Bugera Amp ?

[RayL]

American-built and American-based amplifiers tend to quote 20w+ for a pair of EL84s and 50w for a quartet of the same valves:

Both the Vox AC15 (2xEL84)and AC30 (4xEL84) use cathode bias for the EL84s (sometimes called self bias). This inevitably limits the power available. The bias changes as the current through the valves changes. With a separate fixed negative bias supply, a useful amount of extra power is available.

Vox even used cathode bias for their 4xEL34 AC100, which meant the name was a bit of an exaggeration. I had one and the true power was no more than about 80 watts. By contrast, a Marshall 100 watt head with 4xEL34 and fixed negative bias gives a true 100 watts with a bit to spare. Marshall of course based their design on the Fender amplifiers, which also used fixed bias.

[ecca]

100 watt Fender - The Twin.
Very loud indeed but what a back breaker.
I didn't keep mine long.

[RUSSET]

Yes, Ecca, I had a very nice Fender '65 Twin Reverb reissue about ten years back. What a great amp, but what a weight !
I think it weighed 70-80 lbs, & although I put castors on it, you have to lift them at some point. You don't get Roadies in '60s bands, do you ?

Tony.

[neil2726]

Had a twin reverb many years ago - a great amp - came with castors and tilt back legs! I used to carry it up flights of stairs without any problem - these days even my Burns and Strats seem heavy!

[bazmusicman]

I had a 60's or was it 70's (cant remember) Twin Reverb with JBL Speakers which was even heavier. A brilliant amp, but has privious posts have said, its a young mans Amp!
I got rid of it in 1985, I done a deal with the 'Bootleg Beatles' for a drum kit. Sad thing is it is probably worth a lot of money now.

Best regards,
Baz.

[C-C]

In July last Year a new Bugera V22 Infinium 22 Watt HD head came out.
I have been using it with a Celestion Gold Speaker.
These new amps have sorted the earlier problems out.
I got mine in September and have not looked back.
Its loud enough for live play and with a separate master volume control can be turned down for home playing.
Since I got this amp I have got rid of my other amps I was using.
Recently I bought a Rivera Rockcrusher recording Attenuater with the 11 Band EQ for speaker Voicing.
So its good for playing the same amp home and away.
As always each person has his own personal taste so this is my own opinion.
This is the best move I have made, These are cheap amps as well.

[RUSSET]

Thanks for that info, C C. I will pass it on to my mate. I guess the Head & cab version would have been a better option regarding the weight issue, for him.

Tony.

[RUSSET]

My friend has just received his new Bugera V22. Here is his initial assessment :

Hi Tony, Yes it has heavy transformers and I have read the more iron the better sound. I don't know how they make them for the money. I paid £233 Free Express delivery.
It took just 1 day and was shipped from Germany? The amp is a cross between a Fender and Vox. It is very touch sensitive and the 'Matchless' look and finish is immaculate.
To my ears it sounds like what an early Vox should sound, the sound I didn't have from my AC30.

It has tube saving and peak tube efficiency monitoring technology plus an auto biasing circuit so you never need to rebias if you change the tubes.
When I saw the price and reviews I thought it would be mad not to buy.
K.

Tony.

[C-C]

HI Tony
We are all getting older and weight is an issue but I can not settle with just a guitar and a couple of pedals in a PA system.
I like an amp behind me when I am playing so a Head and Cabinet just right.
I will be seventy next year and keep threatening to call it a day but love playing too much.
In the Fifties the amps where small and was acceptable but as time went by things got bigger and heavier,
The biggest heaviest amp I recall having was a 100 Watt Selmar Thunderbird It was a 4x 12" combo amp boy was that heavy but we a lot younger then.
Carl

[RUSSET]

Hi Carl,
Yes, I am in the same situation as you, I guess. I am 69 at present & have recently stopped gigging with my band of 'oldies'. It does get more tiring, lifting heavy kit & going through the wiring connections & sound checks each gig.
The local club/pub gigs that we used to do were not that well paid, & while we were not in it for the cash, we used to work hard for it & then get back at 1.00am in the morning, exhausted.
I jam with my brother & friends every week now, just for the pure pleasure of playing those good old '50s/'60s songs.

In the '60s, when I started playing, I too started with a Hofner guitar & a Selmer Twin Selectortone amp combo. Great amp, but naff guitar. I graduated to a Burns 'Vista Sonic' later on. I got back into playing & gigging in the '90s, when I could afford all the kit I fancied.
I will see my friend's new Bugera V22 on Friday. He seems very pleased with it. I have a Vox Heritage series AC15 in cream Tolex & a Fender Superchamp XD combo. Just the job for annoying the neighbours.

Cheers, Tony.