First Post...Bugera V5 Question

[FaceFullofFuzz]

First post, so

The economy hit me rather hard several months ago and my gear was unfortunately sacrificed. I'm now in a position to get back into acquiring gear and hopefully you guys and gals can help me out with my question.

I am in need of a practice amp and have spent the last month doing some research and trying out a few options. I have finally narrowed it down to a couple of options.

Due to my work situation I do most of my playing very late at night and headphones are a must, so I've been mostly checking out solid state amps. I am rather impressed with the Orange Crush PiX amps and will pick up a CR20LDX if my other option doesn't pan out.

Now, I would prefer tubes and that leads me to my question. Is the headphone out on the Bugera V5 any good? Normally I would try it out myself but the two local shops don't carry the V5 and I obviously can't check out sound clips of the headphone out on Youtube so I'm left to opinion on this one.

I really like the tone of the V5 from the sound clips I've heard on Youtube and if the headphone out is decent I will go with the V5 over the Orange. So, if anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

Just for the record....I will be playing an Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro with stock pickups and if I go with the V5 I'll probably pick up an OD pedal too. Music wise, a lot of Black Crowes, Gov't Mule type tones.

[captain tightpants]

I bought one a few months back, I couldn't send it back fast enough. Dull, lifeless, the headphone output sounded absolutely TERRIBLE. Only way to get any sort of decent sound at all was to crank it on the 5w setting.

Switching it to the 1w or 1/4w settings only made it even MORE dull and lifeless, and pedals just sounded muddy, dull, and useless.

And I haven't even mentioned the ever-present horrible humming present at all volume levels.

Honestly, I had a Peavey Rage 158 that sounded better, no shit.


I'm going to do what I never do and suggest a product I have not yet tried, one of the Fender Mustangs. I have one on order, and I bought one for the same reason you did, as i too get home from work quite late at night.

I based my purchase on the fact that of all the sound clips I have heard, the Mustang I did not seem to have the same "boxy" sound a lot of small amps have. That, and everyone I have seen or heard whose tried one seems to love it.

[>Photi G<]

Yeh. I'd stay away from anything Bugera. It's Behringer-made POS. Go for a VOX Mini 3, or AC4. Both are miles ahead of the V5.

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

the headphone output sounded absolutely TERRIBLE.

I don't think that I could deal with this. Headphones are just too much of a necessity for my current practice schedule.

I'll take your recommendation and check out some clips of the Fender Mustangs. I think that tubes are just going to be out of the question at the present moment.

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by >Photi G<

Go for a VOX Mini 3, or AC4.

I haven't tried the Mini 3 but I did really enjoy the AC4TV when I tried it out, especially with a Telecaster. Unfortunately the AC4TV doesn't have a headphone out and I'm pretty certain that even the 1/4 watt setting might be too loud to use at 2 am.

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by FaceFullofFuzz

I don't think that I could deal with this. Headphones are just too much of a necessity for my current practice schedule.

I'll take your recommendation and check out some clips of the Fender Mustangs. I think that tubes are just going to be out of the question at the present moment.

Yeah, I forgot to mention you had to turn the volume up to ear-bleeding levels throught the headphones to get any kind of sound quality. The Vox Amplug is better, no joke.

As for other tube amps, check out some of the other offerings. I have a Fender Champion 600, I run a Bad Monkey in front of it, and I can get some pretty good tones at midnight volumes. Not great, but a million times better than the Bugera. The Vox AC-4 is supposed to be really good, too, but no headphone jacks on either.

I'll give you a report on the Mustang I's headphone tone when I get it.

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

Yeah, I forgot to mention you had to turn the volume up to ear-bleeding levels throught the headphones to get any kind of sound quality. The Vox Amplug is better, no joke.

As for other tube amps, check out some of the other offerings. I have a Fender Champion 600, I run a Bad Monkey in front of it, and I can get some pretty good tones at midnight volumes. Not great, but a million times better than the Bugera. The Vox AC-4 is supposed to be really good, too, but no headphone jacks on either.

I'll give you a report on the Mustang I's headphone tone when I get it.

I've actually tried out both the Champion 600 and AC4TV and really enjoyed the Vox. The 600 wasn't bad and if I ran it with a pedal like you are I would probably like it a bit more. I just wasn't too fond of the breakup on the 600.

But like you said, no headphone outs on those two. However, they would make good 'day off' amps.

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by FaceFullofFuzz

I've actually tried out both the Champion 600 and AC4TV and really enjoyed the Vox. The 600 wasn't bad and if I ran it with a pedal like you are I would probably like it a bit more. I just wasn't too fond of the breakup on the 600.

But like you said, no headphone outs on those two. However, they would make good 'day off' amps.

Yeah, stock the 600's are a little rough. I've re-tubed mine and replaced the speaker, that helped a lot, but if I had it to do over I'd probably go with the Vox.

[Comokanu]

How about the Blackstar HT-5 or HT-1? Has really good emulated output which also doubles up as a headphone out!

Plus has an FX loop, a few speaker outs(dunno what resistance though) and the ISF thing.

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

Yeah, stock the 600's are a little rough. I've re-tubed mine and replaced the speaker, that helped a lot, but if I had it to do over I'd probably go with the Vox.

Not to go too far off topic, but what did you re-tube the 600 with and how much of a difference did you notice?

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by Comokanu

How about the Blackstar HT-5 or HT-1? Has really good emulated output which also doubles up as a headphone out!

Honestly, I think the HT-5 would be an excellent amp for my situation but it is a bit above what I want to spend at the moment.

