Any Bugera amp fans here?

[specialk]

So I finally made it to the local shop today. I was planning on choosing between the Vox AC4TV and Roland Cube 15x.

They didn't have a Roland, but they did have the Bugera 5 watt amp. I've never heard one and don't know anybody with one. So I got to looking between the Bugera, here:

http://www.bugera-amps.com/EN/products/V5.aspx

And the Vox, here:

http://www.voxamps.com/us/modernclassic/ac4tv/

They both run 12AX7/EL84 tubes, and both have built-in attenuators.

The Vox has a 10" speaker, the Bugera 8".

Vox has a vol/tone, Bugera has vol/tone, plus gain and reverb.

I really like the cleans of the Bugera over the Vox.

The Bugera is $100 less than the Vox.

I'm going back Monday or Tuesday with cash in my pocket. Anyone here care to comment one way or the other on either of these?

[ET_KenW]

The Vox also comes in an 8 inch model for less. I do like the more open design of Bugera, and the headphone jack option. Now I kind of wish there were one of those to compare to when I purchased my Vox.

[specialk]

Ken,

I don't think the 8" Vox is available any more. I checked a couple of online sites, and they said they were either out of them or it's been discontinued. A shame if true, as I know I read somewhere that the 8" components were better than those in the 10".

I know squat about Bugera. I've seen their ads, but that's it. Until I walked into the store I had no idea they made small amps. I had about 5 minutes to mess with it before the youngsters came in to shred. So when I go back, I'm taking my own guitar and giving each one a fair shake.

The main reason I was looking at the Cube 15x is because it has a power-squeezer switch that drops the output to 2 watts.

Oh well, I'm keeping my ears open and may the best amp win.

That Blackheart 5 watter is cool, but for me the convenience of a combo is a bigger deal. Plus I'm on a budget.

Anyone know if there is a big sonic difference between a 10" speaker and a 8" speaker? I'm guessing not, at least not at bedroom volumes.

[Mindseyes]

I think Bugera=Crate, at least I think I heard that somewhere........

On a side note I tried out the new Fender Mustang II today and was very impressed with it!!!!!!!!! I have been using a Roland Cube 30 for my bedroom/practice amp and will be getting rid of it to make room for the Mustang II. @$199 it just blows everything away in that price range plus a few hundred bucks! IMHO

Try to play one before buying and thank me later!

[carfish7]

I heard Bugera = Behringer.

But I also heard we never REALLY landed on the moon, so.......

Z

[backinit]

I have played both the Bugera and the Vox (w/t the stock 10" celestion) and the Vox was much better to me. I've used ones for about $125-$150.

[specialk]

Z:

Thanks for the info. I came across that Bugera = Behringer connection somewhere on the web. I dunno if it's just distribution or manufacturing too, but maybe something to avoid.

backinit:

Thanks! This is what I'm looking for, direct head-to-head comparisons. And I trust you guys here a LOT more than the faceless monkeys that post on harmony central or other sites.

And it'll be all stock amps. I don't want to be buying an amp then have to turn around and put new tubes/speakers in it. That's part of the allure for me of SS amps.

When I go back there next week, I will be sure to give tone reports here on both. All three, if I can find that Roland Cube 15x.

I'm not a tube snob, I'll use whatever gets me to where I want to be.

Decent tone at low volumes, can it really be so hard to find? Seems like it is....

[ET_KenW]

I was actually able to sample the 8 and 10 inch Vox's side by side when I purchased mine. (It's a shame that they are not available anymore. I really liked the idea of the .1 watt setting.) I went back and forth between the two, with my minimal playing skills, and then decided on the 10 because the 8 really had a tinny quality to it.

I've checked out clips on Youtube for the Bugera and am really not impressed. But that can be because of crappy camera microphones.

[backinit]

Z:

Thanks for the info. I came across that Bugera = Behringer connection somewhere on the web. I dunno if it's just distribution or manufacturing too, but maybe something to avoid.

backinit:

Thanks! This is what I'm looking for, direct head-to-head comparisons. And I trust you guys here a LOT more than the faceless monkeys that post on harmony central or other sites.

And it'll be all stock amps. I don't want to be buying an amp then have to turn around and put new tubes/speakers in it. That's part of the allure for me of SS amps.

When I go back there next week, I will be sure to give tone reports here on both. All three, if I can find that Roland Cube 15x.

I'm not a tube snob, I'll use whatever gets me to where I want to be.

Decent tone at low volumes, can it really be so hard to find? Seems like it is....

