Bugera V55HD - any good?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:34 pm

I've been looking at the Bugera V55HD, just wondered if anyone on here has one and how they rate them. I have an Orange Rocker 30 that I use mostly but i'm missing a real sparkly clean sound, can this amp deliver? I use pedals for my distortion so i'm not really after an amazing drive channel, in fact my perfect amp would be 50 watts, one channel and no gain control but I don't know if one exists that is cheap - I have a Carlsbro 50 Top that fits this bill but that was made in 1969 and i'm too scared to take it gigging.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:41 pm

Don't orange amps have lovely clean channels :S

But I've heard good things about the Bugera as well anyway

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:14 pm

I have one and can really recommend the clean channel - it's superb and great with pedals. Dirt channel ain't all that but the Clean loves pedals and is really versatile.

I'm actually thinking of selling it which is a crazy coincidence as I have this Princeton combo coming (V55HD is a bit overkill).

I'll be able to cut you a decent deal if you're interested and could meet you Watford way. Gimme a PM if you're interested.
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johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:30 pm

PM'd.

The Rocker 30 doesn't have a clean channel as such, it has a 'natural channel' which basically takes you guitar in one end and sends it out the other but with no EQ or gain controls. It does sound good, but not as sparkly as I was used to when I had my Hot Rod Deluxe and certainly not as good as the 50 Top.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:01 pm

Fair play, I can't remember what Orange I was using that had the nice clean sound, might have been a thunderverb.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:10 pm

yeah, i was about to say that my friends Rocker 30 seems useless for a clean amp. no control what so ever. He uses a EQ pedal in the effects loop so he can get some more use out of it.

Although:

in fact my perfect amp would be 50 watts, one channel and no gain control

I know of an amp that does this to a T, and it costs about the same as a V55

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:12 pm

What would that be?

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:19 pm

Post by **Mike** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:23 pm

He's in England. A Fender Bassman head cannot be purchased for Â£250 here.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:25 pm

I would love a Bassman, last one I saw was a Silverface in Wunjo for Â£600 - but I don't have that lind of dosh around at the moment.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:30 pm

DOH! You'd better get on a v55 then. In all honesty, the one i played has some amazing cleans coming out of a closed back 2x12 with v30s. The cleans were just as good as my amp AND you get the extra versatility

Great cleans
perdy good overdrive
mid boost
reverb
~50 watts
cheap
looks tits

Only thing i didn't like about the v55 when i played one was that the EQ is shared between both channels. I could find a sweet spot for cleans but then the overdrive channel suffered, and visa versa. A good spot in the middle was fine and would do however. I also preferred one channel with the mid button on and the other off [can't recall which was which] a preset option on that would have been sweet. Really this amp is a few features away from being in my bedroom.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:36 pm

I only need one (clean) channel so one of these will probably be perfect for me, I have a closed back 2 x 12 with a V30 and a greenback so should sound the business - dirt comes from my many pedals. I just need to sell my Rocker 30 now but as that cost me Â£420 used I have more than enough collateral even if I get a bit less for it.