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Bugera Bass Amps???

^It's not unusual for an equipment manufacturer to farm out their power supplies and modules to a 3rd party. That way the manufacturer doesn't need to get the necessary approvals (UL in the USA) for each of their own power supply designs (which can change frequently) since what they're buying has already been tested and approved and has the requisite stickers applied. Reduces their liability exposure and warranty expenses as well.
 
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Best way to find out if an amp is repairable is to send it to an authorized repair entity. Unless the amp was dropped or misused in some way, It should be repairable instead of just throwing it away. Most folks won't admit to dropping or misusing. There are duds though. I certainly wouldn't want to have the mindset that if I buy a class D amp, that in 3-5 years, I'll need to buy another. I think most of us have been lucky. Had both a Markbass and Genz amp for over 5 years and only sold them to go to rack rigs. They worked wonderfully the entire time.
 
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I think a lot has to do with the company. I had an Acoustic 360 for over 20 years that never once had a problem. Same with a 1969 Ampeg B-15 that I bought used in 1971 that I still have - and is still going strong. Ditto for my '85 SWR SM-400. And My GF has a bunch of Fenders including an early 80s Lead 75. And all have given her yoeman's service over the years. And we don't baby our equipment, although we do take reasonable care with it.

If the company is committed to building quality amps, you're home free - although there can always be the occasional lemon that gets through QC.

I don't think there's enough road hours or live data out on this Bugera to call it yet. But I am interested in how it turns out. It packs a lot for the buck. And as someone else pointed out, it may raise the price/feature bar for bass amps across the board if it proves itself.

And that can only be a good thing for all of us if that comes to pass.

I'm happy to sit back and wait and see for now.
 
Well if it means anything, I know some folks who bought the original (non Class D) Behringer bass amps, from almost 10 years ago, and they are still working. I was in a rehearsal studio once that had a head and a 4x10 cab. Admittedly, the cab sounded horrible. The amp was fine. I hope these new Bugera cabs sound much better.
 
Well if it means anything, I know some folks who bought the original (non Class D) Behringer bass amps, from almost 10 years ago, and they are still working. (snip)

Went i moved to NYC, I only brought a bass. Needed an amp to get gigging. Found one of these, an Ultrabass head, which I used with an Avatar 1x12 cab. Got the head used on CL for a great price, used it a lot.
Carried it on the train a couple of times to gig with backline cabs in clubs. (It may have been dropped a couple of times, but nobody's talkin'.)
Was always loud, sounded good, had many useful tone settings. Didn't love the Sub bass generator, and the footswitch was so loud in use that it wasn't used at all.
Then I got a decent pre, an SWR Grand Prix, and used the Behringer as a power amp (send/return) for that. It worked well in this regard, loud and punchy. (Hassle to carry around, but that guitarist had a car.)
After a year or so, I eventually sold the Behringer for more than I paid, and got my current amp.
The guy who bought it seemed very pleased to have it, and he set the price.
I hope it served him well.
 
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Best way to find out if an amp is repairable is to send it to an authorized repair entity. Unless the amp was dropped or misused in some way, It should be repairable instead of just throwing it away. Most folks won't admit to dropping or misusing. There are duds though. I certainly wouldn't want to have the mindset that if I buy a class D amp, that in 3-5 years, I'll need to buy another. I think most of us have been lucky. Had both a Markbass and Genz amp for over 5 years and only sold them to go to rack rigs. They worked wonderfully the entire time.

I wasn't so lucky. My Markbass Little Mark II that only had very light use started blowing fuses. Markbass wanted over $300 to repair it several years ago and still wanted the same a couple of months ago. That much to fix a power issue with a $599 amp seemed exhorbitant to me. Still does. How much is dealer cost for a complete brand new one? I was told before I tried to get it fixed that they now do component level repairs vs. swapping out the entire internals so I sprung for a $50 fee to check it out. Two weeks later, with no contact from their shop, I called them only to find that they couldn't do component level repairs on the amps. So the cost was still over $300 and they lied to me and got $50. I'd be willing to bet they never even looked at my amp.

I've never heard of Genz Benz doing anything approaching that greedy nonsense. But I don't know if the level of customer service is still the same since Fender shut them down. Only issue I've had with my Shuttle 9.0 was reseating a tube.

As far as I'm concerned with my Bugera they're starting with a clean slate and I haven't seen anything that hints at them telling me to go pound sand like Markbass. We'll see.
 
