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bugera v5 vs vht special six ultra
I’d like advice on choosing between a Bugera v5 infinium and a VHT special six ultra. Am looking for a home practice amp for electric guitar (mainly blues/rock but clean is nice, too), and harmonica. These both get great reviews on guitar and harmonica sites. Price isn’t a big factor, but the Bugera is a lot less. I need something with variable output to avoid problems with my neighbors that share a common wall.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#2
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Some Bugera V5s have a hum problem. That could be annoying if it is quite loud.
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Yamaha AC3M Acoustic Guitar Gretch G5220 Electromatic Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Special Yamaha BB414 Bass |
#3
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sounds like you've played those two amps, but, play a few more before you make your decision. go back to your big box store with your guitar and play thru those and more. that will give you an idea of what they can and can't do.
play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#4
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Paul's absolutely right about the early first-run (pre-2010) "blue-light" versions - those should be all sold out by now, and never buy a used pre-Infinium Bugera - but speaking from personal experience the current production seems to have licked the problem...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#5
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I have the Bugera V-5 (amber light). No hum at all. It is a great little amp. I did swap out the tubes, though.
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#6
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I owned both of the above but I suggest finding the Joyo mini amps, about 160 bucks, the Zombie model might put Mesa Boogie out of business, the Blue Jay is a killer Fender sound, they drive a 1 12 cabinet nicely, I use it with a 10, use an 8 and it's the most amazing Champ you ever heard, wonderful tone, effects loupe put a great 12AX7 in it and have a ton of fun for cheap
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#7
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They look interesting, but I want something with variable watts, so I can practice with good sound at a volume that’s okay with my neighbor.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#8
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Quote:
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#9
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Thanks for all the advice. None of the local stores in my area had the Bugera or VHT in stock, so I stopped by the Sacramento GC on my way back home from Nevada City. They had a Bugera v5 infinium on the floor, and I played an SG with the setting at 1 watt. Was just the sound I wanted, and I could see that it will work just fine. It was the only one they had, so it was 10% off.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#10
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Quote:
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#11
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Quote:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#12
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The relatively short time I played it in the store, I was impressed by the range of sound just adjusting the tone control, with the gain around 4 and volume at 7. Adding reverb was cool, too. It went from a nice, resonant clean sound to a hard blues/rock tone. I'm looking forward to this weekend when I'll have more time to experiment. I know what you mean about the modeling amps. The presets can sound kind of cool at first, but don't have that tube warmth and substance. For $200, it's a great value.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#13
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5 Watts can be seriously loud if you need to turn it up to sound good. My 1 Watt Marshall is borderline for apartment level playing because it sounds muffled until I turn it up a bit. Could be the fresh speaker.
My main solution for bedroom level playing is a preamp with speaker emulation, plugged into good computer speakers. The preamp sounds like an amp with speakers and the active speakers reproduce that at neighborly levels. Some amps have speaker emulated outputs that let you plug into headphones, PA, etc - without using a speaker. That would work too, and you have the power of the amp for times when you can play louder. edit: I tried the Marshall DSL1 at the shop and it didn't sound all that loud there, with the sound spreading into the large room with lots of amps and guitars all over the place. Rooms in the apartment are a different matter.
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Breedlove, Landola, a couple of electrics, and a guitar-shaped-object Last edited by perttime; 04-21-2018 at 01:35 AM. |
#14
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Quote:
Bugera's are one of...if not the most...bang for the buck in a tube amp out there today. |
#15
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Bugera...more Marshall and to my ears a bit darker
VHT- more Fendery... with attenuation(not sure if Bugera has it)..hand wired so more moddable if that matters Pick what sounds best to your ears. |