Bugera V5 5W 1x8 Tube Guitar Combo Amp  

The amp is well built,looks great and has that nice warm tube tone. I really like the fact it has a headphones jack and a power accentuator where you can reduce the wattage. I keepin this great little practice amp. I'm well pleased with this purchase.

My 1st Bugera amp and I would definately recommend this little gem.

Middling marks given its limited set of features--four knobs (gain, tone, volume, reverb) and the fact that some of the features (attenuator, reverb) are pretty mediocre.  Separate bass and treble controls rather than the single tone control would have made for a much more tweakable interface.    One of the reasons why I got the amp was the ability to attenuate the output from its nominal 5 watt rating down to 1W and one tenth of a watt.  However, the attenuator turned out to be fairly useless as it has the effect of severely reducing the dynamic range and generally dulling the tone; it should better be described as a Tone Blanket.  I've learned it's best to just keep it at the 5 watt setting and just turning down the volume when I'm practicing late at night.  Out of the box, the amplifier was just ok--it had a fairly dark tone that failed to reproduce the natural chime of my Fenders or the bell-like tones of my Les Paul.  Like most cheap DSPs, the digital reverb is a fairly pathetic attempt at reproducing the complexities of a spring unit.  It's best kept off.

Another weakness (at least to my ears) was the inability of the amplifier to reproduce a good clean tone beyond a limited range of settings, as the gain stage quickly became too muddy.  I made two small mods that really transformed the amplifier--the first was to replace the 12AX7 preamp tube with a spare 12AT7 that I had lying around.  This had the effect of giving me greater headroom for cleaner sounds, and a much more responsive and "chimier" tone.  Swapping in the 12AAT7 comes at the cost of losing the ability to use the gain control to get a distorted tone but this was a small loss to me since the tube distortion of the original setup was muddy and undistinguished.

The second mod that I made was to replace the original Bugera speaker with an Eminence 8A.  The speaker swap gives me more volume, greater power handling, and--most important--more bass and far more sparkle.  When I first got the amp, I dimed out the "tone" control to get more treble and it still sounded dull and lifeless.  Now, I have plenty of treble with the tone control at the 5 or 6 setting.

Time will tell, but this has been a reliable amp so far.  I've used it every day in a variety of settings and it hasn't let me down yet.   Unlike some other low-end tube units I've tried (Fender, Epiphone) the Bugera has absolutely no hum or hiss.

I got mine for $150, before the most recent price increase (I remember they were going for as little as $129 when first introduced) and it's tremendous value for money for what appears to be a fairly robust, modifiable compact tube amp.

As noted, the unit required a few inexpensive tweaks to reach its full potential.  Kudos to Bugera for building a robust little unit that offers a taste of the boutique amp experience for a very affordable price.

Research the features...

OK, I've owned this amp since June. I used it twice in a friends studio then left it for 5 months. It sounded good when I recorded with it, but when I went to use it again, there were no guts.  It sounded like the input was being choked in half and I could get no overdrive and very little volume.  Fortunately I bought a two year extended warranty so I called for a return.  Yesterday, I took the tubes out and took the fuses out to test them, but didnt have access to a meter, so I put it all back together and, presto, it works again and sounds better than before.  Seems like a fuse or the power tube wasn't making good contact or corroded.

So today I have been playing it a lot with my RP500 pedal in front and a Telecaster, and it sounds GREAT.  I set the tone at 7, the gain at 7, volume at 10 and 5 watts, verb on 1.  I have a choice of distortion or organic tube drive which speaks a lot clearer, and the pedals work well.  Kick in the distortion and dime the volume and it is crunchier than my Hot Rod Deluxe.Only problem is halfway through jamming today, all of a sudden it sounded like an ice-pick in my ears.  (Was soloing full out...)   Pure treble with no body for like three minutes. I turned it off for a minute then back on.  The icepick was gone but I am not solid with this amp for gigs from a reliability standpoint.  That's two strikes...

Great value.  Organic tube sound at a steal price.

Gave it a 9 cause sometimes it rules with organic tube sound, and sometimes it doesn't work.

If you are looking for a "way in control" organic tube amp to mike and use as a monitor for rehersals and small gigs, this could be your amp.  Sorry that you will have to take a chance on quality, so buy from someone that will let you return a defect.  I am thinking of getting two, using them in stereo, and if one fails I have instant backup. Stock sound is pretty good, can't wait to upgrade tubes and speaker.

Finally, I believe the reason I like this amp is the telecaster, and I almost exclusively use the bridge pup, even clean.  Any low end from the axe pushes it to overdrive.

Ok so I'm a bedroom player who works the night shift. When I get home at oh-dark-thirty I can't plug in & play since my neighbors WILL complain if I plug into one of the several other amps I have. So I needed something quieter and with headphone capability. This little amp fits the bill very nicely. It has a nice sound at 5 watts but really works for me when I drop it down to it's lowest setting at a 1/4 watt.

I can plug in a set of headphones (get good ones, trust me on this) and I can play away.The sound through the headphones is quite responsive and doesn't melt my head when I crank it up to get the warm tube sound I want. The reverb is a nice funtion as well and does what it needs to. Nothing amazing but it works and for the price what do you expect.

The overall look of the amp is kinda cool, blcakish tolex and a creme front and the blue "jewel" amp on light is a nice touch but I didn't buy it for its looks.

So far no worries. I admit the first one I bought about a year ago had issues and I sent it back. The second worked perfectly. However, I ended up loaning it outa few months ago to a friend who is a much better player than I so it has a permanent home elsewhere. So this one is my third and I didn't get it new so it has been around but it is holding up well. The construction is well done and everything internally is solid and secure and appears as it should.

Seriously? For what these amps do you cannot beat the price. New or used they are worth the money. I looked into other smaller amps with a headphone capability and nobody came close for the money I spent. Yes there are other small watt amps with more features but what else do you really need? It looks good, you pick the wattage and you can play silently if you choose. 

Rating of a nine because I haven't played a ten yet. It is simple and easy to use. Looks cool, some call it retro vibe (whatever) it has multiple wattage choices and you can play the thing any time your heart desires since it has a headphone jack that doesn't appear to be a last minute add on and actually lets you hear the sound of the amp...quietly.

Add all that plus the price & this is a steal.

The features are the best part of the deal.  It has a useable reverb, and the attenuation switch is a big plus.

I have had no issues with this amp.  We'll see how it holds up.  I have been using it for two years now, including taking it to small jam sessions.  It does its job.

I had a Fender Champ, and got this amp to replace it.  However, I bought mine before the price increase, and at a discount.  I would be reluctant to pay the going price for it now.  I don't see any other amp in its weight division that would be a better deal.  Trade in value is probably minimal, so just keep it and use it.

Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase.  It is not loud enough for mixed company unless you mike it, but it is a great livingroom amp.  I can attenuate it to .1 watts and play while my wife is in the next room talking on the phone or reading.  Headroom is seriously lacking with this amp, and it is not a tone treasure.  You will need a bigger amp for any serious soundwork.  But it is a daily driver, portable, and has more features than any other small practice amp.  You have to step up to a 12-15 watt amp to improve your situation, and maybe that's not a bad idea.