Bugera Quality ?

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Thinking of trading my Fender DeVille 2x12 for a Bugera 6262 2x12 just to change things up.. I use mostly pedals for distortion and fuzz but would not mind having amp distortion for messing around with if its good I would just keep the footswitch on my board.

Any experience or opinions much appreciated!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

With Bugera, you get what you pay for. Please note at this time that you are always paying less than you would for the real thing, but getting most of the tone, and decent cosmetics... hmmm, I wonder where the savings are coming from....

My personal hatred for Uli Behringer`s constant skirting of IP laws and love for chinese manufacturing aside, I would not be caught dead onstage with any product of compararable build quality, regardless of the name on the plate. I care about my listeners, they paid to hear an entire set and go ape**** wild, not to hear 2 songs because some guy looked at my stack funy and it crapped it`s pants and broke.

Which is why I use a 2204 Marshall that I know for a fact can survive falling off a truck and getting hit by a car with only a broken headcase (because this specific amp has had exactly that happen to it).

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

have you ever played one ?

 

[SteveAlysis]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

had a 6262 head, buddy had a 333x(?) head... both broke down within months to the point of being irreparable. Wouldve cost more to fix than to buy a buy a new one.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I saw one (vintagey 2x12) at my local Guitar Center and asked for them to warm it up for me. It was broken; wouldn't power up. They apologized. Two weeks later I came in and there was the broken one, a V5 and another of the 2x12s versions. I played the v5 for a bit and liked it, and then went over to the newer Bugera and plugged in, and all I got was a tinny squeal out of one speaker. Go fig, it was broken too.

I really wanted to buy one until that, and now I'm not going to take my chances at all with the name brand. I've got a few Behringer pedals and I'll be switching out for either the original or something better as soon as I can with them.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

Having said that, I'd love to get a hold of a couple broken Bugera amps, gut them and do some hand-wired jobs in the carcass, a'la Hovercraft.

 

[agentzero12]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I had a 6260 for a while and I was really happy with it. I had one technical issue that was easily fixable. The harness from the power transformer loosened and stopped working. I simply soldered the wires and never had any other issues. Definitely play it first, but as long as you take care of it it should hold up pretty well.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I have attempted to try 2 in the past couple years. One didn't work when I went to test it out at a local guitar shop and the other one my brother bought. My brothers amp is just constantly needing stuff fixed and replaced, he gave up on it and its just sitting in the attic. His amp was the V22 and the amp at the shop I don't remember now, it was a combo of some sort but not the V22.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

The early Bugeras's had a (now infamous) faulty transformer wire connector clip problem. It was a specific problem that, although of a very minor nature, would cause shorting/smoking. That hardly equates to 'poor build quality/inferior components' in general..though that was what it was made out to be, and was played up like hell by vested interests for obvious reasons. The truth is that it was the only recurring problem that Bugera's had (seems to be the problem agentzero12 just mentioned as well) and it has been dealt with effectively.

My Bugera 333XL is 2012 model that I've run pretty heavily for about a year now (& gigged with on a few occasions) with NO problems at all...Ever. I would'nt say it's inferior quality to anything out there. Marshall's & Mesa's are'nt exactly known for their trouble-free, rock solid performance either. Tube amps are temperamental by nature and in general. I can't really see any cost cutting with mine. The transformers are HUGE. (way bigger than those of the JSX it's supposedly a clone of..). It's well laid out (I've opened it up a few times out of curiousity...you want to see a mess/w tiny tansformers/bad soldering/cheap components check out some of those 'much revered' early Fender amps lol.) & very ruggedly built. Weighs more than a JSX, has more features, including those not found on most obscenely over-priced 'boutique' amps...stuff like their "Infinium" auto biasing/tube life monitering etc (which works perfectly btw & is a huge blessing). Which means I never have to bias & can mix just about any octal tube types.

But I guess the most important thing is the sound. Well, It actually sounds out of this world to me. Tremendous, deep thick, punchy lower mids, lots of sweet harmonics/complex 3D sound & pleasant sweet warm highs at any setting. Very easy to dial in, very versatile, great cleans, sounds amazing at low volumes & just gets more amazing as you turn it up. I bought it for $450 and it compares easily soundwise with any other amp I've heard/played, regardless of price point...and I do mean any. It also has it's own identity/character that's very pleasing, to say the least.