I don't think the HT-1 amps are available in the states yet.

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by FaceFullofFuzz

Not to go too far off topic, but what did you re-tube the 600 with and how much of a difference did you notice?

A JJ low-gain 6v6, and i think a Ruby Tubes 12ax7. Made it smoother, and warmer, and the breakup is much more pleasing to the ear.

The Jensen Mod speaker was a big improvement over stock as well. Less farty at higher volumes than stock.

I'm considering trying a 12at7 or some other lower-gain preamp tube, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

[LPV]

This looks to be a great deal if you want some real tube tone. A 5F1 in a cab with a 10" for $250. These are great little amps and he has a hammond and a Mag Comp tranny in there. Much better than wasting money on cheap crap:

Canada Sellers Thread

[>Photi G<]

Originally Posted by LPV

This looks to be a great deal if you want some real tube tone. A 5F1 in a cab with a 10" for $250. These are great little amps and he has a hammond and a Mag Comp tranny in there. Much better than wasting money on cheap crap:

Canada Sellers Thread

I don't get it, what's wrong with that?

[organtis]

I am surprised this is so one sided. Usually you will get a 50/50 mix of people who like and dislike the V5. I have it and for the price and the features I love it. I will admit that never really used the headphones, but know that the quality will also vary with what headphones your using.

Granted the tubes sucked and I put JJs in it. I threw down a Bad Monkey in front of it and I have a pretty good tone for $250. Granted I am a home player but I like it and I haven't had any reliability issues, been using it every day for about 6 months.

[captain tightpants]

See, I put a Bad Monkey in front of the one I had, too, but all it did is make it sound worse. Normally I love the Bad Monkey.

Put it this way, the stock Champ 600 was WAY more impressive than the Bugera. Lots more usable tones with just the one volume knob. All I could manage was one OK tone after an hour of fiddling with the 4 knobs of the Bugera.

Better tubes may have helped, but I doubt enough to suit me.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

My Bugera sounds just fine.

[captain tightpants]

I thought you had a 100 watt head? How does that help this discussion, unless you are referring to the V5?

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

I thought you had a 100 watt head? How does that help this discussion, unless you are referring to the V5?

120 watt

I was just saying because you guys said " Avoid anything that says Bugera". Don't want to start that battle again though...

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

120 watt

I was just saying because you guys said " Avoid anything that says Bugera". Don't want to start that battle again though...

I didn't say avoid anything Bugera. I said I didn't like the V5.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

I didn't say avoid anything Bugera. I said I didn't like the V5.

I guess I should have changed "You guys" to "That guy".

[captain tightpants]

I'd say so, because the only time I see that statement is in post #3. I assumed you were talking to me as you posted after me. 14 posts later.

I don't have a recommendation on any other Bugera product, good or bad. I haven't tried any others.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

ZOOM Q3 Recording.

YouTube - Soulful Blues Jam

YouTube - Soulful Blues Jam

[Drew224]

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

ZOOM Q3 Recording.

YouTube - Soulful Blues Jam

Very nice, but again, how does this have anything to do with the V5? Not even close to the same circuit.

Might I suggest you re-read the OP. A 120 watt head does not exactly meet his stated needs.

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Originally Posted by captain tightpants

A 120 watt head does not exactly meet his stated needs.

Only if I was interested in a divorce

Although I really enjoyed a lot of the sound clips of the V5 that I've found on Youtube I'm not sold that the V5 will be the right amp for me. Nothing good about the headphone out as of yet and I would probably buy a Bad Monkey or DS-1 and so far the verdict is 50/50. I do really wish that I could try this amp without having to deal with return policies and shipping.

Anyways, I still think that the Orange may be a good way to go, or maybe try the Champion 600 with pedal if some fun crunch can be achieved at very low volume. I did like the cleans with the 600 and a pedal would take care of my concerns with its breakup.

I hate decisions. Maybe I should just go with a 100W head and divorce

[LPV]

Originally Posted by >Photi G<

I don't get it, what's wrong with that?

The amp or the deal?

Sounds like a really good deal to me.

[Case24]

Originally Posted by LPV

This looks to be a great deal if you want some real tube tone. A 5F1 in a cab with a 10" for $250. These are great little amps and he has a hammond and a Mag Comp tranny in there. Much better than wasting money on cheap crap:

Canada Sellers Thread

I just noticed that the seller lives about 30 minutes away from me! Look like a couple of real good deals.

[LPV]

Originally Posted by Case24

I just noticed that the seller lives about 30 minutes away from me! Look like a couple of real good deals.

250 for a nice little cab and speaker on a 5F1? Heck ya. If someone craves "real" tube tone, sooner or later they are going to end up with a champ in the stable. I'm surprised its not gone by now.

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by FaceFullofFuzz

Only if I was interested in a divorce

Although I really enjoyed a lot of the sound clips of the V5 that I've found on Youtube I'm not sold that the V5 will be the right amp for me. Nothing good about the headphone out as of yet and I would probably buy a Bad Monkey or DS-1 and so far the verdict is 50/50. I do really wish that I could try this amp without having to deal with return policies and shipping.

Anyways, I still think that the Orange may be a good way to go, or maybe try the Champion 600 with pedal if some fun crunch can be achieved at very low volume. I did like the cleans with the 600 and a pedal would take care of my concerns with its breakup.

I hate decisions. Maybe I should just go with a 100W head and divorce

I will say this, if you decide to give the V5 a shot and don't like it, Musician's Friend should take it back, no questions asked. They do hav a good return policy.