Bugera Quality ?

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

Do I really need to post pics here of Fender innards? Those old amps were a tangled mess with tiny underpowered transformers & crappy caps.. I mean ..they got things done as cheap as they could. At the prices Mesa's are going for they could at least come with NOS tubes /mullard RI's? /tung-sol RI's? ...they pick Chinese....(looks like every buck counts with them as well)

I actually do believe it's about elitism.

But yeah, my standards for quality & ethics are low and Bugera more than does the trick for me since it sounds awesome & I was apparently blessed enough to end up with a reliable one that's never given me a moments worry (same goes for my disposable Behringer pedals & mics)...so lets leave it at that.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

I agree with you on that there is ALOT of elitism in the guitar world, I like to rely on actual experience of players not just the general reputation.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

Its all good. Its a big conversation. We can all find information to validate our position. That is a dead-end dialogue however. It really only comes down to personal choice and there is no right or wrong choice in this conversation. There is valid real-life contributions and collective opinions that create a basic consensus. All voices contribute equally to that consensus and the consensus is one valid reference point for the OP. The best thing about these forums is that we can share real-life information quickly. The good, bad and beautiful.

I actually do believe it's about elitism.

No, not in this conversation it isn't. I don't see anyone here above or below anybody. Personal discernment is never elitist or snobbish in any endeavor and I honestly recognize and appreciate what someone like Randall Smith (amongst others, Seymour included) has brought to the table over the past 30 years. He is at a master level in the amplification industry. That level of attention to detail comes from experience. Making purchase decisions based on sound information and experience that supports our values is not elitism either, it just may be perceived that way. In the most literal sense you may be right as there are companies who 'assemble' products but for me would never be wise to turn to for product knowledge, engineering, development or repair advice. Behringer is one of those companies. I can't see any foundation to compare Mesa Engineering with Behringer on gear integrity.

"The term elitism, or the title elitist ....the terms are often used to describe people as being out of touch with the average Joe. The implication is that the alleged elitist person or group thinks they are better than everyone else; and, therefore, put themselves before others. It could be seen as a synonym for snob... ''

It is never elitist to support the quality you want or to recognize when something does not meet that quality. Its just honoring our individual values. Keep on rockin~!

Respect,

RG

 

[Adieu]

Re: Bugera Quality ?

6262 owner. Paid ~$200 for mine (hundred-buck guitar trade + a single C-note), waaaay happy

Compared it plenty to 6505s (head, 212, 112), and, well, with a good cab mine beats anything in the 5150 family that the two local GCs have (5 or 6 amps total tried, cuz i now use just them when sampling guitars for a guestimate on how it might sound with my stuff)... On stock speakers, slightly worse gain channel sound than peavey's 212 (but miiiles better than that 112 misunderstanding), but better cleans than any of the Peaveys.

Btw, I'm totally serious about getting it to sound better (with a serious business cab loaded w/ vintage uk rolas). Before getting it, I thought I didnt even LIKE the 5150 family (only got it cuz it got offered in a trade and was crazy cheap)

From what I'VE seen, the savings in the Bugera come from:
A) cabinet - fibreboard of some kind. Gonna chuck it for a homebuilt hardwood box sometime when I get some decent planks
B) speakers - although the PV ones aren't too stellar either. If you're going for a stack, DONT get the matching cab... Or a Marshall, for that matter. Way better quality stuff for chump change on the used market out there. Me, I don't mind swapping the onboard speakers, and rather appreciate getting a way cheaper option with its main weakness in such an easily upgradeable spot, while tougher to get at stuff like pots and trannies are nice big and heavy duty. And the speaker upgrade... A monkey could do it.
C) intellectual property, though PV really has no room to complain, having stolen the 5150 design not just once, but, yes, TWICE
D) lower profit margins

On the other hand, the bugera has some things done better than peavey:
1) niiiice pots and big knobs. silky smooth, nice tension and high precision, almost sexy
2) lightup channel switching buttons & heavier duty than Peavey's lil things
3) BOTH china made (for combos), but at least these guys don't subcontract and own their own manufacturing.

...all in all, for $200? SCORE!

PS mines an old non-infinium, apparently retubed (see JJs in the 6l6 slots, dunno what the 12ax7s are). So, m/b some of my satisfaction is from better tubes and/or whoever installed em matching & biasing better than Bugera OR Peavey ever bother to at the factory