, just the layout (same as Weber). Metropolous or Marshamps sell kits with detailed assembly instructions. Actually you can apply the Metro instructions to any Marshall build, and their instructions are online.

Your frustration is justified (see my recent vent), but if you let it be a deal breaker you're making a big mistake as these amps are a good value, meticulously hand built with good components and refined for excellent tone. I'm in Austin, TX and I'm currently waiting 5 weeks for an amp assembled in Kuala Lumpur! This will be my second Ceriatone, and I'm already planning for my third. It seems insane, but I save a little cash and that's how much I love these amps. If you think this stuff is weird, wait till you see how ordering works! Basically, you send Nik some money with a note on which amp you want, and then you wait (and wait and wait and wait) and hope you get a tracking number when it ships. Turnaround time seems to be running at least 5 weeks!!!

Sites that will help to know...

http://www.18watt.com/index.php
http://www.ampwares.com/fender.asp
http://www.drtube.com/marshall.htm
http://music-electronics-forum.com/home.php
http://www.ampage.org
http://www.weberorders.com/forum/
http://www.diytube.com/phpBB2/index.php

And this book is invaluable to know exact what component does what in an amp...
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Amplifier-Handbook-Understanding-Amplifiers/dp/087930863X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275539753&sr=8-2

Plus, there are the Aspen Pittman and Gerald Weber books.

Oh please.  Show some initiative. 

I totally agree that a small blurb to describe each amp would probably save him the hassle of answering several questions, but the guy has so much business right now he's not even been able to roll out many amps he wants to, so he's just too damn busy.  Do what you would do for any high-end consumer purchase, go out and research the models and compare what they do and make a decision about what is best suited for you.  Youtube has clips of most of Nik's models, there is plenty of info right here and tons on the other links. 

Shop for an amp kit at Weber, Metro or Marsh and you won't find much (or as much) information as Ceriatone, but they all have great forums and/or support.  They are specialty products for people who know what they want and know their way around amps. 

Hold on, there something wrong with this statement...

So you would prefer to send your money to a good businessman than to a good amp builder.
 

Good businessman to me, is somebody who can spend as little as he can to make a product and charge for as much as he can to make a profit... right?
In order to make something with minimum cost in mind, you have to use cheap parts and use "cheap" unskilled labor.

You're right Nik is not a businessman, he uses high grade parts and his guys are a pro amp builders... I doubt he's going cheap on them (for their standard obviously)... and his prices are fair. You can clearly see that this is a man who loves what he's doing... and while doing this, he does not rip off the customers.

A guy like that, can have my money anytime.
 

There is an obscure pull from the past. 

Funny, I rewired a Dynaco St-70 a couple of years ago and still have to find time to rewire the PAS preamp.  And all I can think is what a hassle this is because someone didn't do it right in 1960-61 (my best guess to the date).

Maybe, just maybe Nik isn't your normal businessman. In my dealings with him (3 kits so far and gassing for a fourth) he has been anything but...... I get replies within an HOUR often, he goes above and beyond each and EVERY time I have a question, problem or order. I can truthfully say I have never had customer service better than Nik, he is the model every 'businessman' should follow as it creates happy customers who come back time after time.

And consider this.... possibly Nik realises that the customer type that he has most problems with are those who won't go and find information for themselves, so he constructs his site so that those are discouraged, given that he is running at full capacity anyway he probably does not want more customers who need nannying.

Sorry, just saw this.

Simbot has a point.

I will try to make the info.

We started that way. I mean, back then, with kits and completes, say 18W and people will know.

I guess, with so many models, I should start having a description.

This means website revamp, which is another reason we have held off for so long.

It wont be 2 hrs though. It does require some thought, for the descriptions!

Thanks!

Nik