I was at a store that had the Bugera and the Vox. I think many people buy the Bugera because it's $150.

[specialk]

VOX ROCKS!

More later....

[LostArt]

bugera is behringer.

RUN

[Carl.B]

bugera is behringer.

RUN

Why run? Behringer makes some pretty decent stuff. I have used a few of there power amp, equalizers, and there effects with no problem. Just because they figured out a way to make stuff cheaper dosen't mean it's all crap. The fender frontman my son got with his first guitar crapped out long before the Behringer same thing with a Crate amp. He now has the Behringer with him at collage. So if you want to pay $50 - $75 more for your amp that's probally made with parts from the same country because it say's Vox, Marshall etc...

I am just saying if you like the sound of the Bugera for $75 - $100 less than the Vox for a bedroom amp I say go for it. Hell it's not rocket science it's stuff you learn in a High School electronics class.

[ET_KenW]

VOX ROCKS!

More later....

Well I guess we know what went home with you. Congrats.

[LostArt]

-->

bugera is behringer.

RUN

Why run? Behringer makes some pretty decent stuff. I have used a few of there power amp, equalizers, and there effects with no problem. Just because they figured out a way to make stuff cheaper dosen't mean it's all crap. The fender frontman my son got with his first guitar crapped out long before the Behringer same thing with a Crate amp. He now has the Behringer with him at collage. So if you want to pay $50 - $75 more for your amp that's probally made with parts from the same country because it say's Vox, Marshall etc...

I am just saying if you like the sound of the Bugera for $75 - $100 less than the Vox for a bedroom amp I say go for it. Hell it's not rocket science it's stuff you learn in a High School electronics class.

you get what you pay for. they steal their designs and have the stuff built in sweatshops in china and viet nam to sell the stuff cheap.

I would rather spend a little more money and buy an amp from a reputable company and have something that would last.

you can use all the behringer gear you want. many pro rides say no behginger right on them and no studio or band worth anything would use the equipment.

just my inflated 2 cents

YMMV

[Carl.B]

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Carl.B @ Oct 18 2010, 02:23 PM) ←</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->

bugera is behringer.

RUN

Why run? Behringer makes some pretty decent stuff. I have used a few of there power amp, equalizers, and there effects with no problem. Just because they figured out a way to make stuff cheaper dosen't mean it's all crap. The fender frontman my son got with his first guitar crapped out long before the Behringer same thing with a Crate amp. He now has the Behringer with him at collage. So if you want to pay $50 - $75 more for your amp that's probally made with parts from the same country because it say's Vox, Marshall etc...

I am just saying if you like the sound of the Bugera for $75 - $100 less than the Vox for a bedroom amp I say go for it. Hell it's not rocket science it's stuff you learn in a High School electronics class.

you get what you pay for. they steal their designs and have the stuff built in sweatshops in china and viet nam to sell the stuff cheap.

I would rather spend a little more money and buy an amp from a reputable company and have something that would last.

you can use all the behringer gear you want. many pro rides say no behginger right on them and no studio or band worth anything would use the equipment.

just my inflated 2 cents

YMMV

I don't know the history of Behringer and really don't care, but I will never be in a pro studio recording or on tour. I have to believe they are a fairly reputable company to be sold in just about every music store out there. I am just trying to get by and save few $$. Didn't mean to offend anyone.

Carl

[specialk]

Carl, the Bugera was okay by my book. Good bang for the buck. I just couldn't pay that money and "hope" the Bugera performed for the long haul. My personal experience follows:

Okay, here goes....

I know there are a fair number of pro players on this board with megawatt heads and 4x12 cabs out the wazoo. So you may or may not be interested in this review. Cool, but for anyone wanting to get a real bedroom amp here is my experience.

Bugera:

$150. 5 watt, vol/tone/gain/reverb. 1x8 combo, Bugera speaker. EL84/12AX7 tubes. Attenuator allows for 5, 1 or 0.1 watt out. Headphone out.

Vox:

$250. 4 watt, vol/tone. 1x10 combo, Celestion speaker. EL84/12AX7 tubes. Attenuator allows for 4, 1 or 0.25 watt out. 16 ohm external speaker out.

Both combo amps were demo’d with a Special FM with 2 buckers, bridge WCR Fillmore and neck Bare Knuckle Mule.

For me:

The Bugera had a headphone out which was nice (but I’m not a can man). Decent, but to me a “compressed” sound (and not in a good way). Tinny and shallow sound, if that makes sense. The clean wasn’t bad, just not good. The reverb was digital and it sounded like it. Not good. The gain was pretty much the same. A little was good, but beyond say 3 not so good. Changing pickups was kinda blah.

