Hello everyone! I recently purchased a Bugera V5 and I was wondering based off of what I generally play if you all had any recommendations for some tubes that I should try and why. Thank you all for your suggestions!

5W Class-A amplifier driven by 1 x EL84 valve
also has 1 x 12AX7 valve

Wow..... and to let you all know what I generally play, I enjoy blues, classic rock, some fusion of blues pop(John Mayer for example) and some country. Not really into playing heavy rock/metal. Thanks guys!

Based on the Watkins Clubman amp. Which in turn is based on the EL86 powered hifi amps of the early 50's right into the 60's.
Careful with that circuit. It's one of the few times I'll go on record as saying the quality of the valves make all the difference. Simply because there is so little going on in the circuit to colour the sound.

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No no and no

I am totally intrigued by this Amp !

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

Lots of variation of this circuit being used today, with added bells and whistles.
The Bugera Vintage 5, Marshall Class 5, Blackheart BH5 and Epiphone Valve Junior.

All very different amps. Based on the Clubman. Like I said, a very basic bare circuit that you can do a lot with.
Personally, if I were looking for a classic sound, as close to the original as possible, I'd go with the Valve Junior. Simply because theres nothing on there cluttering up the sound of the power section. Which is what the original was all about. Anarchic not overly driven 60's beat sound. (Think Kinks All Day And All Of The Night).

There are a million mods out there for the Blackheart and Epiphone.

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No no and no

May I suggest to leave it stock. The luthier at my local GC (I know what your thinking) used one when he had his choice of anything in the store to test his set ups. He thought a lot of them. They must be in demand because they could be bought for $99 last year (kick myself for not picking one up), and now they're twice the price.

+1

There's nothing wrong with this amp as it is. I bought mine back when they were going for $149 with a coupon that knocked it back to $129 - a steal in my opinion. The one thing the Bugera has over all those mentioned above, besides price? REVERB!

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Definitely persuaded to keep it stock simply because it sounds awesome the way it is!! I really love this amp and the sounds it has. The reverb on this thing is really great as well, attenuation switch is so valuable for getting in practice time when I shouldn't be playing either Who knows, I might buy another one just to change it up and see what it can do otherwise.

Just picked one up on Amazon - $129.99 w/ Free S/H...

And... my wife's Xmas shopping is done !!

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

Nice!! Have you started playing it yet? I'm curious to see how someone else feels about it with playing experience. What guitar set-up are you using?

No not yet... Mr. Brownpants will be dropping it off next week (it's gonna be a long week).

I have very, er that is... VERY little experience, just started 3 mos. ago. But, I am playing an MIM Deluxe Series Nashville Telecaster (modded to standard Tele) and an Am Vtg. '57 Stratocaster. Currently have a 20W SS Orange Pix practice Amp and a newly acquired '96 Fender Princeton Chorus 51W SS Amp.

I also wanted to have a Tube Amp, saw the Bugera 2 mos. ago, but knew nothing of them. My other research and the comments here made me take the plunge.

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

It looks to be a very cool amp in every way. I heard it in two videos and liked what I heard. Being able to tube swap and not have to worry about biasing, especially if you don't know how (raises hand) would be a plus for me. Enjoy. As intrigued as I am, buying one right now, is hard for me to justify. It is definitely whispering sweet things into my ear.

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I have some Fender gear.
(Telecaster, Jaguar, Villager 12 String. Mustang l, Bronco, SCX2, Rumble 350, HRDIII, Rumble 2x8 Neo Cab)
http://www.reverbnation.com/modwiz

I just ordered one myself. Amazon is temporarily out of stock, but they are still offering the 129.99 price. If they continue to honor that price when they get it back in stock, I'll take it. I see it filling a sonic niche that it is made for. Type A makes experimenting with tube a matter of replacement. I heard the Bugera with a 12AT7 and it really allowed for some clean space. Keep the other one handy if you need to crank it and you have a unique tone machine. I do hope they keep the price. Not sure if I want to go for the the 200.

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I have some Fender gear.
(Telecaster, Jaguar, Villager 12 String. Mustang l, Bronco, SCX2, Rumble 350, HRDIII, Rumble 2x8 Neo Cab)
http://www.reverbnation.com/modwiz

Amazon was showing 3 available when I ordered mine, but it said "more coming soon".

Go ahead and order it from that page, not their alternate vendor who I believe is Music 123 - $199.99. Be SURE it says 'Fulfillment by Amazon' and you will get the $129.99 price.

When I ordered mine, I chose the Free S/H offer which Amazon posts to your receipt and then removes as a promotional discount. In my case, this amount was $23.54. Add to this a Sales Tax saving of $16.00 and $70.00 discount to street price and that's a total savings of $110... just can't beat it.

cheers!

_________________


'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

I made sure that my price was 129.99. I am a prime member and got 2 day free shipping. Of course, that is when it comes in. It seemed like the right time to grab one. I feel I have caught up on missing the black Friday 99.99 Greta. To be honest, with the tone and reverb, the Bugera is more what I am looking for. I always like my sound a little wet. Even with my bass. This is my Xmas gift to myself. I am doing the holiday alone. Wish I had some people to jam with. That would be time well spent. I just moved to a new area, and just for the Winter. Looking forward to the Bugera and playing with some tubes and some tunes..

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I have some Fender gear.
(Telecaster, Jaguar, Villager 12 String. Mustang l, Bronco, SCX2, Rumble 350, HRDIII, Rumble 2x8 Neo Cab)
http://www.reverbnation.com/modwiz