 

[ken361]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

had a 6260 head few years back, loud as hell but kind of bright and that. Not bad for the money but a Bogner red pedal with your amp is wayyyy better quality sounding then that and you have a good clean channel!

 

[agentzero12]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

Good to hear some guys that like their bugera. Bugera bashing is really popular on the web. Fact is, anything can sound bad if you let it and almost anything can sound good if you work with it. I got a lot of compliments on my 6260 tone. Not just for metal either. Only reason I got rid of it was because I got tired of hauling a half stack around.

 

[dominus]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I'd say if you're in the USA, buy a used one from Guitar Center and get the one year extended warranty on it. Sell it at the 11 month mark for close to what you paid and buy another one. Easy. If it breaks in that period, GC will fix it, replace it, or give you your money back.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

well I decided to not get it. You guys all had bad experiences with quality so I for sure don't wanna go down that road.. thanks for the opinions guys!

 

[teleblooz]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

6 months ago, I picked up a used V-22 off craigslist. It was darn near new and I got it for less that $2 bills. It has worked perfect for me with no issues whatsoever. While Bugera would not be high on my list of amps if I had the $$$, I felt darn lucky to find a nice sounding, nice looking tube amp for less than the price of what some pedals are going for. I have heard the horror stories.....and heard they have been taken care of. All I know is if it goes south, I've already got my moneys worth and as jon the art guy said, I'd gut it and go from there.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

From what I've read the post-2011 ones are pretty hassle free. I think that's when they introduced the "Infinium" models.

Apparently they hired a well-regarded specialist firm to look after QC, replaced some plant machinery (soldering press etc) and things have been fine since. Mine was bought new in 2012 & it's never given me a moments worry. Pretty sure the Bugera bashing will continue all the same, but I already know my next amp's going to be their Trirec

 

[dominus]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

From what I've read the post-2011 ones are pretty hassle free. I think that's when they introduced the "Infinium" models.

Apparently they hired a well-regarded specialist firm to look after QC, replaced some plant machinery (soldering press etc) and things have been fine since. Mine was bought new in 2012 & it's never given me a moments worry. Pretty sure the Bugera bashing will continue all the same, but I already know my next amp's going to be their Trirec

I'd hold off until the used ones start turning up. Shop around enough, you can get a real Mesa Triple Rectifier for $900 used. With the 6260/6262, the used ones are half what the used 6505/6505+ are.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

Good to hear some guys that like their bugera. Bugera bashing is really popular on the web. Fact is, anything can sound bad if you let it and almost anything can sound good if you work with it. I got a lot of compliments on my 6260 tone. Not just for metal either. Only reason I got rid of it was because I got tired of hauling a half stack around.

I liked the tone on all the Bugeras I've heard so far, but it's the build quality that has me worried. Even if it's spotty, it's something to think about. Most everyone who buys one isn't an amp tech.
I'd be all for used ones, especially ones with some good wear-in.
Personally if I'm paying $300, it's going to be a used Carvin. $200, it's going to be a used Peavey.
I keep seeing sub $350 Carvin X100b heads. Brutal that I'm so friggin poor. I'd already have myself a Carvin head sitting next to a Hovercraft head. :\

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I'd hold off until the used ones start turning up. Shop around enough, you can get a real Mesa Triple Rectifier for $900 used.

True, but I'd have to add another $250-300 to that for international shipping. Trirecs cost the equivalent of about $1000-1100 here right now. My guess is that will dip in a while..but yeah, if they start showing up used on ebay USA...that's what I'd be most interested in.

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I have had a V5 for 18 months, and I love it. Great tone, great practice amp, and great through a PA. Never had a problem with it, but I don't gig so I can't speak to that aspect.

 

[karpathion]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I've had the 1960 and 1990. I didn't keep either for long, but I didn't have the first problem with either. Both of those amps are still owned by a couple of buddies. Both are still up and running, with no problems, after about 4 years.