Cheap Chinese, under-biased crap from our buddy at Beh%^$%r. Another example of Uli taking a European-sounding name and whoring it out. Why would someone with a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue even look at that product line?

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.youtube…"]Here[/]="http://www.youtube…"]Here[/] is a shootout between the Bugera V55 and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

I'm not sure how biased these shootouts are. They used to be very independent but lately it seems he's been favoring or at the least featuring the Bugeras. It's supposed to be a fair comparison but the two amps are clearly not set the same nor is the Hot Rod set to sound it's best.

I agree that the Fender is poorly showcased the Hot Rod has the ability to sound much better than this, makes you wonder if the Buggy was set up well also. Amps are such a personal choice but give me that Fender sound over what I heard there from the Bug.

jg49 wrote: give me that Fender sound over what I heard there from the Bug.

Fully agreed there. The Bugeras tend to appeal to metal heads and shredders. They are all in your face. No depth just full on-full on.

With a Deluxe and an AC15 why would you want to go sideways? Or even downhill a bit???

If you want to move up in true quality, look at a Matchless, DR.Z, Fender Custom Shop, Conrad, or something with some real tone.

So like most forum noobs, I asked for feedback before fully researching. I was curious about their reputation merely from seeing an ad on a magazine and a brief visit to their site. Started to assume a lot of the response I have read as I started looking at the price points.

Not really looking to good sideways or even down in the tone dept. Just looking for something a little different sound than what I already have for a little more versatility. After watching a couple of the shootouts, and listening to a couple of sound clips floating around, I'm definitely thinking Matchless or Carr.

Thanks for all the feedback

If you are thinking about those you might want to consider Conrad as well, I absolutely love mine. Tone monster, he basically custom builds them for you in the same price range.
http://www.myspace.com/conradamps
There are some sound samples here rather compressed does not do full justice, but email him.

jg49 wrote: If you are thinking about those you might want to consider Conrad as well, I absolutely love mine. Tone monster, he basically custom builds them for you in the same price range.
http://www.myspace.com/conradamps
There are some sound samples here rather compressed does not do full justice, but email him.

Well, I wasnt going to shill them, but....I do play a number of these amps as I know Conrad and see him often. I also play in a classic rock band that has a Carr and a Bogner and hear these every week.. The Conrads are every bit as good as all of the suggestions and as JG said, he will customize for your needs.

If you are unfamiliar with Conrad's credentials think Sunn.

He was the founder.

Lately he has been toying with an amp with two extra gain stages. Can you say 'saturation'??? All you heavy rockers who read this...this is your chance...and of course he'll build a head only.

Yeah, I know you weren't going to shill him so I did. But I really do like the amp, so it is not really shilling.

He pays money to you: Shill.
You pay money to him: Not a shill.

BobRogers wrote: He pays money to you: Shill.
You pay money to him: Not a shill.

Yeah.....I know.

These really are so fine....All you amp-junkies need to hear one......really.

Especially Moon.

Just what I need...another amp!! I'm droppin' Conrad a line...

Last night at the jam, he brought by an amp he has been tweeking on for some time now. This one is called Captain Rude. 30 watts.single 12 combo. Two gain stages of pre, master, three bands of EQ, a foot switchable 'Rude' knob(defeats the EQ and boosts to its setting), and a variable wattage knob......goes from 30 down to half a watt.

I played it on around 8 watts last night. Uhhhh....that was plenty....

So now, I have to figure out how to sell off all my amps in order to have this thing. seriously.

I played both my stock Strat and my friends Strat which has his new pickups in it (roadhousepickups.com)...I dont think these models are on the website yet...they're called the 'specials'.....Clean and mean and serious spank with chimy upper end....Holy crap they are loud too! Both guitars were amazing through the Conrad. The roadhouse stuff is worth your perusing. Hes really very good at this.

Okay thats my sales stuff for the day.

Thanks for all of the feedback you guys provided. I have had a little more time and opportunities to continue my sound clip research, and I think I'm leaning towards the Carr Viceroy.

The only bummer is being in Alaska none of the boutique builders have dealers so I don't have the ability to put any of them through the paces. I am going to have to rely on my ear and web posted sound clips and hope for the best.

The Carr amps are all great. An email to Conrad and describe your needs may help you in your search. They are similar in tone and usage. And probably price.

The most you should be risking in purchasing a boutique sight unseen is the cost of return shipping. While $30.00 may be a lot to discover that you don't exactly fit with something it isn't the end of the world, however Alaska is (the end of the world.)

You definitely owe it to yourself to email Conrad, costs nothing, a very personal experience.

Yes....Tell him what your style is, what you want the amp to do. Go into to a lot of detail. Thats what he likes to hear. Tell him what guitars are your primary gits and then he'll get you a price and the available special knobs you can get and what they do. He'll also design with a specific speaker in mind. I'm talking 'voicing' the amp to fit your needs. And if its not perfect, he'll make it so.....but I gotta tell ya, theres been no one I can think of who doesnt love their Conrad and who arent surprised on a regular basis of the sounds they can get by simply tweeking this or that with an EQ,a pre knob, master or even the guitar. Thes amps are some of the most guitar responsive amps I've ever played on. This list includes a bunch of old handwired Fender stuff.