Bugera tolexing?

cronnin

New member
Went to local music store to check Bugera 1990.

I was looking for this:

61677_l.jpg


But on the web I found this:

612455.jpg


And in the store I stumbled upon this:

Bugera-1990-Roehren-Topteil-OG12161.jpg



What's the catch..those are like three different models.
Is there any difference, or just tolex/,production line/year?

BTW, it's a great sounding amp. Mighty loud also.
Tight bass, old school metal voiced.
This last one, like they have in the store, looks totally plastic :)
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

Went to local music store to check Bugera 1990.

I was looking for this:

61677_l.jpg


But on the web I found this:

612455.jpg


And in the store I stumbled upon this:

Bugera-1990-Roehren-Topteil-OG12161.jpg



What's the catch..those are like three different models.
Is there any difference, or just tolex/,production line/year?

BTW, it's a great sounding amp. Mighty loud also.
Tight bass, old school metal voiced.
This last one, like they have in the store, looks totally plastic :)

First one looks like a Computer generated Imagine to me. 2nd one is probably the "nicely done" ones they had made up to have Photographed for online retailers. 3rd one is reality, plastic, cheap, nasty....Might sound nice now, but I wonder if it'll make any sound at all a year from now?
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I plugged into one of those in the GC used section, and was pleasantly surprised that it was a pretty decent amp. Because I have some nice heads like Bogner XTC, and Marshall Jubilee which fills all those tones, it's something I don't need, but can say that it's a very good sounding amp for the same price as a Peavey Windsor....given the choice, I'd take the Bugera.

It's hard not to like those amps. For the money, I can look past the fact they're cheap Chinese Behringer knockoffs.....that's what they are. But, for someone looking for a modded Marshall sound JCM800/900....it's a worthy amp to buy.

My recording studio monitors are Behringer Truth, and I haven't had a single problem with them. They're basically Mackie knockoffs. They sound good. I don't abuse them and don't hit them with mixing board feedback...so they're fine.

I have a feeling that Bugera amps will last when babied. They won't take the abuse a JCM 800 will take, but most modern amps won't either.
 
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Re: Bugera tolexing?

As for the original question, I'd assume that they roll with whatever covering they have at the moment, being mass produced. But I'm sure the circuit board is the same, from unit to unit.

If I had one, it'd have JJ E-34L's and Tungsol or Sovtek LP pre tubes, then it'd be as good as it can be.
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

3rd one is reality, plastic, cheap, nasty

Indeed. Seen it live, that's how it looks like. Like a toy.

I plugged into one of those in the GC used section, and was pleasantly surprised that it was a pretty decent amp.

Yep, I was astonished. Really good sound coming from 'em.
Heard a lot of people bashing them on the web, but my impressions are differenet.


I have a feeling that Bugera amps will last when babied.

It seems to be a good recipe.
I tried to pick it up to see how much it weights, and wood started squeaking and crackling.
Don't believe it would survive a plane turbulence in working condition, but I don't need sturdiness.
Just car to studio sometimes.

I'll pass my review if NAD happens :)
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I was gonna say both the first and second pic look CGI. Second one's just a better render than the first. For one thing, the texture repeats too smoothly to be covered in real tolex.
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I like the middle one.

On the subject of tolex, I just ordered an Avatar cube. Almost went with burgundy and black trim, looks like leather almost. Instead, I went with my instinct to match a certain guitar, which is my favorite color, too.
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I hear/read nothing but good things about the bugera amps!
I like the idea of that Rectifier clone. Maybe the Bugera's are good modding platforms, install some better components and you might have a great amp that will last! Looks can be altered. That's why they invented make-up for ugly women and alcohol for ulgy men haha.
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I recovered my Mace and 4x12 cab ( hand built ) in the Burgundy snakeskin.
I probbaly won't do anything while it's under warranty (12 months), but I am interested.
Did you have to take off the old covering? Was it hard/time consuming?
I like your Peavey snakeskin job :)

I was gonna say both the first and second pic look CGI. Second one's just a better render than the first. For one thing, the texture repeats too smoothly to be covered in real tolex.

Hm, I notice that now, after you mentioned it.
Anyway, I like how it looks like on that pic :)
http://www.bugera-amps.com/images/lightboxphotos/1990_P0670__Right_XXL.png

I like the middle one.
Me too :) Check the link above for HD photo.

I hear/read nothing but good things about the bugera amps!
I like the idea of that Rectifier clone. Maybe the Bugera's are good modding platforms, install some better components and you might have a great amp that will last! Looks can be altered. That's why they invented make-up for ugly women and alcohol for ulgy men haha.

He he. I agree. I was just kinda disappointed when I saw it in real for the first time.
There even was a suspicion that it isn't real Bugera, but some cheap copy (however strange may that sound :) )

I see they are putting out Magician and Trirec models now (Mesa Mark and Dual Rectifier clones). Priced around $600 and $800.
http://www.mveducation.com/assets/products/73067_l.jpg
http://www.dv247.com/assets/products/73069_l.jpg
If they keep up with new, better designed and assembled models, soon they might be a recognizable name in tube amp industry.
 
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Re: Bugera tolexing?

I hear/read nothing but good things about the bugera amps!
I like the idea of that Rectifier clone. Maybe the Bugera's are good modding platforms, install some better components and you might have a great amp that will last! Looks can be altered. That's why they invented make-up for ugly women and alcohol for ulgy men haha.

I see the same thing. People bashing them all over, but those that own them seem very satisfied for the $$. Depending on my financial situation over the next few months to 1/2 year, that may be what I can afford. I know, I know, save a bit longer and get the Marshall you really want...but the Marshall I want needs to be modded to get where I want....so add another $600 to the price.

Not all of the Bugera amps are for me, but the 1960 and the 333XL are a couple that really stand out, IMO. I wish there was a list of each Bugera amp and what amp they are trying to replicate.
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

I can try, and people here can help:

Bugera - Modeled after Amp:

333 - Peavey XXX
333XL - Peavey JSX
6060 - Peavey 5150 (6505)
6262 - Peavey 5150 II (6505+)

Since EVH departed from Peavey in 2004 they changed name from 5150 to 6505.

1960 - Marshll 1959 Plexi
1990 - Marshall JCM900

Magician - Mesa Boogie Mark ?
TriRec - Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
 
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Re: Bugera tolexing?

Thank cronnin....that helps quite a bit. I really think I like the 1990 the most, but the shared eq bugs me a bit. One could always just use an eq pedal though. Some of the other amps may be a bit heavy for my taste. I do read very, very good things about the 6262 head.....6 pre-amp tubes could get a bit noisy though!
 
Re: Bugera tolexing?

Well, the only two I have tried are 333 and 1990.

First one has awesome lead tone for my taste (not comparing it with Peavey, but speaking in general).
The later has awesome distortion, so soft and pleasant, and still heavy and tight. It's so classic metal.

After consuming these two, I just may say that Bugeras are serious, loud and big all-tube amps, and that they can't sound bad.
Maybe original Mesa, Marshall and Peaveys are better built, have less noise, have better tolex and transformers, but tonewise these are probably there.

No SS or hybrid can compare with these Bugeras.
 
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