Bugera Bass Amps???

[Mr. Foxen]

I've never looked inside that particular amp, but Bugera stuff generally uses absolute bargain basement components and skimps on build quality. Their products are also generally not meant to be repaired - when something goes wrong you'll find that you've got a disposable amplifier once the warranty is up.

The Bugera amps I've been inside don't follow this at all. If through hole pcb is beyond your tech, its new tech time. There are surface mount parts too, but modular, swapping modules is even easier. Plus the warranty is three years, which is ages for the purpose.

 

[Handyman]

The Bugera amps I've been inside don't follow this at all. If through hole pcb is beyond your tech, its new tech time. There are surface mount parts too, but modular, swapping modules is even easier. Plus the warranty is three years, which is ages for the purpose.

Here's a guts shot of the Veyron Tube. Not seeing much in the way of through hole components there. Just a hand full of the larger parts.

I really am curious how good the post-warranty service is on these things. Unlike old fashioned class A/B amps with line frequency power supplies, you usually can't just drop a modern SMPS + Class D amp off at your local tech and expect good results.

Anyone have experience with Bugera factory service?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ballin'bass]

I own the Bugera BVP5500 for several years now and it's a damn fine product!

How do you know the other brands are much more reliable and sturdy the the Bugera Veyron?

Btw. I do own a US made BBE Bmax-T and I had more trouble with this unit (that's why I don't use it live anymore) then my Bugera BVP5500

I also have the bvp5500, I've owned it for almost 6 years and it's a solid workhorse with very decent sound for the money. Mine has just started to have an issue with a faulty contact in the pre-out/power-in circuit that needs repair before it's usable again but that's a relatively simple fix that shouldn't cost much.

The Veyron has a much more compact and complex looking design (to my untrained eyes) inside it but it still should be easily fixable for most minor issues. plus you get a 3 year warranty that covers just about everything besides you actually breaking the amp through misuse or abuse. And I've heard nothing but good things about their customer service.

That said, if you're a gigging musician and one of these lasts you even 3 years of steady gigs, it will pay for itself several times over before you need to get a new amp. That's worth the price imo.

 

[Handyman]

They're awfully good about warranty service, even with their bottom of the barrel Behringer branded stuff.

 

[fast slapper]

It has a very impressive cost/performance ratio. More real power than other amps in its price range. Good tone. Can't complain.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

They're awfully good about warranty service, even with their bottom of the barrel Behringer branded stuff.

Mine support experience involved Uli Behringer adding me as a facebook friend and inviting me to their UK facility.

 

[Ballin'bass]

It has a very impressive cost/performance ratio. More real power than other amps in its price range. Good tone. Can't complain.

Ditto to this.

All I really am trying to say is that, regardless of false power ratings or what have you, this amp is absolutely excellent for the price. It IS powerful, without a doubt it can just about match my SVT for sheer volume (though obviously not tone). No complaints from me or anyone yet, that I know of.

 

[Pickebass]

I just picked up the veyron mosfet this weekend on a whim. I was curious... At the price point, it's hard to beat. I was admittedly surprised by how well it sounds. To make sure it was just the amp, I disconnected all of my pedals and went straight most of the gig.

The compressor was very useful, I was impressed. Unlike many amps most of us own, it doesn't necessarily have a "sound". Nor would I say it is transparent. It's very hifi but not super crisp. Didn't like the ultra hi engaged. Added a little too much and became very unnatural sounding. I really liked the mid control selector, the frequencies worked well for me

Just to be sure I wasn't imagining things, I took it out to another gig Sunday. I was wanting to say that this is an awful amp, but I can't. I've owned a Streamliner 900 and never quite bonded with it. Sometimes the tube could add too much for me. Most of my amps have tubes in them or are all tube, so I was surprised I would like it.

Sonically, I would put it between a Streamliner and shuttle, with a little of the Ampeg solid state tone.

It's not replacing my DB750, but for the money it's a good deal.... No matter what the wattage is. I used it with 2 bag end s15s on one gig and a EA VL210 on another... All outside gigs. Not a Behringer fan, but it is worth checking out

 

[Brad Johnson]

They have some good products (mixers, poweramps), the bass amps I've heard & tried aren't. Their PA speakers, not good either. Point is that a REAL Streamliner can be had used now for cheap money, more reliable, better support, better sound & you dont support a company thats blatantly stealing from companies that are on Talkbass innovating, supporting us, doing the right thing. Thats all.

