Bugera 333xl combo opinoins

[C1-ocaster]

Recently I bought an Egnater Vengeance head and I'm loving the amp.
I'm running into 2x12 cab with V30's.

But, I still want to get a combo, which would be better for home playing, and I'll use the Vengeance and 2x12 at my buddies home studio for recording and playing around.
The combo I really want is a Peavey JSX 2x12.
While looking for one I've done a lot of reading and research on the Bugera 333XL 2x12 combo.
Seems the 333XL is a nearly direct copy of the JSX down to the gate circuit control, knob layout, and even Peaveys bias adjustment circuits, which may not be the best.
Player reviews have been excellent, seems everyone who owns one loves it, and some even have a JSX and say it really is identical clean and high gain.

Why the Bugera and not a used JSX?
Well that is the question. I have found a number of JSX's from around $480 to $550.
Most are from GC, which is good cause they have a 30 day local store return if the amp is in bad condition or has problems.
Private seller has no such backup.
With the Bugera it would be a new amp with full warranty, and I can get a 3yr GC warranty as well.
Price is $700 plus about $15% off, so about $595 + tax.

Seems a great deal for a new amp that looks and sounds just like a JSX, with a warranty and for only about $50 more.
Yes, these amps have had problems mostly for the first 2-3 years they came out. Right now there is a new 333XL that is slightly different cosmetically to the original ones. The overall cosmetics are slightly different and there are new color LED's.
The current 333XL hasn't reported nearly as many issues as the original.
Opinions and experiences on actual function would be greatly appreciated.

Those who don't like Chinese made low cost amps, I know, I know. Yes, the components are not as good as higher priced US made amps. But, this also doesn't cost nearly as much as those. I'd love a Mesa 5:50 1x12 combo, but the cost of a new one is $1450, over double the cost.
If I were to return the Vengeance and use that cash to get a new $1450 5:50 1x12, would that amp give me an Egnater clean and the high gain of a JSX?
With a 1x12 combo I could easily move that between home and the studio/rehearsal space.
I've never played a 5:50 so I don't know if it would give me everything I want in just one amp.
Please give me your tonal and user experience, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Ventura]

No.

 

[C1-ocaster]

No.

No, for the Bugera?

What about the JSX?
And, what about the 5:50?
Would the 5:50 give a nice clean AND the high gain of the JSX?
I'm sure the cleans are very nice, but I'm not looking for Fender type clean, more like an Egnater clean.

 

[311boogieman]

For the love of God do not buy the Bugera.

Period.

Search on Bugera on this board and read up.

JSX all the way.

 

[Racerxrated]

If you really want the Peavey get the Peavey. If you don't you may regret it if the Bugera breaks down. Another option for a cheap combo with a clean, reverb, 2 gains and a hot rodded Marshall thing is a Crate Stealth..I know it's a Crate but you can get em for less than 300 and it's a Lee Jackson design with 6V6 tubes..I think you can find them usually on Guitar Center online and ebay..they really don't sound remotely Crate like

 

[Ventura]

No.

No, for the Bugera?

What about the JSX?
And, what about the 5:50?
Would the 5:50 give a nice clean AND the high gain of the JSX?
I'm sure the cleans are very nice, but I'm not looking for Fender type clean, more like an Egnater clean.

I saw a thread and the word "Bugera", my knee jerk reaction is simply "no".

 

[C1-ocaster]

No.

No, for the Bugera?

What about the JSX?
And, what about the 5:50?
Would the 5:50 give a nice clean AND the high gain of the JSX?
I'm sure the cleans are very nice, but I'm not looking for Fender type clean, more like an Egnater clean.

I saw a thread and the word "Bugera", my knee jerk reaction is simply "no".

Ok, thanks, but "No" doesn't tell me anything.

Have you owned a Bugera that had problems?
Have you played through one and it sounded awful?

 

[Michi]

Have you owned a Bugera that had problems?
Have you played through one and it sounded awful?

FWIW:

I have owned two Bugeras: a 1990 head and a 1960 Infinium head.

Both sounded at least ok, closer to great IMO. The 1990 I had broke in less than two weeks/3 hours of playing (in the middle of a gig no less) and the 1960 I had only less than a month (two gigs and a few hours of studio sessions).

With this experience I would get the 1960 Infinium again, if I had a need for a Super Lead type of amp (without the ability to boost solos) and the price was right . The 1990 I would hesitate quite a bit, but only because I am a "one amp at a time" type of guy, I don't have need for multiple amps (nor do I have the means to be able to have ). Back up of course, but that's usually my GSP.

 

[charveldan]

 

[rlord1974]

.....but only because I am a "one amp at a time" type of guy

 

[Michi]

.....but only because I am a "one amp at a time" type of guy

 

[Viesczy]

I had 2 bugeras. I got a Trirec from zZounds back in July and a 333xl 2x12 from them 3 years ago.

I still have the 333xl, she's going strong to this day. I got her to be an amp to have at my GFs place when I wanted the Peavey tone when I wasthere. It sounds great, matches up well to my XXX I have at my place with regard to tones. Build quality is lower than my XXX but that is to be expected, there's a reason it doesn't go for the same price as the Peavey. Same reason a Kia doesn't go for the same price as a Caddy.

