Has anybody used a Bugera 5500

Jpeachbass · #1 03-18-2011, 10:41 AM

I have stumbled across the Bugera bass amp. Im a little spooked by it being that it is a berringer product. Has anybody used it?

impactwrench · #2 03-18-2011, 11:02 AM

I've never used it or any Bugera or Behringer head. I do have the behringer SABDDI clone but never use it. What makes you attracted to this amp head? People seem to like the Hartke LH500. Its got a tube and costs even less new. Also the MB500 GK which costs a bit more new, but no valve.

Edit: It looks a lot like the Ampeg B-2r I used to have. Is it a clone of some Ampeg head?

Col Pruse · #3 03-18-2011, 11:08 AM

there are a few threads I've read threw on here about this head. I was intrigued too when I came across it. I believe it is based on the Ampeg SVT-3 Pro...

christw · #4 03-18-2011, 11:10 AM

I would buy a Hartke or a Carvin before I'd buy a Bugera and they all tend to be about the same price range. Bugera have questionable reliability and little honesty in marketed specs. (I watched my guitarist's Bugera burn down mid-practice.) At least you didn't ask about that Bugera Nuke amp. That ratings on that thing are more fudged than a gourmet chocolate shop on fire.

Jpeachbass · #5 03-18-2011, 11:11 AM

I think it is based on that head. It looks very similar.
One of the main attractions is the price to feature ratio. I haven't found anything horrible about it, unlike its big brother the nuke or whatever its called.

Jpeachbass · #6 03-18-2011, 11:26 AM

So how is the Hartke?

christw · #7 03-18-2011, 11:35 AM

Hartke are good workingman's amps at the very least. I wish I liked them more because of how much respect I have for their customer service. You can call Larry Hartke and get his recommendation on what amp is best for you if you'd like. He also puts his number on this forum and often deals with customers' issues personally. Try it: 201-680-8153.

Arjank · #8 03-18-2011, 12:47 PM

I have the BVP5500, great amp nothing to complain.
Nice tone and enough power for small to medium sized venues when you have a 4ohm cabinet.
I recently swapped the 1st and 4th tube with a philips 5751 tube, very sweet and transparant sound.

Jpeachbass · #9 03-18-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arjank

I have the BVP5500, great amp nothing to complain.
Nice tone and enough power for small to medium sized venues when you have a 4ohm cabinet.
I recently swapped the 1st and 4th tube with a philips 5751 tube, very sweet and transparant sound.

How much and how hard do you work it, Realistically?

Arjank · #10 03-18-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

How much and how hard do you work it, Realistically?

I can't comment on it's reliabilty if that's what you want to know. I own the amp just for two months.
The last gig I played through it with my 8ohm 4x8 cab. I could push the cab far enough. The bassplayer(5-string) from the 1st band also played over my setup. He normally plays through his eden setup, he thought my setup had exceptional clarity and punch. The other musicians couldn't believe that it was such a cheap amp.
The nice thing was that I could listen to it myself off stage.

seamonkey · #11 03-18-2011, 02:44 PM

I don't believe the bad reliability problems. I don't own a B* amp, but I have few of their products, and they've never failed. One anecdotal story is as good as another. And the plural of anecdote is not "evidence".

Sound wise, I don't know, having a tube, or 4 tubes in the signal path for any amp maker doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better sound. You'll have to try it. And as pointed out above - roll different tubes to get different so called tube sounds.

B* would do themselves good to give a longer warranty than 1 year, 90 days on tubes.
But then their prices would go up.

Buy it from a store with a 30 day return policy so you can try it out in real life. And beat the hell out of it while it's under warranty.

Arjank · #12 03-21-2011, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Sound wise, I don't know, having a tube, or 4 tubes in the signal path for any amp maker doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better sound.

+1

A tube pre-amp section just sounds different, not necessarily better. I like it when the sound is a tad less dry and tubes give me that. I also like the slight compression that takes place with tubes.
I also have this Focusrite saffire and my bass sounds very good through that thing, amazingly clear without being harsh and it doesn't have any tubes.