As far as I'm concerned with my Bugera they're starting with a clean slate and I haven't seen anything that hints at them telling me to go pound sand like Markbass. We'll see.

I mentioned this in another thread a while back. They've been pretty good to interact with thus far for me. Haven't had to deal with them regarding any problems but they certainly have seemed to want to help when I have contacted them. I'd like to think that's a trend that will most likely continue if I ever have issues.....
 
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Indeed:D. I love gigs like that. They had backlined an Ampeg SVT rig (810 and tube head) and when I arrived for soundcheck they asked if that was okay. I asked if they'd mind if I used my rig. Turns out the headliner didn't have a bassist so they had gotten the rig just for me. If they had asked beforehand I could've saved them that money. I used my Veyron and my cab and the rig raised some eyebrows... this tiny little setup sitting in front of the fridge.

Do not get this decision. At all. Trying to prove a point or just don't like SVTs?

My buddy just got a Bugera. Looking forward to trying it out soon.
 
Class-D amps are effectively non-repairable in the field. They break - you buy a new one.

This is a service strategy and not technology limitation. Amps, all amps have components. Components get combined into modules if it makes sens. It's rare that modules are fixed in the field if it's not cost effective. A power amp in class-d may be just a module for some manufacturers.

Some "service" centers are not going to employ high cost technicians and stock the gear to replace parts inside of "modules". Some are. When take a dead phone in they hand you a new one and your walk out working again. They don't fix it at the store. It gets sent off to be fixed. Same with most all tech these days. Field implacable modules are swapped out if it's cost effective, saves time and your off working again.

The truth is just the opposite, if you have an older amp that wasn't well designed with field replaceable modules then you may not have a choice but a lengthy stay in the shop as they try to fix it down to components.

And face it. class-d just doesn't fail as much as older amps do.
 
Do not get this decision. At all. Trying to prove a point or just don't like SVTs?

My buddy just got a Bugera. Looking forward to trying it out soon.

Hmm... I used mine because mine sounded better.
:)

I've played through many SVT rigs since the 1970's. While they do work, they are not my ideal setup. I don't dislike them. I strongly prefer my rig tonally and physically and since I brought it with me, had intended to use it, didn't know they backlined a rig for me (they didn't ask or tell me) and it takes less than five minutes (and very little physical effort) to set up, I did. And I got the exact sound I want and have been getting for several months now.

I could have an SVT rig. I don't... because I don't want one. I drove this to the gig...
coupe-alexandria-jpg.jpg


Pretty sure I couldn't do that with a fridge AND I easily got the tone and volume I needed.

In the time it took me to explain this I'd already be done with setup and tuning. So no, not trying to prove anything, I play professionally and would rather have the sound I want than what some may think is a better choice. Because it wasn't. BTW the head soundman loved it, he wants to get one for his rehearsal space.

So of the two options you came up with, neither apply. Not sure I get the confusion... matter of fact, why wouldn't I use my rig?
 
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Okay, so... both.

Other than transport, you'll have a tough time arguing the merits of your Bugera rig over an SVT with most people I know. But you're a hell of an arguer so...

I could have an M coupe. I don't....because I don't want one.

I'd love to show you the tail lights of my k04 Gti (with 8 10's or an upright in the hatch). Lol

Still have that Studio 5?

Sorry all for the OT.
 
Okay, so... both.

Other than transport, you'll have a tough time arguing the merits of your Bugera rig over an SVT with most people I know. But you're a hell of an arguer so...

I could have an M coupe. I don't....because I don't want one.

I'd love to show you the tail lights of my k04 Gti (with 8 10's or an upright in the hatch). Lol

Still have that Studio 5?

Sorry all for the OT.

Neither... but you knew that. Apparently it's really important that I like what you like.

So yes, I should've used the SVT. Everyone would rather use one instead of my rig (which is not a Bugera rig but why let that fact get in the way of this nonsense) so what the hell is my problem? Why do I hate SVTs, even though I don't? There is no advantage to not lugging hundreds of pounds of gear around everywhere. And your GTI just beat me on the internet in an imaginary race with a car you've only seen a picture of and know nothing about... including what it is. I imagine you are an excellent driver... an excellent driver.

Considering this is an argument you started for who knows what actual reason, you win. In a thread chock full of incredibly insightful people, you stand tall. This is taking a personal turn so I'll leave you to your own devices. No point in risking a ban over hurting someone's feelings... again by responding accurately.

Now just leave me alone.
 

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