Dammit Bugera, I wanted to love you.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:12 am

Fuuuuuck.

As some of you know I picked up a V55HD a bit ago, and loved it. Best clean amp I've played through and takes pedals extremely well. First time around I had to return it, it kept making a whooshing and clicking noise quick spontaneously. I got a replacement for free, shipping paid and though it was tedious I was happy.

I just was playing the amp tonight, and realized I was getting reverb. WHEN THE REVERB WAS TURNED OFF ON THE AMP. No footswitch plugged in. It is fine when the footswitch is plugged in and off, but as soon as you unplug that, the reverbs on again when it should be off. So much for digital reverb being more durable than spring.

I really like the amp, but if it breaks down every 30 days, it's not worth my time. I hope I can get a straight refund, I don't think I'll pick one of these up again unless I can only get a replacement at this point.

If I can get a full refund I've been looking at the Jet City 20H. I believe Mickie got one a while ago. The major downside to this is the lack of volume and headroom...

Is the Jet City loud enough to gig in a small setting CLEANLY with?

There is really no other amp in this price range, so I'll go with the Jet City (if loud enough) or I'll try my luck with the Bugera, but I'm disheartened by the build quality.

Ugh. I hope this gets sorted out...

SIGH.

Skip · Post by **Skip** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:08 am

dont mean it in a snob way-- but you get what you pay for----
i wish the cheaper amps would be ace-- but they aren't

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:07 am

crack it open and look for loose connections, in the 333xl there are lots of plastic connectors to save costs, luckily most are glued down, but you never know.

Post by **Mike** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:02 am

Eurgh that sucks mate. Definitely get your money back if you're not happy.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:53 am

jet city is not particulalrly clean at volume. IF you want spanky clean it is not the amp for you. If you like cleans with a little bit of dirt and do not mind using your guitar volume knob then it could work.

pumpkin · Post by **pumpkin** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:11 pm

With production electronics you'll occasionally a dud will slip through, return it or ask for an exchange.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:24 pm

this is his second one, though.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:05 pm

I sort of wish I'd bought it at a local store now, so I'd not have to deal with ridiculous shipping problems. Last time they shipped it freight, and I had to MEET the driver a few miles from my house. Bah.

I guess I'm saying, should I try my luck one last time with the Bugera?

Or, replace is and pick up the Jet City. Mickie, is the Jet city is easily loud enough to cut through drums?

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:28 pm

There's a reverb on/off switch on the amp?
Couldn't you just turn the reverb control to 0 when the footswitch isn't plugged in? That's how it is by design on my JCM 900, you can only toggle reverb with the footswitch and when it's not plugged in the reverb is on unless you dial it out.

And even if that's not how the Bugera is meant to be, I'd still just keep the amp and do that...? unless you still get a little verb on 0 or something.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:36 pm

paul_ wrote:There's a reverb on/off switch on the amp?
Couldn't you just turn the reverb control to 0 when the footswitch isn't plugged in? That's how it is by design on my JCM 900, you can only toggle reverb with the footswitch and when it's not plugged in the reverb is on unless you dial it out.

I was referring to the footswitch. With the reverb at zero, there is still reverb..

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:40 pm

cobascis wrote:With the reverb at zero, there is still reverb..

That's shitty. By asking if there was as reverb on/off switch on the amp I was wondering if you just dial it out or turn it off. I guess neither.

Yeah, return it again if you're not happy, hassle as it may be. Maybe write to Bugera to ensure a third time charm?

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:57 pm

I emailed Musiciansfriend about it, and they said I could exchange for another amp or the same one even though it's after return policy.

So, Jet City or Bugera...

I like the Jet City a lot from what I've seen, and I like the smaller size, too. The Bugera is a bitch to lug about.

I guess what is worth it more? Durability with less volume/head room, or a clean amp with QC problems.

What would you guys do? I basically need an amp I can gig with -- I'm not to distraught about not have sparkly cleans.

Skip · Post by **Skip** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:39 pm

go jet city and try it-- i mean do you really trust brugera now for a gig or anything?

pumpkin · Post by **pumpkin** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:54 pm

stewart wrote:this is his second one, though.

Oh snap.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:11 pm

I'm thinking of picking up the Jet City and using it for a practice, i I hate it I can send it back..

My band is getting gigs now, and I need a reliable amp, and I have no means of funding one other than selling my pedalboard, so I think I'll give the Jet City a go, I guess. Ugggh.

SoylentGreenIsPeople · Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:10 pm

If you sell your cab and get rid of the Bugera, you should easily have enough cash for a used Fender Bassman reissue. That's what I've got on layaway now. They're great amps. Very loud and very clean.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:31 pm

SoylentGreenIsPeople wrote:If you sell your cab and get rid of the Bugera, you should easily have enough cash for a used Fender Bassman reissue. That's what I've got on layaway now. They're great amps. Very loud and very clean.

Sadly I made my cab, and would make little to nothing from it.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:37 pm

Jet City in the mail, here goes..

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:33 pm

Probably an issue on the foot switch input jack. I had trouble with mine, I got a short across it when the amp got up to temp and things expanded slightly. My replacement has been fine......so far (touching every bit of wood I can find). Jet City amp looks cool for the money though, let us know how it compares.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:10 pm

I got my Bugera V5 for Xmas from eBay. It's been great so far, but it seems the overall quality for Bugera can be spotty at time. I doubt I would ever invest in one of their more expensive amps, but so far so good. My Marshall JTM 30 will always be my first love. Good Practice amp though.