The Vox was very responsive and “organic” sounding. Tube saturation was incredible, exactly like what I was hearing in my head. Where this amp really shined was at the lower power settings. Living in a duplex, I can’t always crank the volume, but on the 1 watt and especially the 1/4 watt settings the Vox killed the Bugera in tone. And the pickup selector switch just made such a difference with the Vox. The different characteristics of the pups was crystal clear with Vox.

$250 for a 4 watt amp sounds nuts. See the smile on my face? It’s still there. All I can say is try it before you buy it. The Vox was worth every penny to me.

[backinit]

Carl, the Bugera was okay by my book. Good bang for the buck. I just couldn't pay that money and "hope" the Bugera performed for the long haul. My personal experience follows:

Okay, here goes....

I know there are a fair number of pro players on this board with megawatt heads and 4x12 cabs out the wazoo. So you may or may not be interested in this review. Cool, but for anyone wanting to get a real bedroom amp here is my experience.

Bugera:

$150. 5 watt, vol/tone/gain/reverb. 1x8 combo, Bugera speaker. EL84/12AX7 tubes. Attenuator allows for 5, 1 or 0.1 watt out. Headphone out.

Vox:

$250. 4 watt, vol/tone. 1x10 combo, Celestion speaker. EL84/12AX7 tubes. Attenuator allows for 4, 1 or 0.25 watt out. 16 ohm external speaker out.

Both combo amps were demo’d with a Special FM with 2 buckers, bridge WCR Fillmore and neck Bare Knuckle Mule.

For me:

The Bugera had a headphone out which was nice (but I’m not a can man). Decent, but to me a “compressed” sound (and not in a good way). Tinny and shallow sound, if that makes sense. The clean wasn’t bad, just not good. The reverb was digital and it sounded like it. Not good. The gain was pretty much the same. A little was good, but beyond say 3 not so good. Changing pickups was kinda blah.

The Vox was very responsive and “organic” sounding. Tube saturation was incredible, exactly like what I was hearing in my head. Where this amp really shined was at the lower power settings. Living in a duplex, I can’t always crank the volume, but on the 1 watt and especially the 1/4 watt settings the Vox killed the Bugera in tone. And the pickup selector switch just made such a difference with the Vox. The different characteristics of the pups was crystal clear with Vox.

$250 for a 4 watt amp sounds nuts. See the smile on my face? It’s still there. All I can say is try it before you buy it. The Vox was worth every penny to me.

I pretty much felt the same way. I have to get a cabinet for my ACTV head and start enjoying it.

[Carl.B]

I have played vox 8" and it did sound good clean and it did break up nicely too. As for the bugera i have only heard that on video and read few reviews. I will admit for I liked the fender super champ XD the plus being usable effects not best effects but good enough for this old fart. So being the cheap old norwegien I am keeping my eyes open for good used one. Glad you found something you like and that's what is all about. Playing should be something that makes you feel good!

[ET_KenW]

The Vox was very responsive and “organic” sounding. Tube saturation was incredible, exactly like what I was hearing in my head. Where this amp really shined was at the lower power settings. Living in a duplex, I can’t always crank the volume, but on the 1 watt and especially the 1/4 watt settings the Vox killed the Bugera in tone. And the pickup selector switch just made such a difference with the Vox. The different characteristics of the pups was crystal clear with Vox.

$250 for a 4 watt amp sounds nuts. See the smile on my face? It’s still there. All I can say is try it before you buy it. The Vox was worth every penny to me.

I could not have said it better. Not to mention, to me, the Vox absolutely loves any kind of effect you throw in front of it. At least it with my RP-355 and Pandora 4, it is like they are meant for each other.

[Siaip Ciuvas]

congrats on good buy!

I know two guys who had Bugeras (100+W heads, all that I know), both bought at the same time and died pretty much in the same time.

Bugera IS Behringer.

Avoid at any cost.

[specialk]

congrats on good buy!

I know two guys who had Bugeras (100+W heads, all that I know), both bought at the same time and died pretty much in the same time.

Bugera IS Behringer.

Avoid at any cost.

Thanks for the advice on Bugera amps everyone. As I said, I can't afford to sink dough in an amp that's gonna be more trouble down the road. Sorry to hear of your friend's troubles with their Bugeras. That's gotta suck!

Still very happy with the Vox.