The Trirec died in less than a month and was returned and I got my money back. I got that to be another amp @ my GF's place when I wanted a Recto tone but I didn't have my RK II @ my GF's place. Sound wise, the Trirec's gain matched up pretty good against the RKII's gain channels. The clean didn't though, mostly due to all the options on channels 1/2 on the RKII.

Then there was the longevity, or lack thereof, of the Trirec!

I wouldn't blink at scoring another 333XL, mine is 3 years old and going strong with about 10-20 hours a month on it since I got it.

YMMV

Derek

 

[thickwood]

For petes sake look at the jet city jca5012c with 6L6 tubes.
There web site has them on sale now for $399 and its a steal.
Effects loop is amazing with pedals.
I have the jca2212c 20 watt only difference is power tubes , mine are el84 .

These amps have some tone for sure,and a good natural distortion .
Clean to higher gain is all there.

 

[C1-ocaster]

For petes sake look at the jet city jca5012c with 6L6 tubes.
There web site has them on sale now for $399 and its a steal.
Effects loop is amazing with pedals.
I have the jca2212c 20 watt only difference is power tubes , mine are el84 .

These amps have some tone for sure,and a good natural distortion .
Clean to higher gain is all there.

Not sure what website you're referring to, but GC has the Jet City JCA5012C 50W 1x12 for $700.
It's a single channel amp, and no reverb either.

Not a lot of amp for $700 compared to the 333Xl for the same price, which has 3 channels each with their own eq stack, reverb included, 2x12 speakers, and the same tones and high gain as the JSX.

What web site is selling a JCA5012C for $400?
At that price it could be a great deal.
I can get a new 333XL for 15% off making it $595.

 

[C1-ocaster]

I had 2 bugeras. I got a Trirec from zZounds back in July and a 333xl 2x12 from them 3 years ago.

I still have the 333xl, she's going strong to this day. I got her to be an amp to have at my GFs place when I wanted the Peavey tone when I wasthere. It sounds great, matches up well to my XXX I have at my place with regard to tones. Build quality is lower than my XXX but that is to be expected, there's a reason it doesn't go for the same price as the Peavey. Same reason a Kia doesn't go for the same price as a Caddy.

The Trirec died in less than a month and was returned and I got my money back. I got that to be another amp @ my GF's place when I wanted a Recto tone but I didn't have my RK II @ my GF's place. Sound wise, the Trirec's gain matched up pretty good against the RKII's gain channels. The clean didn't though, mostly due to all the options on channels 1/2 on the RKII.

Then there was the longevity, or lack thereof, of the Trirec!

I wouldn't blink at scoring another 333XL, mine is 3 years old and going strong with about 10-20 hours a month on it since I got it.

YMMV

Derek

Cool. Thanks for the info.
Does your 333xl have blue lights on the right hand side?

 

[Anonymous]

buy a randall rd45. you'll thank mike fortin later.

 

[Viesczy]

I had 2 bugeras. I got a Trirec from zZounds back in July and a 333xl 2x12 from them 3 years ago.

I still have the 333xl, she's going strong to this day. I got her to be an amp to have at my GFs place when I wanted the Peavey tone when I wasthere. It sounds great, matches up well to my XXX I have at my place with regard to tones. Build quality is lower than my XXX but that is to be expected, there's a reason it doesn't go for the same price as the Peavey. Same reason a Kia doesn't go for the same price as a Caddy.

The Trirec died in less than a month and was returned and I got my money back. I got that to be another amp @ my GF's place when I wanted a Recto tone but I didn't have my RK II @ my GF's place. Sound wise, the Trirec's gain matched up pretty good against the RKII's gain channels. The clean didn't though, mostly due to all the options on channels 1/2 on the RKII.

Then there was the longevity, or lack thereof, of the Trirec!

I wouldn't blink at scoring another 333XL, mine is 3 years old and going strong with about 10-20 hours a month on it since I got it.

YMMV

Derek

Cool. Thanks for the info.
Does your 333xl have blue lights on the right hand side?

My 333XL is a non infinium version, has the blue pilot lights on the side where you power the amp on and work the stand by switches & the hi/lo gain inputs are on the opposite side.

She sound great, I got her from zZounds on a price match to Amazon when Amazon was clearing out their stock. The 2x12 was less than the head. Couldn't go wrong there.

Derek

 

[C1-ocaster]

buy a randall rd45. you'll thank mike fortin later.

I was looking at the RD40C.
The YT vids sound good, that baby's got gain.

Have you played it?
How is the clean channel, and how does it handle gritty and higher gain blues tones?

 

[Anonymous]

I dig the rd45 tone better myself, but they are made in China as we'll ??

they are

and, im assuming here, but, assuming wisely based on mike fortin's reputation.....gambling so to speak

his china goods > egnater or bugera chinese goods

just sayin.

 

[ke2]

buy a randall rd45. you'll thank mike fortin later.

I was looking at the RD40C.
The YT vids sound good, that baby's got gain.

Have you played it?
How is the clean channel, and how does it handle gritty and higher gain blues tones?

The 45/40 is most likely a better amp than my 50, here's a little walkthrough of it. Hope you get some pointers, at least