And I'm done with this conversation, good luck guys.

So far we don't need luck. These amps seem to work fine for those that don't have a dog in this sort of fight. Here's what I find interesting...

What are these opinions based on? Have you tried these amps?

Real Streamliners can only be had used but still cost more than the Veyrons new with a three year warranty. As such they're harder to find and just about impossible to find new since GB is no longer in business.

More reliable is based on what? What have you heard?

Better sound... again based on what?

Better support? What support issues with the Veyron have you heard of? Is Fender offering the same support as Genz Benz did?

I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and a Bugera Veyron Mosfet that I take to my gigs. They share space in the same bag and get along fine. Unlike some with lots of baggage I went into my purchase letting the amp stand on it's own merits. I've never owned a Behringer amp. I'm very impressed with the build quality and sound of my Mosfet and just as I preferred my Shuttle over the Streamliner, I prefer the Mosfet over it too. And I recommend it to anyone who's currently looking for an amp... beats kicking yourself afterwards if you spend more money on something else that doesn't do as much. IMO this is the current amp package to beat as far as sound, massive power, portability, features and build quality at a ridiculously affordable price. I put it up against my 1500w Mike Pope/Crown Drivecore rack and a friend's Crest CA-9/Eden Navigator setups among other things. It did not lose.

As far as the power being overstated by 4x... it's amazing how many people are willing to make statements like that. So what are those statements based on? What you are saying is that Bugera rated their amp at 2000w PEAK and a quarter of that would be 500w PEAK. Considering mine easily gets louder than my Shuttle 9.0 which is not rated at PEAK and is 900wrms, do the math. What you're contending doesn't make sense. As I've told others that I've talked to, if my Mosfet is actually 500wrms it's easily the loudest damn 500wrms amp I've ever heard... so I don't care. And considering bass playing is about peaks, the ability to handle large peaks is more important to me than an rms rating. As someone who's tried amps that wouldn't drive difficult loads even though they had stated ratings that were double and triple other amps that could, ratings in general are not the be all end all for me. Plug it in, particularly on a gig and see if it can easily take me to my Happy Place. That's my test.

For all of the people who are perpetually offended by Behringer, avoid this like the plague. Because Behringer. For the rest of us, in a world with lots of great bass gear things just got even better. I think these amps just raised the price/performance bar... big time.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Good reviews from owners, but yeah, the wattage ratings are GROSSLY exaggerated.

Has someone bench tested these? Because if not...

 

[Brad Johnson]

I've never looked inside that particular amp, but Bugera stuff generally uses absolute bargain basement components and skimps on build quality. Their products are also generally not meant to be repaired - when something goes wrong you'll find that you've got a disposable amplifier once the warranty is up. This is just their business model.

Their low prices aren't the result of magic. You can't get top notch quality (like you'd find in a real GB Streamliner) at these super low prices.

Their stuff generally does sound pretty good, though. If you're not looking for heirloom quality gear, there's nothing wrong with the stuff aside from their questionable specs. Buyers just need to keep in mind that the low purchase price isn't entirely free. You can buy a Bugera amp, and have something that sounds pretty darn good until it dies.

If mine dies within three years I get another one. That's far better than the support I got for my Markbass which I'd have to pay over $300 to repair so it remains a bumblebee-themed doorstop. And statements of past quality in regards to a brand new piece you have no experience is an interesting position to take. I wouldn't but hey...

 

[DWBass]

^^^^^^^+1 To What he said!^^^^^^^

 

[fast slapper]

Has someone bench tested these? Because if not...

Someone with industry experience has. It puts out 8-900w for one second then 4-500 after that. I'm assuming this is at 4 ohms, they didn't specify. Not sure at what distortion level either. Combined with parallel compression it makes for a forceful amp.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Someone with industry experience has. It puts out 8-900w for one second then 4-500 after that. I'm assuming this is at 4 ohms, they didn't specify. Not sure at what distortion level either. Combined with parallel compression it makes for a forceful amp.

Cool. Source?

