Bugera problems possibly solved!

valvusmusicus · #1 06-02-2010, 05:41 AM

I think I know why these (BVP 5500, etc) in the the range that has MOSFET power amps and tube pre's keep having a melt down!!
The mosfets are running at a very high standing current-set at about 0.8 amp. Im going to reduce this to 0.6 and see if it affects distortion and O/P power-then try and find an optimum setting-I think even if the o/p power is slightly reduce-a more stable and reliable amp would be more usefull than that keeps going bang!!
I will keep the forum posted.

Am I right in thinking the power amp is basically (and most of the pre, accept for the lack of the ECC82 phase splitter-hmmm..not sure) an AMpeg SVT-3 Pro? I have theschematic to this, but cant find the Bugera schem. Anyone have this illustrius piece of Rockinghorse ****!!

Its a shame these amps have a bad track record, cos they have loads of features and are cheap.
I think you also need to reflow the pre-amp board around the tubes, especially!

Anyt thoughts!!

BassmanPaul · #2 06-02-2010, 12:38 PM

You'd be better off using a scope and a signal generator for setting the bias. You set the bias pot at minimum and then advance until the crossover notch just disappears. Very often MOSFET amps have their outputs not matched to each other as closely as they should be. This leads to failures.

If you intend to reflow the tube sockets, remove the tube first and don't use too much solder. It's easy to have the solder wick into the socket and fill it. It's kinda hard to get the tube back in after that!

Paul

Jeff Scott · #3 06-02-2010, 04:32 PM

When I read the title to this thread I thought you were going to say you threw it out a 10th story window!

seamonkey · #4 06-02-2010, 08:09 PM

You think you found and answer to a mythical problem - but you need a schematic?

ninefingerbass · #5 06-02-2010, 08:15 PM

I was just looking at one, thinking it was a good buy. Glad I went on Talkbass.

hrgiger · #6 06-02-2010, 08:38 PM

This sounds like some poor attempt at ampeg counter-spy intelligence bugera bashing, even though they don't need any more...

JimmyM · #7 06-03-2010, 03:03 AM

sounds like behringer is getting their money's worth out of that jaime engen creep who used to run loud. what a horse's ass...runs loud and ampeg into the ground, gets canned, goes to behringer and is in charge of stealing and dumbing down ampeg designs.

the peter principle is true, apparently...he sure has risen to the highest level of his incompetence! just another in a long list of reasons to avoid behringer/bugera like the plague.

hover · #8 06-03-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

sounds like behringer is getting their money's worth out of that jaime engen creep who used to run loud. what a horse's ass...runs loud and ampeg into the ground, gets canned, goes to behringer and is in charge of stealing and dumbing down ampeg designs.

Yeah, I knew I hated the guy when, at an EAW company outing, started extolling the virutes and great bennies of sending all the Mackie board manufacturing overseas....that's when I knew to get out. Really funny that Behringer has him now. NO...really REALLY funny.

JimmyM · #9 06-03-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Yeah, I knew I hated the guy when, at an EAW company outing, started extolling the virutes and great bennies of sending all the Mackie board manufacturing overseas....that's when I knew to get out. Really funny that Behringer has him now. NO...really REALLY funny.

well at least now he's at a company that will never affect my life

BassmanPaul · #10 06-03-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well at least now he's at a company that will never affect my life

Unless it buys the Ampeg name!

Paul

JimmyM · #11 06-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Unless it buys the Ampeg name!

dammit paul!

i might have to sell my vintage ampegs if that ever happened!

paulygonemad · #12 06-03-2010, 11:22 AM

What is happening with those heads? Mine is working like a champ.

JimmyM · #13 06-03-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulygonemad

What is happening with those heads? Mine is working like a champ.

if it's working like a champ, then there's no problem for you, bro.

Jerrold Tiers · #14 06-03-2010, 10:11 PM

Wow.....

Uli and Jamie? TOGETHER?

I dunno what to say........ but I hope Jamie never decides to wander the Namm show clad only in shorts and flip-flops......... Uli was bad enough.

They deserve each other.....

JimmyM · #15 06-03-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerrold Tiers

Wow.....

Uli and Jamie? TOGETHER?

I dunno what to say........ but I hope Jamie never decides to wander the Namm show clad only in shorts and flip-flops......... Uli was bad enough.

geez, what kind of douche walks around shirtless at a namm show?

anyway, yeah, that's what word on the street is...he went to behringer and has a big hand in that new bugera bvt amp. they should call it the bsvt, because it's bs that he took the svt design to behringer. but that's par for the course with them, isn't it?

**B-string** · #16 06-03-2010, 11:00 PM

I say a marrage made in............................(thought I was going to say heaven huh).

kurotenshi · #17 06-04-2010, 04:57 AM

I don't really see what the big problem whit Behringer. Companies like Behringer only exist because companies like Ampeg think their to good to have low range products. The same way Ampeg created the heritage line and sell an SVT-CL for $500 more and use the hole made in US to justify it, how many people do you think would buy an amp that is "Based on the SVT-PRO line but mass produced where Judas lost his sandles with low cost components"? They could slam $100 more on the price tag than what the BVT costs and it would sell like bear in a ball game

TheGrizz · #18 06-04-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurotenshi

I don't really see what the big problem whit Behringer. Companies like Behringer only exist because companies like Ampeg think their to good to have low range products. The same way Ampeg created the heritage line and sell an SVT-CL for $500 more and use the hole made in US to justify it, how many people do you think would buy an amp that is "Based on the SVT-PRO line but mass produced where Judas lost his sandles with low cost components"? They could slam $100 more on the price tag than what the BVT costs and it would sell like bear in a ball game

Bear in a ball game? What the heck does that mean?

Here's my problem with Behringer. They offer some fairly junky stuff at low prices so beginners and people with little cash will buy them. Then the stuff breaks, and they have to get the run around to get a replacement. They use hot glue to hold components (including circuit boards) together. That quality if I've ever seen it. If I pay $400 for an amp I expect that it's going to stay in one piece for a good long while. I haven't experienced that yet with Behringer. If you're lucky enough to get a product that hasn't failed, then kudos to you.

Then they blantently rip off the designs of several well-known and unique amps. And sell them as their own with names just obscure enough to let you know what it's supposed to be. I'm not saying that they're the only ones who do it, but most of Bugera's line is stolen from Peavey, Mesa, Marshall, and Ampeg. They also ripped off pedal designs from E-H and Boss.

As for Ampeg selling SVTs for Bugera prices. It will never happen. They sell enough SVTs to not really have to worry about a company like Behringer making junky copies. Behringer isn't their competition.

There are PLENTY of companies that offer products at the same price point as Behringer, but they aren't junk. They may cost a little more, but they'll usually preform better in the long run.

rbonner · #19 06-04-2010, 07:31 AM

Don't knock the hot glue or silicone seal... Just a dab will keep those big caps from ejecting themselves off the board while jiggling them around transporting.

Yeah why go topless at a Vegas trade show when you can wear a powersuit?

kurotenshi · #20 06-04-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrizz

Bear in a ball game? What the heck does that mean?

Sorry, supposed to be BEER.

Man, I really don't know what kind of treatment you guys give to your gear and sure my behringer gear doesn't move around much but I was vocals in a cover band for about 6 years and the guitar player used a VAmpire head for like 4 or 5 of those with gigs like twice a month or more and that head is still "touring" with some kid who bought it from my friend.

Personally I have a second hand BDI21, MDX2600 and BCA2000 and all work flawlessly...I guess me and my friends are just lucky...