Item Reviews for:
Subject
Versatile, affordable... Know your stuff and it's a KILLER!
Jyri Tolppanen AKA Jerryteacup from Vaasa, Finland
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Again, one of the input jacks broke quite soon. The other is still functional. I figure I'll have them both changed altogether.
Besides that particular point, I have nothing to complain about - quite the opposite, actually. For the price, you get a rather amazing tone.
My friend has the Mesa Rectifier with the programmable FX loop but in the end, I'm starting to like Bugera's tone much better. It's not quite as harsh, but it still packs a punch along side the Mesa - yes, I've heard them at the same time on my gig.
Say anything you will about Bugera and Behringer, but this thing sounds good.
Also, handle with care, as you would handle any other piece of hardware.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I've had my 333XL-212 for two almost two years. Its high gain jack broke rather quickly, which of course will bring all the bad reports to mind.
However, that's the only thing that has broken from this baby. It seems to be designed to take a bunch - still, I would handle it carefully.
(I put even more care in handling my friend's Mesa Rectifier head...)
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
If I could gripe about something, it would be that a demo on Bugera's site claimed it has a programmable FX loop... But alas, it doesn't have that. Anyway.
I don't know what people are doing with their amps. I've had mine for almost two years and it's still kicking.
I admit that I seem to be adding a lot of care into handling it because of the reports - and maybe that's the key. This thing does exactly what it's meant to do - either bring down the house or just make people dance. I play quite a many different styles and Bugera does deliver for them all.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
The 333XL-212 is quite dark, and it will remain dark. However, the Cleans of it will punch holes through steel if you don't adjust them right. Yes, that's how clear they are.
The Crunch tones might leave a lot to desire in modern day metal scene, but it will do quite beautifully for something like Metallica.
The Lead channel will provide for the rest of your needs, and the FX loop acts nicely for a solo boost if you need it.
The assignable Reverb setting is quite spacious, though I admit I'd exchange it for an assignable FX loop on any day which on the other hand has nothing to do with the tone. :)
The Bugera manages to bring a rather satisfying tone for about any type of music you might want to apply it on. We will say though that fuzz is not what it is about - even overdrive isn't what it is about although it's possible.
No, this thing is about DISTORTION.
Can be used for demolitions. ;)
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Subject
Children Are Unreliable Reviewers
Marko from San Antonio, Texas, USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
I would consider this amp to be very well made. Not at the quality of a Mesa, but as well made as anything from Marshall or Fender. The reviews of it's reliability problems are the result of people who don't know how to deal with a real amp. Transistors don't break down like tubes do. They also don't sound as good.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I have had one problem with this amp in the two years I have owned it. Bugera is very helpful when contacted. And, because I have been playing for 30 years I am not afraid to open it up and work on it myself. The AC power connection on mine melted when one of my kids left it on overnight. I pulled the plastic connector off and soldered the leads directly to the power buss and have had no problems since. It sounds better now than it ever did. The original tubes are still in there and sound gorgeous. Zero microphonics and every harmonic is still there. BTW - this being a tube amp, I recommend you do not work on it yourself unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing. Even when the amp is off, the tubes can store over 400 volts and if you don't know what you are doing, you could electrocute yourself.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
This amp rocks and is a fantastic value. I have owned and played this amp extensively for the past 2 years. I did have one issue that I fixed myself with a soldering gun in about half an hour. Other than that, it is absolutely bullet-proof and give you boutique tone and flexibility at a price you can afford. You have to ask yourself how reliable a review is from someone who doesn't use punctuation, grammar or even owns the equipment. This amp does more than Marshall amps costing twice as much; Mesa's that cost three times as much; and anything else costing four or more times as much. I work 50 - 60 hours a week for every penny I have. I can't afford to waste it when there is something cheaper and better out there. This is where inflation comes from. People paying extremely inflated prices for something the guitar magazine tells them they should own. I would rather sound good than "look good" any day of the week (no more posers).
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Controls are logical and well laid out. I would not change a thing about it.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
Being an EL34 based amp, it tends to be a little darker and more punchier. Like a Marshall on steroids.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
This is a beautiful amp, but I did not like the cheap plastic logo/nameplate so I just removed it. Now it is the hottest looking amp I have ever seen. Love the blue lights.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
Out of the box, this thing was easy to play and dial in the tones I needed. It is much simpler to use than a Mesa or anything in the modeling camp and it sounds better than anything out there, and I mean anything.
Subject
I love it.
Jason from Long Island, NY
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
I have no fears over the quality, clips are glued and the main clip is soldered directly from the factory.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
works great so far, no pops or hisses.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Alot of amp for not alot of money.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
This amp brings the Br00talz like only few amps can. Buy one.
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
OMG Brootz
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Finish is nice, knobs kinda suck but are fine. they are plastic but so are alot of amps.
Action
How was the action out of the box?
great. Footswitch is very nice and included free.