 

[fast slapper]

Deleted post from an amp designer of a U.S. based company.

 

[yakmastermax]

The whole "Bugatti Veyron" - "Bugera Veyron" honestly disgusts me. I don't care how good supposed quality or value is, seeing that Behringer is content with running that sort of marketing gimmick along with power specs that blatantly disregard industry standards of measurement (possibly the number one spec used to compare amp products), I am happy to say I won't ever consider buying anything from them. It is a shame the recently acquired TC Electronic. If you do a little research on Behringer and MUSIC Group it is clear what sort of company you're dealing with. Music Group (company) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My money has no place going to that sort of large corporate acquisition monster that is obviously too far concerned with portfolios and profits rather than quality product and happy costumers. There is a reason they exists at the bottom of the quality barrel and why their products line the shelves of big stores like Guitar Center. Their profit comes from the young, the ignorant, and others who would be swayed by the whole "Bugatti Veyron" - "Bugera Veyron" scheme.

It is not pro gear, or even amateur gear. Considering how they market I'd be loath to say it is gear at all. GK says "Tools, not toys"
Behringer says "Toys, but they look like tools, don't they?"

This is my big stinkin $0.02
I've never owned or even seen any Bugera in person but all the Behringer I've dealt with is sub-par. Mics, mixers, and PAs, all barely make the cut. Combine this with their classless, tasteless, and downright questionable marketing along with the larger corporate picture, no thanks.

 

[Justice]

Someone has been hittin the koolaid pretty hard

 

[Brad Johnson]

The whole "Bugatti Veyron" - "Bugera Veyron" honestly disgusts me. I don't care how good supposed quality or value is, seeing that Behringer is content with running that sort of marketing gimmick along with power specs that blatantly disregard industry standards of measurement (possibly the number one spec used to compare amp products), I am happy to say I won't ever consider buying anything from them. It is a shame the recently acquired TC Electronic. If you do a little research on Behringer and MUSIC Group it is clear what sort of company you're dealing with. Music Group (company) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My money has no place going to that sort of large corporate acquisition monster that is obviously too far concerned with portfolios and profits rather than quality product and happy costumers. There is a reason they exists at the bottom of the quality barrel and why their products line the shelves of big stores like Guitar Center. Their profit comes from the young, the ignorant, and others who would be swayed by the whole "Bugatti Veyron" - "Bugera Veyron" scheme.

It is not pro gear, or even amateur gear. Considering how they market I'd be loath to say it is gear at all. GK says "Tools, not toys"
Behringer says "Toys, but they look like tools, don't they?"

This is my big stinkin $0.02
I've never owned or even seen any Bugera in person but all the Behringer I've dealt with is sub-par. Mics, mixers, and PAs, all barely make the cut. Combine this with their classless, tasteless, and downright questionable marketing along with the larger corporate picture, no thanks.

That certainly took it up a notch. Definitely worth the $.02.


This, while clearly your opinion, is so full of awesome statements, I truly enjoyed it. You nailed me to a "T"... I bought mine because I actually thought I was getting a car in my amp. And while I bought mine from a local independent brick and mortar store, it might as well have been a Guitar Center.

I particularly enjoyed again, the intense opinions of a product that come from a person with no actual experience. I've never tried that, the very though of doing that triggered my shame gene.

It's a frickin' amp and while I actually do respect your right to your opinion, massive contradictions and all, I'm hoping you don't make the mistake of investing this much energy in the other things in your life that come from other corporations. Your search for altruism may become exhausting. In the meantime my toy amp helped me make $500 last Saturday night (40 minute, four song concert set). No clowns came out of it, no overly long scarves or rabbits popped out of it. Just great sound with zero drama that the sound techs loved. Of course they didn't know any better either.

This does present a quandry though... wouldn't the fact that I'm a pro and it's gear that I use make it pro gear in my case? Then again you're saying it's not pro gear, it's not amateur gear, it's not even gear. You just blew my mind. Thanks.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Someone has been hittin the koolaid pretty hard

I imagine someone saying the name "Bugera" which is immediately followed by a frantic high pitched scream.

I genuinely enjoyed it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Deleted post from an amp designer of a U.S. based company.

?

edit: nevermind. Thanks, FS.