Why dont Budda Amps get more recognition?

[stephen sawall]

When I lived in Green Bay[around 2000] one of the shops had two that were marked down to 1/4 of list. They had been there for over a year and no one showed interest. When I went back the next day to take a second spin they were gone. I thougth they sounded good. The guy working there told me a guy bought one came back a few hours latter for the other. I do not hear or see them much at all.

 

[killertone]

When I lived in Green Bay[around 2000] one of the shops had two that were marked down to 1/4 of list. They had been there for over a year and no one showed interest. When I went back the next day to take a second spin they were gone. I thougth they sounded good. The guy working there told me a guy bought one came back a few hours latter for the other. I do not hear or see them much at all.

That is just about what I had to do at my shop. I could not sell those amps no matter how hard I tried...

 

[Gainfreak]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

 

[ratter]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I disagree in every respect EXCEPT about the price. When they first came out, the street price of a new SD80 was $1499. That was the right price for that amp. Just a touch more than DSL100.

I think they tried to boost their image by upping the price but they overshot it. WAY overshot. They bumped the price by a grand and then all anybody said was 'overpriced!!' and they were right. And when the word starts to circulate that they're overpriced, the resale value tanks.

The good news is, if you're buying used, they're a great deal. You can get a mint used SD18 head for $700-$750. That's a much better deal than most other 'boutique' 18 watters.

And all the talk of the Superdrives aside, the true Budda tone is in the Twinmaster which of course are hard to come by these days. That's a very unique amp and definitely a modern classic, IMO.

 

[Gainfreak]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I disagree in every respect EXCEPT about the price. When they first came out, the street price of a new SD80 was $1499. That was the right price for that amp. Just a touch more than DSL100.

I think they tried to boost their image by upping the price but they overshot it. WAY overshot. They bumped the price by a grand and then all anybody said was 'overpriced!!' and they were right. And when the word starts to circulate that they're overpriced, the resale value tanks.

The good news is, if you're buying used, they're a great deal. You can get a mint used SD18 head for $700-$750. That's a much better deal than most other 'boutique' 18 watters.

And all the talk of the Superdrives aside, the true Budda tone is in the Twinmaster which of course are hard to come by these days. That's a very unique amp and definitely a modern classic, IMO.

Well we will have to agree to disagree because I think that we are comming from different places. There was nothing special tone-wise with the Buddas that I have played and after dickin with all the knobs on kages budda, I could see why some might like it but it didn't do it for me and I have heard THAT SOUND before.

For the record, even when the budda was priced at $1499, I could still get either 2 Boogie MKIII's, a few JMP's or a used MKIV and still have way more tonal options. Even if someone doesn't dig the Mark series sound (which is ok by me!!) you got more amp for your money and way more tonal options.....
I just didn't dig there amps

 

[thiswaythatway]

No doubt. I've heard a lot of smoking Budda clips, but very little talk about them on the forums.

I definitly dont hear about them much, but i heard plenty of clips and they always sounded awesome!!

I only saw them used live 2x and that was with Joe Bonamassa and his tone ranked as the best that I have seen anywhere, no joke, it was that good...

They Customer service is second to none and the guys are so damn helpful and eager for feedback...

Remember that night at Mexicali Blues in Teanack NJ? Joe's tone was smoking that night. I think he was using a Budda and a Marshall.

 

[70strathead]

You're right, The Buddha is probably the best Boutique amp I've ever played hands down. Great tones!

What was the other boutique amp you played?

to be honest, i played through a Budda when they first came out and I guess at the time it was pretty cool from what i heard, but i'm sort of a old Marshall traditionalist so "if it broke don't fix it", I'm sure there are tons of great boutiques out there that i havent played, but I'd rather focus my time/energy on composing and playing.

 

[70strathead]

No doubt. I've heard a lot of smoking Budda clips, but very little talk about them on the forums.

I definitly dont hear about them much, but i heard plenty of clips and they always sounded awesome!!

I only saw them used live 2x and that was with Joe Bonamassa and his tone ranked as the best that I have seen anywhere, no joke, it was that good...

They Customer service is second to none and the guys are so damn helpful and eager for feedback...

Remember that night at Mexicali Blues in Teanack NJ? Joe's tone was smoking that night. I think he was using a Budda and a Marshall.

I saw him in S.F. playing through that rig ( Budda/Marshall)and you're right his tone was definitely smokin!

 

[StevieRaveOn]

I plan on picking up the 18 watt combo at the first of next year

you'll prolly like it I do.

 

[StevieRaveOn]

I dont' dare try one of those amps unless I have the cash going in. I know I would love it and wouldnt' be able to walk out without it.

You have yet another reason to stop by...

 

[StevieRaveOn]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I disagree in every respect EXCEPT about the price. When they first came out, the street price of a new SD80 was $1499. That was the right price for that amp. Just a touch more than DSL100.

I think they tried to boost their image by upping the price but they overshot it. WAY overshot. They bumped the price by a grand and then all anybody said was 'overpriced!!' and they were right. And when the word starts to circulate that they're overpriced, the resale value tanks.

The good news is, if you're buying used, they're a great deal. You can get a mint used SD18 head for $700-$750. That's a much better deal than most other 'boutique' 18 watters.

