Anyone tried the Bugera 55watter?

[jackthehack]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bugera-V55HD-55W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=502585

Looks unbelievable given the price; anybody have one of these puppies?

 

[JaySwear]

i was VERY close to getting one of these. it was between this and the vox night train. i'll definitely be watching this waiting to see what others have to say. the only bad reviews on it were about it's dependability, which makes me worry. i know bugera has had some QC issues. i ended up spending my amp money on a warmoth  :-\  who can blame me with the sale, right?

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Looks like a great amp and this years run of bugera's are supposed to be of much better quality.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The only bad thing I've heard is that they have an affiliation with Behringer and the tubes are cheap Chinese crap.  A tube swap may be in order from the get go.  Otherwise they are a very good deal.

 

[jackthehack]

AT that price I'd EXPECT cheap Chinese tubes that I'd need to replace

 

[GoDrex]

I'd like to know what they get the wattage rating from

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bugera-1960-Classic-150W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=502588

anyway - If I got a Bugera, I'd definitely consider buying the warranty too

 

[ByteFrenzy]

I'd like to know what they get the wattage rating from

 

[Kublai]

Wow, those dice bring back some fuzzy, hazy memories.

 

[dmraco]

I have played MANY bugera products and all sound GREAT!  That 55wat has some great classic tones.  Their 333 and 333XLs are killer and rival MARSHALL IMHO.

However as others have stated...quality seems to be an issue here.  Even the salesfolk at the stores are cautious.  the knobs feel cheap too.

I will admitt, they are tempting!

 

[whyachi]

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bugera-Ultrabass-BTX36000-The-Nuke-3600W-Bass-Amp-Head?sku=581273

3,600W for $599. Yay Bugera, right?


I'm a firm believer that if it looks too good to be true, and its not made by Warmoth, then don't buy it.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The quality thing, Behringer either owns Bugera or Bugera owns Behringer or they have the same parent company.  Somehow they are affiliated.  As far as the knobs feeling cheap, the Behringers have plastic shafts on the pots.  Maybe these do too.

They've got 2 bass heads.  One is 3600 watts!  Theoretically, if my ohms law serves me the correct, you'd have to have a 30A dedicated circuit just to run the thing to capacity, which I don't know why you'd want to, and I doubt the thing has a 10 AWG power chord.  The other is 550 watt beauty with a (4) 12AX7 preamp for only $400. 

 

[Dan025]

They've got 2 bass heads.  One is 3600 watts!  Theoretically, if my ohms law serves me the correct, you'd have to have a 30A dedicated circuit just to run the thing to capacity, which I don't know why you'd want to, and I doubt the thing has a 10 AWG power chord. 

thats at 100% efficient too which no circuit is.

if it takes 220v power it could work.

but really music is a dynamic thing and that is peak power and is only acheived a small portion of the time. at that point it can be supplied from a bank of internal capacitors. that said i don't know if i believe them anyway.

 

[AprioriMark]

I'm really tempted to buy one.  I just bought one of those Soldano-era Twins, so I need to find one of these and buy it under the radar.

-Mark

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

if it takes 220v power it could work.

I live in the U.S.  This ain't no water heater, oven, AC, or welder.  Besides good luck finding a 220v plug on a stage at the bar.

 

[yyz2112]

I bought one on a whim about 6 months ago, looking for a low priced tube head to use as a backup. Sounded ok, but very bright. Didn't get along with any of my pedals, from TS types to a DS-1 to any fuzzes. I returned it quickly and went with a Peavey Windsor which, after a number of mods, I'm much happier with. Actually, I was happier with the Windsor out of the box.

 

[AprioriMark]

I bought one on a whim about 6 months ago, looking for a low priced tube head to use as a backup. Sounded ok, but very bright. Didn't get along with any of my pedals, from TS types to a DS-1 to any fuzzes. I returned it quickly and went with a Peavey Windsor which, after a number of mods, I'm much happier with. Actually, I was happier with the Windsor out of the box.

You're the third person to mention this Windsor rather than the Bugera... any advice for mods out of the box?

-Mark

 

[jackthehack]

Finally got by GC, they don't have any of the 55W heads or combos, but did have one of these 22W combos:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bugera-V22-22W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=502583

It's a pretty nice little amp for the price, still want to try the 55W heads, may have to break down and order one from musciansfriend.com as I can always return it if it sux.

 

[yyz2112]

I bought one on a whim about 6 months ago, looking for a low priced tube head to use as a backup. Sounded ok, but very bright. Didn't get along with any of my pedals, from TS types to a DS-1 to any fuzzes. I returned it quickly and went with a Peavey Windsor which, after a number of mods, I'm much happier with. Actually, I was happier with the Windsor out of the box.

You're the third person to mention this Windsor rather than the Bugera... any advice for mods out of the box?

-Mark

I followed Doug Hammond's suggestions here: http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/DougH/amp/windsor/basic/
I didn't follow them to the letter, but I did the DC coupling in the preamp, also removed the bypass cap at C5 as well as the recommended C28. I also subbed a 180p cap where he indicates a 130p, doubt that made much difference. You'll need to either cut traces in a couple spots, or lift a cap here and there and do the substitutions on the component side of the board, soldering them with flying leads (my method). This only applies to the preamp mods, though, the power amp mods are easy enough.
I've got some new parts left over from the order I made to do the mods, let me know if you need anything.

 

[AprioriMark]

Awesome, and thanks!

-Mark

 

[Vol. Knob]

I've not had the chance to play through a Bugera, but I've saw one in a pawn shop recently.  They look good on paper, on the price tag, and in pictures... however...  in person they seem a little flimsy.  And given my experience with Behringer (I have PA gear and a bass amp), I'd pass.  But I could be wrong. 

I have one of those Peavey Windsor heads.  It was the worst sounding amp I've ever owned.  All fizzy gain.  I swapped out the preamp tubes for lower gain 12AY7s, and that brought in the headroom.  Then I went ahead and had a tech do the Doug Hammond mods.  And now I love this thing.  I run it through a closed back 2x12 loaded with Eminence Cannibas Rex speakers, use my Epiphones mostly, but it also performs well with my off-brand Warlock, P-90 loaded Warmoth thinline or '69 Thinline jalopy.  But at 100 watts, its quick to get loud.