EMGguitarist said:
How do these amps stack up compared to others? the first time I ever even heard of the brand name was last night... anyone ever play one or know how they compare to boogies? do they resemble another amp brand?
Funny that you should ask, because my local mom&pop just got one it yesterday, and i was there TODAY !
I tested this model :
http://www.bugera-amps.com/_01/product.cfm?productName=6262&groupName=Guitar%20Valve%20Amplification
It is the 5150-clone !!!
The other model they make is the JSX Satriani clone.
My cousin had a 5150 2x12 60W combo for two years, so i could compare the Bugera with that model.
However, i could not crank this amp, except for a mere 30sec's untill the owner himself came out of the office with the most condecending face and tone of voice (...and i am mid-30's), that i nearly left, but decided to stay even longer just to make sure . . . ahhh, nevermind !!!
OK, so the amp looks real cheap and plastic'y from the outside.
Even the name on the grill is a solid blob of fake-plastic !
I taped on it very lightly w. my nail, and scratched the 'silver', from the surface - ooops, sorry !
From afar, the amps looks OK, and on a stage, it might just look mean, and buisiness-like ! But do not get closer than 12ft from it, and you will see the all the cheap corner-cutting technique that was used to save on costs.
The Tone IS very close to that of the 5150 that i can remember.
NOT 100% spot-on, but closer than any pedal will ever give you !
The one thing that DID IMPRESS me was the EQ knobs. Very responsive, and with a VEY GOOD USEFULL sweep !!!
Like i said, i could not crank it, so at very, very high TV Volume, it sounded like a 5150, although it could have sounded better (I HOPE) as i played through a Behringer 4x12. So one can assume (or atleast hope) that with a GOOD cab, it might sound a wee bit better !
The only other aspect that did impress me was the effectiveness of the "PRESENCE" knob. It actually worked, and and very well at that !
Dare i say, even better than the real 5150 that i knew for two years, mmmmm !
The tone is still tight like that of a 5150, and there is no need for extra external gain, because this thing has enough !
The foofswitch is pure plastic - typical of their stomp boxes (...yes, THAT bad). One would think, that it will not last very long - AT ALL !
I am sure that this amp would be a GREAT back-up amp to any 5150 rig.
Don't they sell for something like $400.00, or something !
And it will also work as a fantastic beginner, high-gain amp, for the youngsters, who want the tone/gain, but do not want a Line6 Spider/Bandit, or other S/S amp.
How long will it last ?
I have no idea?
OK, so i hope this helps !
Cheers