And all the talk of the Superdrives aside, the true Budda tone is in the Twinmaster which of course are hard to come by these days. That's a very unique amp and definitely a modern classic, IMO.

I haven't seen the 18s that low... I did get my 18 combo for about 1100 though.

 

[ratter]

I disagree in every respect EXCEPT about the price. When they first came out, the street price of a new SD80 was $1499. That was the right price for that amp. Just a touch more than DSL100.

I think they tried to boost their image by upping the price but they overshot it. WAY overshot. They bumped the price by a grand and then all anybody said was 'overpriced!!' and they were right. And when the word starts to circulate that they're overpriced, the resale value tanks.

The good news is, if you're buying used, they're a great deal. You can get a mint used SD18 head for $700-$750. That's a much better deal than most other 'boutique' 18 watters.

And all the talk of the Superdrives aside, the true Budda tone is in the Twinmaster which of course are hard to come by these days. That's a very unique amp and definitely a modern classic, IMO.

I haven't seen the 18s that low... I did get my 18 combo for about 1100 though.[/quote]

I paid $800 for my 18 combo back when I had it, and have seen a couple 18 heads in the recent past. Lowest I remember was $700 and $750 on TGP. I should've jumped on one of those. But they'll come around again, I'm sure.

 

[StevieRaveOn]

I disagree in every respect EXCEPT about the price. When they first came out, the street price of a new SD80 was $1499. That was the right price for that amp. Just a touch more than DSL100.

I think they tried to boost their image by upping the price but they overshot it. WAY overshot. They bumped the price by a grand and then all anybody said was 'overpriced!!' and they were right. And when the word starts to circulate that they're overpriced, the resale value tanks.

The good news is, if you're buying used, they're a great deal. You can get a mint used SD18 head for $700-$750. That's a much better deal than most other 'boutique' 18 watters.

And all the talk of the Superdrives aside, the true Budda tone is in the Twinmaster which of course are hard to come by these days. That's a very unique amp and definitely a modern classic, IMO.

I haven't seen the 18s that low... I did get my 18 combo for about 1100 though.

I paid $800 for my 18 combo back when I had it, and have seen a couple 18 heads in the recent past. Lowest I remember was $700 and $750 on TGP. I should've jumped on one of those. But they'll come around again, I'm sure.[/quote]


Cool deal... I really like my 18, although I'd really like to try one of the non-EL84 power section ones. I'm interested in the feel and bottom end changes. 18 works for some things great, some things, not so much... but, then again, that goes for everything.

 

[yngzaklynch]

For the record, even when the budda was priced at $1499, I could still get either 2 Boogie MKIII's, a few JMP's or a used MKIV and still have way more tonal options. Even if someone doesn't dig the Mark series sound (which is ok by me!!) you got more amp for your money and way more tonal options.....
I just didn't dig there amps

Ralph thats completely fine that you didn't dig the Budda. But I've played 4 different SD80s and I gota tell you that I feel they are a unique amp. If you can get that tone cheaper... awesome. I think they are one of the better sounding amps out there and hold them in high regard.

 

[ke2]

I`ve always wanted to check out a Budda, but they`re few and far between over here. I guess the price is a matter of concern, they are fairly expensive in Norway. I`ve heard nothing but good stuff about them.

 

[daver101]

Daver101 has one and I think it may be his all time favorite amp. He regularly talks about how much he loves his SuperDrive 45. It's not that they're bad or anything. I just didn't get along with it all that well.

Chris

That's true - I love my SDII45. It is one of my all-time favorite amps. I use a BB Preamp to goose the front end a bit. IMO, perfect tone and excellent control.

I would like to revisit the 18 watt combo (or head) sometime. I had the combo for a little while, and it was impressive.

 

[daver101]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I don't get how a two channel amp can be a one trick pony. The Budda has a very good clean channel, IMO.

 

[Gainfreak]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I don't get how a two channel amp can be a one trick pony. The Budda has a very good clean channel, IMO.

What I meant about one trick pony is on the distortion channel I found that the amp only did one thing and the controls didn't do much to alter the sound. The point Im trying to make is that I personally believe that there are way better amps out there for the money. That's all Im saying. If people like the buddas then so be it! They just don't work for me for what I like ,much like the Bogners. its not a dig on the amps, I just don't like them and voiced my opinion.

 

[daver101]

I think the Buddas are a one trick pony and way overpriced. Just for teh record bro, i didn't like the budda at all. It was just ok for me and I think that a 70's JMP with a hotplate and boost kicks the buddas ass in every way for way less money.

To sum up what Im sayin is that there are better alternatives to that sound then the budda and there pricing and resale value is whats killing them.

I don't get how a two channel amp can be a one trick pony. The Budda has a very good clean channel, IMO.

What I meant about one trick pony is on the distortion channel I found that the amp only did one thing and the controls didn't do much to alter the sound. The point Im trying to make is that I personally believe that there are way better amps out there for the money. That's all Im saying. If people like the buddas then so be it! They just don't work for me for what I like ,much like the Bogners. its not a dig on the amps, I just don't like them and voiced my opinion.

Well, stop voicing your opinion! Since when did this place become a forum??!?!

I think they're underrated. They don't work with every style, but they seem to work for whatever it is that I'm doing with them.

OK - that's all I'm going to say about that....

 

[daver101]

FWIW, I could never figure out the Bogner thing, either.