Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

[tman]

Hey guys and gals looking to get my first tube amp and Im going for the lower wattage no more than the Bugera 22 infinium. But Im undecisive between a small blackstar which I would run into a bigger cab like a 1x12. I was thinking of the HT-1 1 watt. But then again I like the Bugera with the effects loop and the auto bias tubes etc.. which one for tone and sound qaulity would you guys go with???

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

Stay away from the Bug V22.....worst amp I ever owned. FIZZY on the lead channel.
The Blackstar HT1 is just a glorified pedal....try out a Blackstar HT20H into the cab of your choice. I have one of these, and it's quite nice (after replacing the V1 12AX7 with a 5751 for a minimal cost, doing so to tame the gain).

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

Have you tried both of the amps you are looking at?

I have zero experience with Blackstar, from what I hear they make great products.

I had the Bugera V22 and the 333XL, both were incredible sounding amps (I was slightly disappointed with the third "high gain" channel on the 333XL, but the other two channels sounded so good that for the price it was a moot point.) I had zero issues with the V22, gave it to a friend who used it for several recordings and loved the tone. The 333XL did have a rattle that would not go away, but I bought it used in pretty beat up condition, and I know a lot of the quality issues of the older amps have been addressed by Bugera.

So, from my experience I would say the Bugera would be a great option. I will leave the Blackstar option to those who have experience with it. Hope you can get the amp you are looking for!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

Orange Micro Terror.

 

[Wormhelmet]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

I did not like the sound of the blackstar combos I tried. Also fx loop was weird. Took an AMT preamp with me and tried just plugging into fx return to use power amp of the blackstar and no sound. Two of them like that. Maybe they need a closed loop.

Randall makes 1 and 5 watt diavlo heads I think. Also Laney Ironheart Studio and Engl Ironball both have attenuators, great clean channels + great gain channel sounds. 6505 mini out now too, but didn't care for cleans demo'd on it. Gain is great though. It has switch for 1, 5, or 20 watts.
Wht type of music do you play and what is top end of budget?

 

[Securb]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

The Blackstar HT1 is just a glorified pedal....try out a Blackstar HT20H into the cab of your choice.

I was thing about buying one and after I demod it my conclusion was, "cute". If I had unlimited cash and wanted a novelty piece of gear I would have grabbed it. I didn't find it to be overly functional. It really didn't drive the matching 1x12 with a lot of bass or mids. At the time I was wondering how it would sound through my 4x12 or 2x12 but that curiosity soon died. I left it at the music shop.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

I love the V22HD (head). But it was purchased with the acceptance that it might not last too long. I just don't know if I would make it my first tube amp purchase unless I was in good shape money wise and just wanted to see what tubes are about without sinking big dollars into unfamiliar territory. I haven't had a single problem with mine but it's only been a few months. I'd look elsewhere if I wanted an amp for metal. If at all possible, go play a bunch of amps and get a feel for the different tube types.

 

[tman]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

well my styles are classic rock/some 80's metal/blues/not real heavy metal though if this helps. And I already have a bandit 112 "silver strip" amp with Eminence speaker which sounds great with transtube tech/and a hybrid Kustom PH TUBE 12. But wanted my first all tube amp and Im not sure on what to go with. I really dont want to spend a lot of money thats why the Bugera v-22 infinium was about as high as I wanted to go. I think thats like 399.00 and the Blackstar is about 260 something like that so in between 0-399.00 lol so give me some options in that range please. I have played through Micro Terror but thats hybrid I already have hybrid

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

well my styles are classic rock/some 80's metal/blues/not real heavy metal though if this helps. And I already have a bandit 112 "silver strip" amp with Eminence speaker which sounds great with transtube tech/and a hybrid Kustom PH TUBE 12. But wanted my first all tube amp and Im not sure on what to go with. I really dont want to spend a lot of money thats why the Bugera v-22 infinium was about as high as I wanted to go. I think thats like 399.00 and the Blackstar is about 260 something like that so in between 0-399.00 lol so give me some options in that range please. I have played through Micro Terror but thats hybrid I already have hybrid

Personally, I think you will love the V22. I had 0 issues with mine, again quality issues from the older ones were addressed by Bugera. Also, the clean sound was brillant and took pedals very well.

I will throw this out there, for that price range you may be able to get a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or Blues Deluxe, which take pedals extremely well and gives you, IMO, a much better clean tone. Just a thought.

 

[autologic]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

I absolutely LOVE my v22. Mine did have a SLIGHT fizzyness on the lead channel for maybe the first day or two of having it, but after I played it for about 5-10 hours, it started sounding phenomenal. Now that its fully broken in, I have absolutely zero issues with its sound, it still impresses me all the time. I will crank it up really loud and mess around with the EQ and just be blown away by the tones I can get. It's also a really great pedal platform on the clean channel. I plan on buying a lot more Bugera amps in the future. Sorry if this seems rushed and rambling, I'm trying to type all this on my break. Good luck with whichever amp you choose!

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Bugera or Blackstar for a small tube amp

Get on Guitar Center's site click shop by catagory->amps->amp heads->Tube heads, then refine to show by lowest to highest. There's dozens of good choices in your price range. Most of them are used, but if it arrives broke they refund the full price and shipping, if you just don't like it they refund the full price but not the shipping. There are several Jet City JCA20S, Marshall DSL 15s and Class 5s, Some Vox Night Train 15s, I saw 13 Orange Tiny Terrors ranging from $350-$400, tons of Eater Tweaker 15s. Plenty of used amps in your price range that are better,IMO, than the Blackstar or Bugera